Personal Branding: Visual Brainstorming and Initial Concepts

Senior Projects, Fall 2018

Develop a concise, unique and personalized visual language as a vehicle for communicating who you are through your logotype and identity system.

STEP 1 : Personal Characteristics

Based on your Résumé, HOW ABOUT YOU? and Goals outcomes create a list of 30 characteristics that describe you as (1) a designer (2) a creative (3) an individual. Once you have a list of 30 (total) ideas, attempt to assign a visual to each (you can even sketch it). Examples:

Process-Oriented: Repetition/Pattern //////////
Clean: Negative Space, Monochromatic color scheme
Energetic: Bright Colors (Orange/yellow, also relates to love of warm weather/beach, friendly, approachable demeanor, etc.)
Organized: Strict Grid System
Feminine: Flourishes, Watercolor Texture, Pastels

These should be conceptual in nature! You may include explanations for now if you feel they are necessary.

STEP 2: Idea Board

Create a personal branding CONCEPT based on your personal characteristics brainstorming, and develop a presentation in the form of an idea board. Each board should include a written description of your concept (50 words or less) and a plethora of ideas for supporting elements stemming from your initial brainstorming list: format, paper type, printing/special processes, typefaces, color palette, supporting visuals, pattern, texture, illustration, etc. You may include examples of found imagery/inspiration, but be prepared to explain how they relate to your concept, and how you plan to make them your own.

STEP 3: Logotype Trials

Utilizing your idea board to inform your design, create 50 initial logotype ‘sketches’ — you may sketch and/or set your name (first and last) in a variety of typefaces as trials, or utilize a combination of typefaces, employ hand lettering, collage, stencil, tracing, photocopying, scanning, and/or everything from tweaking a typeface to turning it inside out. Consider proportion/scale, balance, rhythm/movement, alignment, spacing, etc. when developing your logotype! Remember it’s important that your name be both readable and potentially assist the viewer in pronouncing it correctly (if that’s a concern). Remember concept! You are not ‘forbidden’ from using imagery/symbolism/iconography, but your name is the priority here.

DUE THURSDAY 9/20:
Steps 1–3 completed and everything posted to Medium. Please also print your idea board and 5–10 of your favorite logotype sketches (enlarged) for class critique.