Brand Yourself & Stand Out!

6 PM to 7:30 PM each session

$25 per seat

“Branding is intentional differentiation” – Debbie Millman.

Come join us for this two-part workshop designed to help you brand your business. You'll learn from a pro why visuals matter and how to make sure you attract attention from your target audience. We'll hold this class in Create Appalachia's computer lab, where you'll have a seat and a screen

Kelly Porter, design educator and Associate Professor of Graphic Design at East Tennessee State University, will walk you through the process of defining your brand and creating consistency that will differentiate you and attract yourtarget audience. She'll introduce you to the process that experts follow, such as establishing your brand voice, creating a compelling brand story, using color theory and typographic choices to express your brand’s personality, best practices in design, and building brand assets for marketing yourself. Additionally, Kelly will walk you through herfavorite free and affordable design resources including Canva. You'll leave with logo ideas--and if you already have a logo, you'll leave with ideas about how to deploy it for maximum success!

MAY 5: Defining Your Brand

At the first meeting, participants will explore core branding principles underthe guidance of Kelly Porter. The session will cover brand definition (learning to articulate your personal brand based on your unique personality and strengths) and brand voice and visual identity: (how to establish a distinctive brand voice and how to use color theory and typography to express your brand's personality).

MAY 12: Designing Your Identity

The second meeting will focus on applying design principles to bring your personal brand to life. Your gain hands-on experience in

• Typography Basics: Understanding and applying fundamental typography principles to enhance brand communication
• Creating Brand Assets: Developing brand assets and professional marketing materials, such as resumes, stationery, business cards, and email signatures, using both free and affordable tools like Canva.
• File Preparation and Printing: Learning how to set up files for print, create PDFs, and explore various printing options, including self-printing, online services, and local printing solutions.

Expected Outcomes: Participants will leave this double workshop with an understanding of branding principles, practical design skills, and the ability to manage their brand assets effectively. Additionally, the workshop will foster a network of peers, providing ongoing support and collaborative opportunities forfuture growth.

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY: Kelly C. Porter, M.F.A. joined the faculty of East Tennessee State University in 2014. She earned an M.F.A. in Studio Art, Graphic Design, from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a B.F.A. from the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg in Graphic Communication. Before switching to academia, Kelly worked as a designer and design researcher with Ryobi Power Tools, and with clients such as the B.B. King Museum, Mississippi Delta Tourism and the Mississippi Blues Trail. Kelly teaches graphic design and visual communication courses and works with other departments, colleges and within the community to create cross-disciplinary,real-world, and service learning experiences for her students. Her work in branding, identity design, sustainable design and photography has been recognized and awarded in local,regional, national and international design competitions. She is currently working in the collaborative intersections of environmentalism, sustainability and design.

T his workshop is subsidized and made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission's Arts Build Community program.

Create Appalachia strives to make our region a better place to live and work by supporting innovation and creative entrepreneurship. Our primary focus is startups and small businesses that marry creativity and technology. Our goal is to incubate new businesses, increase employment opportunities for creatives, and highlight the key role that creativity plays in the region’s economic vitality.

The Arts@Work Series supports entrepreneurial creatives and makers who wish to develop their professional business skills. Topics include introductions to business strategy, marketing, communication, pricing, and client relations.We also offer skill-based certification courses. The Arts@Work professional development series is curated to meet the particular needs of small creative businesses that combine artistry, imagination, and technology.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Create Appalachia Center for Art & Technology, 225 West Center Street, Kingsport, United States