Building a Standout Personal Brand

Before diving into the details of how to create a personal brand, I want to make something clear: what follows are just my opinions based on my experiences in graphic design. There’s no single "right" way to go about building a brand. It’s a personal and creative process, and everyone’s path will be different. That said, here’s what has worked for me and what I’ve learned along the way.

01. Use Your Name—If It’s Unique and Memorable

One of the simplest ways to start your personal brand is by using your own name—if it’s distinctive or easy to remember. A name that's recognizable or has a unique ring to it can make a brand feel personal and approachable. If you’re lucky enough to have a name like that, don’t hesitate to make it the cornerstone of your brand.

However, in my case, I went a different route. Instead of using my name, I created a brand called StudioGlance®. It wasn’t that my name wasn’t usable, but I wanted something that carried more weight and meaning in relation to the message I wanted to convey. StudioGlance was the perfect fit for what I wanted to express, which brings me to my next point.

02. Think of a Topic or Issue That Resonates With You

If using your name doesn’t feel right, consider focusing on a topic or issue that interests you or surrounds your work. The more context your brand has, the more meaning and weight it will carry.

With Glance, I wanted to create something simple yet impactful, something that reflected how people engage with content today. The brand name “Glance,” supported by the visual of an arrow, ties into the idea of directional cues we all rely on. In today’s world of short attention spans, I wanted the brand to symbolize quick, effective communication. That’s the topic that shaped my brand—a response to the attention-deficit challenges in modern communication. When your brand is grounded in something you care about or feel strongly about, it can resonate more deeply with others.

03. Do Something Different From Your Competitors

This is crucial: look at what others are doing in your field, and then do something different. Your brand should stand out in a crowded space, and one way to ensure that is by consciously steering away from the norms.

When I was developing Glance, I studied other brands in the same space. I wanted to avoid creating yet another brand that relied on generic design elements. Instead, I focused on a logo that was simple, yet intentional—a fusion of the verb "glance" and the directional arrow to communicate both motion and focus. In a world where brands compete for split seconds of attention, I wanted Glance to stand out as a beacon of clarity and direction. The key here is to carve out your own space by thinking creatively about how your brand can be different.

04. Create a Memorable Logo

Your logo is often the first thing people will associate with your brand, so it’s important to make it memorable and distinctive. A well-designed logo can communicate volumes about your brand’s message and identity in just one glance (no pun intended).

For Glance, the logo is built around an arrow, not just for aesthetics, but because it aligns with the brand’s deeper meaning—guidance, direction, and quick comprehension. The simplicity of the arrow makes it memorable, while its meaning adds depth. A good logo isn’t just about looking good; it’s about being distinctive and resonant. If it sticks in people’s minds and conveys the right message, you’ve done it right.

05. Establish a Consistent and Cohesive Brand Identity

Brand identity is about more than just a logo—it’s the overall visual and verbal language that defines how your brand presents itself. Consistency is key. Your color palette, typography, messaging, and even tone of voice should all align to create a cohesive experience for your audience.

In Glance, consistency is built into everything—from the simplicity of the logo to the directness of the name. Every element is designed to reflect the brand’s goal: capturing attention in an increasingly fast-paced world. The arrow in the logo, the brevity of the name, and the minimalist design all work together to create a cohesive identity. It’s still a work in progress, but it’s a good reminder that a strong brand should always feel unified.

Final Thoughts: Take It With a Grain of Salt

At the end of the day, these points are based on my own process and experiences, and there’s no guarantee they’ll work for everyone. Glance is still evolving, and I’m still defining its exact direction. The key is to approach building your personal brand thoughtfully and intentionally—whether you use your name or create something new, whether you stick to tried-and-true methods or go against the grain. The most important part? Enjoy the process. Building a personal brand is as much about self-discovery as it is about design and strategy.