Thanksgiving is more than a meal—it’s an experience, a story, a tradition. As it turns out, sitting around the table with family, passing the turkey, and navigating everyone’s quirks can teach us a lot about effective brand design and development. 

Just as a successful brand requires thoughtfulness, strategy, and a deep understanding of its audience, so does a memorable Thanksgiving holiday. 

Here are five insightful, and maybe a little unconventional, lessons on brand design inspired by our time at the Thanksgiving table.

1. Know Your Audience (And Prepare for Different Tastes)

The Thanksgiving table brings together people with wildly different tastes and preferences. You’ve got the traditionalists who want classic dishes, the adventurous eaters who’ll try anything new, and those with dietary restrictions who need special considerations. 

A smart host finds ways to accommodate everyone without losing that feel of a Thanksgiving meal. 

Strong brands understand that their audience isn’t singular

By understanding the varied needs and tastes of their target customers, brands can craft messaging and experiences that resonate on multiple levels. 

Just like you wouldn’t serve a spicy curry without a milder alternative, brands should think about ways to engage different segments of their audience without diluting the brand’s essence.

2. Consistency Matters (But Don’t Overdo It)

Thanksgiving dinner has a certain rhythm and tradition to it. There’s turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and, if we’re lucky, pie. Each dish is essential to the experience, and everyone comes expecting these staples. 

But here’s the catch: too much consistency can lead to stagnation. If every Thanksgiving meal looked exactly the same year after year, it would lose some of its charm.

Effective brands understand this balance

Consistency in brand colors, fonts, and messaging builds recognition and trust, but brands need to know when to surprise people too. Think of it as adding a new dish to the table—a pumpkin curry alongside the classic mashed potatoes. 

A memorable brand maintains its core identity while keeping things fresh and engaging.

3. Create a Clear Narrative (But Leave Room for the Unexpected)

Thanksgiving meals follow a loose but predictable narrative. There’s the appetizer (hopefully my sister’s spinach artichoke dip), the main course, and then dessert. 

This flow keeps everyone comfortable and engaged, but the best meals also allow for the unexpected—maybe a funny story from Grandpa, or an impromptu toast that adds personality to the evening.

Structure builds trust; unexpected elements build excitement

In brand design, a clear, structured narrative helps audiences understand and connect with the brand. But within that narrative, leaving room for surprise can make the brand feel more human and relatable. 

4. Embrace the Quirks (They’re What Make You Memorable)

Thanksgiving is full of quirks. Maybe it’s your aunt’s unique cranberry recipe, or the fact that no one touches Uncle Bob’s green bean casserole…like ever. Suspiciously, not even he does. 

These quirks are what make Thanksgiving dinner feel personal and memorable. Without them, it’s just another meal.

Brands should embrace their quirks, too

The things that make a brand unique are often what make it memorable. 

Whether it’s a quirky slogan, a distinct design element, or an unconventional approach to customer service, leaning into what makes the brand different creates an emotional connection. 

5. Don’t Forget the Follow-Through (The Experience Doesn’t End With the Last Bite)

When the meal is over and everyone’s stuffed, there’s still one more part of the Thanksgiving experience—the leftovers. 

The follow-through after Thanksgiving dinner is as important as the main event. Everyone goes home with something to remember the meal by, whether it’s a container of pie or memories of a good laugh.

For brands, follow-through is everything

A well-designed brand isn’t just about the initial interaction; it’s about creating a lasting impression. 

This might mean excellent customer support, follow-up emails, or a meaningful thank-you message. 

A brand experience that extends beyond the initial interaction leaves customers feeling valued and appreciated, encouraging loyalty and word-of-mouth recommendations.

Designing a Brand That Feels Like Family

Thanksgiving is an experience made up of tradition, shared stories, quirks, and follow-through—all things that make it feel deeply personal. 

In the same way, a well-crafted brand should feel personal and thoughtfully designed, balancing consistency with surprise, recognizing its diverse audience, embracing quirks, and following through to create a lasting impact.

Effective brand design isn’t just about creating something that looks good; it’s about creating something that resonates deeply, something that people remember and want to return to.

So this year when you’re at the Thanksgiving table, take a moment to notice the dynamics, the flow, and the unique traditions that make the experience special.

You might just walk away with some valuable insights for building a brand that people truly love.

Now, please pass that pumpkin curry my way.

Vijoy Rao

← Back to Blog