In reply to Self-branding advice, anyone?:
> designer / Arabic calligrapher / filmmaker / human rights activist
Logos are best when they communicate a simple, clear message or feeling. Trying to illustrate all these varied activities in one logo might be difficult unless you can find a common idea or theme that runs through all of them.
If you can't combine them, one possible solution is to follow a similar approach to corporations that need separate logos for each division of their company. You'd create a series of logos that were specific to each of your occupations, but clearly related in style, font usage, etc.
> I have no way of knowing how to brand myself.
It's a common problem. I've known designers who seems to change their logo every few years and are never satisfied with them.