602: Further Personal Brand Development

NAME:

Mindmapping different studio name ideas:

- Important for me to have something that I like and would be happy for other people to identify with me. 

Flux - like this name but there are already so many different studios that use this name and most are for digital design or digital media.

Oat - again like this name don't know if it screams design but it feels as though it's something I could use. 

Found out as well that you can make paper from oats and different materials.

Putpocket - Researched this and there are videos about this as an activity (it's where you put things in people's pockets instead of taking). Feels like it's a thing on its own and this isn't something I relate to my practice. 

Thinking about my surname coming from a shepherds crook and I though this could provide some direction for a name:

Fold - Stood out as it is to do with paper but then there is a company in Sweden with this name that also use very minimal branding and work with print.

Herd - This one I like, but it feels a little harsh.

- Would like the tone of 'oat' without the earthy tones connotations. 

Do I need a studio name?
- Helps separate myself from the work, allows me to be seen as a professional rather than an individual with a hobby.
- Can think objectively about my branding and how I communicate myself.
Stick with thinking of a studio name, one will come along if not go with what feels right at that time. 

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PLATFORMS:

Feel my Instagram would be best suited as a place of documentation, particularly as I make books the process is very hands on. Showing the production of books here, thing I'm reading/watching will provide a more human side to my practice, feel this will even out the balance between practitioner and person. 

Then keeping the website as a way to showcase my work in a more professional way. 

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BRANDING:

Colour palette isn't as dynamic as my designs.

Experiment with more vibrant colours and see how these impact the branding.

These colours are too intense, they make it look like the work I do is predominantly digital as they're so vibrant.

- Am I concerned because I'm wanting my branding to be more minimal and this not being effective or perceived as a brand.

Currently relying on the small hand-drawn elements as the focal point of the branding but the reason they were effective in my presentation is that they were secondary to the work. Using them as a key feature brings too much attention here. 

Moving forward with the branding I need to work with applying it to ephemera so I can see whether it's effective or not. 

Using the name 'oat' to play with designs:

- Viewing on an invoice template.

(Left Nimbus Sans, right Neue Haas Grotesk)

Changing the typeface to a softer rounded serif, it's much more me as it's less harsh.

Testing with a hot coral colour, wanting to be vibrant but I don't think this translates well to my practice. 

Type on CV

Neue Haas Unica

Nimbus Sans

Basis Grotesque

Nimbus sans was most successful, it has a softer tone compared to Neue Hass Unica which is more robotic when viewed with large amounts of text. 

Thinking about book and print to get inspiration, want to avoid looking like a printers or photography shop. 

- Taking the visuals from staples

There is potential in the direction I'm going in if I use it effectively and in a way that's more abstract. 

The simplified use of the staple mark is good, could become a motif that is used across branding, think about Tenderbooks that has the 't' which follows along their website and it the icon on their Instagram. 

Applying to invoice, structure of the invoice is good so any logo or text can exist here and be successful. 

Re-writing 'about' section:

Oat is a graphic design studio based in Leeds, UK. The key approach of the studio stems from psychology, to learn and understand the ‘why’ behind design. This inquisitive approach of questioning work, pulling it apart and piecing back together again leads to concept focused projects with dynamic outcomes.

Translating current design to website:

Introducing serif typeface, using the two for a wider range, is this appropriate? Does this work?

- There needs to be a more obvious structure for the typefaces as this is the key aspect of the brand.  

Feel the issue is the white background, a lot of the work I make suits being presented on a black background, could introduce this to the website. 

This is much more successful, it showcases the work well and feels more dynamic as a website and the eye is drawn to the work which is something I want to have.

Applying to cargo site as a way to visualise:

What's working?

Sans serif type is more contemporary, it suits the type of work I make, more concept-led and diverse. 

The white text on a black background is successful at presenting a more dynamic website without the need for a bright colour, could introduce pages that switch, once you click on the project it is white background black text as this is easier to read?

What to do next?

Finalise all elements with branding
- Website (mock up)

- Instagram
- Business Cards

- Portfolio Pages 

Add these to personal branding pdf.