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I'm 18 and need help branding myself.

almost 8 years ago from Blake Hawksworth, Filmmaker and occasional writer, always on the move.

  • Pasquale D'SilvaPasquale D'Silva, almost 8 years ago

    If you're actually asking about branding, and not surface-level design nitpicks about type & layout (which I'm sure you'll get plenty of here):

    What's positively unique about you? What can you do, that nobody else can do? Leverage that.

    17 points
    • Cyrus Henderson, almost 8 years ago

      I totally agree with Pasquale. Whatever your bread and butter is it should be the center of attention and the rest of the branding should be defined and built around that focal point. From the logo down to the colors and everything else in between.

      2 points
      • Blake HawksworthBlake Hawksworth, almost 8 years ago

        Thanks Cyrus. I know all the frivolous design things will come after I know who I truly am, but I simply wanted to push something out there and get feedback, like this. Is that a bad trait or should we wait until something is perfect before showing the world?

        1 point
        • Cyrus Henderson, almost 8 years ago

          You're welcome Blake. Well, what I would say to that is to think of your portfolio as a Minimum Viable Product. Is there enough in your portfolio to the point where It's good enough, serves it's purpose and can be built upon later. You should be able to add to it without totally starting over. You'll feel when It's good enough and that feeling will happen more frequently as you progress.

          2 points
    • Blake HawksworthBlake Hawksworth, almost 8 years ago (edited almost 8 years ago )

      Thank you Pasquale. You're correct, I'm asking at the fundamental branding of 'me' not just my website. I'd like to think my website design will evolve as I evolve as an individual and designer too.

      I think perhaps what makes me unique is that I've grown up with a strong interest and experience in very structured industries, finance, business etc. These gave me the skills of rigorous thinking and time management that perhaps art students don't have? I'm clutching at straws, but what's your thoughts on spinning that into my niche?

      1 point
      • Jordan KoscheiJordan Koschei, almost 8 years ago

        A background in finance/industry is a huge advantage (I'm speaking as a designer who works almost entirely with Fortune 500s).

        On the business side, a lot of decision makers view creatives as wishy-washy, artsy people who don't "get" business. There's a lot of interesting, valuable work to be done on the line between good business and good design.

        If you can show business folks that you understand them, you'll set yourself apart from a lot of other designers. They'll respect the rigor you bring to your work, too.

        0 points