Personal Brand Board

 

For two decades, social media has trained its users to not only create online profiles, but to carefully craft them. These online personas—sometimes based in reality, and sometimes, not—tell the online world who we are and what we are about: "I’m a fur-parent,” “I’m funny,” “I’m into cars,” “I’m a grandma” … Now, in the era of influencers, people have gone even further, treating their social media personas as an actual brand, no different than a commercial product.

In lieu of a traditional personal writing assignment, you will utilize Adobe Express* to create a “brand board” which will illustrate your aspirational personal online “brand.” In other words, your brand board should reflect your “ideal” online persona. 

*Adobe’s full creative suite is free to you as an SJSU student. Using your SJSU email, register at new.express.adobe.com. Note that verification may take a few hours.

Part 1: 

Your brand board should feature a picture of yourself, as well as address the following FOUR of the following six elements. Highlight each element with at least THREE key words or phrases.

1. Target Audience—Who are you most interested in attracting to your online persona—and why? Who would get the most out of interacting with your brand?
2. Expertise—What expertise does your personal brand offer? What are you good enough at that people will come to your profile looking for guidance? What are your specialties?
3. Values—What values would personal brand to espouse? Which values do you want those interacting with your persona to identify with your brand? 
4. Aesthetics—What is the predominant “look” of your brand? What styles—palettes, fonts, images, themes—typify your brand?
5. Voice—What is the tone of your brand? Serious? Funny? Inspirational? Intellectual? 
6. Vibe—How do you want users to feel while interacting with your online brand? Motivated? Relaxed? Politically charged?

In crafting your online brand board, remember to consider what you would you want it to project to the world. Likewise, how would you hope it was perceived by other users? The design is up to you, but be thoughtful about placement and flow. Finally, remember you must utilize Adobe Express only. 

See examples HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Part 2:

In your brand board, you outlined the specific aspects of your ideal online persona. In 1-1.5 pages, illustrate the rationale behind your choices. In other words, this is an opportunity to delve deeper so as to explain your choices. 

Requirements:

• MLA Style
• Approx. 375 words

Due: Fri 10.4 (via Canvas)