Trying to Brand Myself
About I year ago, I decided that I wanted a logo for myself. That sounds simple enough right? I’d just spend some time sketching out a few graphics in my sketchbook, and see what I come up with. Ok, so then I have some cool ideas, I chose one, and then dive into Photoshop. Splash of color here, cool shape there, and then mission completed, and I have a logo. If only it was that easy.
I didn’t really know a whole lot about branding back then, and also didn’t realize what kind of effort goes into logos, and what they really represent. Now, of course the logo doesn’t make the brand, the brand makes the logo, however, I took none of that into account and just wanted something that ‘looks cool’. Aside from that, I ran with the first semi-cool idea that I had and got them printed on business cards. I can say that I was moving a little too fast.
A year later (now) I hate it. I almost don’t like handing out my business cards because I am not proud of my amateur logo, but why? Well considering that just about every person I gave it to asked what in the world it was. I told them one thing, they saw another. Not everyone is a creative person, so it was not obvious what my intent was, to the people that looked at it. So right off the bat, that started to bug me. But I figured I’d grow to like it…….not so much.
The second problem I saw with it was that after awhile I felt that it didn’t represent me what so ever, to the point where I’m wondering what I was thinking when I thought about rushing to get them printed on business cards. Now I’m far from a pro at logo design, however, I felt that the design ended up looking like I was just goofing off in Photoshop and put no real thought behind it. If I’m going to hand out my work, I’d like to not only feel proud that I put some good effort behind it, but also know that there was meaning behind a design that I chose.
Now, I’m back at ground zero, ready to burn the remaining business cards and start over. It’s a very tough process trying to brand oneself. I’ve been told that I will always be my hardest critic, and that has been the most obvious when trying to brand myself. I’m expecting no easy process, but am I just being picky or what? Any advice is much appreciated on the process of trying to brand myself.
2 Comments
John. Turns out facebook is actually doing a good job of connecting people. I was clicking around on the new “notes” section and found your blog and website.
Wow! I never knew you were a graphic/web designer. Very nice. I think I am probably where you were a few year ago. I’ve been into web design (and all that computer geeky stuff) since high school, and (unfortunately) took a hiatus in college for a couple of years. For the past year, I’ve been trying to get back into the swing of things. I recently registered a domain name, and it’s just sitting there waiting for me to finish designing. It’s coming along painfully slowly.
I hear you on the whole “you are your biggest critic” thing. But I’ve come to realize, if I keep re-designing and knocking my ideas down, nothing will ever get done. Especially for something that has no real deadline or client hounding you. I’ve looked over your website and I have no doubt you have some great ideas and will come up with something brilliant.
You should shoot me an e-mail if you get a chance, I want to hear about how you brought your website all together. I’ve been trying to do the exact same thing (Blog, Portfolio, Freelance Info), and it’s daunting most of the time.
Will I ever finish? Sometimes it just seems easier to read the latest ALA or zeldman.com entry instead of get any actual work done.
I’m very impressed with this website, keep up the good work!
Yao, thanks for the kind remarks! I have been through a bunch of different versions of my logo, and you’re right by saying re-designing and knocking my own ideas gets me nowhehre, however, I am very picky when it comes to logos. I guess when I choose a logo for myself, I want it to last so I won’t go through this whole process again. So I want to make sure that it’s just right!