Geo Law
Illustrator and part-time lecturer
getaloadageo.co.uk“When I talk to students, I encourage them
to brand themselves as approachable people
with interesting work to share, and as
people who can talk about their work. They
also should consider the tone in their
branding. Is it friendly, colourful, minimal
or sleek? The answer really depends on the
person and their work.
As an illustrator, I brand myself as
someone who’s professional with a hint of
goof... but that’s just me. It’s important to go
with a tone that suits you as a business and
person, to signpost your practice. I feel the
portfolio should do the rest of the talking,
but showing care and attention to your
branding’s look and tone of voice shows
diligence; it looks like you care. So consider
how your work, combined with the
branding’s tone of voice, will attract
different types of attention and enquiries.
As a side note, I like keeping my overall
look and feel consistent across all social
platforms, website, stickers, postcards...
even through to my invoice template.”
Kirsten Murray
Freelance art director and designer
kirstenmurray.com“If your website has been ‘coming soon’
since 2018, you’re not alone. Personal
branding is a tough gig. But the creative
process can be made easier if you approach
it like you would a client’s project.
First, start with a clear brief. Ask yourself
what purpose your branding serves and
what you want it to say about you, rather
than how you want it to look. Second, set
deadlines for the project and stick to them,
so they don’t slide into next year (along with
your waning motivation for the task). Third,
invest in the right skills for the job. If
writing isn’t your jam, collaborate with a
copywriter to translate your personality
into well-crafted words. And if your profile
photo pre-dates the Ceiling Cat meme, it’s
probably time to hire a photographer for
new headshots.
And finally, listen to the client. Yes, that’s
you. When it comes to your personal
branding, your opinion matters the most, so
use this opportunity to create a brand that
you’re excited to share with others.”Hashmukh Kerai
Motion graphic designer and 3D illustrator
hashmukh.com“Personal branding is super-important,
especially for freelancers like myself. Your
brand and the way you portray your work is
what ultimately gets you work and clients.
A big rule is to always be honest about
your skills and output. Showcase only the
best of what you’re comfortable with,
because that’s what clients will test you on.
Be direct and confident when speaking and
showcasing what you can do, and stay away
from any negatives such as a lack of
experience in a particular skill. This is
something a lot of younger designers trip up
on when making resumes with bar charts
showing how good or bad they are at a
particular software or skill.
Your tone of voice is also very important,
so you need to make sure it comes across in
everything you do. This is an integral part
of your brand, because it can shine a
spotlight on you as a against others. Be
yourself, and don’t hide from any quirks or
differences you have – this is what makes
you stand out.”CHRIS SPALTON
Surely just be honest and
authentic. You’re never
going to ‘erode your brand’ if
your brand is just you.@TASTESOFINK
Remember to heat the brand
up properly and choose a
large enough area on
your body.@MSAUNDERS_INK
If you use a moniker, think
whether you’ll feel confident
saying it in a decade.CARRIE COUSINS
SPILLER
Your personal brand should
reflect who you are as a
person and creative, so it’s
not hard to manage.@AMARTAFERREIRA
Cut out the bullshit lingo
and focus on the person and
the work.CULTURE
discuss
WHAT ARE YOUR DO’S & DON’TS FOR PERSONAL BRANDING?