ImJustCreative Logo Redesign – Ideas and Thoughts
*Post Update : I am posting revisions as I go along at the end of this post.
ImJustCreative Logo Redesign Idea
So here we have it. One more idea in my attempt to find a satisfactory redesign for my own logo. As Im sure most people will attest to, creating a logo for yourself can be pretty tricky at the best of times. I have been working at new ideas for some time now. Fortunately for me I am in no rush, so I can play around as and when I feel the slightest bit creative.
Identity Crisis Dudes
See images below. The idea is evolving such that I can interchange my ‘dudes’ with various alter-ego’s depending on the situation etc. For fun and to keep the brand fresh and dynamic.
The inspiration for this actually came from a recent logo I designed for Gul Opticians, where I used a simple face for the logomark.
This then gave me the idea to strengthen my own personal brand image. I have used my black and white avatar photo for some time now, and in that I am wearing my black beanie. I also have created some video posts where I focus on the dark black beanie look.
And yes, it’s all set in Helvetica.
So creating a simple icon representation of me, with the beanie and my sunglasses seemed to be a cool thing to try. It makes the logo much more personal and relevant to me. It creates more of a bond to the image I have been working on strengthening these last few months. Bit quirky as well, which I like.
Not to mention that the icon is a perfect size for avatars, profile pics and favicons etc, so a pretty flexible logo all in all I think.
Tag line
I have switched the tag line, which is unusual really. The focus is now on what I do, which is logo and brand identity design. The ‘identity’ word now has a clear visual connection to the cartoon me. The tag line is more a boom boom boom. Very practical and descriptive and leaves no doubt about what I do.
Then my company name is added where the tag line would usually be, again, something different and quirky and as much more me in terms of personality.
This is the closest I have come to being very happy with a new logo design, need to sit with it for a while and see if it beds in OK. You could say its in Beta trials right now. :)But this could well be it. So just wanted to share a little bit about it.
Logo Revisions
These are being added as I go along, so will included tweaks, changes and further thoughts.
Added 4th May, 10:35am
This is a revision based on some feedback from you guys, specifically Max (@designshard) and Misty (@mistygirlph). They both mentioned the initial goaty looked too heavy, so I have removed the outline and kept a ‘homer simpson’ style shadown. Also @lejuiceman commented that the initial beanie looked more like a bowl haircut, so kindly sent me a tweak of what he thought would make it look more like a hat, which I have now integrated into the icon. I have dropped the sides down, added a small bobble on top and roughed up the edges a little.
In the post comments below, there is a valid comment about should I incorporate a cartoon style icon, as he feels this is not my usual style, which is a valid point, but I have also addressed that below.
Added 4th May, 5:35pm
So as a way to really personalise my own brand and to create some variety, I have decided to create a number of alter ego’s, all based around true aspects of my personality (EXCEPT STRUNG OUT ON COCAINE, this is for a laugh). More in the pipeline. Am hoping this will create a memorable and also light hearted brand image of ImJustCreative.
Added 6th May, 3:35pm
A few more additions to the Identity Crisis family. Agency Dude, Ninja Dude, Nerd Dude, Headless Dude, Invisible Dude, BedHead Dude
And breathe...
Article Posted On: May 3, 2009 by
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I love it.. made me think of doing a design for my own logo identity. It’s pretty clever way of doing a representation of your persona. You truly inspire creativity.
Pretty neat idea Graham and it certainly represents you as a brand.
Thoughts: One thing you could possibly try is reducing the stroke weight around the face / mouth, it appears too thick to me at a glance. maybe…
I get your idea.. since you want it to look more you, hence the shadow and the line around the mouth.. yeah i agree with Max, it’s just a bit too thick the stroke on the mouth, making it look like you have thick lips.. just my two cents.. = )
I would take a closer look at the ‘eyes’ of the icon. It’s cool to create an iconic identity that, as you say, could be used for favico, icons, simbols, avatar, etc. However, I’ve seen your work, and let me say that this identity isn’t quite saying ‘Graham Smith’. It’s just an opinion, but I relate you more to logos with no icons, pictograms or symbols. I see you as an Helvetica Neue Thin. 35 or 45, you choose.
I know there’s a lot of helvetica logos arround. I’m just not sure about your cartoonish new image. It would be a majour change, I think you already know that.
Just leaving some thoughts, keep us posted on your work. It’s really cool that you could relate to your brand, create a bon with it, play, and take the time that ir required (own brands are sooooo difficult).
Greetings man.
Max & Misty : Really appreciate you both dropping by. You are both totally right about the beard aspect, so have made some changes to the initial drawing and will post that later.
Thanks again
MARTINALEJANDRO : Thanks for the well thought out reply. I totally see what you are saying.
This is something I have thought about a lot. Previous my identity has been a bit of a ‘sleeper’ in terms of the type only logo etc. My personal brand seems to be stronger than the logo, which is why I wanted to draw upon the success of my beanie and shades, dark and mysterious vibe.
People connect with that. So the logo was trying to flip the dark photographic avatar with a cartoon version of me, to balance the mood out so to speak, whilst still retaining a clear link.
I have kept the logotype sensible and stylish to also balance out the cartoon effect of the icon.
It’s early days, so need to live with it for a while, but thanks for the comment, totally spot on.
It’s perfect! I love it = )
Hey Graham,
I love the cartoon concept! It is fun and has quite a personality. I also love the one with the goatee and agree it looks great without the heavy outline.
A couple thoughts, for what their worth :)
I like that you are working on making the beanie look more hat-like, but what if you just emphasized the line-texture of the bottom band of the beanie rather than roughing it all over.
I think it definitely looks like a hat now but with the top thingy it has more of a beatnik feel. (Not that this is bad, just not sure if that is the look you are going for)
Im not sure how it will look but just an idea if you still feel like playing with it.
It’s fun to see the process and progression, thanks for sharing it with us.
Chris :)
Pretty hard this branding your self malarky, ive tried to come up with a feasable brand for my self many times and just cant … (haha)
Apreciated that you did a revision on the comments you received. if im totally honest theres just something no quite right still from my view, its really hard to put a finger on. ( that probably doest help much.)
im sure youll keep us posted on any further developments its really intresting to read about personal branding.
Hi
Didn’t realize this was your logo redesign also. I guess you know my vote is the Oakley’s.
Just adding that bit of cyan (oops, that’s the print in me) rocks it!
Perhaps you can pull the color into “just” and “.com” as you did in you last logo.
There’s my humble opinion. I think it’s great!!!
Pam
I think it is fun and I really like the idea of different avatars.
Thought id check back, haha i think there great those little mood logos, really growing on me tbh, i can imagine seeing a poster with all these on,
I can’t help but think that many of them look a tad like photofits (for criminals). I think the beanies/hats/beards aren’t helping :)
A business contact of mine has done the same as this for her brand; http://www.allwords.co.uk – she has several cartoon alteregos she uses around her marketing.