Self Branding
For this design journey, I created a brand that reflects my essence as a graphic designer. In this explanation, I will outline the process behind the creation of '&Thea Designs' and share the insights I’ve gained while developing my own branding assets. Learn what “Design with Your Essence” actually means and how it ties with empathy-driven design!
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Create a comprehensive brand identity for yourself as a graphic designer, inspired by your personal essence and design philosophy. Develop visual and brand identity assets that effectively communicate your unique style and approach.
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The challenge lies in translating your personal design philosophy and essence into a visual identity that captures my unique approach to design. This involves creating a logo, color palette, and brand assets that not only represent my style.
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Solution: Create a brand identity for "& Thea Designs" that reflects my unique design style and philosophy. This includes developing a logo, color scheme, and other brand assets that showcase my modern and empathetic approach to design.
Thesis: My goal is to build a brand identity for "& Thea Designs" that clearly represents my personal design style and values, creating a strong, memorable presence that highlights my commitment to modern and empathetic design.
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The project calls for a minimum of creating 6 design assets: a branding identity, 1 resume design, 2 merchandise assets, 1 business card. (front and back), stationary set, and a portfolio book
Why did I make my own self-branding?
I created my own self-branding to establish a clear, cohesive identity that reflects who I am as a designer. It allows me to showcase my unique design approach, communicate my values of collaboration and empathy, and create a strong, professional presence. By developing my own brand, I can better connect with clients and demonstrate my versatility and creativity in a way that feels authentic to me. It’s not permanent, so it will evolve like I do as a graphic designer!
"&Thea Designs" is a brand name that reflects my belief in the power of collaboration and partnership in the design process. The ampersand symbolizes the connection between myself as a designer and the client, highlighting the idea that great design is a joint effort. By incorporating the ampersand, I wanted to emphasize that my work is not just about me; it's about creating something together, blending my skills with the client's needs and vision.
The name "& Thea Designs" also represents versatility. The ampersand is a flexible symbol, used to connect ideas and concepts, much like my work connects creativity and functionality. I chose "Thea" as it’s part of my own name, making the brand personal, while also giving me the opportunity to evolve it in different directions as my design journey continues. This name captures both the collaborative nature of design and my individual approach to creating meaningful work for each client.
My logo, color palette, and overall design reflect a balance of modern style and personal touch. The tagline "Design with Your Essence" emphasizes my focus on creating designs that stay true to the client's vision, making each project that I create leave a impactful message.
Branding Elements
My business card design for "& Thea Designs" reflects my brand's core values of collaboration and simplicity. I wanted a sleek and modern look. The front features a clean layout with my logo, contact details, and a simple design using the curvature of the ampersand to tie in with the overall theme. To make the card more interactive, I added a QR code on the back, allowing people to quickly access my portfolio and explore my work. This makes it less cluttered, while keeping it functional, leaving a memorable impression while encouraging potential clients to engage with my designs directly.
Business Card
Stationary & Letterhead
For my promotional merchandise for "& Thea Designs," I created a journal and pen set, along with a USB design. The journal and pen are meant to inspire collaboration and brainstorming, allowing those interested in my work to jot down their own ideas while reflecting on mine. A journal is the perfect tool for capturing thoughts and fostering creativity during any project. The USB represents the transfer and exchange of ideas, ensuring that whatever the client creates can easily be shared and expanded upon. It embodies the idea that creativity should be flexible and easily transferable, allowing for smooth collaboration in the design process.
Promo Merchandise
Resume
For my website design, I wanted to move away from the static feel most websites have and introduce a sense of organic form and movement. I incorporated wave-like elements to break up the content, creating a flow that’s visually engaging without being overwhelming. Initially, I overlooked the importance of responsive design, but I quickly adapted and adjusted the final design to ensure it works seamlessly across all devices. This design, like my own style, is always evolving, reflecting my growth and adaptability.
Website
Project Reflection
Working on "&Thea Designs" has been a fulfilling journey, merging my passion for design with a vision for a brand that reflects my essence. This was one of the hardest tasks I have ever done as a designer. I have a hard time defining who I am as a creative, so this project showed me how much I can actually grow and what I represent as a graphic designer. I aimed to create an identity centered around collaboration and empathy, and the result exceeded my expectations. This project was able to show me how the brand can grow and evolve with me. I’ve learned it’s always a growing process!
While managing different tasks and overcoming creative challenges was difficult, I found the process rewarding. I learned a lot about building a brand from scratch and making it resonate with both designers and clients. Sharing this work has been a proud moment, as it represents my unique style and approach. This experience also reinforced that design is always changing, and exploring new ways to express creativity is truly exciting.