Designing A
Personal Brand
Designing A
Personal Brand
Who am I ?
Who am I ?
Designing A
Personal Brand
This project aims to explore more about ourselves as designers and develop our branding. For this project, I designed my own wordmark and personal illustrations. Along the way, I also learned animations and how to apply my branding to physical objects such as business cards and books.
This project aims to explore more about ourselves as designers and develop our branding. For this project, I designed my own wordmark and personal illustrations. Along the way, I also learned animations and how to apply my branding to physical objects such as business cards and books.
Project brief
Project brief
This project aims to explore more about ourselves as designers and develop our branding. For this project, I designed my own wordmark and personal illustrations. Along the way, I also learned animations and how to apply my branding to physical objects such as business cards and books.
Project brief
I begin by thinking about who I am, my hobbies, my interests, and how I want to be received. Therefore, I made a mind map of my hobbies and values to help me better visualise and generate ideas.
I quickly realised that this task is more difficult than I initially perceived it to be, as I have come to understand that I will not be able to incorporate every aspect of “Me” into my branding.
Self discovery - Mind mapping
Self discovery - Mind mapping
I begin by thinking about who I am, my hobbies, my interests, and how I want to be received. Therefore, I made a mind map of my hobbies and values to help me better visualise and generate ideas.
I quickly realised that this task is more difficult than I initially perceived it to be, as I have come to understand that I will not be able to incorporate every aspect of “Me” into my branding.
Finding the middle ground
Finding the middle ground
I came up with an idea to utilise a mix of both styles; a modern retro vintage feels created by simple and bold shapes, combined with the black and white colour scheme for a timeless feel. I want my brand to convey that I'm hardworking and professional but also with a bit of quirkiness in my personality.
I want my brand to convey that I'm hardworking and professional, but at the same time, I'm creative and outgoing with a bit of quirkiness and warmth in my personality. For my brand, I would like a mix of both styles; a modern retro vintage feel created by simple but bold shapes and combined with the black and white colour scheme for a timeless feel. Next, I get started with my design work.
Monogram development
Monogram development
I first did some sketches in my notebook, putting down any potential ideas for combining J and S into a monogram. However, nothing was really standing out for me.
I first did some sketches in my notebook, putting down any potential ideas for combining J and S into a monogram. However, nothing was really standing out for me.
I reflected on how much I appreciated simple, bold shapes in my fashion and illustration books. Therefore, I experimented to see if I could make a simplified monogram by just using rectangles and circles. I loved the cleaner outcome, but I still found the end result a bit too stiff.
After adding some curves to soften the previous design, I love how the final monograms came out. It's simple and modern. I love the monogram having a slight vintage/retro feel which adds character and makes the design truely personal.
I reflected on how much I appreciated simple, bold shapes in my fashion and illustration books. Therefore, I experimented to see if I could make a simplified monogram by just using rectangles and circles. I loved the cleaner outcome, but I still found the end result a bit too stiff.
After adding some curves to soften the previous design, I love how the final monograms came out. It's simple and modern. I love the monogram having a slight vintage/retro feel which adds character and makes the design truely personal.
Making a pattern from my monogram
While I was researching art deco and retro styles, some of the retro patterns caught my eye. I noticed that a lot of them were repeating patterns of a simple unit. Inspired by this I made my own brand pattern using repeats of my own monogram. I later incorporated the pattern in various brand products.
( Inspiration )
( Final outcome )
I did a few experiments making icons in the image of myself. Keeping in line with my monogram’s simple and bold shapes, I made my illustration entirely out of circles. I also ( mostly) kept to the black-and-white colour scheme.
I really like the outcome; the illustrations are modern looking but contain a hint of retro pop style. In the end, the Icon that I chose ( top left image) is the one I think visually represents me the most.
Brand Illustrations/Icons
Brand Illustrations/Icons
Brand Illustrations
Finished project — A variety of branded products
Finished project — A variety of branded products
I did a few experiments making icons in the image of myself. Keeping in line with my monogram’s simple and bold shapes, I made my illustration entirely out of circles. I also ( mostly) kept to the black-and-white colour scheme.
I really like the outcome; the illustrations are modern looking but contain a hint of retro pop style. In the end, the Icon that I chose ( top left image) is the one I think visually represents me the most.
Making a pattern from my monogram
While I was researching art deco and retro styles, some of the retro patterns caught my eye. I noticed that a lot of them were repeating patterns of a simple unit. Inspired by this I made my own brand pattern using repeats of my own monogram. I later incorporated the pattern in various brand products.
Finished project — A variety of branded products
Self discovery - Design inspirations
Feeling a little stuck, I decided that the next best thing was to look at my collection of fashion, illustration, and design books. As everyone’s fashion sense, illustration styles are uniquely personal; I wanted to learn more about myself by looking at some of the styles I admire. After a thorough inspection of my books, I discovered that I gravitate towards two very distinctive styles;
My other favourite style is simple and chic black and white. I love this colour scheme as it never gets old throughout the ages, and it’s always classy and can be worn by people of all ages.
Although black and white colour schemes are often associated with simplicity, the contrast helps a design stand out from the crowd when used with fun and striking shapes.
VS
I have always loved floral patterns and bright/ colourful things. I have many bold and floral accessories, including hairbands and earrings.
One of my favourite clothing brands to get inspiration from is called Marimekko. I love the brand's retro nostalgic feel through repeated bold patterns, clean design and vivid colours.
Making a pattern from my monogram
While I was researching art deco and retro styles, some of the retro patterns caught my eye. I noticed that a lot of them were repeating patterns of a simple unit. Inspired by this I made my own brand pattern using repeats of my own monogram. I later incorporated the pattern in various brand products.
( Inspiration )
( Final outcome )
( Inspiration )
( Final outcome )
Brand Illustrations/Icons
I did a few experiments making icons in the image of myself. Keeping in line with my monogram’s simple and bold shapes, I made my illustration entirely out of circles. I also ( mostly) kept to the black-and-white colour scheme.
I really like the outcome; the illustrations are modern looking but contain a hint of retro pop style. In the end, the Icon that I chose ( top left image) is the one I think visually represents me the most.
Feeling a little stuck, I decided that the next best thing was to look at my collection of fashion, illustration, and design books. As everyone’s fashion sense, illustration styles are uniquely personal; I wanted to learn more about myself by looking at some of the styles I admire. After a thorough inspection of my books, I discovered that I gravitate towards two very distinctive styles;
My other favourite style is simple and chic black and white. I love this colour scheme as it never gets old throughout the ages, and it’s always classy and can be worn by people of all ages.
Although black and white colour schemes are often associated with simplicity, the contrast helps a design stand out from the crowd when used with fun and striking shapes.
VS
I have always loved floral patterns and bright/ colourful things. I have many bold and floral accessories, including hairbands and earrings.
One of my favourite clothing brands to get inspiration from is called Marimekko. I love the brand's retro nostalgic feel through repeated bold patterns, clean design and vivid colours.
Self discovery - Design inpiration
Self discovery - Design inspirations
Feeling a little stuck, I decided that the next best thing was to look at my collection of fashion, illustration, and design books. As everyone’s fashion sense, illustration styles are uniquely personal; I wanted to learn more about myself by looking at some of the styles I admire. After a thorough inspection of my books, I discovered that I gravitate towards two very distinctive styles;
I have always loved floral patterns and bright/ colourful things. I have many bold and floral accessories, including hairbands and earrings. One of my favourite clothing brands to get inspiration from is called Marimekko. I love the brand's retro nostalgic feel through repeated bold patterns, clean design and vivid colours.
.
VS
My other favourite style is simple and chic black and white. I love this colour scheme as it never gets old throughout the ages, and it’s always classy and can be worn by people of all ages.
Although black and white colour schemes are often associated with simplicity, the contrast helps a design stand out from the crowd when used with fun and striking shapes..