My favorite newly learned design skill was the personal branding suite project. These are incredibly useful tools, whether you’re sending a letter, job searching, or just want to have your own identity in your work. This project has been the most fun for me so far because I enjoy graphic design, and it came naturally to me. It was fun to get creative. I was able to make my own personal brand in any way I wanted. Usually, I would have a hard time starting with a blank slate, but in this project, I took advantage of it. I added my own identity and personality to my logos and designs. However, I also appreciated having examples to look at to know what the professor was looking for.
I learned a lot during this project because I was able to experiment. I played with different fonts, colors, shapes to create what looked best, and this experimentation taught me a lot about the platforms. I learned that my initials don’t look good with some fonts or logo shapes. The colors I used reflect my personality well. I was seeking a bright but subtle color scheme. I was not looking for a beige, colorless look, but instead color while maintaining professional. Additionally, I wanted to have a sleek look, but also not too serious. They are not overwhelming. My logos and designs are minimalistic. The font I chose is also easy to read across all of the envelopes, logos, resumes, etc.
The most useful part of this project was to create the logo because that then translates to every other part. It is easy to copy and paste your logo to make one simple page your own. Putting your logo on a page can make something look professional or unprofessional very easily. I believe that my designs look professional for a younger crowd. An older crowd may think that I should use less color. A logo that isn’t well done can make a resume or cover letter look messy. The content of the documents may be good, but an interviewer is put off by the design. The design should never distract from the content, but add to it.
While purchasing and printing business cards and paper containing these designs can be costly, it can make a world of a difference to someone that is interested in your work or is looking to hire you. I think the hardest part would be choosing which color or design you most desire to print. In my project, I used the blue logo with my name going through the middle of the initials, but I also like the other designs and colors as well. Consulting a friend, family member, or business partner could help to select the best design.
Overall, I thought this project was very fun. It’s a simple thing to make, but I have never thought to do it before. It really spiced up my personal documents and I am happy to have these designs in my back pocket now. It was also great practice for the future.
Example pieces and inspiration from my branding suite:
