OUGD602 / PPP
Self Branding
Background
Brief
A designer’s branding should always reflect their practice. Branding oneself is much harder than someone else, as it can be much more difficult to define yourself. It’s best to create promote yourself in a way that you will not get tired of.
Create a suitable and consistent identity for yourself, that is recognisable and relevant to your practice. The outcome must be fluid across both print and web deliverables.
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Audience
Both designers and clients. The balance needs to be made between the two. Designers will appreciate fine details and subtleties, whilst clients will need something more obvious.
Mandatory Requirements
- Logotype - Business Cards - Invoice / Letterhead - Branded Web Presence
OUGD602 / PPP
01
Monochromatic Self Promo
After evaluation previous years of self branding, which used a vast majority of colour, I have decided to brand myself in black and white. This is simply because colour always seems to be the first thing to get bored of, when it comes to self promotional branding.
Self Branding
Monochromatic Research
Research
The above research shows that colour is not needed to create a recognisable identity. I see my practice as being typographic and grid driven, which is similar to all of the above examples.
2 / 09
OUGD602 / PPP
02
Finalised Logotype 01
Choice of Typeface
Self Branding
With a normal branding project, type decisions are made based on how appropriate the typeface is for that certain audience or the brand itself. I see self promotion as a way of expressing the area of graphic design you enjoy. With my practice being very typographically driven, the choice of typeface was used to express that. Domaine was used as a typeface, with custom ligatures added. I feel this highly expressive serif is very distinctive in it’s shape, something memorable to both clients and other designers.
Finalised Logotype 01
Mark Spacing / Exclusion Zone
The above mark is the primary logotype that will be used for rectangular formays, such as business cards and letterheads. The exclusion zone uses the width of the uppercase : for exclusion width, and the height of the r (essentially the x-height0 for the exclusion height.
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OUGD602 / PPP
02
Finalised Logotype 02
Mark Spacing / Exclusion Zone
Self Branding
This secondary logo will be used much less than the primary logo. It will mainly be for circular or square profile pictures in social media. This is so the space can be maximised much more than fitting such a rectuangular mark in a square space. Th exclusion zone uses the width of the uppercase L for exclusion width, and the height of the lowercase r (essentially the x-height) for the exclusion height.
Finalised Logotype 02
4 / 09
OUGD602 / PPP
03
Printed Collateral 01
Self Branding
Colour Scheme
In order to give some flexbilitiy to the brand, tones of grey have been used. I have also allowed small highlights of colour, as seen in the image above, with the stitiching of the sketchbook.
Business Cards
Although most of the brand is monochromatic, business cards should always be memorable. Although a black and white card may appeal to the designer, using a textured and intriquing card stock will appeal to clients. For this, a GF Smith Gmund Bier textured stock has been selected.
Printed Collateral 01
Stamped Back
A stamp was chosen for a variety of reasons. The first being that white ink is very difficult to print. It cannot be done digitally, and can only be screenprinted if you have the facilities. At the moment the facilities are available to me, but in a few months time they will not. By creating stamps, business cards can be printed until the stamp breaks. Another reason is the idea that they can be stamped on envelopes that are sent out to clients, in order to quickly show the return address.
5 / 09
OUGD602 / PPP
03
Printed Collateral 02
Letterhead / Invoice
Self Branding
With my love of type design expressed in the logotype, the letterhead and invoice have been used to express my love of grids. Both use the same system for consistancy as well as functionality. Lines have been used to break up information, as well as being a slight additon to the brand.
Printed Collateral 02
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OUGD602 / PPP
03
Printed Collateral 03
Self Branding
Sketchbooks
Sketchbooks have the simple addition of a logo on the cover. Three different sketchbooks are used, a dotted pad, a lined pad and a blank pad. These are to take with me to meetings with clients.
Poster Tube
Keeping to monochrome, these black tubes will be used to send printed sheets and tests to clients.
Printed Collateral 03
7 / 09
OUGD602 / PPP
04
Web Presence 01
Website
Self Branding
www.joelead.com has been used as a website for over a year now, but has recently undergone changes to make the site more consistant with the brand. The home page expresses information about my practice, before different options and social media can be selected.
Web Presence 01
8 / 09
OUGD602 / PPP
04
Web Presence 02
Self Branding
Behance
Behance account has been updated to include the secondary logotype.
Tumblr
My Tumblr account has also been edited to be more consisant with the brand identity.
Web Presence 02
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