What do you do if you want to establish a personal brand as a beginner in Product Design?

Establishing a personal brand as a beginner in Product Design can be challenging, but it is not impossible. Here are some tips to get started: 1. Create a portfolio: A portfolio is essential for showcasing your work and skills to potential employers or clients. You can create a portfolio website or use platforms like Behance or Dribbble to showcase your work and build your online presence. 2. Network. 3. Build your personal brand: Establishing a personal brand can help you stand out in a crowded market. Start by defining your design style, values, and mission. Use social media to share your work, insights, and design journey. 4. Learn and grow.

To establish a personal brand as a beginner in Product Design, focus on showcasing your work through online portfolios and social media, engage with the design community, seek mentorship, and continuously refine your skills while sharing insights and experiences to build credibility and visibility in the field.

Establishing a personal brand as a Product Designer is crucial as it distinguishes you from competitors, communicates your unique value proposition, and builds trust with your audience. By aligning your brand with the values and interests of your target audience, you can create a strong connection, foster loyalty, and increase your visibility and credibility within the industry. A well-defined personal brand can open up opportunities for collaborations, projects, and career advancement, ultimately helping you stand out in a competitive market

Between an individual’s growth in knowledge, experience & skill and the ever evolving tools at every designer’s disposal, it’s difficult to build and maintain a brand thread that continues within your portfolio. Add the complexity of commercial product vs personal projects and finding yourself becomes difficult. My preference is to find discipline in the macro - your process - and the micro - your punctuation. My approach to every project is consistent so folks who work with me know what to expect. Who I partner with and how I show up are a standard. My tools may change but my conversations don’t. And then I sign off with my forced optimism: good things.

Don’t think about your portfolio. Think about someone showing you theirs. I know enough after 5 projects and if you double up on any one thing or area I’ll assume that’s your focus. Two shoes: you’re a footwear designer. Two Sony projects: you worked at Sony. Two…. So build those 5 projects with 5 points of view. Edit the content for each platform - long on LinkedIn and short on IG and a blink in TikTok. Then leave it there. Don’t add to it. Replace 1 of the 5 when you have something better. Your IG portfolio can be 5 rows and never get updated until something better represents you. Sure an ongoing blog of all of your work might be useful but it’s not necessary in an introduction. Keep it simple. Your people will find you.

There are many things to consider when showcasing your work, including context. If you're a recent and young graduate, I would focus on diversity in your portfolio. Example: a responsive website, iOS phone app, Android app, or multimodal streaming app that crosses platforms and devices. I would also consider projects within different domains or focus areas. Example: Not all your projects should be for non-profits. If you're pivoting into product design, think about your transferrable skills and work history. Build off this knowledge with your projects. Examples: Bookkeeper to FinTech or Retailer to eCommerce. Look at other portfolios for inspiration. Find a support group or mentor, ask for feedback, and fill your knowledge gaps.