When the time came to unveil Self Made Signal, I promised myself one thing: the brand would launch as it is, not as I wish it already was. That meant letting go of the fantasy of immaculate logos, staged photo shoots, and pixels in place before the first post went live. Instead, I embraced a raw, honest approach—a self-portrait of my brand that reflects where I’m truly starting, not just where I hope to end up. Today, I’m pulling back the curtain to show the first drafts, selfies, and DIY designs that kicked off this journey.
Capturing “Me” in Photos: The Power of Imperfect Images
When I thought about “brand photography,” stock images and glossy headshots danced in my mind. But day one reality? A phone, a makeshift tripod (read: a stack of books on a desk), and natural window light. These early photos feature:
- Candid, unedited selfies that actually feel like me—not just a smile for the camera, but flashes of focus, excitement, and even a bit of nerves.
- Backgrounds that aren’t Instagram-perfect—sometimes it’s my home office, sometimes a favorite reading corner, and often, a notebook or whiteboard nearby.
- Clothing that fits my vibe: comfortable, approachable, slightly creative—with a pop of my brand color in accessories or surroundings.
I resisted the urge to filter every photo or erase every shadow. There’s beauty and trust in showing up real, especially in a digital landscape that’s overrun with curated illusions.
The Logo Debut: DIY, Not Design Agency
Before Self Made Signal had its first follower, it had a logo—created, not by a fancy agency, but over a series of late nights on Canva and Procreate. Instead of waiting for “the perfect look,” I committed to:
- A simple, bold mark: two S’s interwoven—symbolizing signal and self—framed in a circle to represent inclusivity and ongoing growth.
- Custom colors: deep indigo for resilience, vibrant teal for momentum, and a dash of white for clarity. Purposefully modern, but not sterile.
- Handwriting inspiration: I added a hint of my own handwriting to the tagline and highlights, to remind both myself and my audience that all of this is still a living, breathing work-in-progress.
I told myself: better a logo with heart and history than something generic or borrowed. Even the rough edges signal authenticity.
Visual Identity: The Unpolished Brand Board
With photos and logo in place, I built out my very first “brand board”—really just a slide with:
- Chosen color swatches (and HEX codes taped to my monitor!)
- A couple of favorite fonts (one clean and simple, one a little playful)
- Mood images and sketches that inspired my brand’s vibe: open notebooks, city street shots, and bursts of handwritten notes.
This “board” is far less about perfection, more about establishing a feeling—one I return to whenever I create a post, share a story, or design a new visual.
What I Learned Sharing It All—Early, Unfiltered, and Out Loud
The minute I shared these early assets publicly, I felt exposed—and then, unexpectedly, liberated. Here’s what that experience taught me:
- People relate to process, not polish. More than a few readers reached out to say the “realness” of my pictures and makeshift logo made them feel seen and encouraged to start before they were ready.
- Updating is always an option. Each asset can evolve, and that flexibility reminds me not to get stuck waiting for a “final” version.
- My story lives in the visuals. Every choice (and even every imperfect attempt) tells a genuine story about how I show up, what I value, and how I interact with the world. The visual record maps my growth in real time.
My Self-Portrait, Today
If you were to meet Self Made Signal right now, here’s the self-portrait you’d see:
- A founder smiling nervously but authentically into their phone camera, surrounded by notebooks and coffee cups.
- A handmade logo—a little uneven, but undeniably mine—anchoring every page and post.
- A brand board saved on my desktop, humble but brimming with intent.
- A timeline of assets that will change and improve, grounded in day-one honesty instead of a fantasy twenty steps ahead.
Final Thoughts: Why Unfiltered Wins, Every Time
Your initial self-portrait—photos, logos, color palettes and all—will never be perfect. But it’ll be true. Launching with what you have isn’t just practical, it’s powerful. The more I share my early visuals and branding attempts, the more I notice the ripple effect: others show up more vulnerably, too.
So if you’re starting your own journey, don’t wait for the flawless logo or professional headshot. Capture yourself as you are, plant your flag, and let your brand grow up in the open. This is what I’m doing with Self Made Signal—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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