Personal Identity Creation

While updating this site, I felt there was an opportunity for me to create a brandmark for myself. I was very used to creating identities for businesses and organizations, but I had never considered creating one for me. In retrospect it seems very obvious.

I made a few options, mostly using my full name- but nothing was clicking. Why wouldn’t I just write my full name on the top of the page? I wanted something that would add to my name, not replace it. But what?

What is my real life like?

How do I identify myself in reality?

What marks do I make over and over?

Then I realized- I’ve answered that question before.

In June, 2014 I worked in a Goodwill outside of Seattle, WA (I spent my college summers with my parents there) and I had to initial 92 boxes every day (I counted) so I spent hours learning how to write all three characters with just one stroke.

I’ve been staring at my brandmark this whole time- DUH!

Once I started putting pen to paper (mouse to desk?) I realized I could weave the lines of the “J” through each other- a small homage to my textile practice. I love creating identities for others, giving legitimacy to what was once just an idea in their mind. I never considered turning that energy toward myself but I’m so delighted I did.

Usually, the right answer is very obvious.