In business, you cannot afford to allow your professional image to become outdated, it is important to keep up.  Here is an example of a logo from “The Drawing Room” that was ready for a makeover.  The client (who is a talented and professional home designer I highly recommend if you are in need of one) asked me to update her logo with the suggestion that I do something  3-D, which is a great idea, as, if you spend any time on the internet you will see that the “bubble”, “shadow”,  “3-D” look is very hot right now.  See the two examples, both which happen to be from Skype.

Ideally you don’t want to completely change your logo.  If you are trying to brand your business as part of your marketing plan (and who isn’t?) then it is important to maintain continuity and you certainly don’t want to lose the past progress you have made getting your identity/logo recognized.  An update such at this one for “Drawing Room Plans” maintains the original concept but gives a fresh and current look.

If you would like to reach Amy Trujillo at Drawing Room Plans please visit her website here.

Below are two projects I have worked on recently, along with client feedback.

Ivins Fitness Festival – the client wanted something energetic and colorful as this event will coincide with the first Iron Man Competition to take place in the St. George.  Also the client wanted something indicative of the area.

“The logo is terrific!  Thanks – you have been awesome to work through all our little thoughts.  It really does depict what the event is all about.” Mayor Chris Hart – Ivins City

Domestic Violence Survivors – Client wanted something purple and iconic that incorporated a heart shape.  This logo symbolizes the journey from negative circumstance to a place of freedom and wholeness.

“I am so pleased I can hardly stop smiling.” Sue Kimball, Executive Director Erin Kimball Memorial Foundation.

This is the first draft of a logo I designed for a client after a conversation about what she had in mind.  This particular logo idea came to me right away (I wish it were always that easy!).  We wanted to do something that would convey the concept of writing, hence the “keyboard” look (and “type” style font).  Also, I wanted to give it an up to date look by making the “keys” look a bit 3D or “bubble” look.  I also wanted to give a friendly, low key feel without losing the professional look.  This was achieved by using a comic book font in the “thought bubble.”  But the whole thing just looked a bit boring without some color so I added the bright, fresh green background.  I am very happy with this logo!

But as it turned out, my client (who also happens to be my very talented friend Julie) decided to change the name of her business.  She decided to call it Write-On, rather than Write Thoughts.  Ah, back to the drawing board!  The keyboard concept can stay, as that still applies but now we want to use something that will work with “On.”  Julie suggested a stamped look – which is a great idea.  Then we added a check mark – which of course suggests the “correct” place – or the right (write) answer.  By placing “ON” at an angle and overlapping a bit we retain that casual look and also create some interest (symmetry is kinda boring).  We needed to add some “weight” to the word “ON” also, as it is so much shorter than “WRITE,” so we added the border around it.  Then to give it a more “stamped” feel I weakened the red color in some areas.  Finally, we switched from the green to red as the third color and added some shadowing to help the whole thing pop a bit more.  And here we have the final design on both a white background and red! Finis!

(The title of this entry comes from the unforgettable 1984 movie “Ghostbusters,” which maybe a few of you out there are old enough – like me – to remember.)

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of being present at an event which was the culmination of several years of very hard work and dedication; the ceremonial ribbon cutting of the brand new facility in Ivins, Utah, The Ivins Animal Shelter. This effort was the brainchild of two beloved clients and friends of mine, Linda Elwell and Lesley Mendenhall, who dreamed one day in 2004 of a “No Kill” shelter in Southern Utah, rolled up their sleeves, and got to work and a kill shelter became a “No Kill” shelter where animals began being saved and placed in loving homes or placed in facilities which best handled their special needs. The building they had for the shelter itself, however, was old and inadequate to meet the burgeoning needs of the homeless, frightened, sick or injured pets which desperately needed a safe haven.

Linda Elwell, is a tiny woman with an enormous heart for not only homeless pets, but also for her family, sick or crisis stricken neighbors, and seemingly anyone who crosses her path that needs a helping hand. I have had the opportunity to see first hand the much dedication Linda brings to each project as she has graciously chosen to include me in many of them over the past several years as their printer and graphic artist. I first met Linda in 2002 when I worked with her on designing invitations and an auction book for a fund raiser for a young mother with cancer. Over the past several years I have worked with her in a similar capacity on flood relief efforts, honoring returning veterans and their families, honoring particular individuals who have served outstandingly in the Ivins community, and fund raising for a teenager stricken with cancer, just to name a few, but, The Friends of Ivins Animal Shelter, has always been Linda’s “pet” project. (Pun absolutely intended!) I was involved from close to the beginning, with my first project being designing a logo for the shelter, then over time, brochures, invitations, posters, etc. Consequently, I have seen the countless hours Linda has dedicated to fund raising for the shelter, lobbying at council meetings, organizing volunteers and networking with other animal rescue groups.

On July 24th, 2009 through Linda’s efforts, and many, many other volunteers and donors too numerous to mention here, the dream of a brand new building equipped with everything needed to best accommodate the needs of homeless pets officially became a reality. The Friends of Ivins Animal Shelter is a wonderful example of what vision, dedication and community effort can produce. It has been an absolute inspiration to me to see it unfold over time, with as it’s crowning touch, this wonderful new facility staffed with committed volunteers who will make a tremendous difference in the health, safety, and quality of life in the animals entrusted to their care.

If you are interested in volunteering or making a donation to the Friends of Ivins Animal Shelter, please click here for more information:

http://tinyurl.com/friendsofivins