Lockup no-goes

Summary

A misuse page that tells designers not to apply lockups where an hcma brand context already exists, demonstrated with a large fence-banner mockup carrying the hcma logo, struck through with a single red diagonal.

Visual description

Standard layout: cream left column with the section number "2.3.4 Lockup no-goes", three short paragraphs, and the navigation list (Lockups in bold). The white panel centres a greyscale outdoor banner mockup: a mesh fence holds a grommeted tarp banner showing a left image placeholder (grey box with an X), the small "curiosity applied / hcma.ca" tagline lockup, and the large black hcma.ca logo. The entire banner is crossed out by one thin red diagonal line running corner to corner of its bounding frame. To its right sits a smaller greyscale poster or letterhead mockup with a small hcma mark, ruled text lines, and the same tagline lockup at the foot. A caption below reads "Never use lockups in an environment where hcma brand context can exist". The cream footer carries the copyright, document title, and "Version 01".

Key takeaway

Demonstrating a misuse rule in realistic context rather than in the abstract: showing the forbidden lockup on an actual banner mockup makes the "don't do this in branded environments" point land harder than a swatch would. The single thin red diagonal is the deck's consistent, restrained "no" signal.

Reuse notes

A good pattern for the misuse or "no-goes" page of a brand guideline when the rule is contextual rather than mechanical. Needs convincing greyscale environment mockups (banner, signage, stationery) to carry the argument. Reuse the one-red-diagonal convention consistently across all no-go pages in a system so the signal stays unambiguous.