Every once is awhile, you need to take a little inventory of the old portfolio. Usually, it happens whenever you get ‘forced’ to do it with an upcoming client meeting or an interview. You find the trusty book in your office or studio and gently blow the dust off of it and thumb through the work. Hopefully, you can find stuff that needs a little update and replace it with some new pieces. Many times though, I have looked at the case or book and thought that it might be time for a new look, you know, give it a bit more – oomph. And, unfortunately, it usually gets put off until the next time you have to get it out – reminding you once again.
This past week I was able to visit the LeMay Automotive Museum in Tacoma, Washington during my family vacation. It is home to the world’s largest individual collection of cars in the U.S. and was started way back in 1946 by Harold LeMay, an entrepreneur and business man. For those of us that are into things automotive and automotive-related, it is an interesting and quirky collection of more than 3,500 cars and memorabilia.
With the constant stream and endless supply of logo inspiration available on the web and in print these days, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Like a kid in a candy store, there is almost too much to consider. Tons of inspirational reference, dozens of tutorials and scores of how-to articles all too willing to help you out of your creative hole. What you need is some inspirational detox.
In the last couple of years, there seems to be a major surge of fledgling logo designers making their way into the design community. What with so many logo inspiration sites popping up every week and some really wonderful logo design books out there, it’s hard to believe that this rather small, sub-culture of graphic design is becoming so popular. Here are some tips on starting a career.
Recently, I’ve heard the question, does a graphic designer need to have an understanding of marketing? Well, quite simply – yes. If you don’t have an understanding of how to market, whether it’s a packaging design, a promotional message or a website, you can’t adequately direct someone to take action – or even care, from interacting with your design. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m just like any other red-blooded creative guy, ready to run away screaming at lengthy PowerPoint decks and dozens of statistics-laden spreadsheets. But, there is definitely some use to all that drab information, and you just need to know how to process it in your own way. It’s marketing on your own terms.
