There Are No Rules (pt. 2)

I think we have a new series! Building on my first There Are No Rules post, I'm again featuring work that's successfully doing things differently.

Spotlight

Today, we're looking at a post from brand designer extraordinaire Cj Cawley. What I find fresh about Cj's videos is how he blends storytelling with design.

Instead of just showcasing his artwork, he builds a narrative around the entire process - one that anyone can understand. He's even found a creative way to incorporate client emails!

You can often find me on my soapbox saying that social media should be treated as advertising and not the end product. Cj's videos are a great example of this. His content promotes his work in a way that feels creative and genuine.

Why It Works

In the video I've included, Cj addresses a common frustration: when clients don't 'get' the end result. He cleverly shows why presenting your design work in a polished deck makes all the difference.

In one minute, he accomplishes three things:

• Introduces a niche design problem - in a way that's entertaining

• Educates beginners - by sharing best practices

• Positions himself as an expert - that clients would want to hire

In Cj's Instagram profile, it's clear that he's open for design work and has beginner resources for sale. This single video promotes everything he has to offer in a way that's far more engaging than a static portfolio.

✨ Think about why you use social media. Are you available for work? Selling products? Offering services? Next, think about how you can creatively promote those services beyond just a standard portfolio.