2014 Articles about Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Articles, mentions of Jeff Fisher and sightings of Jeff Fisher LogoMotives designs online and in print:

Creating the Perfect Logo with LogoMotives’ Jeff Fisher, by GraphicDesign.com | USA (May 2014)

Design plagiarism is alive and well in Nottingham, by Together Agency | Nottingham, UK (January 2014)

© 2016 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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2013 Articles about Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Articles, mentions of Jeff Fisher and sightings of Jeff Fisher LogoMotives designs online and in print:

Wilfully Plagiarising? LogoThief Is On Your Case, by Graham Smith, The Logo Smith (November 2013)

Stolen Design is Bad Design, by Shawn MacDonald, 989 Design (November 2013)

Catnapped, LogoThief (November 2013)

31 Must-Follow Twitter Accounts for Graphic Designers, by Brian Morris, PsPrint (September 2013)

The Benefits of Pro Bono Work, by Bryn Mooth, The Creative Group (September 2013)

When it Comes to WWDC 2013, Sometimes a Logo is Just a Logo, by Michael Simon, Mac | Life (May 2013)

3 Reasons Why Logo Design Contest Sites are Bad for your Business, by Patrick Sesko, Sesko Creative (March 2013)

Getting the Most From Your HOW Design Live Experience, by Bryn Mooth, HOW Design (March 2013)

Designers Tackle Copyright & Intellectual Property Issues, by Terry Lee Stone, HOW Design (January 2013)

© 2015 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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2012 Articles about Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Articles, mentions of Jeff Fisher and sightings of Jeff Fisher LogoMotives designs online and in print:

Benefits of Pro Bono: roundup of good deeds by designers, by Bryn Mooth, The Creative Group eZine (November 2012)

Copyrights, Trademarks and Infringements … Oh My! (Part 2), by Neil Tortorella, GraphicDesign.com (October 2012)

5 Steps to Finding the Best Clients, by Ilise Benun, HOW Magazine (September 2012)

Neighborhood Branding: How to Launch Your Neighborhood Brand and Engage Your Community, by Chris Young, Neighborhood Notes (August 2012)

10 Steps to Creating Your Freelance Brand Personality, by Martha Retallick, FreelanceSwitch (August 2012)

Neighborhood Branding: How To Create A Neighborhood Logo, by Chris Young, Neighborhood Notes (July 2012)

Indie: Last Call!, by Steve Gordon, Jr., RockPaperInk (July 2012)

Neighborhood Branding: Goals and Guidance for Creating Your Neighborhood Brand, by Chris Young, Neighborhood Notes (June 2012)

Neighborhood Branding: Determining What To Change and How, by Chris Young, Neighborhood Notes (May 2012)

designer conversations // Jeff Fisher, by Brian Gray, iheartlogos (May 2012)

Neighborhood Branding: Do People Have The Wrong Perception of Your Neighborhood?, by Chris Young, Neighborhood Notes (April 2012)

10 Things you (probably) didn’t know about Jeff Fisher, by Ilene Strizver, The Type Studio (March 2012)

5 Steps to Finding the Best Clients, by Ilise Benun, HOW Magazine (January 2012)

© 2015 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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2011 Articles about Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Articles, mentions of Jeff Fisher and sightings of Jeff Fisher LogoMotives designs online and in print:

Homes & Gardens Northwest Photo Contest 2011 [Honorable Mention], The Oregonian Homes & Gardens (December 2011)

The Designer's Guide to Blogging, by Richard Baird, The Designer's Survival Guide (November 2011)

Logo Design Awards 2011: Graphic Designer of the Year, Famous Logos (November 2011)

I ditched my big bank!, by Charles Riley, CNN Money (October 2011)

Find Logo Thieves with Google's Image Search, by Terri Stone, CreativePro.com (October 2011)

Logo Garden’s bitter harvest, by Steve Douglas, The Logo! Factor (August 2011)

Grand Theft Logo, by Judith Mayer, Northwest Indiana Creative (August 2011)

Logo Garden Sells Logos It Doesn’t Own, by Armin Vit, Brand New (August 2011)

Chuck Green's Design Likes, by Chuck Green, ideabook.com (July 2011)

Logo Design: Trains, by Paulo Gabriel, Abduzeedo.com (July 2011)

Secrets of Success with Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, by Carlos Castellanos, Drawn By Success (July 2011)

30th Anniversary Issue: In Their Words, Media.Inc Magazine (June 2011)

Is Freelancer a Negative Term?, by Ilise Benun, Creative Freelancer (June 2011)

It's Spring! (Somewhere), by Ellen Shapiro, Dig It! (February 2011)

Learning to Love (or Survive) Speaking Events, by Debbie Swanson, FreelanceSwitch (February 2011)

© 2015 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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2010 Articles about Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Articles, mentions of Jeff Fisher and sightings of Jeff Fisher LogoMotives designs online and in print:

Essential Logo and Identity Design Resources on Twitter, Logobird (October 2010)

Paper Cuts: All Aboard the Paper Train, by Tad Dobbs, The Squall Line (September 2010)

The Social Media Bible, @CEDIM (July 2010)

Top Graphic Designers Interviewed - The Sequel!, GraphicDesignBlog.org (May 2010)

Developing expertise in an industry or project type, by Neil Tortorella, NeilTortorella.com (May 2010)

How to Win A Design Competition, by HOW Editors, How Design (April 2010)

Career: How to Get Promoted, by Julie Anne Sims, HOW Magazine (April 2010)

Perpetual Logomotion, by Sean Thorenson, Inklings (April 2010)

In Depth With Jeff Fisher, by Brian Hock, designerID.com (March 2010)

Face to Face with Jeff Fisher, by Otba Mushaweh, Logo Talks (March 2010)

13 Must Follow Logo and Brand Identity Design Blogs, Logobird (March 2010)

Gay Marriage: Jeff Fisher and Ed Cunningham, by Christian Messer, id Magazine (February 2010)

Designers *First* Designs..., by Niki Brown, Design O'Blog (February 2010)

Do You Toot Your Own Horn? Jeff Fisher Does!, Against The Grain/Neenah Paper (February 2010)

Jeff Fisher LogoMotives | Facebook, Illustration Pages (January 2010)

A Look Back, A Look Forward, by The Creative Group, TCG eZIne (January 2010) © 2010 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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2009 Articles about Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Articles, mentions of Jeff Fisher and sightings of Jeff Fisher LogoMotives designs online and in print:

Top 10 PsPrint Blogs of 2009, PsPrint (December 2009)

A new review of my first book, The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success, Design\, by Kitty Florido (December 2009)

10 simple, yet effective logos , Wildfire Marketing Group, by Jeremy Knauff (December 2009)

25 Naughty Logo Designs – Don’t miss the fun!, Graphic Design Blog, (December 2009)

40 Logo Designs with negative beauty - An interesting trick , Logo Design Blog, (December 2009)

Creative Medical Logos - 22 Logos to inspire , Corporate Logo Design Blog, (November 2009)

How to Network On-line for Your Next Big Project , Method to the Mayhem, by Calvin Lee (November 2009)

10 Inspirational Interviews for Designers, Powerusers, by Nikhil Misal (November 2009)

Gardens and Their Designers, Design Observer, by Timothy Jack Ward (October 2009)

Braintalk with Jeff Fisher, Sharebrain, by Thomas Ulbricht (October 2009)

Interview Series: Jeff Fisher on success and freelancing , Freelance Show, by Neil Brown (October 2009)

Self-Promotion the Social Way, HOW Magazine, by Jeff Fisher (October 2009)

Sidebar: 8 tips and tricks for professional and effective 'Self-Promotion the Social Way', HOW Magazine, by Jeff Fisher (October 2009)

Best Logo Designs Created by You - Part 1 , ImJustCreative, by Graham Smith (October 2009)

How Do Creative People Use Twitter? , Fresh Asylum, by Aliyah Marr (September 2009)

Interview with Jeff Fisher LogoMotives' Jeff Fisher , PsPrint, by Brian Morris (September 2009)

Episode 5 – Social Networking with Jeff Fisher , Escape from Illustration Island, by Thomas James (September 2009)

Designing A Church Logo? Some Things to Remember , eGrace Creative, by Brandon Cox (September 2009)

Jeff Fisher of Logomotives: Toot! Toot!, Against The Grain/Neenah Paper, by Julie Sims (September 2009)

Freelancing Finesse, Creative Freelance Conference, by Julie Sims (August 2009)

"Experience Matters", YouYube video, by Summit International Awards (August 2009)

A Study in Black and White Logos: Designer Jeff Fisher shares some of his past mono-color logo work, CreativePro.com (August 2009)

Quickies: 10 Readable Branding Books, Fuel Your Branding, by Beth LaPierre (August 2009)

40 Weird and Playful logos – A Double treat! , Graphic Design Blog, by Charles B. Johnson (August 2009)

Career: Office Anthropologist, HOW Magazine, by Julie Sims (August 2009)

Five Logo Design Heroes, eGrace Creative, by Brandon Cox (July 2009)

Designers' Couch: Interview with Jeff Fisher, by James Costa (July 2009)

38 Business Cards of Top Graphic Designers – The inspiring creative gurus, GraphicDesignBlog.org, by Charlie B. Johnson (July 2009)

Crazy Train, Toots Style: Local Design Savant Turned Clown Has the Last Laugh, Just Out, by Ryan J. Prado (May 2009)

Thoughts on Design: Back where it all started, CobaltCow Brand Development, by Nathan Sarlow (May 2009)

NO!SPEC • CreativePro: Spec Work and Crowdsourcing, NO!SPEC, by Catherine Wentworth (May 2009)

Business Card Design: Better Than A Plain Ol’ Business Card, Smashing Magazine, by Kat Neville (May 2009)

Creating Images From Text, Famous Logos, by Roberta Seldon (May 2009)

Care And Feeding Of In-House Designers, HOW Blog, by Megan Patrick (May 2009)

'Make it Big' by Blogging an interview with Jeff Fisher and Sheri L Koetting, The Creative Group e-Zine (May 2009)

85+ of the Best Twitterers Designers Should Follow, Mashable, by Cameron Chapman (May 2009)

Thought Leader Thursday: Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, Wildfire Marketing Group (April 2009)

10 Creative Minds of the Design Industry, Powerusers, by Nikhil K. Misal (April 2009)

Spec Work and Crowdsourcing: Gambles that Don't Pay Off, CreativePro.com, by Pamela Pfiffner (April 2009)

The Upside of Working for Free, FreelanceSwitch.com, by Martha Retallick (March 2009)

Using Twitter to Promote Your Book, FreelanceSwitch.com, by Kristen Fischer (March 2009)

10 Great Logo Design, Branding and Identity Books, Logo Critiques, by Erik Peterson (March 2009)

30 Beautiful Logos, Abduzeedo/Abducted By Design, by Fabio Sasso (March 2009)

Making Public Speaking Fun, Communication Steroids, by Tim "Gonzo" Gordon (February 2009)

People to Watch in 2009, Graphic Design USA (January 2009)

Five Great - and necessary - Marketing Makeovers, Entrepreneur Magazine, by Gwen Moran (January 2009)

30 Must-Have Logo Books, You The Designer, (January 2009)

Jeff Fisher - Public Portrait | MonoExpression, MonoExpression (January 2009)

Over 50 Ways Designers Promote & Brand Themselves, I'm Just Creative, by Graham Smith (January 2009)

20 Weird Logos That Work (and Why They Do), VECTORTUTS, by Chris Spooner (January 2009)

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"The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success"re-released as searchable PDF on CD

My first book, the 2004 release The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success, has been re-released by publisher HOW Books as a searchable PDF on CD. It's great that the book has been given a second life in this new format.

Although the original edition of Savvy Designer is basically out-of-print, it is still possible to find new and used copies through third party sellers on Amazon.com, in some bookstores and elsewhere.

Many fans of Savvy Designer have also found my second book, Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands, to be a valuable design resource. I am currently writing a new volume on typography in identity design.

© 2009 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives.

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2008 Articles about Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

40 Playful Logos, Kreative Garden (December 2008)

Creative Advent 2008: Jeff Fisher, Positive Space, by Anthony Zinni (December 2008)

20 amazing or original Logotypes & Logos!, by Mickaël Bertrand Alexandre (December 2008)

Open Thread: What's Your Email Signature?, FreelanceFolder, by Jacob Cass (December 2008)

100 Brands of Interest, by David Pache (December 2008)

The Ultimate List of The Best Logo Design Resources, Just Creative, by Jacob Cass (December 2008)

Jeff Fisher Interview Transcript, CreativePublic.com, by Doug Farrick (November 2008)

What makes a logo designer a professional logo designer?, I'm Just Creative, by Graham Smith (November 2008)

How designers charge their clients, by David Airey (November 2008)

42 Information Packed Twitter Backgrounds, by Mike Smith (November 2008)

40+ Creative Logos Submitted By The Designers Themselves, The Design Cubicle, by Brian Hoff (November 2008)

10 Principles of the Logo Design Masters, VECTORTUTS, by Chris Spooner (October 2008)

My Freelance Life: Why I Started On The Road To Self- Employment, CMD+Shift Design Blog, Liz Andrade (October 2008)

Making Time to Market, ADBASE Insight, by Linda Whitehead (October 2008)

25 Must Read Interviews From 2008, You The Designer (October 2008)

Designer's Favorite Fonts In Use, Design O'Blog, by Niki Brown (October 2008)

Graphic Design 101, Nails Magazine, by Ami Neiberger-Miller (October 2008)

Designer Spotlight: Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, DesignHide, by Dustin Turin (July 2008)

Ingredients of a Successful Capabilities Presentation, Dynamic Graphics, by Daniel Schutzsmith (June/July 2008)

Here's my card: The networking aid gets a makeover, Associated Press, by Jackie Farwell (June 2008)

Logo design guidelines abet a strong brand, Buzzworthy Branding, by Martin Jelsema (May 2008)

Logo Design Tips & A Not-So-Ordinary Interview with Logo Designer Jeff Fisher, Just Creative, by Jacob Cass (May 2008)

Home Business by Design, Savvy Marketing Secrets, by Marcia Ming (January 2008)

What Can Celebrated Graphic Designer Jeff Fisher Teach Us About Small Business Marketing?, Ezine Articles, by Marcia Ming (January 2008)

Art School vs. The Real World, Create Magazine, by Dave Willmer, The Creative Group (January/February 2008)

A New Brand for the New Year, TCG eZine, by The Creative Group (January 2008)

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The design firm name conundrum

What's in a name? A great deal when you are a graphic designer attempting to brand yourself for business purposes. Designers are often commenting to me about the difficulty in determining how to label themselves for business purposes. Others in the profession regularly post questions about the issue on online design forums.

Although I've been very happy to use the business name Jeff Fisher LogoMotives for the past ten years, I had the same struggle when first starting out in the design profession - and the challenges continued for a number of years.

When first moving to Portland in 1980, I created a simple red "jf" icon, making use of the font Tiffany, to be used on my resume and stationery items as I searched for my first design job. In the poor economy of the time there were no jobs to be had and I soon found myself taking on independent design projects from a variety of clients.

That's when I started playing with the possibility of creating a name for my design and art efforts. I came up with the term "art-werks, ink." as an umbrella name for what included my graphic design efforts, and the ink line drawings and silkscreen prints I was selling at galleries throughout the state of Oregon. The graphic was a simple image of a bottle of India ink with the top portion of the symbol creating the "A" letterform. The ink bottle seemed especially appropriate as I was often spilling bottles of the black substance all over the furnishings and carpet of my home. I had a rubber stamp made of the ink bottle icon in a circle and would often use the stamped identity imagery on business correspondence. The type was a somewhat phonetic treatment of the business name in Avant Garde.

Following the career interuption of my first "real" job as art director of a group of medical publications, I again needed to establish an image for myself for the contract work I was then doing above and beyond a then current ad agency art director position. I revisited the image I used on my resume about four years earlier. "Jeff Fisher Graphic Design" was the name being used at the time.

A move to Seattle in 1985 resulted in a lot of changes. My partner, at the time, was selling menu design and production services. As restaurant identity and menu design work began coming my way I toyed with the idea of marketing myself as "MenuGraphix." It seemed to be a little too limiting as far as attracting new clientele outside of the restaurant industry. I then introduced myself as "Ad Ventures, Ink."

Once again a pesky traditional employment situation, this time as creative director of a clothing company, got in the way of seriously making use of the new business moniker.

It was about this time that I first tossed out the name "Logo Motive" as a possible business identification. It was met with nothing but negative feedback from family, friends and clients. The name, and the created logo image, was used in one print ad and shelved. I was nearly a decade into my career as a professional designer and all felt I should be using my own name to capitalize on my design reputation.

In the late 80's I moved back to Portland and, while maintaining my Seattle clientele, I needed to reintroduce myself to the Portland market. Initially I used the previous identity with the red "jf." However, it felt dated and I soon was using a very simple treatment of "Jeff Fisher" in Kabel. About four years later I resurrected the idea of using "Logo Motive" again. In Portland the concept was met with the same enthusiasm I experienced in Seattle - and I filed the revised images away.

A couple years later I hit a design career "speed bump." I was feeling bored with my profession and probably experiencing a bit of "burnout" after working in design for nearly 20 years. In re-evaluating my professional options I determined I really wanted to focus on identity design.

The old "Logo Motive" concept came out for another look. By fine-tuning the locomotive image, maintaining the use of the font Kabel, adding "Jeff Fisher" to the graphic, and putting an "s" to what was now the single word "LogoMotive," the business identity for "Jeff Fisher LogoMotives" was born. The best thing about the business name and logo is that my target client audience is told who I am and what I do.

Had I listened to my "gut instincts" about a possible business name - instead of the feedback from others around me - I might have established a stronger, and more permanent, business image much earlier. Instead, I was my own worst, wishy-washy client. Still, the end result was worth the effort and is still chugging along the tracks after a decade of use. I don't think I'll be changing it any time soon.

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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Jeff Fisher LogoMotives is "on fire" in 2008StartupNation Home-Based 100 Competition

Jeff Fisher LogoMotives has attained "on fire" status on the Popularity Meter in the second annual StartupNation Home-Based 100, which celebrates America’s most outstanding home-based businesses and the people behind them. The competition ranks the best businesses operated from home in ten distinct categories. The Portland-based identity design firm is a candidate in the “Most Slacker Friendly” category and may be voted for daily on the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives competition page.

Votes for Jeff Fisher LogoMotives have come from many sources in cyberspace. Cat Morley, of Bangkok, Thailand threw her support behind the design firm through an entry on Designers Who Blog, and posts on the HOW Design Forum and About.com Graphic Design Forum. Calvin Lee of Mayhem Studios and Danita Reynolds of Creative Expertise have been leading the charge through design forum posts, micro-blogging on Twitter and mentions on Facebook. Jason Holland has been hard at work assisting my "campaign" as well. Many design peers, clients, vendors, friends and family members are also casting votes on a daily basis.

Fisher himself has made use of his Twitter and Facebook profiles in promoting the competition effort. Signature files on StartupNation, biznik, the HOW Design Forum, and elsewhere online direct potential voters to the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives competition page. Home-Based 100 related entries were also posted on bLog-oMotives, the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives blogfolio, dezumo, AdGabber, Adholes, Pink Banana Media, Cross Media Experts, Sta.rtUp.biz, Squidoo and other Internet social networking sites

With his competition effort Fisher hopes to demonstrate how social media and social networking can be used as effective marketing tools.

StartupNation is a free online business resource founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. On the site, you’ll find all the easy-to-follow, practical information you could ever need to start and grow your own successful business.

Vote early. Vote often. Thank you for your support!

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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Creative, battery-recharging, vacationsare a necessity - not a luxury

A large part of "Reaping the Rewards of Creative Independence" involves creating a well-defined balance in one's life. There does seem to be a tendency for independent creative professionals to work around the clock - especially when lots of work is coming in the door. As self-employed individuals, designers, writers, photographers and illustrators are not, for the most part, getting paid when not working. How does that situation allow for much needed vacations?

Vacations are not a luxury reserved for corporate cubicle inhibitors with great benefit packages. Annual holidays are a necessity for all workers. They are a time to share with loved ones and friends, reflect on past ups and downs in business, plan for the future of one's career, read a few good books, visit exotic locales and recharge one's "batteries."

Such escapes from the world of business do require advance planning - and occasional client hand-holding prior to the actual trip.

Nearly a decade ago, my partner, eight friends and I rented a 300-year-old villa in Italy for a month. The trip itself took a great deal of tactical scheduling. From a business perspective some financial planning was necessary to make everything happen without breaking the bank. A great deal of client "baby sitting" was required to prepare them for the fact I was going to be gone for just over 30 days. Project, marketing and advertising schedules needed to be coordinated around the dates of my adventure. For several months in advance it was necessary to remind my clients, on a weekly basis, of my impending departure. All of the early planning, and very agreeable clients, made the situation work out well. There were no major client emergencies or disasters. The world, and my design business, did not come to an end.

While abroad, I did make use of Internet cafes to check on emails that may not have been addressed by my simple automatic "out of office" reply. Very few required my immediate attention throughout the month-long vacation. Traveling with a gaggle of friends who owned businesses created a unique "business incubator" aspect to the trip. Being surrounded by the artistic, cultural and scenic beauty of Italy was the electric charge my creative juices needed to have a "jump start." My accountant even felt that a portion of my travel expenses qualified for consideration as legitimate "research and development" tax deductions. I returned to my design business refreshed and with a redirected sense of purpose.

With proof that being away from my home-studio for a month was possible, shorter trips (usually about two weeks) have become a regular occurrence at least twice a year over the past 10 years. There are most often opportunities each year to run away from home to a tropical locale, an overseas destination and several domestic getaway sites. Clients have learned I am not abandoning them. Projects are dealt with prior to my trips or scheduled around the dates. I do often inform clients that I will not be working on their projects a couple days prior to my leaving. With worldwide Internet access, crashing emergencies may be dealt with if necessary.

Of course, running my own business does also allow me to adjust the meeting of any business needs while on the road (or beach, or hammock, or pool lounge…). While residing in a Tuscan farmhouse last fall, I did allow myself daily early morning time to work cyberly on the promotion of my then soon-to-be released book, Identity Crisis! Each morning I would arise one to two hours earlier than my traveling partners and do the work I felt was required. I'd then prepare coffee as my partner and friends began to stumble downstairs. Our vacation time for the day would begin - without me being stressed about upcoming book promotion issues.

Just prior to leaving for the island of St. Croix this spring, I received a request for what appeared to be a fun identity project - with a fairly tight deadline. I explained to the potential client that I was leaving for two weeks. The organization representative responded that they really felt I was the designer to take on their project. I proposed accepting the contract to design the logo by putting in one or two hours of time each morning, prior to heading out to the pool with my pleasure reading book 'o the day. The client agreed, the effort worked out very well for all concerned, and I completely paid for my vacation by working while on vacation. This particular situation was another example of it being my business and I get to set the rules.

Most "independent creative professionals" take on that self-definition to embrace "creative independence." Still, some restrict themselves by using their business as an excuse for not enjoying their personal lives to the fullest by eliminating vacation travel as an option. Vacations are a must for any creative professional - and such trips can often be much less expensive than years of therapy!

This piece was originally posted on the Creative Freelancer Conference blog. Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, will make his presentation "Reaping the Rewards of Creative Independence" at the Creative Freelancer Conference, to be held August 27-29, 2008 in Chicago.

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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Become a Jeff Fisher LogoMotives fan on Facebook

Not long ago I wrote blog entries on marketing one's design (or writing) efforts by way of social media/networking sites and online portfolios. Since then I've expanded my Facebook presence with a Page devoted to Jeff Fisher LogoMotives. Now my "peeps," friends, peers, clients and stalkers ("Jeff Fisher! Jeff Fisher!") can become official fans by way of the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives Page.

The page features photo galleries of my work, notifications of upcoming speaking engagements, a feed of posts from the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives blogfolio and more. I hope you'll stop by and take a look at yet another marketing and promotion vehicle.

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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It's your business and you get set the rules

I'm amazed when I hear designers, and independent creatives, constantly complaining about the client who calls at all hours or sends emergency emails in the middle of the night. My immediate thought is: Why are you answering the business phone call, or responding to the midnight email missive, during personal time?

While there may no longer be real geographic boundaries to working independently, establishing a successful client relationship, and maintaining some degree of sanity, does require setting up parameters in regards to communications and time. Doing so may initially require some patience during the process of training your client.

Establish "office hours" for your business. The vast majority of businesses have set hours of operation. Why should yours be any different?

Early in my career, my office hours were 8:00 to 5:00; Monday through Friday. I certainly worked additional hours, but that didn't mean I had client contact before or after those times. In the summer I had "summer office hours" of Monday through Thursday; 8:00 to 5:00. I had no client contact on Fridays. It drove a few people crazy, but it's my business and I get to set the rules. Following Labor Day weekend I would revert back to the normal "office hours" and change my voice mail message to reflect that fact.

One year, after Labor Day, I went to change the message and suddenly realized that I didn't want to work (or at least have client contact on Fridays). My "summer office hours" have been my regular "office hours" for over a decade now. Again, it's my business and I get to set the rules.

A ringing phone doesn't require that you must answer it. That's why some brilliant person invented voice mail. My office hours determine when I will be answering my dedicated business line. If I'm busy with a project I may not answer the phone when it rings, but I will check my voice mail messages several times during the day and get back to the caller later. Caller ID, and dedicated rings for clients calling in, can also help keep business calls from infringing upon your personal life.

I don't have a cell phone. I had one for three months about 12 years ago and it drove me crazy. I hated being that connected. At that time, I'd run my business for about 18 years without a mobile phone and my business did just fine. Besides, I do love the look on a client's face when they ask for my cell number and I tell them I don't have one.

It's much the same with email. A client's perception that a 3:00 AM email is addressing an emergency situation doesn’t necessarily mean that it's a real emergency demanding immediate attention (as if you are actually sitting at your computer at such a time waiting for their email). I respond to client emails during my established office hours - and as timely as my schedule for that day allows.

Admittedly, there are exceptions to the "rules." An occasional true emergency may require an immediate response. I simply don't often find myself needing to respond to situations outside of my established hours of operation.

Being an independent creative does allow you to determine how you choose to establish the communication boundaries between clients and yourself. The limitations put in place may be very helpful in maintaining successful client relationships - and keeping any possible resentment of clients to a minimum. Remember; it's your business and you get set the rules.

This piece was originally posted on the Creative Freelancer Conference blog. Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, will make his presentation "Reaping the Rewards of Creative Independence" at the Creative Freelancer Conference, to be held August 27-29, 2008 in Chicago.

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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A life lesson in working to live

Do you "live to work" or "work to live?" It's a question that every independent creative needs to ask themselves.

Years ago, at the age of 35, I found myself being defined by my doctor as a "heart attack waiting to happen." I was working an average of 70 to 80 hours a week - sometimes much more with late nights and working on weekends. Work consumed my life. My personal life was almost non-existent.

I had allowed myself to become the "design department" for an advertising agency client that suddenly represented at least 80% of my business and income. When the principal of the firm said "jump," I leapt into the sky without questioning the command. I was doing some great work, but I wasn't sleeping, not eating well and my blood pressure was dangerously sky high. In fact, when my physician checked my blood pressure - three times - he thought his equipment was broken.

The doctor sat down and asked, "What the hell is going on in your life?"

I told him.

He responded that I needed to resign the major, all-consuming client immediately or I was going to have serious health issues, possibly a heart attack. I was stunned - and immediately my mind went to concerns about money.

It was frightening to request a meeting with the owner of the business to inform her I could no longer handle all of her design work. However, she understood completely and actually apologized for her business causing me undue stress.

I was a little freaked out about the loss of income due to resigning the account. Still, within a very short period of time, I had five new clients with a very manageable project load. The income situation balanced out; as did my blood pressure - which dropped 30-some points in a month without medication. My personal life showed great improvement as well.

The entire situation was a great life lesson. It helped me re-evaluate how I, as an independent creative, had been letting my work rule my life - instead of enjoying the life available to me as a result of being my own boss.

This piece was originally posted on the Creative Freelancer Conference blog. Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, will make his presentation "Reaping the Rewards of Creative Independence" at the Creative Freelancer Conference, to be held August 27-29, 2008 in Chicago.

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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Eliminating geographic boundaries toyour personal creative independence

Why do so many "creative types" create geographic boundaries for themselves when it comes to working independently? I'm constantly amazed by email, phone call and speaking engagement questions and comments from solo creatives related to what are perceived as the limitations of their local geographic markets.

Huh? I don't think I got the memo about the Federal government building walls around local communities to keep designers, writers, photographers and others trapped in their hometown environments.

Admittedly, when my initial Internet presence went live in 1998, my website was intended to primarily serve as a portfolio for a predominantly local clientele. I wasn't expecting email requests for information about my services from potential clients across the United States - and then from around the globe. Suddenly there were no restrictions to the target market for my business. In the decade since, 80-85% of my business has been for clients outside of the State of Oregon.

Most of that work has been accomplished cyberly. However, some has involved travel, and an even greater escape from the self-imposed boundaries of one's home studio or independent office. I enjoy travel and make the most of taking my portable "office" with me. Advancement in communication technology has resulted in added creative freedom. - whether working from a backyard garden or anywhere in the world.

So, set your mind - and body - free! Eliminate the geographic boundaries, or personal excuses, that may prevent you from true creative independence.

This piece was originally posted on the Creative Freelancer Conference blog. Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, will make his presentation "Reaping the Rewards of Creative Independence" at the Creative Freelancer Conference, to be held August 27-29, 2008 in Chicago.

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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Why my design business is at its bestwhen the national economy is at its worst

My design business is "crazy busy" right now - smack-dab in the middle of all the news about the horrible U.S. economy. I could currently be working night and day - everyday. In fact, I'm now scheduling projects at least a month out on the calendar.

Such has been the case with each economic downturn (wouldn't want to use the word "recession," would I?) since I started working officially as an independent designer in the fall of 1980. What's going on?

Historically, each time we've experienced a "speed bump" in the economy throughout my 30-year career, the following have taken place:

1.) Corporate downsizing of design departments
Often, with a bad economy comes the laying off of in-house design staff. However, there's still design work to be done. With limited, or no, in-house design support the corporation or larger business finds the need to outsource their design efforts. That's when the emails and phone calls start coming in to my home-based studio.

2.) Smart businesses respond with marketing smarts
Smart businesses will have been marketing regularly prior to a "slowdown." With business perhaps a bit slower than usual, these companies will take advantage of the time to pump up marketing and promotion efforts. Often those projects will include a new, or updated business identity - something that may have been put off during periods of busier day-to-day operations.

3.) Laid off workers suddenly become entrepreneurs
Individuals who have lost their traditional jobs, and have become frustrated with a job search, may suddenly take the leap into entrepreneurship. With the cushion of a good severance package, or a "rainy day fund," it may be time for creation of one's own business. If a person can't find a job, creating their own is often a realistic possibility - and new businesses need the services of graphic designers.

4.) Somewhat secure employees plan for the future
Many people, although they feel their traditional job my be secure for the present, are planning for that future leap from the corporate cubicle world. It's often easier to be getting everything together for a future business while the monthly bills are being covered with a salary. I work with many such clients. However, the numbers do seem to rise in uncertain economic times.

The potential clients mentioned in the above scenarios contact me as a result of my own self-promotion efforts. I am marketing and promoting myself ALL the time - even when I am my busiest - to guarantee that work will constantly be coming in the door. I always encourage other creative types to be doing the same. Too many designers wait until no new work is at hand before starting to market their talent. In doing so, the panic of no projects will add a sense of desperation and stress to the quest for new contract work.

This post originally appeared on bLog-oMotives

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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Signing on the dotted line...

I often get email requests regarding my graphic design contract. First of all, I refer to mine as a "project agreement" - the term sounds a bit friendlier than "contract," but still shows that I mean business. I have found that my agreement has become a great "pre-qualifier" of clients. When sending out one of my promotional packets to potential clients I always include a copy of the document. Just including the agreement will show potential clients there is a seriousness to the possible business relationship.

My project agreement is created in a way that I can adapt it to the the specific requirements of a particular project. The basic document is below. Until recently it was posted on a graphic design forum site. With an overhaul of the content, the project agreement is no longer available on that site. I'm posting it here as a resource for other designers to "use and abuse."

.........................................................................................................

Client contact name:

Business name:

Address:

City/State/Country/Postal Code:

Phone/Email/Fax:

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

(Insert your itemized description of the project here)

ESTIMATED COSTS:

__ Labor fees (design, art direction, production, copywriting, client services, etc.) are estimated at a total of $_________ or ____ see attached estimate sheet for specifications.

__ Consultation fees are estimated at a total of $ __________ or ____ see attached estimate sheet for specifications.

__ Materials costs (RC/film/neg output, scanning, project specific materials, etc.) are estimated at a total of $__________ or ___ see attached estimate sheet for specifications.

Total estimated cost of project: $____________

Project estimates are valid for 90 days from the date of estimate. Project may be reestimated if, upon receipt of all project elements, the designer determines the scope of the project has been altered dramatically from the originally agreed upon concept. Printing fees will be estimated separately and payment arrangements made between client and printer.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

__ A deposit in an amount equal to 35% of the total estimated cost is requested prior to execution of the project ($__________).

__ Payment in full or the remaining balance is to be paid upon delivery of the completed project. A cash discount of 5% of the total project labor and consultation cost is offered to clients paying upon delivery of the finished project.

__ Payment in full or the remaining balance is to be paid 15 days from receipt of the final invoice for the completed project. Finance charge of 1.5% per month (18% annually) on all overdue balances.

__ Additional payment arrangements:

REPRODUCTION OF WORK:

__ The client assumes full reproduction rights upon payment for completed project.

__ One time reproduction rights for the specified project, at the agreed fee, are granted to the client. Any other usage must be negotiated.

__ All reproduction rights on the copyrighted work are retained by the designer. The work may not be reproduced in any form without consent from the designer.

__ The designer retains personal rights to use the completed project and any preliminary designs for the purpose of design competitions, future publications on design, educational purposes and the marketing of the designer's business. Where applicable the client will be given any necessary credit for usage of the project elements.

REJECTION/CANCELLATION OF PROJECT:

The client shall not unreasonably withhold acceptance of, or payment for, the project. If, prior to completion of the project, the client observes any nonconformance with the design plan, the designer must be promptly notified, allowing for necessary corrections. Rejection of the completed project or cancellation during its execution will result in forfeiture of deposit and the possible billing for all additional labor or expenses to date. All elements of the project must then be returned to the designer. Any usage by the client of those design elements will result in appropriate legal action. Client shall bear all costs, expenses, and reasonable attorney's fees in any action brought to recover payment under this contract or in which (Insert your company name) may become a party by reason of this contract.

COMPLETION/DELIVERY OF PROJECT

The estimated completion date the project is ______________. Any shipping or insurance costs will be assumed by the client. Any alteration or deviation from the above specifications involving extra costs will be executed only upon approval with the client. Any delay in the completion of the project due to actions or negligence of client, unusual transportation delays, unforeseen illness, or external forces beyond the control of the designer, shall entitle the designer to extend the completion/delivery date, upon notifying the client, by the time equivalent to the period of such delay.

ACCEPTANCE OF AGREEMENT:

The above prices, specifications and conditions are hereby accepted. The designer is authorized to execute the project as outlined in this agreement. Payment will be made as proposed above.

Client's signature:

Designer's signature:

Date:

..........................................................................................................

Remember, the above is simply a guide to follow. Your own design business may have other specific issues to include in a final contract document. My agreement is kept to one page for the sake of simplicity. I would also suggest having an attorney take a look at your completed agreement prior to putting it in use.

Some additional valuable resources for project agreement/contract information include the Creative Latitude "Resources", Creative- Business, CreativePublic and the AIGA Design Business and Ethics web page.

Books providing excellent business advice include Business and Legal Forms for Graphic Designers, by Tad Crawford and Eva Doman Bruck (with a CD of business form templates); Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing and Ethical Guidelines; Graphic Designer’s Guide to Pricing, Estimating & Budgeting, by Theo Stephan Williams; The Business of Graphic Design, by Ed Gold; and Cameron Foote's books The Business Side of Creativity and The Creative Business Guide to Running a Graphic Design Business. Of course, The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success is a very good resource as well.

This post was originally posted on bLog-oMotives in 2006.

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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Toot! Toot!*: Dynamic Graphics featuresmarketing efforts of Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

The marketing and promotion methods of Jeff Fisher LogoMotives are featured in the June/July issue of Dynamic Graphics magazine. In the article, "Ingredients of a Successful Capabilities Presentation", designer Jeff Fisher's customizable media kit is displayed and his advice on capabilities presentations is shared. One of his company's familiar "Toot! Toot!" press releases illustrates the article and the blog promoting his recent book, Identity Crisis!, is noted.

Author and management guru Guy Kawasaki, Kevin Potts of Graphic Push and Ashworth Creative's Eve Ashworth provide additional presentation recommendations for the Dynamic Graphics piece. Daniel Schutzsmith, a professor at the School of Visual Arts and principal of DSGN + DVLP, wrote the article for the publication.

Dynamic Graphics presents design ideas for the real world for creative professionals, taking readers behind the designs in showing how to apply the techniques of industry leaders to projects.

Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity, is a member of the HOW Magazine Editorial Advisory Board, the HOW Design Conference Advisory Council and the UCDA Designer Magazine Editorial Advisory Board. His book, Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands, was recently released by HOW Books. His first volume, The Savvy Designer’s Guide to Success, appeared on bookstore shelves in late 2004.

(* If I don’t "toot!" my own horn, no one else will.)

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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Toot! Toot!*: Industry expert Jeff Fisher cited inThe Designer's Guide to Marketing and Pricing

Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based identity design firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, is quoted and referenced in The Designer's Guide to Marketing and Pricing: How to win clients and what to charge them from HOW Books. The volume, by industry experts Ilise Benun and Peleg Top of Marketing-Mentor.com, provides designers with examples, case studies and worksheets for creating business plans, establishing a marketing strategy, and the successful day-to-day operation of an independent design business.

Designer and author Jeff Fisher is quoted in the book in regards to the need to "have passion for the cause" when doing pro bono work for nonprofit organizations. His first book, The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success, is also listed as recommended reading in the newly released book from Benun and Top.

Jeff Fisher has received nearly 600 regional, national and international graphic design awards for his logo and corporate identity efforts. His work is featured in over 100 books on the design of logos, the business of graphic design, and small business marketing.

Fisher is a member of the HOW Magazine Editorial Advisory Board, the HOW Design Conference Advisory Council and the UCDA Designer Magazine Editorial Advisory Board. His book, Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands, was recently released by HOW Books. His first volume, The Savvy Designer’s Guide to Success, appeared on bookstore shelves in late 2004.

(* If I don’t "toot!" my own horn, no one else will.)

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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The lost art of the thank you note

I can't stress the value of a simple "thank you" enough. It will be one of the most important communication tools throughout your professional career. In addition to be being a common courtesy, you are conveying that the value of another person's time, or effort on your behalf, is understood and appreciated. However, expressing appreciation has seemingly become a lost art in day-to-day business dealings.

As a child, one of the most annoying things my mother ever made me do was requiring me to sit down at the dining room table for the purpose of writing personal thank you notes for gifts received on any occasion. A couple years ago I let my Mom know I had been cursing her as I hand wrote about 25 personal notes to people from the HOW Design Conference who had taken the time to give me advice, took me out dinner or presented me with gifts. Her response was, "I guess someone raised you properly."

The use of the thank you note has been in the news recently. The Web presence CareerBuilder.com conducted a survey of hiring professionals in regards to how their employing decisions were influenced by thank you notes, or other forms of appreciation or acknowledgement, from interviewees.

"Although most hiring managers expect to receive a thank-you note, format preferences differ. One-in-four hiring managers prefer to receive a thank-you note in e-mail form only; 19 percent want the e-mail followed up with a hard copy; 21 percent want a typed hard copy only and 23 percent prefer just a handwritten note," wrote Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources for CareerBuilder.com, in her article No Thank You Could Mean No Job.

She added, "No matter which format you choose, it's crucial to act quickly when sending a thank-you letter to your interviewer. Twenty-six percent of hiring managers expect to have the letter in-hand two days after the interview, and 36 percent expect to have it within three to five days. Sending the letter quickly reinforces your enthusiasm for the job, and helps keep you top-of-mind for the interviewer."

The thank you note has a variety of valuable applications.

When David E. Carter publishes a book featuring a designer's work, as a result of one of his design competitions or some other effort, he sends a complimentary copy to the contributor. I've made it a practice to make sure I immediately send a thank you to Carter each time I receive one of his publications to add to my collection. In 2001 I received a copy of his book Blue is Hot, Red is Cool, exhibiting several examples of my logo design work. I sent off a thank you, in email form this particular time. I was stunned when I got Carter's response:

"Thanks for the nice note. You don't know how much I appreciate your taking the time to do so. (I know, you are supposed to send 'thank you' notes; parents all taught us that. But of the 70+ copies of the new book I sent, I have received exactly two 'thank you' notes.) Best wishes."

I couldn't believe that lack of appreciation demonstrated by those in our profession. I do realize that everyone has busy schedules, but it should be a regularly scheduled activity to take time to jot off quick notes to those who have done something worthy of a "thank you." Doing so makes a huge impression on people — and for some reason most people's professional manners just aren't what they once were. I recently had a letterpress blank notecard produced for multiple purposes — including showing appreciation.

"I make it a point to send a thank you note," says King Design Group's Cindy King. "I have specific notecards that I designed for this purpose. It's always a handwritten note."

"We always send a handwritten note of some kind after first meeting with any potential client thanking them for their time and consideration." contributes Gary Dickson of Epidemic Design. "Sometimes it is a card that we have produced but, if not, we are very careful to purchase a unique card that cannot be found in a typical store."

Martha Retallick — "The Passionate Postcarder" — adds, "I have a special 'Thank You' postcard. I try to make it a point to send at least five handwritten 'Thank You' cards per day. No, my handwriting isn't the best, but what better incentive to improve it?"

No matter what form you chose to communicate your thanks, making the effort is a must and the recipient will remember it. All designers — and all business people for that matter — need to make it an element of their daily communication, marketing and promotion efforts.

Article links:

David E. Carter / GraphicBooks.org

Cindy King / King Design Group

Gary Dickson / Epidemic Design

Martha Retallick / Western Sky Communications

*Note: This article originally appeared on the late, great web site Commpiled.com. As the site article archive no longer exists, I am reposting it here. It was also previously posted on bLog-oMotives. Portions of this piece appear in my book, The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and tactics for a killer career."

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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