the importance of branding published by daylon hicks

Branding is essential across all platforms because it shapes how we perceive a company or individual, offering a perspective that goes beyond surface-level visuals, but how do creatives manage to capture that feeling?

Hugg Magazine incorporates expression and community in a way that elevates their branding from a purely visual medium to a more emotional and cultural experience. Big.Ass.Kids centers its brand around emerging artists, showcasing bold, expressive designs that reflect creative individuality with their “Another 48 Hours” series. Meanwhile, Study Hall, based in Oakland, California, prioritizes branding through thoughtful graphic design, capturing distinct perspectives while working with companies like Casper, LERA, and others to craft identities that resonate visually and conceptually.

Surely Work simplifies the process of finding creative opportunities through a clean, user-friendly platform, while also crafting visual designs that reflect their inviting and accessible brand vision. Mundial Magazine explores the beauty of football as more than just a sport, presenting it as a cultural and artistic experience. Softside showcases branding through collaboration, showcasing merch designs from rising artists that emphasize the importance of creators being the face of the brand.

Marina Kozak, Senior Designer at Maven Creative, captures attention with vibrant, energetic designs, as seen in her work with Pitchfork. Brandon Land brings a comic book–inspired style to brands like CashApp, Meta, Robinhood, and Dropbox, offering a playful take on visual storytelling. Duong Nguyen’s typefaces for artists like XXXTentacion and Playboi Carti are both symbolic and iconic, blending custom lettering with each artist’s identity. Michael Houtz, Art Director at GQ, adds refined detail to his work, giving the publication a timeless, elevated look.