New Logo and Business Cards

So, I made a complete 180 from my previous designs for my new logo and chose to try out a different business card layout. I am very happy with the results. The flower for the logo was from an ink painting that I did. I completely drew and designed the font for letters of the HJC and found a great free font online to coordinate for the rest of my name. Now I have a hole suite of marketing products and had some hallmark stamps made finally. I am quite excited with my new branding!

Branding - Final Two Logo Options

Well, the following is where I am at in the process. I have narrowed it down to two images and two fonts. I am now going to continue to make some adjustments to the design I am leaning more towards, to come of with a more fitting result.

Branding Logo Image - Final 4

This was my process for choosing the Final 4.
I began with 8 that I liked the best so far.

I chose to place the circle around each of the images to help me decide which ones would look best if they had a border. And, minified them to see which would translate better on a smaller scale for a charm or stamp.

These are the 4 that I felt were strong enough to consider in the final round of decision making.

I think I am leaning towards C & D. I will likely take the two I choose at this point, edit them, and try them with some of the fonts I have developed. I would appreciate some more opinions on these images.

Branding - Logo Preliminary Sketches part 2

I learned from this exercise that while some of my logo preliminary sketches may not be suitable for my finished logo design, they do make some pretty patterns that might work for some of my art work or jewelry. Especially enameled wall pieces.

Branding - Monogram options

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I just wasn't satisfied with the previous options that I posted before and so I hunkered down and drew up some more. I think these are much better, more diverse and creative. The top ones I believe are unfortunately unrealistic for what I need, although I really like them. I will have to narrow them down to three or four. I will then ask opinions once I have narrowed down the logo image, the two will have to complement each other.

I don't think people really think much about the design process for the many images they see everyday. The ones that have been branded into their brains, that have been all over advertising for as long as they can remember. I believe when you make a choice like this it can be a very personal, stressful, and emotional process. You want to be sure you are represented accurately by your branding. It is who you are, what you do, and what you are capable of? As an artist I feel this is an important step, it is a representation of my signature, not just my style, but who I am as an individual, and the legacy I leave behind. Maybe that is why I have taken so long to reach the conclusion that I must start signing my pieces with a more professional monogram.

Branding - Logo Image Preliminary Sketches

In this step, I used tracing paper to trace sections of the images from my inspiration photo's. I chose areas that interested me the most. From here, I will choose the sketches that I find most pleasing and what I think could best translate into a logo image. I will then try variations on the sketches by cropping, copying, flipping, and enlarging. I may possibly create tessellations or maybe leave it in it's original state.
I have labeled with letters the images that I feel could use more logo exploration.

























I think I am leaning towards A, B, G, H, I or K? I most like A, B, G, and I at this point just how they are, but I have not made any decisions yet and B sort of looks like Broccoli.
Hmm?

Branding - Need to make a Stamp!

On with my journey to Brand myself as an artist....... so I can brand my work.

Now it's time to make a Brand or Signature stamp, that is!

I got out the good old typography book and got some ideas. I sketched out various versions of my initials to use for stamping finished work with my seal. In the past I didn't like to sign my jewelry pieces because I felt it distracted from the beauty of the piece, but alas I have conformed to branding. I realize the importance of signing all of my pieces in order to make a more lasting impression as an artist. I am looking to use a monogram to serve as a stamp in many sizes, but also, to be the center piece in a logo design. I want the freedom of using them together or separate so that singularly they will each represent my work, with hopes of both becoming recognizable symbols.
The following image is a scan of the vellum I was sketching on. I would like the font to be unique and bold while still having a subtle presence, and yet portray my artistic aesthetic and affinity towards modernistic organics. I have found that lately my tastes and styles have been changing towards the more rustic organics in nature and I would like to somehow meld the two worlds with the logo image and the monogram together.
Boy, I am asking a lot of three little letters!
My intention is to not only use the stamps to sign the pieces, but to also use versions of my logo as parts of finished pieces such as one chain link in a necklace, a charm to add to a chain or bracelet, or the shape of a clasp.

I am leaning towards the circled Fonts. Font A is a generic example of what I see happening with the logo overall. I think once I make a decision on the logo image I will be able to make a better choice on this. 

On too the next step...narrowing down logo sketches. 

Later, I will post the preliminary sketches for my logo image as well.

Thanks for following me on my journey. I welcome feedback!

What's in a name???

Since I up and moved to the Bay, I decided it was a good time to renew my self and branding as an artist. Start fresh as it were. I have been using the name Incognito Designs when I sell every day Jewelry, while using Holly Carter when I enter exhibitions with my sculptural art. After much thought and advise from some friends, I am going to just keep it simple and true. My name Holly J. Carter for the business name and as the artist.

What a novel idea, just use my name!

I went back and forth with different variations on my name paired with metal works, art works, designs, etc.. Branding can be a difficult thing, to be confident enough that one day just your name will have enough weight to be a brand is astounding and intimidating. I was also stuck on the fact that I had to end the business name with something that was descriptive. My good friend Adiel suggested thinking of it as simply a tag line that I use on advertising, but not part of the actual name. I was making it too complicated as I usually do!

So, Holly J. Carter, Metal and Jewelry Art. Plain and Simple.
(Or, maybe Holly J. Carter, Metalsmith, Sculptural and Wearable Art? Or Sculpture and Jewelry Art?
Oh boy, here I go again!)

I also have many ideas for a new line of supplies to sell on sites like Etsy for those people who like to buy bobbles and beads and what not. Therefore my current Incognito Designs will transition into Incognito Designs by Holly J. Carter, selling supplies and whatever random cool vintage stuff I pick up now and then.
I am then going to start a new Etsy site with my name for all of my Jewelry and Art. Of course I am also working on perfecting the shopping cart on my personal website as well.

Now that I have gotten through the difficult part, time to design a new logo for a stamp, jewelry charm, business cards, website banner, etc., etc..

Wow, there is lots to do!
When I finally get it all done, then I have to wait for the sales to come.

I will keep posting on my progress for those interested. I would love to get some feed back on the process. I just hope that I can get more than my one current follower for my blog so that I can get that feedback. Especially since that one follower is me! Hehe.