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I will definitely take your advice which is sound as always!
I'm curious about one of your sentences, where you say, "Any logo that has to look like a emblem or is forced to be circular then I run a mile."
Does this mean you won't create emblematic / circular designs, or that you won't take on projects where the outcome is forced?
For me, I'm always apprehensive when there are specific guidelines given by the client (which I think it what you also feel). When someone knows exactly what they want from their logo, they don't actually need a designer. Instead, they need someone who knows how to use Illustrator.
What do you reckon?
(which I think is what you also feel).
Time for a break. ;)
I already have had 20+ years of taking orders from sales reps and clients who insist they know what is best. when you work for a companies like I have, then your 'voice' is not heard.
Now, being a freelancer, I can set my own rules and do what I feel is right for me and my client. However, if there is a conflict of interests, in that the client, from the outset is setting the rules, then I have been known to 'walk away'. Politely suggesting they find someone else who is happy to do as ordered, rather than being open to some sturdy advice.
But also David, I am not a fan of circular emblem 50 year anniversary logos. I find them uninspiring for the most part and have always struggled to design anything I am happy with. SO now I just dont take on any work that has set styles enforced by the client which I don't feel comfortable doing.
There are many styles of 'container' type logos that I do love doing, its just the specific anniversary style. If that makes sense.
I'll stick to the styles I love doing and feel I'm good at. Hat's off to those that are truly adaptable and are happy designing any style, Im just not one of those people.
So yeah, your last para, is spot on. They don't really need a logo designer, they need someone who is good with illustrator to just create what is in the clients mind. LIke I said, I have had over 20+ doing what other people have told me to design, now Im free of those shackles...
Yay.
I was forced to use clip-art almost evert day whilst working at various commercial printers due to time and budget limitations. And any logo that requires a form of cliche illustration always reminds me of clip art. Just a throwback from years gone.
I feel that many logos are tainted by icons marks that 'could' be clip art. Even if they are not, thats my memory of them. So where ever possible, my logos are type driven with minimal 'embellishments' where possible. Prefer to create a logomark from letters than a graphic. Find that much more satisfying. ;0
Im very much a open person when it comes to feelings and what's on my mind, and don't much care if I make a fool of myself. :)
So posts like this are refreshing for me because it allows me to say what's on my mind, and sometimes things that you may not hear elsewhere.
:)
From personal experience, taking on a job out of desperation, and a job which im not ideally suited for only brings misery.
And misery in a job usually means you can't put your heart into it. And if you are getting paid to do a good job, then there are possible moral professional implications there.
So just be aware really.
"...logos that have to be in banners or round badges" As a designer I do not design for myself. I design what's best for the client/project. As a designer it's not about me. When you limit yourself to the style or personal likes/dislikes you limit opportunities. I'll turn down projects left and right over money. If a client demands a banner or round badge (as example) and still wants to pay my rate. then YES I will work on it. I will do my best to talk them out of it and show them something better. The bottom line is (with me) 1. to get paid. 2. have a good looking logo that WORKS best for the client/project. 3. to get more business.
You will always have clients that are difficult to work with. It's all how you handle them.
Good post Gram.
--Tom
Awesome idea, I love links and nice to see them in one place.
Also big thanks for including me in your blogroll… i feel loved. :)
Keep it up
Graham
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Anyway, good post. Interesting thoughts. I was recently struggling with a round logo and in the end took the text right out of it and took the focus off the round.
I think you hit the nail on the head about being comfortable with self/style and being honest about your own limitations.
I think honesty definitely helps to nail down your own brand and your business.
Cheers!
http://www.blog.designnerd.net/nerdiest-of-the-...
Off-topic, I'm subscribed to this post, but am not receiving new comment updates. Perhaps others are experiencing the same?
Even after being in the field for 6-7 years I still have the feeling frequently. I guess its a matter of knowing what is your forte and as you said, giving it your best. When i see your logo designs i feel the same. I could have never come up with it.
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Here’s the thing..”Practice makes progress” this is why between jobs I’ll often design fakers. By taking the time to concept out the perfect logo in my mindseye my game will be tight when the client comes along and want something similar.
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Good article. I haven’t been in the field that long (a little over a year professionally), and fall into these traps from time to time. It’s reassuring to hear other designers go through this very same thing, and know that it’s part of the process of growing and developing.
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Madhavi,
Well said and yeah, same goes with areas that you don’t have many skills in. I know I have so have so much to improve on, but that comes with time and practice.
Fabian,
Yeah I also do a few ‘fake’ logos however I tend to upload them to LogoPond and not my portfolio. I wasn’t trying to bring up the discussion of fake logos again as that has already been talked about (as linked in the article) but rather, use it as an example for something I can relate to. And certainly, practice does improve yourself as a designer.
Shawn,
Like I said, I guess it is just natural. It happens everyday and not just in the design world - everywhere.
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I guess,there is a problem between improve the skills and self-confidence .
I agree with the concept said “there is no best” you can not say this is the best designer in the world..!!
of course, there is better than him but you didn’t know.
one of the pest way to improve the skills that you hear and learn from who have more skills
Good and short post.
thanks
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Good on you for having those feelings.. it means a couple of things, but chiefly it means you care enough about your craft that not being up to a standard you see in these other creatives as being a scary scenario..
it’s good because it gives you a drive to try that much harder to get to that point.. and yeah, practice practice practice, but have fun while you’re at it
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Do you really want to know what is intimidating? YOU! (and I mean that with the greatest respect Jacob).
I mean, look at what you have achieved in the past few years? I have been in the industry longer than you and am nowhere near to where you are in terms of work and influence of the design industry!
Don’t rest on your laurels but don’t forget to count your blessings either.
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Really good article Jason.
I am fairly new to design and I have ups and downs. One can only keep on learning, trying, experimenting and hopefully improving. Like you say, everyone was a beginner at some point. Sometimes we are better than we think we are, at other times worse. But we will get there in the end. Let’s try and enjoy the ride.
Your blog is inspirational.
Ciao.
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One of the things that always seems under-represented in the case studies of great work is just how critical it is to protect the ideas and designs throughout the process.
Good ideas, as the expression goes, get pecked to death by ducks. Little change after little change which often end up creating a result that is a sad shadow of its former self.
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You are right, there are is lot of inspiration around us. We have to find it and make use of it.
Although the list of things to remember is great…
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I guess it can work both ways though. Certainly there are times when I look at design work (websites from my point of view) and think “damn, that’s cool, I wouldn’t have thought of that.” On the other hand though, I’ve also seen loads of websites of successful design companies or individuals and thought “hell, I can do better than that in my sleep.” Sometimes that comparison can be as inspiring and motivating as it can be intimidating.
One thing I found that worked really well. I made a specific decision to try and eliminate certain phrases from my writing and speaking, and ultimately from my thinking. Instead of saying “I think I’m good” I say “I am good”, instead of “I might do that” it’s “I will do that”. When I look at great designs now I don’t worry about how I didn’t think of them, I work out how they’re done (if it’s a technique I don’t recognize) and make sure that my next piece of work incorporates that added inspiration to improve.
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Mmhhmmmm, I totally agree/can relate to this article. I’m halfway through my graphic design program and I constantly look to successful designers for inspirations, but at the same time I end up feeling intimidated at times!! haha It’s a vicious circle.
In the end I try to remember the fact that everyone starts somewhere, and it’s encouraging to read the advice again here. Nice point. =]
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Good article, thanks alot for the info.
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You’re absolutely right on all points. I find being inspired by others to be a two-edged sword. On the one hand, I feel inadequate. On the other hand, I’m challenged to get the moleskine out and go to work again. I think this sharpening is good so long as we keep being challenged to improve and not to bail.
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Great post! With so many talented designers out there, it is easy to get discouraged, but your post hits home the point that with practice and hard work success is within reach.
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Thanks Jacob, another great post, you seem to be a very intelligent person, I can only hope to achieve what you have in way of personal growth.
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thanks-
I’m a student trying to put together my portfolio, and it can be very discouraging when you see everyone else’s work. you really helped me out today.
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Otba,
‘Best’ is very subjective but it doesn’t mean you can not use the term, for example I could use it for my own personal opinion. Glad you liked the post.
Alex,
Everyone is talented, just in different areas and I suppose we can not be good in all areas, that would just be unfair however there are some that come bloody close and that’s where the intimidation comes in.
Peter,
I don’t try to come across as intimidating and I know you meant know harm by it, but yeah what you said “Don’t rest on your laurels but don’t forget to count your blessings either.”
Mike,
Jacob not Jason (don’t worry you’re not the first). And yeah, sometimes you think you are better than you really are. For example, looking back on work even just one year ago, I realise how much I have improved (yet my work is still far from perfect).
Jason,
Pretty difficult thing to do, especially with the net but interesting analogy with the ducks.
Robin,
Oh certainly, there is a lot of mediocrity out there as well. Good tips about how you phrase yourself and also of how you analyse a piece of work rather than just saying “wow”.
Micaela,
Yeah, sometimes a short list like that can be quite useful. Thanks for your comments.
Brandon,
Nice points and yeah a two sided sword, but like Robin said, it’s great to analyse a piece rather than just staring at it.
Aaron, Paul, Kim,
Thanks to you too and all the best.
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TRUE TRUE TRUE… I have been a designer since 10 years now and I am still learning heaps. I sometime feel I am still at basic level after looking at some inspirational design out there. But when I look at my old designs and then compare it with the new ones there is a huge gap. I guess if we just keep practicing and sharpen those brain brushes things will improve. I think those other design leaders might have or might be going through the same transition.
That’s the beauty of designing, it just becomes better everyday,and there’s always something new. What say?
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Really like this post thanks.
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I’m just getting into the feild of designing, with little to no background. i subscribed to your blog a while back and it has been really helpful. you do a great job keeping us uptodate and it has really helped me gain perspective in the field! Thanx a lot
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Me too, good post.
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Thanks Jacob for this post.
It was great to read it. It is quite difficult sometimes to find the balance between real work and investing time in your development and do some research and experiment to push your limits. But life long learning is a must for a designer isn’t it? And I think this is a great thing.
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Good post, thanks for the info.
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“Am I any Good?”: Its exactly the same when I’m looking at others portfolios. It just takes a few moments to reassess where I am myself, as compared to people who have had more experience.
Once you get beyond that, the whole of experience of listening to such people becomes more of a learning experience.
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I totally agree, I’ve been to game developer conferences with my husband and all of a sudden your aspirations get shot down when you see people your own age at triple your capacity.
Just means you gotta try harder, cuz eventually they will stop.
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It’s difficult not to be intimidated by fellow designers and agencies who work on projects with huge budgets. But so-called big projects can be a nightmare. The more money you throw at a project, the more people want to influence the final outcome. The designer’s control over the project loosens and it general ends up looking nothing like you’d imagined it would.
This is why you see many designers (myself included), who’ve spent years working for agencies, go freelance to try and wrestle back a bit of creative freedom. You should really think yourself lucky - I know I do. It’s easier to get your ideas across to a small company.
I believe that any decent designer worth their salt could equal any outcome of an established agency/designer if they were allowed the amount of time and money that’s dedicated to a certain project.
An intimidated designer becomes an easily influenced designer.
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Amit,
Yeah, even in the past year, I can notice a huge difference between my earlier work which shows just how much you do improve over time. I am thinking of doing a post showing this. Would be quite interesting.
Krupa,
You’re welcome, enjoy the ride.
Szabi,
A good way to combat that is to try to work on things you haven’t done before. It’s a great way to learn and yeah life long learning for a designer. Just the fact that we work with so many other industries ensures this is so.
Ian,
Analyising designs that are “better” than your own is a great way to improve and like you said is part of the learning experience.
Jetgirl,
I don’t think eventually they will stop… it’s a recurring circle. There will always be someone ‘better’ or ‘worse’ than you, it’s just a fact of life.
Abbas,
Budgets are another spanner in the mix, obviously there are pros and cons of each. Interesting statement too… “An intimidated designer becomes an easily influenced designer.”
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