Week 1: What do you want to do with your MA?

Workshop + Homework Task

I aspire to work with leading branding agencies such as &Walsh, Landor, Wolff Olins, and Pearlfisher—studios celebrated for their innovative approach to branding, as well as their expertise in packaging and advertising. Among the branding agencies identified through my Industrial Intellignce Audit, &Walsh stands out as my primary source of inspiration. As a women-led agency, their bold, unapologetic work speaks volumes. Jessica Walsh, in particular, has influenced me deeply through her fearless expression of opinions on sensitive social issues. I’ve followed her journey since she collaborated with Stefan Sagmeister, admiring projects like the Beauty book and Type of Feeling.

My ideal work environment fosters fresh, experimental branding over conventional corporate aesthetics. While collaborating with major clients is exciting, I am most drawn to studios that push creative boundaries and produce visually distinctive, culturally conscious work. I hope to join an agency that balances meaningful, not-for-profit projects with commercial endeavors. I am looking for a flexible role where I can apply my skills across branding, graphic design, illustration, and publication design while also delving into packaging, advertising, and motion. 

Through my MA, I intend to create branding work that feels bold and impactful, featuring strong visuals and experimental typography. While my current portfolio is versatile, I want to explore more art-direction led, branding-specific projects in a professional context. Award briefs provide the perfect opportunity for this growth. I have selected briefs that fill specific gaps in my portfolio: a pattern-based visual identity (Hearst), beverage branding (Suntory), art design and typography-focused packaging (Pentawards), and a campaign project with the potential to be a standout, career-defining piece (Yahoo).

For my strategy, I would like to take Jessica Walsh’s portfolio advice and focus on developing these four high-quality projects rather than prioritizing quantity. Additionally, I believe my past projects hold significant potential, and I plan to refine them based on insights gained throughout this term. I am also in the process of building my personal website, which I will update as I complete these projects, ensuring it reflects my evolving skills and creative direction.

Links:
MA GB+I Branding, Marketing and Design Research Resources
London + UK Design Groups / Branding Agencies /Advertising Firms
International Directory of Design Groups / Branding Agencies / Advertising Firms
Branding Agency Roles + Responsibilities


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