Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how our personal style tends to cross over into our professional work. After all, as designers, isn’t the reason we get hired, at least in part, based on our past work, neatly tucked into our portfolios for others’ viewing pleasure?
As a designer, I never try to limit myself. I’ve been asked numerous times by clients why I’m not working in fashion. While editorial design is a huge passion of mine, I never want to limit myself. I’ve worked at agencies specializing in extreme sports, I’ve designed logos for farms and metal bands. I always love a good challenge. The number one thing I’ve always said is that as a designer, it’s your job to bring a client’s vision to life. You’re working for them; it’s not all about you.
I’ve worked on massive campaigns and can honestly say that there’s not a trace of my personal style hiding in them. But there are times when I’m hired specifically because of my personal style. I truly believe that we each have one and that if you don’t think you do, it sometimes just takes a few years to develop. As I was looking through my archives this weekend, I pooled together some of my favorite imagery, both personal and professional that I feel is representative of my personal style.
Designers, how would you define your personal style? Do you find it to be beneficial when looking for work? Or is your style so defined that it has limited your new work prospects?
Allison says: 
Natalie 
