Self Branding 1.4

It is important that my personal branding stands out over the competitive business that is the design industry. I don't want to have to hand out generic business cards because potential clients get given them all the time. Instead of creating a business card, I want to create a practical solution to the brief that clients and inspiring designers will find intriguing and useful. This will ultimately influence the audience so it is more likely that I will be remembered.

Since I have been focusing on graphic design, I have noticed the importance of having a notebook to take down potential concepts and sketches, instead of diving straight into digital media. I like how practical notebooks can be and if I was to give them out to people, even working professionals, they will see that I like to work practically and it can actually be used by the new owner in the future, instead of owning a simple business card.

Aaron Draplin

I was introduced to Draplin because of his hands on approach to briefs. Instead of reaching straight for digital experimentation, he begins by using an analogue approach. He has found this technique extremely useful and as a result he produces a small notebook called FIELD NOTE which encourages sketching and preliminary ideas to take further. 

The video demonstrates how important sketching out initial ideas is as it allows him to be more expressive and save time. He then takes his sketches into Illustrator to smarten them up and make them more accurate. The whole process of creating a logo for a business seems extremely fast and efficient which is how I would like to work. 

Draplin has taken advantage of the practical 'FIELD NOTES' booklet by changing the stock and paper finish inside to suit different purposes and requirements. 

CONCEPT

My concept for self branding is to create a simple notebook that I can hand out to professionals and potential clients that reflects my analogue approach to briefs which demonstrates a range of practical skills. 

Since the book binding workshop, I realised the potential to make my own simple notebooks. The process requires simple techniques and materials that I can manipulate in order to create my own bespoke notebook(s).

Example of the type of bind that I could use for my notebook:

There are many variables of the notebook that I can change:

Size

Stock quality for cover and content

Stock colour

Shape

Where to put my personal information

I think this will reflect the way I like to work:

Practical 

Bespoke

Expressive

Analogue

Conceptual 

Innovative 

I can change what the type says to reflect me as a person and as a designer. It can be witty, humorous or inspiring but in a serious context. 

YUNMA DESIGN 

I am inspired by Yunma Design's notebook that they gave out to subscribers and designers. Like Draplin, it is a simple notebook made from blank pages which provides opportunity for note making and sketching. A unique aspect of this notebook that I like is the use of imagery/quotes on random pages which can inspire, inform and reminds the audience of who YOU are with the logo. 

I can take advantage of this technique in order for potential clients to practically use my notebook and still be reminded of who I am. 

Delivery

Producing a notebook provides the opportunity to post large or small scale notebooks to a design studio or client. Posting a large notebook will be appropriate because handing a large book to someone at an event or gallery is impractical. I could create notebooks suitable in size for postage and personal meetings. The larger the book, the more complicated the binding techniques become which I will need to consider when producing final outcomes.