Requests & Contribution

To ensure a consistent, impactful, and enriching brand experience, every contribution to the icon and pictogram libraries must adhere to specific rules. These guidelines are not optional but essential for preserving the integrity of our tools and the simplicity of their usage. They serve a dual purpose:

• For the end user: To provide a clear, homogeneous, and professional experience.

• For our teams: To simplify daily work, avoid duplication, and ensure operational efficiency.

Each stakeholder—whether communicators, webmasters, designers, or external agencies—has a role to play in this collaborative process.

Am I sure I need new assets?

Before requesting a new creation, follow this process:

• Check the existing libraries: Any new pictogram or icon must align with what already exists. This ensures visual consistency and better resource management.

• Question your need: Ask yourself these questions:

  • Is this graphic element essential to reinforce my message?

  • Can my content be understood without this addition?

• Prioritize reuse: If an existing icon can be adapted, reach out to the responsible teams to adjust it, rather than creating new assets unnecessarily.

Write a clear and complete brief

A well-structured brief is the foundation of effective collaboration. Your contribution should be precise and anticipate the needs of those who will work on your request. Ensure you include the following elements:

• Title of the request: Give a clear name to your request.

• Detailed description: Why do you need this asset? Explain its role and the context in which it will be integrated (URL, images, screenshots, access to pre-prod, etc.).

• Consistency with existing assets: Mention or share the graphic elements already used in your project and specify how they should coexist.

• Keywords and intent: Detail the concepts that the icon or pictogram should convey, and which symbol is most appropriate to represent your idea or concept.

• Target audience and usage: Who is the end user? On which platforms will this asset be used (web, mobile, print)?

• Technical constraints: Include brand guidelines (Usage/Design for Icons/Pictograms).

• Expected deliverables and exports: Specify the type of deliverables and expected exports. These should align with different platforms (web, mobile, print).

• Realistic deadline: Allow enough time for quality creation that respects the brand experience.

• Collaborating designers in copy: Engage your design collaborators familiar with the “design” aspects of the guidelines to participate in feedback and control deliverables (for more efficient delivery).

Collaborating with an external provider or agency

Internal collaboration is preferred, check if an internal service at Michelin can handle your project or request.

If internal resources are insufficient, here are some criteria for selecting an external partner:

• Compatibility with our brand guidelines and visual identity: Ensure the agency understands and adheres to our visual codes.

• Verified portfolio: References should demonstrate their ability to produce high-quality, consistent assets.

• Commitment to deliverables: Make sure they meet our requirements in terms of formats and detail levels.

• Responsiveness to feedback: A reliable partner is one who can understand and implement constructive feedback, focusing on challenging details and the final output, ultimately serving the brand experience.

To ensure that assets (icons and pictograms) are accessible to everyone and easy to use, follow these rules.

Format: SVG

The SVG format is a standard vector format that is compatible with all types of use (web, mobile, print) and works seamlessly across the various processes involving designers, developers, and communicators (Illustrator, Figma, Sketch, InDesign, etc.).

Export paths instead of strokes

All graphic shapes in the assets must be "flattened" and "united," meaning transforming all "strokes" into "paths" and merging any overlapping shapes.

• Example in Illustrator: Expand / Expand Appearance + Shape Mode / Unite

• Merging shapes removes overlapping paths, reduces anchor points, optimizes the file, and indirectly improves performance.

To be defined...