UM — 2024 Personal Spec Project
Podcast
Brand Identity Merchandise Social
Copywriting
UM is a [fictional] humorous society and culture podcast created by me. It has a mostly feminine audience ranging from their twenties to thirties. My aim with UM was to do a full brand identity and merch line that encompasses the “no topic is off limits” attitude and filterless humor of its host. The podcast and corresponding branding create an absurd yet relatable escape for listeners.
Special thanks to Kamaria for being the fictional host of UM and Mel for being the fictional guest.
Logo Design
UM’s logo suite is ironically cute and bubbly, for it juxtaposes the sometimes outlandish and “unladylike” topics on the show. The logos are reminiscent of doodling bubble letters in class, which lends to the theme that adults are all just children with more critical responsibilities.
Primary LogoSecondary LogoSubmark
Color Palette
UM is a blunt, funny podcast where adults can be immature. Its color palette matches that with its laid back yet energized combination of colors.
AbyssFluffyCool KidCloudYoungestCrush
Typography & Copywriting
This typography palette is full of ironic charisma with its chunky display header and quirky body. The heading typeface grabs your attention but its soft corners make it approachable, summarizing UM perfectly. The body typeface was chosen for its embracement of imperfections while maintaining legibility. Just like UM, this type is a bit weird, but that’s what makes it so likable. This palette enhances the tone of the copy, which is all about finding the humor in brutal honesty.
Merchandise
Thrifting unique t-shirts and sweatshirts is big for UM’s audience age range, so the designs were made keeping in mind if in 20 years from now someone were to pick up this t-shirt with no idea what UM is, would they want to take it home? Also knowing that not everyone wants to buy merch that feels like a walking billboard, the green and white heart design was created. It consists of the podcast’s key branding elements, but to the unassuming eye, it just looks like a cool sweatshirt/t-shirt. Meanwhile, the air freshener plays on the sarcastic humor of UM which was named after the host’s favorite filler word.
Social
Social media template systems were created to make posting reliable and easy, but customizable and eye catching. The slanted and rounded containers seen throughout are a key addition to the core branding elements making UM easily identifiable.