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In today's job market just applying to a job is not enough. A designer needs to look for opportunities wherever they can; networking, meetups, design groups, etc.
And, your overall personal brand plays a big part in how you get noticed.
A personal brand is simply how others perceive you, your reputation, your work, and the story you tell about yourself.
It matters whether you’re job hunting or not.
My early mistake
Earlier in my career, I was focused on my design work. I put all my energy into projects, but almost none into how I presented myself.
My portfolio was a bit neglected. My LinkedIn profile barely mentioned my accomplishments. I rarely shared what I was working on.
So when new opportunities came up, I was invisible.
Everything changed when I began treating my personal brand like an ongoing project.
Within months, I began to gain traction.
I noticed recruiters started reaching out. I also I got invited to collaborate on projects I never would’ve known about.
Your personal brand is about making it easier for the right opportunities to find you.
Why your personal brand matters
Even if you’re not actively job hunting, your personal brand is always working in the background.
It:
- Signals to others what you’re about as a designer
- Builds credibility and trust
- Opens doors to jobs, collaborations, and speaking opportunities
And the best part? You don’t need a giant audience to have an effective brand.
You just need clarity, consistency, and a way to show up.
Two tactics to build your brand this week
Here are two things you can do right now to start building a stronger professional presence:
1. Audit and update your digital footprint
Most people who want to learn about you will start with Google, LinkedIn, or your portfolio.
Do this quick check:
- Google yourself. What comes up? Is it accurate and aligned with who you are now as a designer?
- Review your LinkedIn. Is your headline more than just your job title? (It should quickly communicate your value.)
- Check your portfolio. Does it showcase your best work and reflect the type of opportunities you want next?
💡 Action step for this week: Update one of these touchpoints : your LinkedIn headline, your About page, or your portfolio intro.
Make it clear, current, and reflective of your strengths.
2. Share your perspective (even in small ways)
Building your brand doesn’t mean you need to write long essays or become a content machine.
Sometimes it’s as simple as posting once a week:
- Share a quick lesson from a recent project
- Highlight a tool or resource that’s helped you
- Reflect on a challenge you overcame as a designer
Posting can be difficult for some designers, it was for me but I just found the courage to start and overtime it got easier.
Consistency builds visibility. These small posts add up to a clear, authentic picture of who you are as a professional.
💡 Action step for this week: Draft one short post to share publicly. It could be a design tip, a resource you recommend, or a reflection from your work.
Don’t overthink it, just start.
Final thoughts
The more intentional you are about how you show up, both online and off the easier it becomes for opportunities to find you.
Don’t wait until you’re in a job search to build your brand.
Start now, even with small steps.
Opportunities go to the designers people know, trust, and remember.
Make it easy for people to remember you.
You’ve got this.
Thanks for reading, see you next week!
Anthony Faria
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