Brand Identity as a hobby, not a profession

The concept of Brand Designing should be appropriately understood, the term Brand Identity Design encompasses a lot of niches, it covers logo design, social media designs, icons, motion graphics, illustrations. Coming into Brand Identity as a hobby, it must be understood that this niche of design works best with those who are creatively capable and energetic to think and reason, not just been money-driven, it doesn't breed creativity, take note.

A SIMPLE BRANDING CHECKLIST

Using the mind creatively for brand identity design involves tapping into your imagination, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities to develop unique and effective brand identities. Here are some steps and techniques to help you in this process:

1. Research and Understand the Brand: Begin by thoroughly researching the brand you’re working with. Gain insights into its values, target audience, competitors, and industry trends. This understanding will form the foundation for your creative thinking.
2. Brainstorming: Start the creative process by brainstorming ideas and concepts related to the brand. Encourage open thinking and generate as many ideas as possible. Don’t worry about filtering at this stage; aim for quantity over quality.
3. Visualization and Mind Mapping: Use visualization techniques to explore and expand your ideas. Create mind maps or mood boards that visually represent the different elements, emotions, and associations you want the brand identity to convey.
4. Analogies and Metaphors: Utilize analogies and metaphors to generate fresh perspectives. Compare the brand to unrelated objects, concepts, or experiences to uncover unique visual or symbolic connections that can be integrated into the brand identity.
5. Storytelling: Craft a compelling brand narrative that resonates with the target audience. Develop a storyline or a character that embodies the brand values and translates into visual elements.
6. Sketching and Doodling: Put pen to paper and start sketching rough concepts. Doodling freely can help unlock new ideas and unexpected connections. Don’t be afraid to explore unconventional shapes, typography, or visual motifs.
7. Experimentation and Iteration: Embrace experimentation and iterate on your initial ideas. Try different color palettes, typography styles, or compositions to discover the most impactful representation of the brand identity.
8. Collaboration and Feedback: Seek input from colleagues, clients, or other designers. Collaborative brainstorming sessions and constructive feedback can bring fresh perspectives and help refine your ideas.
9. Typography and Visual Language: Choose fonts and create a visual language that aligns with the brand’s personality and values. Typography plays a vital role in expressing the brand’s tone and style.
10. Simplicity and Consistency: Strive for simplicity and consistency in your brand identity design. Distill the essence of the brand into a concise visual representation that is easily recognizable and memorable.

Remember that creativity is subjective, and there are no fixed rules. Trust your instincts and allow your mind to explore unconventional ideas while keeping the brand’s goals and target audience in mind.

Perceiving brand identity as a hobby, not a profession, brings freedom and creativity. Explore diverse industries, experiment with styles, and challenge norms. Embrace the joy of self-expression without the pressure of client demands. Let your mind wander, innovate, and create without boundaries, fostering a personal journey of artistic growth.