Creating Custom Graphics for Talentful UK
When Talentful UK approached me to design graphics for their internal merchandise, I knew this was going to be an exciting project. Talentful is all about connecting exceptional talent with incredible opportunities, so creating a design that resonated with their mission was both a challenge and an honor.
In this blog post, I’ll take you through the process behind the designs, from brainstorming and research to final execution.
Diving Into the Brand Guidelines
Before diving into the creative process, I took the time to research and fully understand Talentful’s brand guidelines. Their clean and modern aesthetic, paired with their focus on talent discovery and collaboration, gave me a strong foundation to work from.
I asked myself:
How can I visually represent Talentful’s mission in a way that feels fresh and meaningful?
How can I incorporate their visual language (single-line illustrations and monochromatic palette) while still giving the designs a unique touch?
Concept Development: An Eye for Talent
After brainstorming and exploring various ideas, I landed on the concept of an eye for talent.
The eye became the centerpiece of the designs, symbolizing how Talentful is constantly on the lookout for talented individuals, ready to guide and support them. It felt like the perfect representation of their mission—simple, powerful, and deeply connected to their purpose.
To bring this idea to life:
I incorporated single-line illustrations to align with their brand’s sleek, minimal aesthetic.
I used a monochromatic color scheme to keep the designs bold and cohesive, ensuring they worked well across various merchandise formats.
Draft sketch concept
The Design Process: From Sketches to Final Graphics
The first step was sketching out initial ideas. These sketches were loose, focusing on the eye concept and experimenting with different ways to blend it seamlessly with Talentful’s branding.
Once the rough sketches were approved, I moved on to refining the illustrations digitally, ensuring that the designs worked across multiple formats:
Postcards: A sleek and creative way to inspire Talentful’s team while staying on-brand.
Sweaters: A cozy yet stylish piece that would make anyone proud to represent the Talentful team.
Badge Pins: Small but impactful, these pins added a playful element to the merchandise.
Each design was carefully tweaked to ensure it felt cohesive as a collection while still standing out individually.
Final Touches: Bringing the Designs to Life
The final designs celebrated Talentful’s identity while adding a fresh perspective through the “eye for talent” concept. The monochromatic palette kept the visuals versatile, while the single-line illustrations added a touch of creativity and sophistication.
It was incredibly rewarding to see the designs come to life on merchandise, from vibrant postcards to sleek sweaters and pins that the Talentful team could proudly showcase.
Mockup for Sweater design
What This Project Taught Me
Working on this project reinforced the importance of:
Deep brand research: Truly understanding a brand’s identity is the key to creating designs that resonate.
Creative storytelling: A strong concept can elevate even the simplest designs.
Versatility in design: Merchandise design requires adaptability—ensuring the visuals work across different formats is crucial.
Looking to Create Custom Merchandise for Your Brand?
This project was such a joy to work on, and it reminded me why I love what I do—helping brands tell their story through creative, thoughtful design.
If you’re looking for custom illustrations, lettering, or merchandise designs that truly reflect your brand, I’d love to work with you. Let’s bring your vision to life!
You can reach me here to start the conversation
