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 - Final Steps of Logo Design

This is where I am in the design process. Down to 3 image options and many font options. I took the advice of a friend and looked up some free font websites to find fonts similar to the ones I drew from graphic design books. I found a few options that may help, but I am still considering some of the ones I developed on my own. It was also advised that I take a break from the process at this point to absorb my choices in order to make some more decisions with a clearer mind later. And since, two friends recommended this, I suppose I had better listen.

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 Sketches - First Round Picks

After my first round of eliminations, these are the options I have left to choose from. Next I will narrow my options by choosing one from each of the first two sets to compare to the other individual ones shown below. Once I have it down to 5 choices I will then make changes and edit each image to more accurately depict how it may be in the final outcome, so that I can make the best decision for myself.

Branding - Logo Preliminary Sketches part 2, Cont.

I definitely am leaning towards some of these. Getting closer to a decision, feels good.

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 - Logo Inspirations

Pretty Weed - Holly Carter

In order to create a logo image, my design background taught me to first find inspiration. I searched my own photos as well as photos on the web for the subjects that I believe inspire my work. Of course, I am enthralled with all things nature, mother nature is a wondrous beauty!
The intrinsic artistry, as well as the life and death of nature, it's ins and outs. I have an appreciation for patterns in nature, especially radial patterns that emanate from the center of an interesting life giving stamen or pod. The structure of it's life, it's bones and skeletal systems.

Image from supermachine.wordpress.com

An affinity for bones does not have to be morbid or sad, it can be an admiration for what evolution deemed right to fit the creatures of world with, to sustain their place on the earth. There is elegance in the structure that sustains life, the architecture of every bone, joint, and connection, the engineering that allows us all to grow and move.

Snake vertebrae, for instance, has amazing movement and I find exquisiteness in the repetition in pattern and the flawless gradation of each segment. There is much stigma in the lore of snakes, although in many cultures it has been of a positive nature, many people still may be put off by my appreciation for their bones. Wikipedia states "Historically, serpents and snakes represent fertility or a creative life force. As snakes shed their skin through sloughing, they are symbols of rebirth, transformation, immortality, and healing."
But, I am not captivated with the symbology as much as the pure natural elements of a simple creature that once sustained it's life.

Link to Original Image

Like the snake, the turtle or tortoise have cultural symbolism throughout the world. Squidoo says "The Turtle is an ancient symbol that represents creation, endurance, strength, stability, longevity, fertility, and innocence. The Turtle also provides protection, good fortune, and brings happiness and good omens."
More over, they are amazing beings. Tortoises and turtles inhabit the soil and the sea, they are unique and similar, they carry their own homes and structures on their backs. Each shell itself has remarkable patterning that can be shed and re-grown. I was once enthralled with the skeleton of a giant sea turtle, what an awe inspiring animal it must have been, and it inspired the design for a table I am currently working on.

As of late I have been obsessed with the Agave, the 'Century Plant'. They have a splendid array of  arms, that after 10 to 30 years bloom with a tall tuft of flowering pods filled with seeds. When the flowers die away, the pods fall off, and many tiny babies grown in their place. The baby agave's then fall from the mother plant in hopes if taking root, and the mother dies away.
How eloquent a death is that!
To live a long full life to bloom, give birth, sustain new life, and simply pass away. With death comes new life.

Some websites I found with great photo's for reference: http://micheleroohani.com/blog/2008/07/28/a-desert-garden-in-full-bloom/, and http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-agave-flower-image10646425.
The following are some of the photo's I used for inspiration and links to websites I found them on, if not my original photograph.

Image and other inspiration from farmhousefilms.net 'The Boneman'

Link to Original Image in Flickr

Image from newworldencyclopedia.org

Link to Original Image on Flickr

Wikipedia Galapagos Turtle

Agave - Holly Carter

Holly Carter

Agave- Holly Carter

Cast Agave Bud - Holly Carter

Cast Agave & Pomegranate Buds - Holly Carter

Amaryllis Pod - Holly Carter

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.