Visual Identity

nature - laptop - outside
In this semester-long project, you draft digital elements of a professional “brand” to help you present a consistent image to potential employers or grad schools.

“Create your own visual style… let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others.” – Orson Welles

Assemble the elements

Start by creating a Google Doc and a project folder in Google Drive.

As the semester proceeds, you will add elements to the doc and gradually tweak them. Where appropriate, include a sentence about your choice: what it represents or how it connects to your message.

  • Name – the standard form you plan to use in professional correspondence.
  • Audience – identify who they are – perhaps potential employers, clients, business associates, or professional schools.
  • Tagline – a concise phrase that tells the audience the message of your visual identity.  See this article and this slogan generator for ideas. 
  • Typefaces – pick 3 at Google Fonts. Provide a visual with samples.
  • Colors – pick 5 at Adobe Color. Provide swatches, names, and hex numbers.
  • Headshot – a photo for LinkedIn. There’s help on Google Drive.
  • Logo – a simple one that works in a single color. Try this site.
    • OR a wordmark graphic with your name in your typefaces & colors.

Optional elements

  • Music- a soundtrack or theme (instrumental CC music).
  • Mood board – see this document

Apply the elements in your ePortfolio

  1. List the elements on the Visual Identity page
  2. Customize the “look and feel” by using the typefaces where you can, applying the colors, incorporating your logo and headshot, etc.
  3. Include these documents, incorporating your visual identity.

Optional items

  • Social media – a screenshot showing your visual identity applied to a site.
  • Email signature – from WiseStamp or a similar site. This article is helpful.

Materials to help develop a personal brand:

[image credit: photo by Ed Gregory from Stokpic.com]