Logo Inspiration

In school, I did alot of graphic design.  This is good, because even though I don’t consider myself a designer by trade, I do a heck of alot of graphic design for my job.

For example, tomorrow I’ll be designing a logo (and yes I’m already thinking about it.)  Not unlike the old days, I’ve found myself turning to the internet for inspiration.  The resources available to designers are so extensive it’s incredible.

Some of my favorites for logo design are:

Lo8os

LogoMoose

LogoGala

Logospire

and last but not least, Logosauce

What are yours?  Not just for logos, but for design in general?  I know most good design ideas seemingly come out of nowhere, but I also think they can only come after you’ve exhausted the obvious, and that looking at other people’s ah-ha moments can inspire you to have your own.

The Other Side

I read this really interesting article tonight from AdAge.com in which the writer asks the question of new grads, which side of marketing do you want to be on? Agency or Client?

You can read the article here, but the part I want to talk about is the two lists at the end where the writer describes what he believes to be the main characteristics of the two sides:

Agency Side:

• Multi-faceted clients and assignments — work on many brands, with many personalities.
• Structure, but not too much.
• Where casual dress began.
• Fast-pace. Deadline-driven.
• It’s all about the people.
• Often more unique décor.
• Service culture — it’s all about the clients.
• Right Lobe — rush of excitement from big ideas energize the hallways.

Client Side:

• Work on one brand.
• More disciplined corporate environment.
• Pace is slow compared to most agencies.
• Power — as the client, you call the shots,
• Often a more formal dress code.
• Left Lobe — working among peers who are as good with math as they are with ideas.
• Compensation — it’s usually better on this side.

As a recent grad working on the client-side, I can appreciate the truth in that list.  And I know people who I graduated with working on the agency side, and I can see the differences in our day-to-day; however, I think a more relevant question isn’t where do you think you’ll “fit in” but rather, where can you learn the most, and what’s more important to you.  Although the perks of an agency setting are attractive (except casual dress – what can I say, I look good in business attire) ultimately, I think skills are transferable between the two sides, and people (especially recent grads) shouldn’t pigeon-hole themselves into thinking they belong on one side or another.  Although I’m very comfortable in the client / corporate setting, I could also see myself working in an agency too.

Advertising & Marketing really boil down one thing: creative problem solving.  Whether you’re doing it as part of an agency for a client, or for your own brand, you need to understand (or at least appreciate) the value in both sides.

“I hate puzzles!”

This week I’ve been helping my good pal Christina move in to her new apartment.  Earlier, I assembled a coffee table, and tonight I assembled a bed frame.  Both from Ikea.

I did this for two reasons:

1. I love Christina.

2. She is easily frustrated by furniture assembly.

My father is also infuriated by furniture assembly.

I understand that it’s tricky sometimes and you have to be very patient with aspects of it -  pieces have to line up perfectly and there’s a whole mess of screws to figure out, but I actually kind of like putting furniture together.  It’s like a puzzle.  But it’s a puzzle you can put your coffee cup on or you can put your new fun mattress on once it’s done.

I’m just wondering now though – am I the strange one for enjoying this, or is it just coincidence that the people I surround myself with loathe putting together furniture?

I also really liked playing with Lego as a kid.  Maybe there’s a tie in with this too.

questions needing answers – vol. 1

When you change the settings on a toaster, what happens exactly?

Is the bread kept in there longer, or does the heat become more intense?

But you probably need them to read

At the beginning of the semester, my computer battery & adaptor boycotted my continuing education and stopped working. 

I haven’t been without my own computer since I was eighteen years old.  So, naturally – this threw me off quite a bit.  The whole idea of productivity came into play as I’d have to squeeze in all my work into certain blocks of time where my schedule overlapped with the schedule of the computer lab on campus.  I had to make the most of the few hours I’d have available to work at a computer, so I basically had to figure out ways to streamline my ridiculous amounts of work into a set time frame.  What this meant was hand writing outlines, organizing all my research to make it more manageable, and adding the english-to-spanish bot on my gtalk (Shhh).    

Even though I didn’t like it at the time, it was probably a good thing. See, I’m starting to see physical side effects from spending so much time on computers.  My eyesight isn’t what it used to be,  and my wrists hurt – especially my right one.  Unfortunately, the whole advertising-major & working in web-development thing really makes life without a computer next to impossible, but cutting back is definitely possible.   

I haven’t updated my blog for a while on account of this – both not having a computer available to me, not having time to do it, or really even feeling the need to.  Every now and then I think I should, and make a mental note – I’ve even gone so far as to write a few drafts that I got to sleepy to finish.    Even now, it’s 1am, and I have to go to the gym tomorrow morning before class.   

At least I’ve been updating my twitter?

No Bugs, No Hassles

Every time I see a pest control truck, I think back to last semester when I was the project manager for a Yellow Pages campaign through the YPA Collegiate Advertising Competition, and our client was Terminix.  I’m reminded of the absurd amount of research that we all did in the making of our campaigns, and of the fact that I know waaay more about pest control than is neccesary in the life of a twenty two year old kid (junior) adult.  

This morning on the way to work, I drove by a Terminix truck and I realized that this very thing is what I like best about having majored in advertising: learning about all sorts of different things, all the time, even if it’s something as random as Terminix.

I Even Liked “Hard Times” by Dickens.

I went out for dinner last night (Temple Grill in Downtown New Haven. Nice place, sit outside if you can) and was talking to the girl I was with about books. 

(That’s sort of a go-to conversation for me by the way.)

When she asked what I’ve been reading this summer I rattled off a bunch of books, and ended each description with, “It was really good.” 

Since then, I’ve realized it’s not that I enjoy every book I read, I just enjoy reading.  Sure, I have my favorite books of all time, but I’ll also suggest whatever I’m reading at the time to anyone else.   You’d think, given that I’m a writer myself and read an awful lot, I’d be more picky.  But this is not the case.  

My new favorite book is generally whatever I just finished reading. 

(Bright Lights, Big City currently)

Maybe I’m just easy to please.  Maybe I just don’t put enough thought into it.  Even in high school I liked most of my assigned reading, and in college even more so.  Basically what I’m saying is don’t expect a stellar book recommendation from me, because I like everything.  I’ll gladly accept your book recommendations, I’m almost guaranteed to enjoy it, and I need something to read.

(And I really enjoyed dinner last night, too.)