"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.
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.
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.