While this project served as my final thesis for my bachelor's diploma in 2020, my design practice has evolved significantly since then. While the personal branding showcased here no longer aligns with my current aspirations and direction in my design career, the underlying design process remains relevant, so I've decided to keep it up for reference. :)
"This project is an exploration of how graphic designers can use their skills in branding to build visual identities for solopreneurs who are trying to make a living doing self-initiated projects. I'm one of those people, so I have branded myself."
The first thing I did when embarking on this project was to draw out a 'brand map'. It is a visual representation of the design elements that make up this project (my personal brand), and also; it's a visualisation of my business strategy. I am hoping to work my way from left to right, eventually making a living doing only what I love; creating and designing own content and earning from it.
The two things I enjoy talking about the most at parties is one; autoethnographic design projects, and two— personal branding. Because these are the things I pay the most attention to in the world, they are also the things I should be focusing my content around. By creating content and publishing about things that I really care about, the odds are in my favor that I'll find a scenius with time, and I am planning to do it by creating and sharing content that provides real value to my consumers. I've included some content ideas below:
With the build of my personal brand, my goal was not to land employment (which is why my website does not include a portfolio), but to get people to interact with my content (my writing, vlogs, posts etc.) My website acts as a landing page for all this content, and it's probably best described as a 'link hub'— a term made popular by Instagram, where you may only include one link in your profile bio, encouraging creators to design landing pages with links to all their other content.
Portfolio (Link Hub)
A key factor of the identity is the new suite of templates and guidelines I now have for sharing my work, in particular my process. They are designed to streamline the sharing process; making publishing a sketch, a thought, a call for collaboration or the work of someone I admire, as effortless as possible, while making sure that I always stay 'on brand'.
I sell unique stationery items and fine art prints, often with a strong statement or bold imagery. Creating packaging and promotional pieces for new products had to feel effortless, so building a visual system that would both inspire customers and last me through many future collections, was really key.
Online Shop
Products
Packaging
The final identity sees a recognizable logo, and a brand crafted to work in a myriad of contexts. It can, for example, take a backseat and work alongside someone else’s content if I’m sharing something they said or made. Or, it can take centre stage when layered over self-made items and projects, to really make autoethnographic work pop.
The grid systems are crafted to work with a vast range of content, both mine and others— online, on social media and in print.
