Building a Personal Brand as a Young Designer

In today's competitive design industry, personal branding is a powerful tool for young designers looking to show experienced creatives that they should be taken seriously. Establishing a strong personal brand can set you apart from other young designers and give you an edge. And every advantage you can gain is important as you compete for internships and jobs. Even a small edge can get you into the consideration set and move you forward in the process. So don’t overlook this one.

Benefits of a Unified Brand

Developing a unified and well-designed personal brand has several benefits for young designers. It conveys a sense of coherence and professionalism. It tells potential clients, employers, or collaborators that you are serious about your work and are committed to presenting it in the best possible way. A cohesive brand also helps in building trust and recognition.

Simplicity in Branding

One common mistake made by young designers is over-complicating their brand identity. An effective mark or logo should be simple and aligned with your personality and design aesthetic. Gone are the days of forcing your initials into awkward and abstract forms or creating overly intricate, fussy marks. Simplicity is often more memorable and versatile. It shows that you have a keen eye for design and can distill complex ideas into elegant solutions. A personal brand can be as simple as a perfectly chosen typeface - kerned to a sublime refinement.  If it “feels” like you and represents you in a way that is appropriate and authentic, you probably have a winner. Decide on a color strategy (again…with the simplicity) and off you go!

Online Presence

Your online presence is often the first point of contact for potential clients, employers, or collaborators. If you can organize and present all of your platforms in a beautiful, consistently branded way, you will be taken more seriously as a potential hire. Think about your LinkedIn profile banner and make sure that horizontal image is consistent with your “brand”, and says something about you. It could be a detail from your strongest portfolio project or a relevant photo that helps tell your story. I had a student once who was a biomedical engineer and he wanted to gain an internship at a prosthetics and orthotics lab in Oregon. The story of what inspired him to want to build prosthetic devices was the result of an accident he had as a child. So for his banner image on LinkedIn, he used an x-ray image of his forearm with the metal rod and array of screws…needless to say it got their attention. And it was appropriate. (He got the internship).

Your social media profiles also offer ample opportunity to reinforce your brand. Take advantage of them. Have dedicated Instagram/TickTock/X accounts that showcase your work and your beautiful personal brand - from what you post to how you set up your profile. 

Portfolio Website

Whether you are designing from scratch or you are using a templated portfolio site, your simple and elegant branding can translate very easily. Make sure to keep your typefaces and fonts consistent with all your materials.

Personal Correspondence

Every interaction you have, from email sign-offs to business cards, should be consistent with your personal brand. Using a unified visual identity and language in your personal correspondence shows your attention to detail and your commitment to your brand. 

Personal branding is important at the start of a young designer's career. It's a way to make a positive first impression, demonstrate professionalism, and differentiate yourself in a crowded market. Remember, simplicity and alignment with your personal aesthetic are key to creating a memorable and effective personal brand.