ARCH recently hosted an insightful masterclass at the Jaipur campus on Personal Branding, led by Tanvi Sharma, Founder of Working Tables India, a digital marketing company. The session went beyond the idea of simply posting on social media and focused on how and why creative professionals should present their work online. Interactive activities, relatable examples, and practical tips made the masterclass engaging and relevant for students navigating their design journeys.
Understanding What Personal Branding Really Means
The session began with a simple yet powerful question: Would you post a picture of yourself where the lighting is poor, you’re not confident, or the moment doesn’t represent you well? This question set the tone for understanding personal branding. Just like we carefully choose what version of ourselves we share online, our professional work should also reflect our identity, values, and creative style.
Personal branding, as explained in the session, is how people remember you. It creates curiosity about what you are working on next. It is about building your design vibe, shaped by your creative DNA, and consistently communicating it to the world.
Storytelling as the Core of Branding
One of the key takeaways from the masterclass was the importance of storytelling. Stories create emotional connections, making a brand more relatable and memorable. Whether it is a person or a product, storytelling binds the audience to the brand.
Through examples of brands like Masaba, Gauri Khan Designs, and Amrapali, Tanvi Sharma highlighted how a strong design language and consistent digital presence defines the class and personality of a brand. The way these brands project themselves on social media reflects not just their products but also their journey, thought process, and identity.
Be the Face of Your Design Journey
Students were encouraged to step forward as the face of their own creative journeys. Instead of waiting to showcase only the final, polished outcome, designers should share the entire process of creation. From the first idea to the final execution, every stage has a story worth telling.
A strong message shared during the session was: “Don’t post perfection, post your process.” Waiting for a project to be perfect often means missing opportunities to connect. Content like Get Ready With Me videos, behind-the-scenes moments, and even bloopers show authenticity and effort, making the work more relatable.
Sharing the Process, Not Just the Product
The masterclass highlighted multiple ways designers can showcase their creative process:
- Sharing moodboards and initial sketches
- Documenting fabric or colour selection and explaining the reasoning behind choices
- Talking about challenges faced during the project
- Capturing moments of experimentation and learning
Such content not only builds transparency but also allows audiences to understand the depth behind a finished design.
The C-E-O Rule of Branding
An engaging activity helped students identify their personal branding style using the C-E-O Rule of Branding:
- Communication: Clearly communicate what the post is about, where it took place, and its purpose
- Engagement: Involve people who are part of the journey and interact with the audience
- Outreach: Use content to connect with a wider audience and hint at the backstage story
Instead of posting a single image, students were encouraged to focus on storytelling through captions, visuals, and context.
Making Content More Connective
The session concluded with an important reminder: personal branding is not just visual, it is emotional. Communicating feelings, thoughts, and expressions makes content more connective and engaging. When people relate to your journey, they engage with your work more meaningfully.
The masterclass left students with a clear understanding that personal branding is an ongoing process—one that grows with honesty, consistency, and storytelling.
At ARCH, such learning experiences empower students to move beyond skills, helping them find their voice, tell their stories with confidence, and step into the creative world with clarity and purpose.