Brief
Re-brand yourself for the professional world that you will be entering into after you have graduated.Concept, Ideas & Decisions
As this is a brief about oneself it was essential to identify certain things to influence the design and overall aesthetic of the branding.
A business card has to be aesthetically pleasing, something which someone would want to keep. Therefore design decisions that are purely aesthetic based are more than justified here, as long as the relevant information is also readable and legible.
Firstly, as minimal design is something that I enjoy working with, it will be a large influence when designing. Using this as a basis for the research and developing ideas will allow this aesthetic to manifest itself into the work, reflecting myself and preferred 'style' design.
Secondly, colour, this goes hand in hand with the strong passion for experimentation. Using a range of colours, and even designs, in this case would be more than appropriate.
I now have a better understanding and passion for type. I have in fact already created several typefaces. This is something which could be considered, creating a personal typeface, possibly influenced by my own handwriting. This idea links back well to 'being able to project your personality onto your work'. I discovered this within my Level 5 COP brief where I studied Graphology (the study of handwriting) and how you can identify traits and understand people through the analysis of their handwriting.
When it comes to a 'logo', I feel that this would cause restrictions, as I plan to work in a studio after my studies and travelling. Branding myself with a logo could prove difficult to use if/when I develop through and change my designing 'styles' etc. When working in a studio, I would have a business card which would be linked with the company.
Condensed Decisions
- Strong concept (Me)- Aesthetically based
- Minimal Design (simple details)
- Experimentation is very important
- Consider creating a personal typeface
Initial Idea
When thinking about the way that I work; experimental, and the design that I like; colour, it led me to research into marbling. It is something in which I have always been interested in doing. The outcomes are unique and are a blend of the two key words previous; colour and experimentation.Research/Design Inspiration
Colour Marbling
Simple Marbling
Watercolour
The imagery above is very interesting. The mixtures of colour, variation, experimentation and yet control (when printed and cut out as a business card) is intriguing and still rather minimal considering the various shapes and colours.
Aesthetically, they are beautiful. Conceptually, it reflects the things in design which I enjoy.
Background/Colour Experiments
1.
2.
Change in Idea
Although these images are interesting and successful, I have come to realise that they do not actually reflect my work. They support my love of variation and experimentation, but not the design aesthetic of my work.For this reason, these images will not be used.
Primary Research
Since the first year of college, I started to collect business cards that I thought were interesting, shown above. When planning to create my own I went back to look at them.
Design Decisions
After analysing what it was about each design, previous, that I liked, the following design decisions when it comes to designing my own business cards were made;
- Black stock/background
- White text/design
- Minimal, clean, contemporary typeface
- Simple design featuring only essential details.
I realise that this is far from the marbling experiment idea, yet the marbling was reflecting the work that I like, not my own work itself.
Further Research
Portrait Type
Spot Varnish/Gloss
Using portrait layout and type, provides an interesting aesthetic which is stands out to in comparison to most landscape business cards. By using black stock the white text contrasts and stands out more so creating a bold and yet minimal aesthetic. Whilst the embossing and spot varnish is more subtle, altering the surface slightly to create another interesting aspect.
Final Design Decisions
These decisions were confirmed again for when it comes to designing my business cards;
- Black stock
- Black stock
- White text (Sans Serif as it is structured, strong, independent and connotes simplicity and minimalism)
- Portrait design
These are all chosen based on aesthetics and the reflection of the design that I like.
Design Developments
Typeface
When choosing a typeface, it was crucial to use one which reflects my personality as well as way of working. 'Moon' is a very simple, strong and structured uppercase typeface and yet the its subtle rounded nature is still friendly. This connotes that I too am professional and strong whilst also having a friendly personality.
I chose against creating a typeface as I feel that this one represent me rather well. Using my handwriting was not an option as it is rather hard to read and is not as structured as I would like. The aesthetic does not represent my way of working at all.
Front of Card
It was essential to experiment with altering the sizes and placement of the type in order to choose the most professional design.
The bottom left design was chosen to be the final one as the central alignment creates a balanced overall design in addition to then also being the most aesthetically pleasing. The positioning of the type connotes that I am independent and not afraid to stand out from others, to be 'in the centre' quite literally.
'Graphic Designer & Creative Thinker' was used to show that I have more to my work than simple design. It shows that I like to think out of the box and will stand out against any other simple 'Graphic Designer' card.
The line is to connote that being a 'Graphic Designer & Creative Thinker' is only one part of my life. I am able to separate my personal life and my professional life asI understand boundaries. It also underlines my name to show that I am proud of who I am, whilst also again, creating balance on the page.
Back of Card
The very last experiment was chosen to be the final design. The central alignment of the type was influenced by the design of the front of the card to create continuity. Yet, to reflect my love of variation, the information was positioned at the bottom of the card. The same typeface and colour has also been utilised as to keep the overall design minimal, simple and continuous.
Final Design
Front of Card
Back of Card
The front and back work together seamlessly.
Once cut to size, the white stock was revealed around the edges. This appears to be a part of the design as it links back to the white stroke on the front of the card, creating a boundary around the card itself (a literal 'cut off' point).
The research images allowed me to pin point what it was that I enjoyed aesthetically about each one, combining them together in order to create my own personal branding. I was influenced a great deal and this is reflected within the final design.
The business cards were printed digitally as this is how I tend to work, digitally. Not only was this appropriate for this reason but also for time and quantity reasons. I intend to give as many of these out and even leave them in stores in hope of gaining more clients and work to expand my experience. I will also send these off to studios. For this reason, having them printed digitally saves time as I can print and cut them on mass.
Overall, it is felt that these minimal, yet boldly designed cards do in fact reflect my work and personality all in one. I am rather happy with their design.
CV & Letterhead
The use of black and white along with the same typeface used on my business cards is simply to ensure the continuity and professionalism of my branding.
Comparison of Branding
Level 4 Branding
Level 5 Branding
Level 6 Branding
- The level 6 design is;
- More professional and sophisticated
- Has a stronger use of typography
- I now have the confidence to do something different (use black stock and design in a portrait format)
- Finally feel as though the design reflects my personality and way of working/graphic design
Evaluation
As you cannot print white ink unless screen printing, the stock chosen, a 300 GSM white matte card was actually white and the black printed over the top. This card is stronger and more durable than the thinner stock and so was suitable to use.Once cut to size, the white stock was revealed around the edges. This appears to be a part of the design as it links back to the white stroke on the front of the card, creating a boundary around the card itself (a literal 'cut off' point).
The research images allowed me to pin point what it was that I enjoyed aesthetically about each one, combining them together in order to create my own personal branding. I was influenced a great deal and this is reflected within the final design.
The business cards were printed digitally as this is how I tend to work, digitally. Not only was this appropriate for this reason but also for time and quantity reasons. I intend to give as many of these out and even leave them in stores in hope of gaining more clients and work to expand my experience. I will also send these off to studios. For this reason, having them printed digitally saves time as I can print and cut them on mass.
Overall, it is felt that these minimal, yet boldly designed cards do in fact reflect my work and personality all in one. I am rather happy with their design.
Professionally Printing
When printed and cut out, the quality of them is not as high as I would like. The black ink appears slightly grey and the type is not a bright white as required and so is a little difficult to read. As a business card reflects the person, this would in fact send the message that my work too is low quality and of a low standard. For this reason I have outsourced my business cards with Moo.
They will not arrive for the deadline but will be available for the end of year show where I intend to hand them out to professionals and studio's.
Photoshoot
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