A Branding Guide for Designers
Whether you’re a fashion designer, carpet or rug designer, industrial or graphic designer, branding has become an essential aspect for all fields today. Building your own brand, gaining recognition, increasing your value in the workplace, or transferring to another company are all connected to becoming a brand in your field. In this article, I’d like to share some insights on how designers can build their own brand.
I’m sure everyone understands why I put this as the first point. If you work in a visual field as a designer, not only do you not have a choice but to be visible, but it’s also the easiest path for you. No matter which type of design you specialize in, visibility is a must. Don’t hide the work you do, whether it’s individual projects, contributions to your company, your knowledge, or your ideas. Share them! Let people know who you are, what you can do, and what your boundaries are.
Who do you want to target as a designer? Who do you want to see your work, and what outcomes do you hope to achieve? First, set a clear target for yourself, then start paving the way to reach that goal. Do you want to move up in your current company? Then, become known as a wise, knowledgeable figure. Share your expertise and demonstrate your value. Is your goal to transfer to larger companies? Then, your audience will be company owners and design department managers. Share your work, show that you know your craft well, and prove that you’re worthy of that company. Ask questions, seek advice, and get feedback from them about your work. Do you want broader recognition? Then expand your horizons. Advertise yourself and seek collaboration opportunities.
Let me make one thing clear: the world has never been this accessible before. We are in the age of social media, and you can execute almost all the strategies I’m mentioning at little to no cost. Every piece of information and every person is just one click away. All you need to do is decide and take action.
Once you’ve decided to be visible and identified your target audience, the next step is selecting the right platform. Where does your target audience spend their time? What do they read, watch, and listen to? Which social platforms do they frequent the most? Once you know the answers, focus your efforts on those platforms. For an industrial designer, LinkedIn might be the best choice, while a next-generation fashion designer might find their audience on TikTok. Similarly, a graphic designer could prioritize Instagram or Behance. Define your goal and choose your path accordingly.
Avoid being ordinary; leave that to others. Develop your own style. Make yourself easily identifiable. For example, imagine three young people walking toward you. If I said, “That person’s work is amazing,” and you asked, “Which one?” I would reply, “The one with the necklace.” In this case, the necklace represents their uniqueness, their originality, and their identifiable trait. Show your uniqueness in your work. Ayşe is known for bold projects, Seda for her expert use of color, and Ahmet for his minimalist genius. When your name is mentioned, there should be one word that defines you.
There’s something I’ve been saying frequently lately: we are in a sharing and benefit economy. Don’t hesitate to share your knowledge with others. Be generous in offering value to those around you—it will always come back to you in the future. Look into the concept of a win-win economy. First, focus on building relationships, and then grow with the community you’ve created. As you grow, lean on their support.
I hope this article offers ideas and inspiration to some of you. I hope I’ve been helpful in some way.
Feel free to reach out with your questions, comments, or feedback. Just say hello!
Stay well!
