# voice.md

## Communication Style

### Overall Tone and Personality
The Council Design brand communicates with a **professional, sophisticated, and authoritative** tone, reflecting its standing in the contemporary design industry. This is balanced with a **friendly, collaborative, and community-oriented** personality, especially when discussing partnerships and events. There's a clear sense of **pride and passion** for original design and quality craftsmanship. The brand is **informative and direct**, particularly in functional contexts like product navigation.

### Key Stylistic Elements and Patterns
- **Emphasis on Authenticity:** Strong advocacy for "original design" and against "copies and knockoffs."
- **Credibility through Specificity:** Frequent mention of specific designers, organizations (e.g., Bernhardt Design, BeOriginal Americas), events (ICFF, Downtown Design), dates, and locations.
- **Narrative Storytelling:** News and blog content often tells a story, providing context and detailing experiences from events and collaborations.
- **Positive and Affirmative Language:** Uses strong, positive adjectives to describe partnerships, events, and the brand's mission (e.g., "critically important," "greatest pleasure," "inspiring design").
- **Clear and Concise for Utility:** Functional content (navigation, product categories) is direct, list-based, and easy to understand.

### Vocabulary Preferences and Word Choices
- **Industry-Specific & Elevated:** "contingent," "prominent," "strategic initiatives," "collaborates," "critically important," "tirelessly," "original design," "entrust," "hospitality," "biennial."
- **Community & Relationship Focused:** "friends," "colleagues," "partnerships," "community," "friendship."
- **Value-Driven:** "greatest pleasure," "inspiring," "honored," "proud."
- **Functional:** "Collection," "Seating," "Tables," "Storage," "Designers," "Items."

## Content Patterns

### Common Themes and Topics
- **Promotion of Original Design:** Central to the brand's identity, highlighted through participation in organizations like BeOriginal Americas.
- **Industry Events and Exhibitions:** Regular updates on participation in major design fairs (ICFF, Downtown Design, Contempo).
- **Collaborations and Partnerships:** Showcasing relationships with designers, other brands, and industry leaders.
- **Community and Shared Values:** Emphasizing the connections and mutual respect within the design world.
- **New Product Introductions:** Announcing and categorizing new additions to the collection.

### Structural Approaches to Content
- **News/Blog Posts:** Typically structured with an engaging introduction, detailed account of an event or collaboration, mention of key participants, and a positive concluding remark or call to action.
- **Product/Collection Pages:** Organized hierarchically by category, with clear labels and item counts, designed for easy navigation.

### Call-to-action Styles and Patterns
- **Direct and Explicit:** "Read More," "Please come see us," "Reach out."
- **Implicit Navigation:** Links like "Browse our [collection] collection" guide users to explore further.

## Audience Interaction

### How the Brand Addresses its Audience
The brand addresses its audience respectfully and professionally, positioning itself as a knowledgeable and engaged participant in the design world. For event invitations, it uses direct address ("Please come see us"). Otherwise, it primarily informs and shares experiences, assuming a shared interest in contemporary design.

### Level of Formality and Relationship Style
The relationship style is that of an **expert and trusted authority** in design, yet approachable and welcoming, especially when inviting interaction or participation. The formality is generally **professional and sophisticated**, aligning with the high-end nature of its products, but with a warmth that fosters a sense of community.

### Engagement and Conversation Patterns
Engagement is primarily through providing valuable information and insights into the design world, rather than direct conversational prompts in the provided samples. The brand invites engagement through event attendance and contact forms, but the content itself is more declarative and informative.

## Guidelines & Examples

### Do's and Don'ts for Brand Communication

**DO:**
- **Champion Originality:** Always emphasize the value of original design, craftsmanship, and the brand's commitment to it.
- **Highlight Collaborations:** Showcase partnerships with designers and industry peers, detailing the shared experience and mutual respect.
- **Be Specific:** Provide concrete details (names, dates, locations) for events, projects, and partnerships to build credibility.
- **Maintain Professionalism with Warmth:** Speak with authority and sophistication, but ensure the tone remains inviting and appreciative of the design community.
- **Use Strong, Positive Language:** Employ adjectives that convey quality, importance, and inspiration.

**DON'T:**
- **Be Overly Casual:** Avoid slang, jargon, or informal language that might undermine the brand's sophisticated image.
- **Be Vague:** Steer clear of generic statements; provide specifics that add depth and meaning.
- **Focus Solely on Features:** Connect product descriptions and news to the broader narrative of design, collaboration, and authenticity.
- **Sound Arrogant:** While authoritative, avoid sounding dismissive or self-important. Emphasize collective efforts and shared passion.

### Example Phrases and Expressions that are "On-Brand"
- "Council is proud to once again participate as a member of BeOriginal Americas, a critically important organization that works tirelessly to protect and promote original design."
- "As a company that finds its greatest pleasure in creating original design, we enjoy standing alongside some of the most prominent leaders in our industry."
- "We were shown great hospitality by our hosts and enjoyed experiencing the culture of the region and meeting local design talent."
- "a week of inspiring design, community, and friendship."
- "Please come see us in booth #1304 at the Jacob K. Javits Center."

### Content Types and Formats the Brand Uses
- **News/Blog Articles:** Event recaps, partnership announcements, industry position statements.
- **Product Collection Pages:** Categorized listings of furniture types (Seating, Tables, Outdoor, Storage, Space).
- **"About Us" Pages:** Company history, designer profiles.
- **Contact Forms:** Direct calls to action for inquiries.