The challenge:
Spend ten minutes on the questions below
Then design a logo for yourself that is clearly informed by your off-the-cuff responses. Be sure to stick to the time limit provided-don't cheat
What are my three strengths as a designer?
Color/Harmony/Legibility, Illustration, Ballance
My weaknesses?
Typography, Layout, Use application, diversity of styles
Q: What’s my favorite color?
A: Cobalt Blue/Dusty Light Yellow
As I answered this question, my first instinct was to go with color combinations because I felt one color alone does not mean that much on its own. I needed to see and put it in context. As I search for a good analogy now, though, I am struggling because all I can think of is an isolated vocals track from Freddy Mercury or a bass track from James Jamerson. These are most meaningful in context, but stand up beautifully to scrutiny and are works of art on their own. I guess with several weeks of hindsight as I do my write-up on I would say the slightly desaturated, more green than red shade of blue stands out to me on its own, and that would be my revised answer.
Q: What designers do I love?
A: Saul Bass, Jan Tschichold, Michael Bierut, Armin Hofman
Saul bass title sequences made a huge impact on me as I was going through art school. I love the simplified layouts with copious use of white space, the stylized and abstracted illustrations, and the distinctive typography. Again, with Jan Tschichold, I love some of the same things - the use of white space, simple colors, and geometric typography layouts. The well balanced designs are packed with implied shapes and patterns. The carefully framed photography is wonderful. The simple lines and color shapes are give tasteful accent.
Q: What design work do I enjoy?
Japanese design, Mid-century modern, de Stijl, Bauhaus, Swiss Modern, Arts & Crafts
Q: What kind of work do I want to do in the future?
A: Lockups for animation
It is no secret why I want to become a better designer. My goal is to put beauty into the world, and my true passion is to make things move. I just want to become a better designer since videos rely so heavily on great design and illustration to communicate the message visually. I love a video that is able to communicate without having any voiceover, narration, or text on screen, just music, excellent sound design, and superb moving visual imagery.
Here is the logo I came up with:
I think I have been thinking about this in the back of my mind for a long time, so the concept seemed to come to me relatively easily. The idea is simply my initials: CJL in the shape of a heart
Here are a few variations on the design:
