We always see ourselves a little better before we look in the mirror.
Fun fact that goes with singing in the shower and playing some air guitar. But lets transform that phrase into branding. When was the last time you looked with your brand in the mirror?
Think about it—just as you might belt out a song in the shower, imagining you’re on stage, your brand needs that same level of self-reflection. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind of running a business, but how often do you take a step back and truly assess how your brand is perceived? Is it in tune with who you are now, or is it stuck in an old version of itself? Are you on stage with your ideas or just under the shower?
Looking in the mirror isn’t just about surface appearance; it’s about aligning your brand with your values, your goals, and the audience you’re trying to reach. Does your brand still reflect the passion that started it all? Does it tell the story you want it to? Or is it time for a refresh?
Just like that air guitar moment where you feel invincible, your brand should evoke confidence and energy every time someone interacts with it. So next time you’re having one of those spontaneous moments of fun and creativity, remember to ask yourself: when was the last time I really looked at my brand in the mirror?
Be honest and take a closer look.
Don’t miss the next essay. Signup for our newsletter
⸻ Newsletter signup
Work For Free
Designers work for free questions reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of creative value. The assumption that creativity costs nothing persists despite decades of professional design practice, leaving designers work for free situations fraught with complexity.
The B.R.A.I.N. Model
Cognitive design process shapes how we solve complex branding challenges at Visual Brain Gravity. Our B.R.A.I.N. methodology follows natural thought patterns—broadening understanding, refining focus, assembling solutions, and implementing results. This cognitive design process ensures every brand identity emerges from strategic thinking rather than aesthetic impulse.
In the corporate world, there’s this unspoken rule that enthusiasm should be hidden
Workplace enthusiasm in professional settings often gets suppressed by unspoken corporate rules. When great work deserves celebration, why do we default to neutral responses instead of genuine excitement?
Passion
Passion vs dedication in design represents a fundamental choice every creative professional must make. While the design industry celebrates emotional attachment to work, true craft demands the controlled commitment that only dedication provides. This distinction shapes how we serve clients and approach our creative process.
There Is Only One Right Way to Publicly Commission Design
Design commissioning process in public sector often fails both clients and creative professionals. Most procurement methods undervalue design work and create unfair competition, but there's a transparent approach that design commissioning process should follow to ensure quality outcomes and professional respect.
Time
Creative fear in design isn't a weakness—it's proof you're creating something real. After 25 years building brands, the most honest truth I've learned is that creative fear in design separates true innovation from comfortable repetition. When you know exactly what you're doing, you're not creating anymore.
Should designers code?
Should designers code? This question surfaces regularly in design communities, but it misses the bigger picture. The real question isn't whether designers should code, but how expanding our skillset makes us more effective creative professionals.
Ai killed the lorem ipsum
AI generated content design has fundamentally shifted how we approach dummy text in layouts. The rise of algorithm-created content forces designers to reconsider whether ai generated content design represents creative evolution or the end of originality in our field.