What should a good digital catalogue include?
Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2024 2:16 pm
A good digital catalogue tells a story. This is achieved by combining high-quality lifestyle photos, sometimes even videos, and descriptions that evoke a mood, beyond the simple functional details of the product.
Photography is the key to a successful digital catalogue. While it’s possible to create web-friendly product photos with a DIY approach using basic tools, a lifestyle photo shoot often involves styling, location scouting, models and makeup. Working with a professional photographer can make all the difference in bringing your vision to life.
Screenshot of a digital catalogue for a fashion brand's website.
In 2018, MSGM launched its PM No. 3 collection with a lookbook shot entirely on an iPhone by its founder and creative director.
With the popularity of social media and trends toward unretouched images, the DIY approach has become accessible even for small budgets. Creators with a keen eye can use an iPhone camera and free editing tools to achieve stunning results.
A modern lookbook should also include interactive elements. Features such as zoom, videos of products in action, and direct links to shopping pages.
How to create a digital catalog in 6 steps
Person in a brightly colored coat walks along a sidewalk in front of fuchsia-colored buildings.
Unsplash
Now that you know the advantages of lookbooks, canada phone numbers list it's time to find out how to create a digital catalogue for your brand. You don't need to be a design expert to do it; with these six simple steps, you can do it yourself. We'll also look at real examples from leading brands to inspire you and guide you towards a professional result:
1. Decide what you want to achieve with your digital catalog
Before you start, it's essential to answer the why of your project. What is the goal of your digital catalog? Do you want to increase sales, tell your brand story, attract the attention of retail partners, launch a new collection or announce seasonal products? Being clear about the purpose will help you define the format and approach.
For example, if your goal is to attract retailers, a digital magazine or interactive book-style format might be ideal. If you're looking to convert customers directly from your website, a digital catalog with lifestyle photos linked to product pages will be much more effective.
An open fashion magazine on a white surface
Get inspired by magazines and lookbooks from your favorite brands / Unsplash
If your digital catalog is focused on a seasonal campaign—such as the launch of a new winter collection or holiday products—consider creating a template that you can reuse in future seasons. Planning ahead will also allow you to make the most of your photo shoots, maximizing your time and resources.
Choose the right tool to design your digital catalog. Shopify, for example, offers themes and apps that allow you to integrate a lookbook directly into your website with pre-designed templates. You can also opt for design tools like Canva , Issuu , Flipsnack , or more advanced platforms like Adobe InDesign , depending on your needs and level of experience.
Photography is the key to a successful digital catalogue. While it’s possible to create web-friendly product photos with a DIY approach using basic tools, a lifestyle photo shoot often involves styling, location scouting, models and makeup. Working with a professional photographer can make all the difference in bringing your vision to life.
Screenshot of a digital catalogue for a fashion brand's website.
In 2018, MSGM launched its PM No. 3 collection with a lookbook shot entirely on an iPhone by its founder and creative director.
With the popularity of social media and trends toward unretouched images, the DIY approach has become accessible even for small budgets. Creators with a keen eye can use an iPhone camera and free editing tools to achieve stunning results.
A modern lookbook should also include interactive elements. Features such as zoom, videos of products in action, and direct links to shopping pages.
How to create a digital catalog in 6 steps
Person in a brightly colored coat walks along a sidewalk in front of fuchsia-colored buildings.
Unsplash
Now that you know the advantages of lookbooks, canada phone numbers list it's time to find out how to create a digital catalogue for your brand. You don't need to be a design expert to do it; with these six simple steps, you can do it yourself. We'll also look at real examples from leading brands to inspire you and guide you towards a professional result:
1. Decide what you want to achieve with your digital catalog
Before you start, it's essential to answer the why of your project. What is the goal of your digital catalog? Do you want to increase sales, tell your brand story, attract the attention of retail partners, launch a new collection or announce seasonal products? Being clear about the purpose will help you define the format and approach.
For example, if your goal is to attract retailers, a digital magazine or interactive book-style format might be ideal. If you're looking to convert customers directly from your website, a digital catalog with lifestyle photos linked to product pages will be much more effective.
An open fashion magazine on a white surface
Get inspired by magazines and lookbooks from your favorite brands / Unsplash
If your digital catalog is focused on a seasonal campaign—such as the launch of a new winter collection or holiday products—consider creating a template that you can reuse in future seasons. Planning ahead will also allow you to make the most of your photo shoots, maximizing your time and resources.
Choose the right tool to design your digital catalog. Shopify, for example, offers themes and apps that allow you to integrate a lookbook directly into your website with pre-designed templates. You can also opt for design tools like Canva , Issuu , Flipsnack , or more advanced platforms like Adobe InDesign , depending on your needs and level of experience.