Artists & Game Devs: Brand Your Work Early!

When you’re first getting into art or game development, branding usually feels like something you can “figure out later.”

You’re focused on learning the tools, like a game engine, or different art mediums. Writing code that finally works. Making art that doesn’t look terrible. Branding feels… premature.

But here’s the thing:

You’re already building a brand whether you plan to or not.

Every devlog, speed paint, post, screenshot, or small project you share is slowly forming an identity in people’s minds. The question isn’t if you’ll have a brand—it’s whether you shape it intentionally or let it happen accidentally.

Why Branding Early Is Actually Helpful

Early branding isn’t about being polished or professional. It’s about consistency.

When you brand yourself early:

• People recognize your work faster
• You don’t have to “start over” every time you post
• Your learning journey becomes easier to follow
• You build continuity, even while your skills evolve

Most importantly, branding gives you a container for growth. You can improve, pivot, experiment, and fail—but under one recognizable identity.

And that brings up the big question most developers and artists wrestle with:

Should You Use Your Real Name as Your Brand?

There’s no single right answer here. Both approaches have real pros and tradeoffs.

Option 1: Using Your Real Name (e.g. - John Smith; Game Artist)

Pros

• Feels personal and authentic
• Easy to remember
• Strong for thought leadership, tutorials, or speaking
• Builds a direct connection between you and your work

This works especially well if:

• You want to be known as an individual expert
• You plan to freelance or consult
• Your content is very personality-driven

Cons

• Harder to separate personal life from professional identity
• Rebranding is painful if your name changes
• Ties your creative evolution tightly to who you are right now
• Can feel limiting if you later want to expand or collaborate
• Your real name is permanent—but you are not static.

Option 2: Using a Separate Brand Name (e.g. - ReynArt Games)

This is the route I chose.

Why I chose a separate brand name from my real name:

I was getting married and I didn’t want my entire creative identity tied to a name that was about to change. Beyond that, I wanted a brand that could outlast and outgrow me.

With a separate brand:

• I can change as a person without forcing a rebrand
• The brand can expand into different projects or styles
• It’s easier to collaborate or add future contributors
• The brand feels like a “home” for multiple creative paths

ReynArt Games isn’t just me—it’s a space where game dev, art, learning, and experimentation all live together.

Pros

• Flexible and future-proof
• Easier to evolve or pivot
• Cleaner separation between personal and professional life
• Feels more like a studio or creative entity

Cons

• Takes more effort to explain early on
• Less immediate personal recognition
• Requires consistency to build trust
• You have to consciously humanize it

A brand name won’t automatically feel “real” to people—you have to make it real through your voice and actions.

Other Things to Consider (That People Don’t Always Mention)

Searchability: Is your name common? Is your brand name unique?

Tone: Does the name fit the type of games or art you want to make?

Longevity: Will this still make sense in 5–10 years?

Emotional weight: Do you want criticism tied directly to you, or to a brand you represent?

Control: A brand gives you distance. A name gives you ownership. Neither is wrong.

The Most Important Part

Your first brand does not have to be perfect.

What matters most is:

• Picking something
• Using it consistently
• Letting it grow with you

Branding early isn’t about locking yourself in—it’s about giving your work a place to live while you figure things out.

You can rebrand later. People do it all the time.

But starting without any identity at all makes everything harder.

Final Thought

Whether you choose your real name or a separate brand, the goal is the same:

Make it easier for people to recognize your work, follow your journey, and remember you.

Everything else is adjustable.

If you’re early in game dev or an aspiring artist, branding isn’t something to fear—it’s a tool. Use it in whatever way gives you the most freedom to keep creating.

Check out the story behind my own branding design and how it came to be!

Coming soon! Follow my blog channel!