This article explains how to connect BrandIn to Frontify and use Frontify as a source for asset libraries. Once configured, administrators can link Frontify libraries and collections directly into BrandIn.

Overview

To get started using Frontify in BrandIn, the following steps are required:

1. Create a Frontify OAuth application in Frontify.
2. Create Frontify connector in BrandIn.
3. Add a Frontify library to BrandIn.

Once set up, users can browse, search, and insert Frontify assets directly from BrandIn.

1. Create a Frontify OAuth application

Before connecting BrandIn, you must create an application in Frontify. The type of application controls how your users authenticate with Frontify. Select one of the options and follow the configuration for it below.

• Authorization code (OAuth app): Each user will have to log in using their Frontify credentials. Use this if you want to enforce Frontify's user-specific permissions in BrandIn.
• Client credentials (Service app, in beta): A single Frontify user account is used for authentication. No user needs to enter credentials, and each user sees the same content.

1.1. Create an OAuth app (authorization code)

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You must have Account Administrator access in Frontify to complete this step. Learn more.

1. Log in to Frontify.
2. Go to Applications from your user menu.
   
   
3. Select Add application.
4. Configure the app with the following settings:
   • Name & description: Name your application something useful, like BrandIn. 
   • Redirect URL: The redirect URL is generated automatically, no need to enter one.
   • Support authenticator: This is required and needs to be on. It should be enabled by default.
   • Confidential: This setting needs to be turned off.
   • Scopes: The basic:read scope is required. It should be enabled by default.
     
     
5. Create the application by selecting Create app.
6. Copy the Client ID from the OAuth app. This will be required to set up the connector in BrandIn.
   
   

1.2. Create a service app (client credentials, beta)

Service apps are currently a beta feature in Frontify. The easiest way to create one is from the createServiceApp page in Frontify's GraphQL API reference.

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The service app uses the Frontify account you're signed in with when you create it. Every BrandIn user connected through the service app sees the content this account has access to, so make sure you're signed in with the right account. It's recommended that you create a dedicated user for this integration type. Learn more.

1. Open the createServiceApp page.
2. Select Connect in the top-right corner to connect to your Frontify tenant. Paste the link to your Frontify tenant and sign in with the account you want the service app to use.
   
   
3. When asked to allow access to your Frontify tenant, allow it. This is required to create the service app.
   
   
4. Once connected, go to Response fields and select secret. Then expand serviceApp and select id. The other fields are optional.
   
   
5. In the black query box, select title and give your service app a useful name, such as BrandIn service app.
   
   
6. Select scopes and choose BASIC_READ.
7. Select Run.
8. The response box shows that the service app has been created. Copy the secret and the id (under serviceApp). These will be required to set up the connector in BrandIn.
   
   

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The secret and id are only shown once. Keep them safe, and do not share them publicly or include them in screenshots or documentation. If you lose them, you'll need to create a new service app.

2. Create Frontify connector in BrandIn

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You must be a BrandIn administrator or an M365 administrator to complete this step.

Once the OAuth app or service app is created:

1. Go to the BrandIn admin center and log in.
2. Navigate to Integrations.
   
   
3. In the available integrations section, select Set up Frontify.
4. Configure the connector:
   • Name your connector.
   • Insert your Frontify domain (e.g. https://company.frontify.com).
   • Match the Authentication grant type to the app you created in Frontify.
   • Client credentials: Paste the service app id as the Client ID and the secret as the Client secret.
   • Authorization code: Paste the Client ID (from the Frontify OAuth app).
     
     
5. Once configured, select Validate authentication to ensure that everything is configured correctly.
6. Select Create to finish.

3. Add a Frontify asset library

After the connector is configured, you can add Frontify libraries and collections to BrandIn.

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You must be a BrandIn administrator to complete this step.

Start asset library setup in workspace settings.

1. Go to the home screen of the workspace where you want to add the library.
2. Select the Edit button next to the workspace name to open workspace settings.
   
   
3. Go to Asset libraries.
4. Select Add library. You’ll then be guided through the following steps.

3.1. Choose where your assets are stored

Choose Frontify as the source of the library. You can link libraries and collections from Frontify.

3.2. Link your assets location

1. Open Frontify and go to the library or collection you want to link. Libraries and collections surfaced in brand guidelines are not supported. Use the Libraries menu item to directly navigate to the library or collection.
   
   
2. Copy the link from the browser’s address bar.
3. Return to BrandIn and paste the link into the link to assets folder box.

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Make sure users in your BrandIn account have access to the linked library or collection in Frontify. If they don’t, they won't be able to see the assets in BrandIn.

3.3. Give your library a name

The name is only visible in BrandIn. It won’t change anything in Frontify.

3.4. Choose a library type

Each library type is designed for specific types of assets, with different behaviors and default views. Some library types hide certain file formats. Learn more about library types.

Frontify only supports icon and image library types.

3.5. Finish setup

Your library is added to the workspace home screen. Any changes to assets in the linked location also appear in BrandIn.

How Frontify libraries work in BrandIn

• BrandIn reads assets directly from Frontify.
• With an OAuth app (authorization code), users will be prompted to authenticate with Frontify when accessing a Frontify asset library for the first time. With a service app (client credentials), users don't need to authenticate.
• Library permissions are controlled in Frontify. With a service app, every user sees the content available to the Frontify account the service app was created with.
• Libraries behave like standard BrandIn asset libraries.

Tips

• Use collections to curate smaller, targeted asset sets.
• Ensure users, or the service app's Frontify account, have access to the relevant Frontify libraries.
• If assets don't appear, check Frontify permissions, your OAuth app or service app, and scopes.