BRAND ME REFLECTION

Through my Brand Me module I learnt a lot about myself and was able to develop my understanding of myself as well as how I want people to see my brand. Brand Me has taught me a lot about the values I want my brand to have, with most of these values stemming from my childhood and upbringing. This module helped me to have a clear understanding of how I want to portray my brand. I presented my Brand Me findings and research through a digital sketchbook as this helped me to communicate my findings in the most beneficial way for myself. This sketchbook was the starting point of discovering my brand and how I want it to be portrayed by others. My sketchbook included multiple tasks which successfully helped me to respond to this module. These tasks included research to help me find out about myself in more depth and question things I hadn’t previously thought about. It was crucial to be completely honest and transparent whilst doing these tasks to get the full representation of my brand and who I really am. This research was extremely beneficial and allowed me to reflect on myself, my beliefs and values. Although at times talking about specific topics were personally challenging I was able to learn a huge amount about myself. I had the chance to think about how my childhood and other experiences have made me who I am today.

As well as this I researched which brands, designers and market level I felt suited my brand best. From this I discovered I want my brand to emphasize the message of acceptance and diversity creating positivity and a sense of meaning. I want my target consumers to relate to my brand and feel accepted in the streetwear community. The second part of my sketchbook was based on secondary research including brand research. I chose two brands which were influential to me and resonated with my brand. These brands were A-Cold-Wall and Off-White. From this research I discovered how these brands in the streetwear market are currently using cultural commentary to connect to their consumers. As well as this I was heavily influenced by their brand aesthetic and was something I hoped for my brand to resonate with. Samuel Ross, the founder of A-Cold-Wall has been heavily influenced by his cultural backgrounds after coming from a working class background. Their community growing up has helped him to shape his brand today. Samuel Ross has been influenced by the public housing that he grew up in and uses the colour palettes and industrial settings in his collections.

A-COLD-WALL* began as a think piece posed by founder and creative director Samuel Ross, exploring ideas of inclusivity and communication via design and construction with a particular emphasis on Britain’s working class. Whilst holding multiple meanings, the core concept behind the brand is to represent the juxtaposition of class systems within Britain and the paradox that it in turn creates for thousands of inner-city people. Its output stands as proof that circumstance and location no longer restrict a person’s taste levels or ability to create. Besides offering a new perspective, it’s also the chance to start a new conversation. A Cold Wall’s aesthetic and colour palette also resonates with how I want my brand to look. The brand has a minimal approach and combined with their colour palette creates a contemporary presence.

Off-White is another influence of mine. Off-White is a luxury fashion label founded by Virgil Abloh. The history of Off-White started with a ‘vision from Virgil’, and soon became a brand on everyone’s lips. Off-White is best known for its diagonal lines and industrial yellow tape. The designs of Off-White flaunt streetwear in a unique light. Virgil stated he is 'defining the grey area between black and white'. As stated by Virgil Abloh, it isn’t easy to categorize it as a fashion or an art brand due to its diversity.

I was also able to understand my aesthetic and how I want to portray my work. I want my brand to be a reflection of my own style and dedicated to the appreciation of art and aesthetic. Through this research I developed the understanding that I am drawn to a simplistic and minimal aesthetic with pops of colour which I hope to reflect within my branding. My brand will have a strong emphasis on the future consumer and creating an inclusive yet still exclusive brand. When considering what kind of communicator I am I found that In terms of how safe I am as a communicator I would say I don’t tend to take big risks but equally I don’t think I am particularly safe. Since then I have tried to push myself out of my comfort zone in order to push my limits as a communicator.