For this brand project, I was tasked with brand strategy development and visual identity design, aimed towards positioning them as creative, luxury-travel influencers. Part of the design deliverables included designing and development of the brand's comprehensive brand-book as well as creative components for them to use in their social media content and posts.

This was a short but exciting design project in which I was responsible for designing the brand's company profile that visually expressed and communicated the brand's goals and objectives both creatively and on-brand.

I was tasked with the design and development of a comprehensive set of printed brochures, booklets and document folders, that constituted the S/GBV Programme Response Toolkit; that would be used in the elimination of sexual and gender-based violence in Sierra Leone, via the establishment of fully equipped One-Stop-Centres.

For this project I was tasked with brand strategy development and visual identity design. Part of the design deliverables included designing and development of the brand's comprehensive brand-book as well as creative components for them to use in their packaging, social media content through creative+inspired posts.

I was responsible for creating a corporate brand identity with a bold and charming personality; that creatively differentiated the brand within a crowded field of logistics brands with very generic, corporate looking visual identities.

As a new graduate, I had the opportunity to complete my internship with Dee Lanie Intelligence. As a graphic design intern, responsibilities included logo design, creative graphic design creatives for visual brand identity design, editorials and creative components for print advertising and marketing collateral (such as branded textiles and apparel, banners, vehicle wraps and digital signage etc).

I was also responsible for setting up, printing and packaging clients' orders for heat-pressed, vinyl-printed and sublimation apparel.

During this period, I was responsible for developing the arts and crafts curriculum and weekly creative activities that catered to campers between the ages of 5 and 13 years old. With the big picture of the design portfolio show-case and concert event that was to be held at the end of the summer camp, I provided each camper with creative direction and technical support during each of their graphic design and illustration projects. I also worked under Ms Bridget Heine, assisting her with helping the campers complete their coding and animation projects.

I also was responsible for documenting each camper's experience throughout the entire camp season. Through video and photography I compiled the videos into two types of promotional assets. The first, a highlights reel that was played at the start of the show-case concert as part of marketing the camp
for new sign-ups.

The second, personal instrumental-music album CDs of three pieces each camper composed during their music sessions; packaged with cover art designed by each camper during the graphic design sessions.

THE BEHIND THE SCENES OF A BRAND.

Through key areas of study, namely Research Methodology, Brand and Business, Brand Building and Brand Contact and Communication, this program taught me the value of brand strategy; the foundation from which relevant, unique, timeless and holistic brands are built.

Having come from a purely graphic design perspective and being devoid of any business background, the programme opened my mind up to the relationship between brand, marketing, and business; equipping me with
a better understanding of the planning and creative process that actually precedes designing the brand's visual identity and collateral.

With consideration of a brand's business environments, as context for
leveraging holistic brand and business strategies, I also gained experience on how to develop target-market profiles and communication objectives, derived from key issues on which to base strategic brand-building decisions regarding brand offerings, logistics, and pricing options. However, following my graphic design expertise, this also enables me to better plan and execute the visual identity and design aspect of a brand that resonate with its audience across key brand-touchpoints.

MORE THAN "PRETTY ART".

Coming from an artistic background, I had to drill this "notice" into my mind
like clockwork! Though on the surface art and design are both visual forms of communication, they inherently serve two different purposes. While art is more of a subject expression, graphic design is visual communication and critical problem solving.

This programme purposed to develop students into competent and employable designers with a specialised competence in print-based communication with a theoretical and practical foundation. I gained the
ability to form, create and rationalise both design and theoretical arguments, as well as the ability to implement and critique print-based design processes.

Through this programme, I was challenged towards becoming a highly-skilled, innovative and confident designer who can professionally critique and execute any given design task.