Today, we had the pleasure of being joined by Arden Lawson, VP of Design, and Maeve Smarick, VP of Website Development, who shared insights into UMD’s AMA rebrand and strategies for becoming more memorable in the eyes of recruiters. Arden is a sophomore and Maeve a junior, both pursuing Marketing majors at the Robert H. Smith School of Business.
What is Personal Branding? It’s the practice of defining and promoting who you are and what you represent based on your unique experiences and values. Mastering your personal brand is crucial because it sets you apart and highlights what makes you distinct. Creating a personal brand enables you to convey your authentic self, build trust, and create lasting impressions that resonate with your audience, whether they're recruiters, peers, or potential collaborators.
Your Personal Brand Consists Of…
Skills and knowledge
Values
Reputation
Communication style
Personality
Digital preference
Personal Branding Process
Research and Development - What do you want to be known for?
Branding / Go to Market - Who needs to know you and are you reaching out to them in a meaningful way?
Strategic Planning - How can I reinforce my brand message in each interaction?
These steps will help you effectively promote your personal brand. By applying these strategies, you can differentiate yourself from others, attract new opportunities, and build meaningful relationships that support your career aspirations.
UMD’s AMA Rebrand
The rebrand drew inspiration from Old Bay, a Maryland staple known for its vibrant colors and Chesapeake Bay themes. By incorporating this local influence, the branding connects Maryland’s identity with AMA, establishing a youthful and energetic image. In selecting the primary colors, the principle of “less is more” guided the design process, promoting a balanced aesthetic and preventing overwhelming visuals. This thoughtful approach keeps a fun, polished look that boosts the effectiveness. In addition, typography choices are driven by clarity, using white or black text for contrast and readability, with colored text considered only when it enhances the design. Ultimately, our rebrand reflects our chapter’s values while adding a playful and memorable touch.
The Color Theory
Understanding the importance of color in branding leads us to the color theory, which examines how colors interact, blend, and influence perspectives and emotions. Each color conveys specific traits and plays an essential role in shaping your personal brand. Consider popular brands like Starbucks, McDonald’s, or Target. They all use a dominant color that defines their identity and promotes a particular response from consumers.
Custom LinkedIn Banner Workshop
Arden and Maeve led an engaging workshop, where members brainstormed ideas for their personal brands. They created LinkedIn banners using concepts from the presentation, such as vibrant colors, unique fonts, and key personal details. Suggested components included name, major, industry, contact information, descriptive traits, relevant graphics, portfolio URLs, and custom logos.
After creating our designs, members presented their work. They received personalized feedback and tips from Arden and Maeve, who emphasized using bold colors, complementary fonts, and standout, professional information. All members did a fantastic job showcasing their creativity, and the feedback provided was helpful and insightful.
AMA would like to thank Arden Lawson and Maeve Smarick for sharing their expertise with us today! Their presentation was thoroughly detailed and offered invaluable guidance on personal branding and strategies to stand out to recruiters.
-Skyler Klein
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