Product & Growth at Instagram, prev. Headspace, Red Bull. Making Sunshine Shop. Vocalist for Monk.

Frank Bach

This is not as unique of a situation as you think! The good news is you've found product-market fit with your audience (congrats). While there may be ways to flex your creativity and colorful side, there is a point where trying to attract a wide audience requires a "big tent" approach, especially since most consumers are spending very little time trying to identify if something is for them, or not for them. 

Maybe there are some ways to add your personal touch after you've attracted the audience? That might be a balance you need to iterate and figure out.

Personally, while working at Headspace I identified more with a zen Buddhist type aesthetic. That was not the brand look and feel the company was going for. So while I personally used apps like Insight Timer and Waking Up to meditate, I knew my job at Headspace was to speak to the audience they attracted, which tended to be more of a "training wheels" approach. 

This is not as unique of a situation as you think! The good news is you've found product-market fit with your audience (congrats). While there may be ways to flex your creativity and colorful side, there is a point where trying to attract a wide audience requires a "big tent" approach, especially since most consumers are spending very little time trying to identify if something is for them, or not for them. 

Maybe there are some ways to add your personal touch after you've attracted the audience? That might be a balance you need to iterate and figure out.

Personally, while working at Headspace I identified more with a zen Buddhist type aesthetic. That was not the brand look and feel the company was going for. So while I personally used apps like Insight Timer and Waking Up to meditate, I knew my job at Headspace was to speak to the audience they attracted, which tended to be more of a "training wheels" approach. 

My target audience are trade workers, retired craftsmen, hobbyists. But I prefer bright color and more dynamic in my craft. Have you had this sort of conflicts during your designing process? Do you end up pleasing yourself or the market? Have you mindset shift as you progress? Thanks. 

Frank Bach

How to ensure my brand reflects my value and personality but still appealing to my target audience?