Ideas Design Name Drawing Art

This gives you an opportunity to connect the names with the students. Many creative sole traders and soletraders use their own name as their business name. It is the easiest, and often a default option.

Sometimes they are already ‘known’ under their own name prior to leaving art school. Using your own name gives your business a more arty and personal touch. (It can get a little tricky if you use your maiden name and marry later on, but that’s another story! see below in the comments)

Some designers use their initials or attach their discipline to add some clarity to what they do, such as Jo Jones Design

Others prefer a business name, so that it is less personal and based around one individual. This might come across as more professional and allows the business to grow beyond the individual (or if you wish to build a business that you can sell later on).

Some people use both: their own surname for artistic one-off work, and a business name or brand name if they want to have a bit more distance, privacy or work with others. In fact, you can be self-employed (using your own name) and run a limited company (using a business name) at the same time.