'Identity Crisis!' included in limited edition MyDesignShop.com 'branding expert' package

Update: The 'Become a Branding Expert Ultimate Collection' SOLD OUT on 04.01.11 through the MyDesignShop.com website.

The book Identity Crisis!: 100 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands by Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, is included in the latest Ultimate Collection Series package offered by MyDesignShop.com. The 'Become a Branding Expert!' collection is limited to 100 purchases at the special price of $119.

The 'Become a Branding Expert Ultimate Collection' also includes:

Why We Buy, Why We Brand. Debbie Millman's Branding Secrets On Demand DesignCast. Debbie Millman takes a keen look at the influence branding has on our everyday lives, from branding ourselves and the world around us to the role branding plays in the products we buy and the way we live.

Chermayeff & Geismar's Identity Design Process Revealed - On Demand Master Class. Sagi Haviv, recently called a "logo prodigy" by The New Yorker, walks you through his firm's time-tested approach to identity design, with 4 real-world case studies from start to finish.

A Logo Does Not Make A Brand - On Demand Master Class with Joe Duffy. In this Master Class, Joe Duffy discusses what brands need today: a complete 'language' that is unique to them, one that they can call their own. This language must encompass every point of contact with the audience - the way it looks, sounds, even smells.

Branding is Like Dating - On Demand Conference Session. Marcus Hewitt will take you from initial concept to potential repositioning. Plus, learn the seven steps to better brand relationships.

2009 How Annual CD. Get a whole year's worth of inspiration & ideas from the leading business and creativity magazine for graphic designers.

2009 Print Retrospective CD. Portable, searchable, and printable, this CD offers a gorgeous look book and insightful critique of the best design in the United States and around the world.

The $119 special offer is valued at $330.

© 2011 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Calls for entries: Upcoming graphic design competition and book submission deadlines

All of the following competition or book submission deadlines present great opportunities to showcase your design efforts, market your work on an international scale through the published books, and "toot!" your own horn to clients, peers and the media:

Great Healthcare Advertising
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 29 April 2011
No entry fees charged

Creative Quarterly 24
(Creative Quarterly - USA)
Deadline: 29 April 2011
Entry fees charged

HOW In-HOWse Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 2 May 2011
Final Deadline: 1 June 2011 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

American Web Design Awards
(Graphic Design USA - USA)
Deadline Extended: 4 May 2011
Entry fees charged

Graphis Advertising Annual 2012
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 9 May 2011
Entry fees charged

Graphis Design Annual 2012
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline Extended: 9 May 2011 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

Core77 Design Awards
(Core77 - USA)
Deadline Extended: 3 May 2011
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Design Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 13 May 2011
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Advertising Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 13 May 2011
Entry fees charged

ADC Young Guns 9
(Art Directors Club - USA)
Deadline: 16 May 2011
Late Deadline: 30 May 2011 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

Pentawards (Package Design)
(Pentawards - Belgium)
Deadline: 20 May 2011
Entry fees charged

1000 Paper Graphics
(Rockport Publishers - USA)
Deadline Extended: 23 May 2011
No entry fees charged

Graphis Photography Annual 2012
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 30 May 2011
Entry fees charged

HOW Logo Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 1 June 2011
Late Deadline: 15 June 2011 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

HOW Poster Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 1 June 2011
Late Deadline: 15 June 2011 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

FPO Awards
(UnderConsideration - USA)
Deadline: 3 June 2011
Entry fees charged

UCDA Design Competition
(University & College Designer Association - USA)
Early Deadline: 17 June 2011
Final Deadline: 8 July 2011
Entry fees charged

cause/effect
(AIGA San Francisco - USA)
Deadline: 24 June 2011
Entry fees charged

Great Layout Ideas
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 30 June 2011
No entry fees charged

The Designer's Web Handbook
(HOW Books - USA)
Deadline: 30 June 2011
No entry fees charged

HOW Interactive Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 1 July 2011
Late Deadline: 15 July 2011 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

LogoLounge Book 7
(LogoLounge - USA)
Deadline: 1 July 2011
Paid site membership required

2011 Labels of the World
(Neenah Paper - USA)
Deadline: 30 July 2011
No entry fees charged

iheartlogos
(iheartlogos.com - USA)
Season Two Deadline: 11 August 2011
Entry fees charged

HOW International Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 15 August 2011
Late Deadline: 1 September 2011 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

Creativity 41 Print & Packaging Competition
(Creativity International - USA)
Deadline: 26 August 2011
Entry fees charged

Great Brochure Ideas
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 31 August 2011
No entry fees charged

Communication Arts Typography Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 9 September 2011
Entry fees charged

Book of the Year, Volume 4
(Design & Design - France)
Deadline: 30 September 2011
No entry fees charged

Communication Arts Interactive Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 7 October 2011
Entry fees charged

Great Use of Color in Graphic Design
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 31 October 2011
No entry fees charged

LogoNest 02
(LogoNest - Australia)
Deadline: 31 December 2011
Paid site membership required

PAPERWORKS Letterhead Contest
(Neenah Paper - USA)
Deadline: Ongoing - judged quarterly
No entry fees charged

PAPERWORKS Text And Cover Contest
(Neenah Paper - USA)
Deadline: Ongoing - judged quarterly
No entry fees charged

(To make sure you are reading the latest bLog-oMotives design competition update click here.)

You may want to read my article about participating in design industry competitions and calls for book submissions: A collection of design competition - and book submission request - tips, tricks and observations.

A design competition calendar is also available at Icograda. Lürzer's ARCHIVE has an impressive online list of competitions sponsored by international magazines and organizations. Dexinger posts competitions of great value to industry professionals - however designers need to be aware that some of the listings are for "spec" work as a requirement for submission. Requests for new, or speculative, work as a condition of entering a "contest" are much different than legitimate design competition "calls for entries," in which previously created works are judged for possible awards, exhibition, or publication in an annual or other book.

My own work appears in over 140 graphic design books. Many of those inclusions are the result of design competitions, or requests for submissions, like those listed above.

© 2011 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

The Jeff Fisher LogoMotives identity evolution

I get a lot of questions about the creation of the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives identity, especially as many designers struggle with the creation of their own logos. I was certainly no different.

1987-1988

Almost eight years after moving to Portland from college, and beginning my career as a professional graphic designer, I determined I needed a business name that reflected my interest in logo design, combined with my lifelong fascination of toy trains and actual locomotives. The examples above show the development of a logo for, what I originally intended as the name, Logo Motive Design. The first drawing was executed in ballpoint pen on a notepad, recreated with a rapidiograph pen (this was before most designers had computers), and then reversed out to final art. The logo only appeared in one print ad. It was not met with positive feedback from friends and clients, who felt the emphasis on my personal skills and talent required my own name in my business identity. So, the idea was shelved and I continued as Jeff Fisher Design.

1991-1995

With more and more of my design work being involved in identity efforts I revisited my original concept for the business name Logo Motive. I attempted to create a logo combining the necessary text and a symbolic art element in an integrated emblem, while also conveying my own creativity and identity design ability. The rough design for the initial train imagery incorporating the name LogoMotive was even included in a 1991 self-promotion piece. I again received negative feedback from clients and associates in regards to such a name making my efforts seem impersonal and too corporate. Still, I began using the business name LogoMotive in 1995 to give an identification to what was unintentionally becoming my primary business focus. I again halted my own logo project out of frustration with it not conveying a strong enough image - and the effort becoming a low priority due to an ever-increasing workload.

1997

Early in 1997 I decided to finally finish the logo project I began ten years earlier for my worst client - myself. About 80% of my design projects were now logos. Potential clients, clients and friends were now asking why a logo designer did not have a logo of his own. My sister, Sue Fisher; owner of the advertising, marketing and public relations firm TriAd (in Bend, Oregon); encouraged me to focus on my logo design efforts and finalize my business identity. I embellished on the rough design of a couple years earlier. By simply adding my name to the design I was able to "brand" myself, giving the logo the personal sense it had been lacking. The result was a logo with which I was finally pleased and it has served me very well. To celebrate completion of the design, I bought myself the new toy train set I had always wanted.

These days about 35% of my new clients tell me they have made the decision to hire me based on my personal logo. The design has been honored with numerous design awards since first appearing long ago. The Jeff Fisher LogoMotives identity also appears in Letterhead and Logo Design 5 (1998), American Corporate Identity 14 (1998), New Logo & Trademark Design (Japan, 1998), the 1998 PRINT Regional Design Annual, The New Big Book of Logos (2000), PRINT’s Best Logos & Symbols 6 (2000), Logo Design for Small Business 2 (2004), Logos from North to South America (Spain, 2005), Logo & Trademark Collection (Japan, 2004), The Big Book of Business Cards (2005), American Graphic Design & Advertising 25 (2010), Type Rules: The Designer's Guide to Professional Typography, Third Edition (2010), 2011 Artist's and Graphic Designer's Market and a little book called The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success (2004).

© 2011 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Back to this reality...

I've just returned from an annual two+ week vacation to the island of St. Croix. Each year, my partner Ed and I jet off to the Caribbean, with friends Lisa Francolini and Bev Wells (owners of RiverWest Acupuncture), in an attempt to perfect the art of doing nothing. We have the pleasure of staying at the beautiful beachfront home of Bev's sister and brother-in-law, Jim and Bonnie Pavel.

For a little cyber vacation, you might want to take a look at the Flickr gallery of our sand, sun, food and fun photos.

Of course, we've have returned to one of the coldest and rainiest March months in Portland history...and I've developed a miserable cold.

© 2011 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Logodotes: Stumptown Clowns

[Over the 30+ years I've worked professionally as a designer, interesting side stories have come up about my identity designs. This is one of an ongoing series of "Logodotes" - anecdotes about my logo designs.]

I often tend to be my own worst client. When designing for myself, I usually go into a very picky and hyper-critical mode. It did take me 10 years to create the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives identity.

With the image for Stumptown Clowns the process was surprisingly much different. Following attendance at Clown School, and a great experience as part of the Amtrak Cascades Character Clown Corps for the Portland Rose Festival, my clown pal Pippa suggested that those interested in clowning around a bit more participate in the 2009 Portland Pride Parade. As the event was not an official Rose Festival event we would need to march under a new clown troupe moniker. Pippa came up with the name "Stumptown Clowns."

In my odd logo designer mind, as soon as I was made aware of the name, I literally saw the words visually as a potential clown face. The "U" letterform in the word "Stumptown" could become a winking eye, with the "O" in the term creating another eye that was wide open. It only made sense that the "O" in "Clown" would become a big red clown nose.

There was no sketching or doodling of the concept. The design was so clearly defined in my mind that I went directly to the computer. The font Blue Plate Special, by Nick Curtis of Nick's Fonts, was the first and only choice for the logo. It seemed to convey the celebratory, circus-like quality I desired. The weight of the font, and the curves of some letterforms, complimented the graphic elements which were created first.

In a one-shot process the Stumptown Clowns logo was complete (top image). However, there was something that bugged me about the end result. It was an optical illusion, but the identity seemed to be tilting. I doubled-checked the horizontal allignment of the design. The lightness of the "winking eye" and the heaviness of the "open eye" element were causing the logo to look as if it had rotated clock-wise a bit.

Rotating the design a quarter of a degree, counter clock-wise, seemed to correct the visual issue for me (directly above).

Stumptown Clown pals Lou, Pippa, Trip and Toots Caboose preparing for the 2009 Pride Parade though downtown Portland

With our official Stumptown Clowns logo on an identifying sign for the parade (Thanks to Kathy at Signs Northwest!) the new clown troupe was ready for its parade debut.

This project did remind me of a previous identity design client with an incredible attention to detail - OK, the guy was anal retentive (Hmmm...am I more anal?). The logo project was finalized. Disks were prepared with all the necessary digital files for the client. The invoice had been sent off for payment. The the client called to request that I rotate the design - which did not have balance issues with its circular design - five degrees clockwise. It was one of the oddest, and most specific, requests I'd received in regards to a job. No explanation - just "please rotate the design five degrees."

I revisited the logo and rotated the image two and a half degrees. The client was perfectly happy.

The Stumptown Clowns logo was recognized with a 2010 American Graphic Design and Advertising Award, and Silver honors in the 2010 Summit Creative Awards. It appears in the books Logolicious, iheartlogos Vol. 1, and Logo Nest 01. (Australia).

© 2011 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Calls for entries: Upcoming graphic design competition and book submission deadlines

All of the following competition or book submission deadlines present great opportunities to showcase your design efforts, market your work on an international scale through the published books, and "toot!" your own horn to clients, peers and the media:

Summit Creative Awards
(Summit International Awards - USA)
Deadline Extended: 2 March 2011
Entry fees charged

One Show Interactive Awards
(The One Club - USA)
Deadline Extended: 4 March 2011
Entry fees charged

The Communicator Awards
(IAVA - USA)
Deadline Extended: 4 March 2011
Entry fees charged

Greeting Card Design
(Zeixs - Germany)
Deadline Extended: 4 March 2011
No entry fees charged

T-Shirt Design 2
(Zeixs - Germany)
Deadline Extended: 4 March 2011
No entry fees charged

Book and Magazine Design
(Zeixs - Germany)
Deadline Extended: 4 March 2011
No entry fees charged

Typography 2
(Zeixs - Germany)
Deadline Extended: 4 March 2011
No entry fees charged

The Dieline Awards
(The Dieline - USA)
Final Deadline: 4 March 2011 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

HOW Promotion Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 5 March 2011
Late Deadline: 22 March 2011 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

365 | Design Effectiveness Competition
(AIGA - USA)
Deadline: 10 March 2011
Late Deadline: 31 March 2011 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

Making the Case Competition
(AIGA - USA)
Deadline: 10 March 2011
Late Deadline: 31 March 2011 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

Great Graphic Design Ideas
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline Extended: 14 March 2011
No entry fees charged

International Design Awards
(IDA - USA)
Deadline Extended: 15 March 2011
Entry fees charged

The Best of Business Card Design 10
(Rockport Publishers - USA)
Deadline Extended: 15 March 2011
No entry fees charged

Creativity 41 Media & Interactive Competition
(Creativity International - USA)
Deadline: 18 March 2011
Late Deadline: 1 April 2011 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

American Inhouse Design Awards
(GDUSA - USA)
Deadline: 25 March 2011
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Photography Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 25 March 2011
Late Deadline: 8 April 2011 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

Graphis 100 Best in Design 2012
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 28 March 2011
Entry fees charged

Letter, Word, Sentence, Paragraph
(HOW Books - USA)
Deadline: 30 March 2011
No entry fees charged

Humor Sells: 300 Examples of Truly Witty Designs
(Crescent Hill Books - USA)
Deadline Extended: 30 March 2011
No entry fees charged • Publication fee if accepted for book

Brand New Awards
(UnderConsideration - USA)
Deadline: 31 March 2011
Entry fees charged

Go, Stop, Slow, Eat: How Typography Influences Behavior
(Rockport Publishers - USA)
Deadline Extended: 31 March 2011
No entry fees charged

HOW In-HOWse Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 1 April 2011
Late Deadline: 1 May 2011 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

Great Healthcare Advertising
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 29 April 2011
No entry fees charged

Creative Quarterly 24
(Creative Quarterly - USA)
Deadline: 29 April 2011
Entry fees charged

American Web Design Awards
(Graphic Design USA - USA)
Deadline: 30 April 2011
Entry fees charged

Photography Journal Americas 001
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline Extended: 2 May 2011
Entry fees charged

Design Journal Europe & Africa 002
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 2 May 2011
Entry fees charged

Photography Journal Americas 001
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline Extended: 2 May 2011
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Design Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 13 May 2011
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Advertising Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 13 May 2011
Entry fees charged

UCDA Design Competition
(University & College Designer Association - USA)
Early Deadline: 17 June 2011
Final Deadline: 8 July 2011
Entry fees charged

Great Layout Ideas
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 30 June 2011
No entry fees charged

The Designer's Web Handbook
(HOW Books - USA)
Deadline: 30 June 2011
No entry fees charged

HOW Interactive Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 1 July 2011
Entry fees charged

iheartlogos
(iheartlogos.com - USA)
Season Two Deadline: 11 August 2011
Entry fees charged

HOW International Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 15 August 2011
Entry fees charged

Creativity 41 Print & Packaging Competition
(Creativity International - USA)
Deadline: 26 August 2011
Entry fees charged

Great Brochure Ideas
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 31 August 2011
No entry fees charged

Communication Arts Typography Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 9 September 2011
Entry fees charged

Book of the Year, Volume 4
(Design & Design - France)
Deadline: 30 September 2011
No entry fees charged

Great Use of Color in Graphic Design
(Ampixx Books - USA)
Deadline: 31 October 2011
No entry fees charged

PAPERWORKS Letterhead Contest
(Neenah Paper - USA)
Deadline: Ongoing - judged quarterly
No entry fees charged

PAPERWORKS Text And Cover Contest
(Neenah Paper - USA)
Deadline: Ongoing - judged quarterly
No entry fees charged

(To make sure you are reading the latest bLog-oMotives design competition update click here.)

You may want to read my article about participating in design industry competitions and calls for book submissions: A collection of design competition - and book submission request - tips, tricks and observations.

A design competition calendar is also available at Icograda. Lürzer's ARCHIVE has an impressive online list of competitions sponsored by international magazines and organizations. Dexinger posts competitions of great value to industry professionals - however designers need to be aware that some of the listings are for "spec" work as a requirement for submission. Requests for new, or speculative, work as a condition of entering a "contest" are much different than legitimate design competition "calls for entries," in which previously created works are judged for possible awards, exhibition, or publication in an annual or other book.

My own work appears in over 140 graphic design books. Many of those inclusions are the result of design competitions, or requests for submissions, like those listed above.

© 2011 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives