Streetstyle Branding Pack - Graphic Design for Strict Standards Streetwear.

Blake Ferguson
Jun 5, 2024
5 min read

Updated: Jan 7

Dear Family and Friends,

Through prolonged endeavours and delayed photo edits, post-production and graphic design projects- it all comes with a dedicated, unspoken cause which I had to let unfold without means of publication. Commitment lies among the fuelling of small businesses and start-up brands alongside my endeavours in digital media services, where contributing to higher success remains my backbone.

Those following my intermittent updates are likely aware of my association with Strict Standards Streetwear. However, I must acknowledge that my ability to balance responsibilities recently has not been optimal. With a demanding schedule and numerous photo sessions requiring editing, I have found myself in a burnt-out state, enduring a step back from visible participation and remaining discreet behind the scenes.

Shedding Insights into recent developments alongside the partners in crime and esteemed colleagues of Strict Standards Streetwear, where they have kept me in the mix with soulful purpose, as underlined through the corresponding graphic design projects throughout.

Supporting Strict Standards Streetwear as a Small Business in London, Ontario

Three New Streetstyle-Inspired Graphic Designs I Have Been Excited About:

Breaking-Boundaries Social Media Thumbnail Design - Fluid Template for Strict Standards
Community Sundays Social Media Thumbnail Design - Fluid Template for Strict Standards
Discord Announcement & Infographic Brochure for Social Media

1.0 Fluid Graphic Design Template — Break-Boundaries.

One aspect I appreciate about the environment at Strict Standards is its capacity to inspire motivational sentiments among individuals. In alignment with this, I strive to transcend conventional limitations through visual concepts, meticulous branding, and ongoing efforts to innovate within the field. The title featured in these magazine-inspired social media thumbnails for Plug-and-Play provides the Strict Standards Team with a final template that is versatile for use by any Photoshop user, regardless of their level of experience.

Graphic Design depicts the Break Boundaries Infographic for Strict Standards showcasing a widebody 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Widebody. — **Break Boundaries with a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Wide Body — Graphic Design by Blake Ferguson — London, Ontario**

In developing a magazine cover inspired by street style, we aimed to enhance the overall aesthetic and brand presence of the social media platforms utilized by Strict Standards. Predominantly classified as a custom car curation, the Team wanted to ensure personalization that could rotate consistently with their daily posts.

We have identified two predominant themes and sought to visualize them in a street-style magazine format. By addressing what we categorize as Boundary-Breakers, Strict Standards aims to present a new project car that disrupts traditional expectations online, evoking both intrigue and scrutiny. This initiative highlights influential figures who have achieved remarkable success through vehicle modifications and the strategic implementation of exceptional aftermarket components, while demonstrating their activity and support through the social media platforms of Strict Standards.

Graphic Design depicts the Break Boundaries Infographic for Strict Standards showcasing a 2001 Nissan Silvia S15 Spec-R. — **Break Boundaries with a 2001 Nissan Silvia S15 Spec-R — Graphic Design by Blake Ferguson — London, Ontario**

2.0 Fluid Graphic Design Template — Community Sundays.

The second objective was to develop a secondary streetstyle graphic design template that mirrors the existing structure while catering to the community and its supporters. Every Sunday morning, the Strict Standards Team publishes a curated selection of car photographers who consistently participate with genuinely supportive intentions. The community activists have been actively engaging with these magazine-inspired thumbnails, which have significantly inspired me as a freelance graphic designer in Ontario, Canada, striving for Japanese-inspired flavour.

Graphic Design depicts the Community Sunday Infographic for Strict Standards showcasing a 2010 Toyota Corolla. — **Community Sunday with a 2010 Toyota Corolla — Graphic Design by Blake Ferguson — London, Ontario**

Remember— this is not cosmetics- this is automotive street-style. Following the implementation of our strategies, the outcomes demonstrated their effectiveness in attracting newly acquired attention and brand excitement. Instead of a monotonous feed filled with scattered custom car vehicles and automotive photographs, we instituted structured routines that contributed to a visually appealing flow throughout the scrolling experience on social media.

I do not intend to characterize this as a groundbreaking graphic design project; I view it as a component that supports the digital marketing initiatives of small brands and businesses. This initiative aims to enhance their ability to leverage social media success and foster organic growth within their target markets.

Graphic Design depicts the Community Sunday Infographic for Strict Standards showcasing a 1995 Toyota Celsior UCF21 1UZ. — **Community Sunday with a 1995 Toyota Celsior UCF21 1UZ — Graphic Design by Blake Ferguson — London, Ontario**

Small businesses should establish a harmonious balance between daily content and branded visuals on their social media platforms. This approach will aid in an increased organizational structure to your content while delivering a personalized and consistent brand identity. One who sheds Insights- writing has been the name of the game, where my self-acquired expertise even allows me to see content opportunities that fit endlessly between mediums, topics or subjects.

The thumbnails utilized on social media platforms not only establish a cohesive rhythm and harmony but serve as an effective mechanism for fostering community engagement and generating enthusiasm among its members. Moreover, the inquiries and comments presented on the live posts of Strict Standards' Instagram have significantly inspired my development as an artist.

Strict Standards Announces Their New Community Discord.

As an active car enthusiast, avid street stylist, and perhaps one of Strict Standard's biggest fans, I stepped up to play more than just the role of Graphic Design here. I was honoured to help pave the way and assemble the structure of their new Discord Server, stepping foot in the written copy to the categories and topics. I went into absolute perfectionist mode for the Server because this will be my new digital home, too!

The Strict Standards Community Discord Server unites car enthusiasts and those who indulge in streetwear and Japanese street-style under one roof. Forming together creative routes, empowering niches such as graphic design and car photography, and throughout, this automotive lifestyle brand hopes to bring opportunities for those within to contribute to the upcoming of the brand on a personal level.

Graphic Design Services demonstrates an Infographic Design for the Community Discord Server of Strict Standards Streetwear in London, Ontario, Canada. — **Strict Standards Announces Community Discord — Graphic Design by Blake Ferguson — London, Ontario**

Here, we have Strict Standards Clique Member Bobby Bettger lined up with a simple text-format infographic to entice users to swipe through the set at hand. As a teaser- I have only incorporated the announcement concept because of the success of Strict Standards Streetwear- the growth persists in London, Ontario, where you can find an in-depth Case-Study below. You can learn more about our collaborative success in influencing Japanese Street-style alongside how I articulate the graphical foundation behind depicting their Discord Server.

With ultimate ties across these projects, they all form together to orchestrate community-building techniques for brands and small businesses. Furthermore, having aesthetic graphic designs in sync with your Brand Identity speaks for itself when being hand-picked from a competitive field. Whether it's random scrolling or the discovery of Strict Standards via the explore feed, having these thumbnails allows them to be the first click for those browsing on Instagram.