Comments on: Discussion : Logo design sketches – Bearing all

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:06:58 +0000

I’d agree with that Jefrey. We’ve been thinking about this approach recently for exactly those reasons. Prospective customers are able to see a well-planned and thorough approach which might help earn trust and build reputation.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:06:00 +0000

By: Jefrey Gunion

Jefrey Gunion — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:53:05 +0000

I’m starting to do this on my own site. If not for the benefit of designers to show the inner workings of how I go about designing identities, but also to demonstrate to clients actually how much goes into the process. I think it demonstrates that there truly is a deeper value for what we go through to reach the end result. Unless a client is intimately involved in the step by step process of an identity development (which is totally up to us), sometimes they think we just magically pull a design out of thin air, and there it is….in final form…perfect.

By: Jefrey Gunion

Jefrey Gunion — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:53:00 +0000

By: Graham Smith

Graham Smith — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:02:52 +0000

Yup, no right or wrong answer it would seem. Just to make sure you are aware of the advantages and disadvantages before sharing all your hard prep work… If you are happy to accept the risks, then the advantages for sharing such level of detail is huge.

Even sharing portions of your ideas can still be useful, which is what I try to do. I’m protective of my ‘unused’ concepts, as I feel that all ideas I generate could be used or modified for other projects. :)

By: ImJustCreative

ImJustCreative — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:02:00 +0000

By: Logobird

Logobird — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:01:44 +0000

Interesting topic. If you are willing to reveal your sketches online I think you need to be completely willing to accept that there is the distinct possibility that your sketches will be copied. I am not saying that it is right, however unfortunately the world is full of people who will simply rip off your work.
It is an individual decision. As a designer there are many upsides to sharing your work and exposing the process you used to get to the final product. It is a great promotional tool.
If in you think the potential benefit is greater the risk, then go for it.

By: Logobird

Logobird — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:01:00 +0000

By: Graham Smith

Graham Smith — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:34:07 +0000

I hit on your thoughts exactly in a previous comment. Only showing those ideas and sketches that are the ‘children’ so to speak of the final design. If you have other madly different ideas that are frankly crap, then I guess no harm to show. But the risk is that even a crap looking sketch could give someone else, or even yourself a lightbulb moment, that may result in a super duper logo. Given that it becomes harder and harder to find unique ideas in logo design, keeping any form of unique idea to yourself would seem prudent, especially if logo design is your business. Maybe not so much if you are a multi disciplined designer.

Showing many variations on what theme is in itself quite interesting, but I think a safe option. Like Scott, who I mention in the post, he has clearly showed many differrent ideas, several of which with tweaking could make new designs, should he so desire. And herein is the point of the post. :)

By: ImJustCreative

ImJustCreative — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:34:00 +0000

By: Graham Smith

Graham Smith — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:28:19 +0000

Appreciate your words, but I am not as accomplished as you might think, although it’s good to hear on occasion as I am clearing doing something right. Regardless of how accomplished you are, one should never stop trying to promote yourself to designers and clients, as well as providing a platform to educate. Hence the value of these process posts are important, but the question is, how far should you go. How much of your soul is enough?

By: ImJustCreative

ImJustCreative — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:28:00 +0000

By: Graham Smith

Graham Smith — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:24:25 +0000

I think this is where ‘what is more important to you’ comes into it. Would you rather be a enigma or overly transparent. Each has advantages and disadvantages in terms of self marketing and branding. I think also the logo design pricess post is partly there to show potential clients how you work and what you do in each project, not just for other designers.

For me, I will be focus more on making them client friendly. Showing your process to a client who may be deciding who to give the project too is an important factor to consider.

By: ImJustCreative

ImJustCreative — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:24:00 +0000

For me, I will be focus more on making them client friendly. Showing your process to a client who may be deciding who to give the project too is an important factor to consider.

By: Graham Smith

Graham Smith — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:21:20 +0000

Ultimately, will come down to the individual to accept the possibility of these shared ideas/sketches being swiped. If you don’t want your designs, ideas, sketches borrowed in any capacity, best to keep them to yourselves.

I will show ideas that a close to the final design, opposed to the ideas that ended up being discarded for the sake of a new direction. Showing how one idea grows I think is less risky, than showing a handful of uniquely different concepts and ideas.