Identity Crisis!

Identity Crisis! teaser spread No. 3 (Redux)

2011-04-01T09:35:00.000-07:00

Another look at a chapter from Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands, by Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives.

The above is just one spread of the Toppers Pizza identity re-design and rebranding effort, submitted for the book project by Shine Advertising Co.

Identity Crisis! is available at your local bookstores and online.

Image used with permission of author and HOW Books, an imprint of F+W Publications, Inc.

'Identity Crisis!' included in limited edition MyDesignShop.com 'branding expert' package

2011-03-31T08:18:00.000-07:00

Update: The 'Become a Branding Expert Ultimate Collection' SOLD OUT on 04.01.11 through the MyDesignShop.com website.

The book Identity Crisis!: 100 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands by Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, is included in the latest Ultimate Collection Series package offered by MyDesignShop.com. The 'Become a Branding Expert!' collection is limited to 100 purchases at the special price of $119.

The 'Become a Branding Expert Ultimate Collection' also includes:

Why We Buy, Why We Brand. Debbie Millman's Branding Secrets On Demand DesignCast. Debbie Millman takes a keen look at the influence branding has on our everyday lives, from branding ourselves and the world around us to the role branding plays in the products we buy and the way we live.

Chermayeff & Geismar's Identity Design Process Revealed - On Demand Master Class. Sagi Haviv, recently called a "logo prodigy" by The New Yorker, walks you through his firm's time-tested approach to identity design, with 4 real-world case studies from start to finish.

A Logo Does Not Make A Brand - On Demand Master Class with Joe Duffy. In this Master Class, Joe Duffy discusses what brands need today: a complete 'language' that is unique to them, one that they can call their own. This language must encompass every point of contact with the audience - the way it looks, sounds, even smells.

Branding is Like Dating - On Demand Conference Session. Marcus Hewitt will take you from initial concept to potential repositioning. Plus, learn the seven steps to better brand relationships.

2009 How Annual CD. Get a whole year's worth of inspiration & ideas from the leading business and creativity magazine for graphic designers.

2009 Print Retrospective CD. Portable, searchable, and printable, this CD offers a gorgeous look book and insightful critique of the best design in the United States and around the world.

The $119 special offer is valued at $330.

Identity Crisis! teaser spread No. 2 (Redux)

2011-03-01T15:11:00.000-08:00

Here's a look at another chapter from my book, Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands

The above is just one spread of the Vancouver Aquarium identity re-design and rebranding effort, submitted for the book project by the firm Subplot Design.

Identity Crisis! is available at your local bookstores and online.

Image used with permission of author and HOW Books, an imprint of F+W Publications, Inc.

Identity Crisis! teaser spread No. 1 (Redux)

2011-02-23T07:36:00.000-08:00

The above is just one spread of the Sheridan's Lattes and Frozen Custard identity re-design submission from the folks at Willoughby Design Group.

Identity Crisis! is available at your local bookstores and online.

Image used with permission of author and HOW Books, an imprint of F+W Publications, Inc.

'Identity Crisis!' among 'Top Products of 2010'

2010-12-29T07:57:00.000-08:00

The online design book, DesignCast and product resource MyDesignShop.com has listed Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands as one of its "Top Products of 2010." MyDesignShop.com is the retail branch of the magazines HOW and Print, both published by F+W Media, also the publisher of Identity Crisis!.

For a limited time, those purchasing Identity Crisis! and the other "Top Products of 2010" may save an additional 10% on their purchase. Enter the code FAV10A at checkout, until 11:59 p.m. EST on December 31, 2010, for the added savings.

HOW/Print DesignCast - 'Using Social Media as a (Free!) Marketing Tool' - available for purchase

2010-02-24T07:53:00.000-08:00

The recent HOW/Print DesignCast "'Using Social Media as a (Free!) Marketing Tool" is now available as a download for purchase from MyDesignShop. Presented by Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, the DesignCast was described in a bit more detail in a previous bLog-oMotives entry.

Fisher's books Identity Crisis!: 100 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands and The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success (now a PDF on CD), previous DesignCasts, and selected past HOW Design Conference presentation audios are also available at MyDesignShop.

Special Offer: Purchase one HOW/Print DesignCast (archived or upcoming) valued at $69 or more and get one FREE! Use code HOWWB08A at checkout through midnight 02.28.10

Jeff Fisher's 'Talk Story with Jeni' posted; host Jeni Herberger reflects on interview

2010-02-13T08:07:00.000-08:00

This past week, Jeff Fisher - the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based design firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives - was the guest of longtime friend, "Speakers Gone Wild" pal and "conference wife," Jeni Herberger for the live broadcast of "Talk Story with Jeni." The archived interview is now available at the link for listening or download.

In addition, Herberger reflects on the recorded discussion in her blog entry "Doing What You Love To Do."

Previous "Talk Story" discussions - with riCardo crespo, Worldwide Group Creative Director of Mattel, Inc; RDQLUS Creative's Steve Gordon Jr.; and Michael Lejeune, Creative Director of LA Metro - are also available at JeniHerberger.com.

8 tips and tricks for professional andeffective 'Self-Promotion the Social Way'

2010-01-15T07:58:00.000-08:00

As previously mentioned in this blog, author Jeff Fisher wrote an article for HOW Magazine about the use of social networking as a marketing tool for creative professionals. Much of the marketing and promotion of his book Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands was done by way of social networking methods. The sidebar of the article follows:

My article about social networking as a business marketing tool, "Self-Promotion the Social Way, was just published in the October 2009 issue of How Magazine. The piece has also been posted on the HOW website.

In addition to the posted content, suggestions from myself and contributors Justin Ahrens of the Geneva, IL firm Rule29, Nashville, TN children's illustrator Holli Conger and photographer Paul Kline from Washington, DC were used to create a list of eight "tips and tricks" for a sidebar to the print version of the article.

Here are some recommendations from the featured creative professionals currently using social networking as a self-promotion vehicle:

1. Create a well-defined basic social networking profile and maintain that profile consistency throughout all social networking sites. Include keywords in your profile (like "designer" or "writer") that your network is likely to search, so that new contacts can easily find you.

2. Maintain similar consistency in the photo or graphic image you choose for your avatar (the small photo or graphic associated wiht your profile that represents you online) - in effect, branding your social networking presence.

3. Be generous in social networking site posts and updates, promoting and supporting the work of others - rather than exclusively marketing your own efforts.

4. Ask your clients what networks they participate in, and join those. Cross-reference your client and promotion lists on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to maximize your targeted promotional efforts. Invite people on your list to join you on FaceBook, to become a fan of your business and follow you on Twitter - and do the same in return.

5. Don't over commit. Social networking can be time-consuming. Set aside a window of time at the beginning and end of your day for social media, so you're not sucked into Twitter every time someone in your network tweets.

6. Keep things professional. Make sure you don't communicate anything you wouldn't want your clients, prospects or potential employers to read.

7. Provide easy-to-find links to your website and blog in your social media profile, so friends and followers may research and contact you with little effort.

8. Look for a network the fits your personality and industry, with a good mix of customers, vendors and competitors. Once you identify the network you want to create, start making contacts.

You may want to check out the social networking resources of those associated with the HOW Magazine article. The links are as follows:

HOW Magazine: Twitter - @HOWbrand; Facebook - HOW Magazine

Justin Ahrens/Rule 29: Twitter - @rule29; Facebook - Rule29

Holli Conger: Twitter - @HOLLiCONGER; Facebook - Holli Conger and HOLLi CONGER Studios

Paul Kline: Twitter - @Ad_Photographer

Jeff Fisher: Twitter - @LogoMotives; Facebook - Jeff Fisher and Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Self-Promotion the Social Way

2009-12-16T18:17:00.000-08:00

As previously mentioned in this blog, author Jeff Fisher recently wrote an article for HOW Magazine about the use of social networking as a marketing tool for creative professionals. Much of the marketing and promotion of his book Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands was done by way of social networking methods. The text the article follows:

Designer Daniel McNutt recently posted on Twitter, “Jeff, you were social networking before it had its catchy name.”

And I realized that he’s right: I’ve been using social interaction tools for self-promotion for quite a long time. I found my way online more than a decade ago with my first website, newsgroups and forums such as the HOW Forum (forum.howdesign.com). I used those outlets to promote my firm and to share my design and business expertise. About five years later, I was dragged kicking and screaming into the then-new blogosphere. To my surprise, bLog-oMotives (my first attempt at blogging) proved to be a great outlet for communicating ideas and promoting my work. I created a separate blog to promote my book Identity Crisis! From there, I made over my fairly stagnant business website with a blogfolio format (as you’d guess, part blog and part portfolio of my work), which was more flexible for me and more search engine-friendly.

Social networking is the latest tool for online marketing, one that I’ve embraced, like many other creative pros. LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, Flickr, Naymz, Plaxo, Twitter, Squidoo and Ning — it almost sounds like the name of a law firm. Instead, by adding “.com” to each term, you’ll find just a few of the growing number of social networking sources available to spread your name, work and brand out into cyberspace.

And that’s precisely the point of using social networks as self-promotion tools: They can grow your universe of business prospects, draw traffic back to your website or blog and help you develop a broad reputation as an expert. “These sites all help get your name out there,” says Paul Kline, a photographer who runs a studio bearing his name in Washington, DC. “Websites, search engines and direct mail are all important, but social networking sites are more personal, and in some cases more effective.”

Getting Started in Social Media
Social networking success depends on initiating interaction, engaging an audience, sharing information, making the impersonal personal and inviting feedback. It also demands that you offer easy access to an already established web presence (either your website or blog). Your online audience will want additional information about you and your expertise before deciding to be your friend, follower or contact. Without that link, you lose credibility, and the perceived value of your tweets, posts and comments may lessen.

Nashville, TN-based children’s illustrator Holli Conger built that foundation first. “I’ve always had an online portfolio and website,” she says. “When I first started out, I participated on a lot of forums. I would usually read more than I commented or posted. Then I moved on to blogging, which opened me up to other illustrators who were more on my level career-wise.” Justin Ahrens, principal of Geneva, IL-based design firm Rule29, had a similar introductory experience to internet marketing. “Early on, we primarily utilized our website; it basically just showcased our work, contact information and news highlights.”

MySpace and Facebook
When I joined MySpace several years ago, the network was primarily populated by teens, but I saw its promotional promise and I did land a couple of projects. But I’ve found myself returning to MySpace less and less frequently as my business goals have outgrown the site’s audience and abilities. Frankly, it’s OK to move on if a social network isn’t serving your needs.

When I joined Facebook, my strategy was to create a personal profile with a business slant. Increasingly, though, Facebook is attracting “grown-up” users and has added new tools that enable a more professional presence on the network. I’ve set my Facebook profile up so that it automatically feeds my latest blog posts, and I contribute targeted, business-specific updates and post galleries of appropriate photos and graphic images. And I’ve created a page for Jeff Fisher LogoMotives that exclusively spotlights my business.

LinkedIn
LinkedIn was built from the ground up as a business networking tool; unfortunately, the site’s early iteration was clunky, difficult to navigate and, let’s face it, boring. Now, however, LinkedIn has perhaps taken cues from Facebook: It’s a friendlier environment for making professional contacts, with easier navigation. The addition of industry-specific groups and discussions created a venue of true social interaction. The groups also make it easier to find and connect with people of similar interests and experience.

Looking at who your contacts are connected to expands your exposure to potential clients, as Conger discovered. “LinkedIn led to a pretty lucrative design/illustration contract that feeds me work monthly,” she says. “I found the company through another contact and noticed in their profile that they were hiring in-house positions. I e-mailed to see if they’d be interested in working with me on a freelance basis. They said yes and they’ve been one of the best clients I’ve ever had.”

Twitter
My fear of a Twitter addiction kept me from participating early on; after just a month of tweeting, traffic to my blogfolio and blogs doubled. I’ve found Twitter to be an invaluable business resource. While casual Twitter users post their whereabouts and what they ate for breakfast, I opt for more professional tweets. I add links to blog posts or articles I think others may find interesting. I share design competition and book submission deadlines. I retweet, or re-post, messages I feel may be of interest to those following my posts. Occasionally I toss in a personal note or response to someone.

Using Social Media Strategically
In my involvement with these sites, I see a lot of designers, writers, illustrators and photographers networking only with other creative types. Selectively interacting with just your peers isn’t the best tactic for finding potential clients. So I encourage creative professionals to also seek out networking opportunities on sites frequented by business folks, like StartupNation.com or Biznik.com.

The social networking sites of traditional print media also provide great opportunities to rub cyber elbows with business professionals. Magazine websites such as FastCompany.com, Entrepreneur.com and Good Magazine provide a connection to the business community—including the ability to create online profiles, participate in discussions and post articles or blogs. Being active in these online conversations demonstrates your expertise to a new niche.

I’ve discovered that there’s little difference between my individual personality and that of my business. Conger advocates using caution in establishing the online attitude for your business, as well. “I think it’s important to show your personality, but I’ve chosen to have a more professional appearance on the internet as a whole,” she says. “Everything is searchable, and what you say could come back to haunt you.”

This blending of personal and professional worlds may be one hurdle keeping you from tapping social media as a professional tool. Another may be time. Just as you can be strategic about representing your brand online, you can be thoughtful about how you manage all these networks. You can repurpose content across media; a blog post might also appear in your newsletter and, in short form, on Twitter. Applications like Ping.fm can synchronize your blog with your social media accounts, so a new post is automatically broadcast to other outlets—a huge time-saver. And tools like TweetDeck let you monitor and post to Twitter and Facebook simultaneously.

When it comes to social networking, it’s possible to successfully mix business with pleasure. “Make time for social networking,” Ahrens concludes. “It’s a ton of fun—and more important, you never know whether or not a valuable new business connection is just around the corner.”

Note: This article, by Jeff Fisher - the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based design firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, was originally published in its entirety in the October 2009 HOW Magazine Self-Promotion issue. "8 tips and tricks for professional and effective 'Self-Promotion the Social Way'" is the side-bar to that printed piece.

Jeff Fisher products on sale at MyDesignShop

2009-11-13T15:11:00.000-08:00

Through Thursday, November 19, 2009, all products by designer and author Jeff Fisher - the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives - will be on sale for an additional 10% off the posted prices at MyDesignShop.com. Shop Jeff Fisher products below and use offer code HOWWB129 at the checkout to receive your savings!

The 10% discount applies to the following products:

• "How to Survive as a Freelance Designer" Live DesignCast Registration The one-hour session is sponsored by HOW Magazine on November 19, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT. The already discounted fee of $39 will be $35.10 with the 10% off sale.

• The book Identity Crisis! 100 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands

• The book The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and tactics for a killer career as a PDF on CD

• Planning, Packaging and Promoting Yourself as a Product - On Demand Webcast

'Identity Crisis!' Author Jeff Fisher to judge first HOW Magazine Logo Design Awards

2009-11-05T13:27:00.000-08:00

Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based design firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, will be the judge for the new HOW Logo Design Awards competition. Sponsored by HOW Magazine, the leading creativity, business and technology magazine for graphic designers, the competition has a submissions deadline of December 1, 2009.

All entries must have been produced between July 1, 2008 and December 1, 2009. There are no specific categories for designs to be submitted and work entered may have been created for real world clients, as student class assignments or just for fun. The fee for each entry is $30. Submissions are to be made online through the HOW Logo Design Awards website.

The 10 winners will be featured on the HOW website, get $150 worth of HOW books and receive a 1 year subscription to HOW magazine. In addition, a graphic will be provided for posting on websites, blogs and/or online portfolios announcing a winners' status.

Fisher, a 30+ year design industry veteran, is the author of The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and tactics for a killer career and Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands. He is currently writing the book LogoType, about typography in identity design, with a scheduled release of late 2010.

The designer has received over 600 design awards and his work has been published in more than 130 books on identity design, self-promotion and the marketing of small businesses. In recent years, Fisher has judged numerous competitions, including American Advertising & Design 25, the Logopond Awards, The Create Awards, and the Summit Creative Awards.

In January, Fisher was named one of design industry publication Graphic Design USA’s “People to Watch in 2009.” In 2008, Jeff Fisher LogoMotives was recognized as one of the top 100 U.S. home-based businesses by the web presence StartupNation.

More information about Jeff Fisher, and his design and writing efforts, may be found on the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives blogfolio.

Sharebrain presents 'Braintalk with Jeff Fisher'

2009-10-11T22:16:00.000-07:00

Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, is featured in the interview "Braintalk with Jeff Fisher" on the international web presence Sharebrain.

The creation of German web designer Thomas Ulbricht, Sharebrain is a design-focused online magazine with articles, resources, interviews, tutorial and much more of interest to web designers and web developers.

In the piece, Fisher - the author of the books Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands and The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and tactics for a killer career - discusses his 30-year career, the average day of a home-based independent designer, and sources of inspiration. Ulbricht also asks the designer about favorite projects, how to overcome roadblocks to creativity, his likes and dislikes about the design profession, and other topics.

New Freelance Show site initiates Interview Series with 'Identity Crisis!' author Jeff Fisher

2009-10-06T14:11:00.000-07:00

Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, shares knowledge and experiences from his independent design career in an interview on the new Freelance Show blog. Fisher discusses the design career differences between now and three decades ago, the challenges of starting an independent design business, social networking as a marketing tool, and more.

The Freelance Show is a blog and podcast for graphic designers and web designers who want to start and grow a freelance business. From how to land your first client to how to determine pricing and collect payments, The Freelance Show will bring practical, real-world advice from 12-year veteran Creative Director and graphic design instructor, Neil Brown.

Fisher, a professional designer for over 30 years, is the author of Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands and The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and tactics for a killer career. He is currently writing the book LogoType, about typography in identity design, with a scheduled release of late 2010.

Author Jeff Fisher interviewed on PsPrint blog

2009-10-03T19:54:00.000-07:00

In another example of HARO (Help A Reporter Out) leading to a great promotion opportunity, my response to writer Brian Morris' request "Identity Graphic Designer wanted for Interview" evolved into a great interview on the PsPrint blog. The interview covered various aspects of my 30+ year design career, including marketing strategies, surviving career mistakes, dealing with the challenges of an economic downturn, and more.

PsPrint is a cutting-edge Internet printing company with a focus on delivering quality, affordability, and speed, by way of a simplified online ordering system. The PsPrint blog is a frequently updated resource for designers, freelancers and art directors. You'll find valuable tips on setting up print jobs, effective, low-cost printing solutions, and creative ways to improve your design and layout skills.

Escape from Illustration Island podcast features 'Identity Crisis!' author Jeff Fisher

2009-09-29T01:18:00.000-07:00

Recently illustrator Thomas James visited the Portland home studio of Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives. James, the host of the site Escape From Illustration Island, interviewed the designer/author for the site's podcast after reading Fisher's article "Self-Promotion the Social Way" in the October issue of the design industry publication HOW magazine. The result is "Escape from Illustration Island Podcast 5 - Social Networking with Jeff Fisher."

James felt that visitors to his site would find Fisher's take on using social networking as a marketing tool useful in promoting illustration efforts. The identity designer uses social networking to promote his design work, speaking engagements and books, such as Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands.

The podcast is also syndicated on the site Illustrationmundo.com.

'Identity Crisis!' author Jeff Fisher pens social networking article for October HOW Magazine

2009-09-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

The article "Self-Promotion the Social Way," by designer and author Jeff Fisher, has been published in the October issue of the design industry publication HOW magazine. Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, shares his experiences in using social networking and social media tools to market his graphic design, writing and speaking efforts. He, and several contributors, also offer advice to others in making use of social networking sites in creative promotion.

The identity designer uses Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and a variety of other online resources to give his home-based studio, published books and public appearnces a worldwide presence. Adding their thoughts to the social networking piece were Justin Ahrens of the Geneva, IL firm Rule29, Nashville, TN children's illustrator Holli Conger and photographer Paul Kline from Washington, DC.

"Self-Promotion the Social Way" has been posted on the HOW Magazine website. HOW strives to serve the business, technological and creative needs of graphic-design professionals. The magazine provides a practical mix of essential business information, up-to-date technological tips, the creative whys and hows behind noteworthy projects, and profiles of professionals who are influencing design. Founded in 1985, the HOW brand now extends beyond the print magazine to annual events for design professionals, yearly design competitions, digital products and books. The magazine is published in Cincinnati by F&W Media.

Fisher, a 30+ year design industry veteran, is the author of Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands and The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and tactics for a killer career. He is currently writing the book LogoType, about typography in identity design, with a scheduled release of late 2010.

The designer has received over 600 design awards and his work has been published in more than 100 books on identity design, self-promotion and the marketing of small businesses. In January, Fisher was named one of design industry publication Graphic Design USA’s “People to Watch in 2009.” In 2008, Jeff Fisher LogoMotives was recognized as one of the top 100 U.S. home-based businesses by the web presence StartupNation.

More information about Jeff Fisher, and his design and writing efforts, may be found on the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives blogfolio.

'Logo Design Books for the Creative Designer'includes recommendation of 'Identity Crisis!'

2009-09-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Wisconsin graphic designer Paul Her for including my book, Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands, on his list of "Logo Design Books for the Creative Designer." The resource recommends a great variety in the 10 international volumes providing offerings showcasing symbolism in designs, logo design case studies, historical perspectives, branding, identity tutorials and more.

Neenah Paper toots about "Identity Crisis!" author Jeff Fisher on "Against The Grain" blog

2009-09-04T12:26:00.000-07:00

I've been a fan of Neenah Paper products my entire 30+ year career, especially when I've needed quality stock for stationery packages designed for my varied clientele. However, I didn't have a personal relationship with the company until we started following each other on Twitter. (You'll find Neenah at @NeenahPaper and my ID is @LogoMotives) We really began to interact on Twitter while I was at the HOW Design Conference in Austin this past June. Since then we've had kind of an online "mutual admiration society."

A couple months ago, the offical Neenah "tweeter" (Jamie Saunders, Public Relations for Fine Paper) suggested that I be interviewed for the company's blog presence, Against The Grain. When interviewed, I was asked about social networking, my personal and career history, those in the design industry whose work I admire, creating a work life balance and more.

Part one of of Jeff Fisher of LogoMotives: Toot! Toot! went live last week. Jeff Fisher of LogoMotives: Toot! Toot!, Part 2 was posted earlier this week.

Making use of social networking led to this great promotion opportunity for my business - and I've used Twitter, Facebook, my Facebook fan page and other such methods to announce the fact. Neenah Paper, a company that certainly understands the value of social networking as a marketing and education tool, has done the same through their own Twitter and Facebook presences.

Thanks Neenah! See you in the cyber-sphere. Tweet! Tweet!

New books from friends, acquaintances and "imaginary" online pals of author Jeff Fisher

2009-09-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

Referring to myself as an author still feels a bit odd at times. From an early age, it is something that I wanted to be "when I grew up." Well, I don't know if I've grown up but, with the publication of The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and tactics for a killer career (HOW Books, 2004); the 2007 release of Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands (HOW Books); currently writing Logo Type for a 2010 HOW Books release; and discussions about future books, I guess I have become an author.

Anyone surviving the process understands the accomplishment of writing a book - and actually getting the thing published. In the last few months at least nine "creative type" friends, acquaintances and "imaginary" online pals have released design-related books. I wanted to take this opportunity to acknowledge their efforts and the end results.

The other day I came across Graphic Design for Nondesigners: Essential Knowledge, Tips, and Tricks, Plus 20 Step-by-Step Projects for the Design Novice, by Tony Seddon and Jane Waterhouse. The book is an incredible resource for anyone needing a basic understanding of graphic design. It would be a great gift for a student considering a design career. I first met Seddon at a HOW Design Conference, where he was attending in his capacity as art director for UK publisher Rotovision. Hopefully our discussions about possibly doing a book together will result in a future volume.

I can't remember when I first met Seattle-based designer Terry Marks. I've been a long-time fan of the work of his firm, TMARKS. His book Good Design: Deconstructing Form and Function and What Makes Good Design Work, written with Matthew Porter, features interviews with numerous designers presenting their definitions of "good design." There's plenty of "eye candy" in this offering from Rockport Publishers.

Illustrator Holly DeWolf is among what some refer to as my "imaginary friends." We're online pals from design forums, Facebook, Twitter and elsewhere. DeWolf's book, Breaking Into Freelance Illustration: A Guide for Artists, Designers and Illustrators, has just been released by HOW Books. It's a step-by-step guide to assist illustrators in creating and promoting an independent business.

I recently just missed a "real world" Austin introduction to another "imaginary friend" - designer, artist, craftsperson and writer Patricia Zapata. Zapata's book, Home, Paper, Scissors: Decorative Paper Accessories for the Home, provides beautiful inspiration to anyone enjoying the creation of art from paper. Check out A Little Hut for a peak at the incredible artwork. I'm thrilled to have a piece of her original art awaiting display in my soon-to-be redecorated bedroom.

Steve Gordon, Jr. is absolutely RDQLUS! One of the nearly infamous HOW Conference "Speakers Gone Wild" gang, Gordon - owner of RDQLUS Creative - was initially another of my online "imaginary friends." Today he is one of my favorite design industry pals. Rockport Publisher released his book, 100 Habits of Successful Freelance Designers: Insider Secrets for Working Smart & Staying Creative, earlier this year. The book focuses on the daily habits that inspire designers to stay creative and business strategies to be successful when working on your own.

Caffeine for the Creative Team: 200 Exercises to Inspire Group Innovation is the follow-up volume to the HOW Books release Caffeine for the Creative Mind: 250 Exercises to Wake Up Your Brain. The new volume offers exercises, tools and related experiences to help creative teams get the most out of their efforts. Authors Stefan Mumaw and Wendy Lee Oldfield have become friends over the years through time spent together at HOW Design Conferences.

I first met designer and educator Peg Faimon years ago when we were on the "Designers in Handcuffs" panel at the New Orleans HOW Design Conference. We've kept in touch over the years - and that resulted in her using me as a resource (more about that it a future bLog-oMotives entry) for her book, The Designer's Guide to Business and Careers: How to Succeed on the Job or on Your Own. The book is a "must have" resource for assisting designers in mapping out a successful career.

Tamye Riggs is another online "friend" that I've never met. We have an Oregon connection, a common passion for typography, and often bump into each other on Typophile, Twitter and Facebook. Riggs' new book, Typeface: Classic Typography for Contemporary Design, is a type lover's wet dream. Read more about this book in a recent bLog-oMotives "Toot! Toot!"

Illustrator, designer and speaker extraordinaire Von Glitschka lives less than an hour from my Portland home studio. However, we were online forum acquaintances long before we met in person at a HOW Design Conference in Chicago. Glitschka spent over a year creating the patterns in his book, Drip Dot Swirl: 94 Incredible Patterns for Design and illustration. The book is an excellent follow-up to his first texture volume, Crumble Crackle Burn

Any titles from this incredible assortment of books - written a collection of my friends, acquaintances and "imaginary" online pals - would be great additions to your own design library.

Fuel Your Branding includes "Identity Crisis!" among its "10 Readable Branding Books"

2009-08-10T23:52:00.000-07:00

Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands (HOW Books, 2007), by Jeff Fisher - the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based design firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, has been listed as one of "10 Readable Branding Books" by the industry site Fuel Your Branding. Editor and creative strategist Beth LaPierre included Fisher's book along with volumes by branding experts Alina Wheeler, Marty Neumeier, Scott Bedbury, Allen Adamson, Seth Godin and others.

Fuel Your Branding offers resources, articles, interaction and advice to businesses seeking a successful brand to differentiate them in the marketplace and make them memorable to consumers. It is also a valuable tool for any professional in the business of branding.

Author Jeff Fisher to present HOW webinar on planning, packaging and promoting yourself

2009-07-28T08:29:00.000-07:00

Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, will present the webinar "Planning, Packaging and Promoting Yourself" on August 13, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT. The one-hour session is sponsored by HOW Magazine and the fee is $69. Those interested in participating may register on the HOW website.

Designers are always creating complete brand identities to help clients sell their products and services. But how well are these creatives selling themselves? According to author and designer Jeff Fisher, the key to attracting new clients and more work is planning, packaging and promoting oneself as a product.

Fisher will help participants determine what “product” should be in their package, then offer tips and advice for creating the appearance of the product, getting it on the right shelf in the market, explaining the product to potential customers, and getting those customers to buy that product again and again.

Jeff Fisher, author of Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands (HOW Books, 2007), is a 30-year design veteran. He has been honored with over 600 regional, national and international design awards and is featured in over 100 books about logos, the design business, and small business marketing. The industry publication Graphic Design USA named Fisher one of its "People to Watch in 2009." His first book, The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success was released in 2004 and has been reissued as a PDF on CD from HOWBookstore.com. Fisher is currently writing a new volume, with the working title of Logo•Type, on the topic of typography in identity design.

"No self respecting designer should bewithout Identity Crisis by Jeff Fisher"

2009-07-23T12:47:00.000-07:00

In the recent ImJustCreative blog post Case Studies - The Real Source for Logo & Brand Identity Inspiration, UK identity designer Graham Smith suggests that identity designers look beyond the numerous online logo design galleries for project inspiration. He recommends books that feature real-life logo design case studies and writes: "And no self respecting designer should be without Identity Crisis! by Jeff Fisher."

Thanks, Graham!

Designers'Couch interviews author Jeff Fisher

2009-07-18T06:57:00.000-07:00

Jeff Fisher, author of Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands, is the subject of the featured interview on the industry web presence Designers'Couch. Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, discusses his 30+ years in design, working independently, the challenges facing young designers today, and more.

Designers'Couch is a relatively new online design resource for inspiration, education, collaboration, industry news, project critiques, and other needs of those in the profession. Site membership is free.

'Identity Crisis!' author on The Reflex Blue Show

2009-05-14T17:01:00.000-07:00

Jeff Fisher, author of Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands, is the featured guest on the latest episode of the The Reflex Blue Show. Hosted by Nate Voss and Donovan Beery of 36Point, the design industry interview is available for download at the show site or from the iTunes Music Store.

Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher Logomotives, discussed his upcoming public appearances at the 2009 How Design Conference in Austin, TX this June 24-27, his thoughts on recent major brand redesigns, and making use of Twitter as a marketing tool. In addition to mentioning his book Identity Crisis!, the design author also talked about his first book, The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success (now available as a PDF on CD from HOWBookstore.com) and his upcoming volume, Logo•Type - a book about typography in identity design. The new book will be available when released by HOW Books in early 2010.

"Identity Crisis!" blog mentioned in TCG eZine

2009-05-11T19:15:00.000-07:00

The Identity Crisis! blog is mentioned in the TCG eZine article "Make it Big by Blogging: an Interview with Jeff Fisher and Sheri L Koetting." The Web publication is an online resource of The Creative Group, a firm that focuses on placing freelance professionals in the creative, advertising, marketing, web and public relations fields

In the featured article, Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, and the design firm MSLK's Sheri Koetting, are interviewed about blogs being a great low- or no-cost way to promote oneself as a business or potential employee.

Fisher makes use of the "Identity Crisis!" blog to promote the book Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands. The web presence bLog-oMotives is used to make readers aware of the author's design efforts, announce speaking engagements, share design inspirations and more. A third blog, Jeff Fisher LogoMotives serves as a blogfolio for the design professional.

Fisher, also the author of The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and tactics for a killer career (recently re-released as a PDF on CD by HOWBookstore.com), has been blogging as a business marketing tool since 2005.

'Identity Crisis!' included in 'Best Logo Design Books for Your Graphic Design Library'

2009-05-06T06:21:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it takes a while to find posts out there in the cyber-verse related to my design efforts or writing. Recently I came across the post Best Logo Design Books for Your Graphic Design Library on the All Graphic Design blog. My book, Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands, was one of four suggested identity design books.

One of the others, Really Good Logos Explained: Top Design Professionals Critique 500 Logos and Explain What Makes Them Work, includes examples of my logo design work. The two others, Design Matters: Logos 01: An Essential Primer for Today's Competitive Market and Logo Design Workbook: A Hands-On Guide to Creating Logos, are both in my personal design library and I would highly recommend them to anyone interested in identity design.

"Thought Leader Thursday" features interview with "Identity Crisis!" author Jeff Fisher

2009-05-01T06:52:00.000-07:00

An interview with Jeff Fisher, the author of Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands, is showcased in the Wildfire Marketing Group's weekly "Thought Leader Thursday" column. Fisher, the Engineer of Creative of Identity for the Portland-based design firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, discusses his 30+-year career, and various aspects of identity design and branding. Each week the Tampa, FL full-service marketing firm features industry leader interviews on its blog.

"Identity Crisis!" recommended as a "must have"

2009-04-18T08:07:00.000-07:00

I appreciate San Francisco graphic designer Quan Vu recommending Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands as a "must have" logo design book in a relatively new portfolio, blog and design resource site. My book is showcased with some other great identity book options, most of which already have a home in my design library.

"Identity Crisis!" listed among Logo Critiques' "10 Great Logo Design, Branding and Identity Books"

2009-03-25T07:24:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the design blog Logo Critiques for including my book Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands on their list of "10 Great Logo Design, Branding and Identity Books.". Most of the featured books are already in my personal library and some of my work is included in the volume, Really Good Logos, Explained.

Logo Critiques, written by designer Erik Peterson, is a blog assisting logo designers in creating better logos by offering to give free critiques.

"I believe that through constructive feedback & critique, design can often be improved. Sometimes the truth hurts a little, but if it's honest, it'll likely make you a better designer," writes Peterson. "Not to mention a better logo and identity for your client or company."

Using Twitter to promote "Identity Crisis!"

2009-03-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

Author and cyber pal Kristen Fischer has written the article "Using Twitter to Promote Your Book" for the independent worker site FreelanceSwitch. Twitter is one of the online resources I use to promote my books Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands and The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and tactics for a killer career (recently re-released as a PDF on CD). Fischer was kind enough to mention my book promotion efforts in the piece.

I use Twitter regularly to mention book-related speaking engagements, book signings, online sales of the books, blog entries, and mentions of my books online and in print. I will certainly be implementing the networking tool in the marketing and promotion of my upcoming book Logo•Type (HOW Books, 2010).

Fischer makes use of Twitter to market her own books, Ramen Noodles, Rent and Resumes and Creatively Self-Employed. I had the pleasure of being interviewed for inclusion in Creatively Self-Employed. In late 2007, Fischer also interviewed me for the FreelanceSwitch.com article "Veteran Designer Embraces Identity Crisis and Casual Fridays."

You can find me on Twitter at @LogoMotives. Tweet! Tweet!

Jeff Fisher: The Graphic Design USA"People to Watch in 2009" interview

2009-02-23T23:21:00.000-08:00

In the January issue of Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) I was named one the "People to Watch in 2009." The news monthly has been a leading source of industry information and resources for creative professionals since 1963. The following is the interview published in the magazine and on the GDUSA website:

Jeff Fisher, author of Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands (HOW Books, 2007), is the Engineer of Creative Identity for Jeff Fisher LogoMotives. He has received more than 600 regional, national and international design awards for his identity design efforts for small businesses, major corporations, restaurants, government agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and the performing arts. Jeff Fisher LogoMotives was recently named one of the 2008 StartupNation Home-Based 100 by the business website recognizing the top home-based companies in the nation. His work is featured in over 100 books about logos, the design business, and small business marketing. Fisher serves on the HOW Design Conference Advisory Council, and is past member of the HOW Magazine Editorial Advisory Board and UCDA Designer Magazine Editorial Advisory Board. He often writes for industry publications and online resources - including his own bLog-oMotives; judges design industry competitions; and speaks about the design profession to high school classes, design program participants, university students, design industry conferences and business events. His first book, The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success, was released in 2004 (Note: Savvy Designer has been re-released as a PDF on CD). He is currently writing a book, with the working title of Logo•Type, on the topic of typography in identity design. Fisher lives in Portland with his spouse of 19 years, Ed Cunningham.

In this economic downturn, name one thing you have done to weather the tough times. Historically, over the last 30 years, when the economy is at its worst my business is at its best. This is due to promoting myself ALL the time - not waiting until no work is coming in the door to initiate marketing efforts. With no client contact on Fridays, much of that one day each week is spent on self-promotion.

If you weren't a designer, what would you be? A gardener. Gardening has become a passion and my favorite form of therapy.

What's the one thing ALWAYS in your bag that you never leave home without? One of the three to four books I am usually reading at any given time.

If you could spend 15 minutes talking to any person, living or dead, who would it be and why? My great-grandmother, Osie Saltmarsh Cantrall Norris, was from a pioneer family that settled in Southern Oregon in the 1800's — and she was one of the most fascinating people in my life. As a child I spent a great deal of time with her, until she passed away in 1969. As an adult, I would be interested in hearing her perspective on the world of today and how she thinks her great-grandson has done for himself.

If you could work for anyone, a client or on a project, what would it be? It's been 16 years since I created the identity and branding for the Governor Hotel in Portland. It has always been one of my favorite and most enjoyable projects. Creating the graphic identity for a boutique hotel (or chain) would be an exciting challenge again at this point in my career.

ONE THING I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IS:
The loving support of my husband and best friend, Ed

STAR SIGN
I was born on the cusp of Taurus and Gemini - May 21. As my spouse always reminds me, both of my personalities are stubborn.

READING
The entire Jonathan Argyll Art Mystery series by English art historian, novelist and journalist Iain Pears.

FAVORITE TV SHOWS
The old Perry Mason series starring Raymond Burr - which has run at noon on Portland's KPTV since 1966 and I've been watching it since then.

FAVORITE MOVIES
Les Triplettes de Belleville

FAVORITE MUSIC, BAND, SONG
I've known pianist Thomas Lauderdale, of the group Pink Martini, for many years and their music is always in rotation on my iPod, home stereo system and in our vehicles. Jazz and pop vocalist Jacqui Naylor, the close friend of a designer pal of mine, is also someone I listen to all the time.

STRENGTH & WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER
Strength: Continued passion for design after three decades as a professional.
Weakness: Procrastination

NEW YEARS' RESOLUTIONS
I resolve to not make any resolutions. Oops, guess I blew that already.

Interview: Graphic Design USA • Photograph: Ed Cunningham

'Identity Crisis!' author named one ofGraphic Design USA's "People to Watch in 2009

2009-02-04T12:35:00.000-08:00

Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based design firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, has been named one the "People to Watch in 2009" by the publication Graphic Design USA (GD USA). The news monthly has been a leading source of industry information and resources for creative professionals since 1963.

According to publisher Gordon Kaye, each year GD USA chooses a group of People To Watch who embody the spirit of the creative community. Kaye adds that those chosen are "individuals who we have come to know and respect for a combination of talent, leadership, success, insight, business savvy, community service and newsworthiness."

"It is a subjective process," says Kaye, "This is a field deep with special people doing special things."

Fisher, author of the book Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands (HOW Books, 2007), has worked as a professional designer for 30 years. He has received over 600 regional, national and international graphic design awards for his logo and corporate identity efforts - including a total of 20 American Graphic Design Awards from GD USA.

The designer's career efforts, and related advice, are featured in over 100 books on the design of logos, the business of graphic design, and small business marketing. His first HOW Books offering, The Savvy Designer’s Guide to Success, appeared on bookstore shelves in late 2004, and was recently re-released in PDF format on CD. The author's upcoming volume, "Logo•Type" - on the topic of typography in identity design - will be released in 2010.

Fisher often writes articles about design topics for industry publications, webzines, blogs and other resources. He is also a nationally-recognized speaker; making numerous presentations each year to conference audiences, design organizations, design schools, universities and business groups.

In 2008, Jeff Fisher LogoMotives was recognized as one of the top 100 U.S. home-based businesses by the web presence StartupNation.

For four decades, GD USA has devoted the January issue of the magazine to the "People to Know" list. Many of the legends of design across generations have been featured, including Primo Angeli, Walter Landor, Milton Glaser, Massimo Vignelli, Saul Bass, Steff Geissbuhler, Margo Chase, Bill Cahan, Sean Adams, Moira Cullen, Bill Grant, Debbie Millman, and Stefan Sagmeister.

In addition to Fisher, the 2009 "People to Watch" selections include the following: Marc Alt, Brian Brindisi, Norman Cherubino , James Clunie, Hillman Curtis, Becky Eason, Charlyne Fabi, Gretchen Finch, Stanley Hainsworth, Mark Hamilton, Sagi Haviv, Linda Henneman, Julia Hoffmann, Timothy Holmes, Vicky Jones, Seth Labenz, David Langton, Jake Lefebure, Kevin Lyons, Ed O'Brien, Michael Ozan, Mark Randall, Roy Rub, Brian Singer, Ted Stanaszek, Dana Steffe, Shalmir Tippit Johnston and David Turner.

More information about Jeff Fisher, and his design and writing efforts, may be found on the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives blogfolio.

'Identity Crisis!' author to present logo design workshop at School of Visual Concepts

2009-01-27T10:53:00.000-08:00

Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, will present a day-long workshop on identity design Monday, February 23, 2009, at the School of Visual Concepts in Seattle, WA. The workshop, to be held from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM, will cover a variety of identity design topics including creating new identities, redesigning an existing logo, identity design in an digital world, where many logos go off track, and more.

Tuition for the professional development seminar is $265. Registration is limited and attendees must be an advanced design student or working design professional. Participants are encouraged to bring doodling materials to the presentation. Additional class and enrollment information is available on the SVC website.

Fisher, author of Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands (HOW Books, 2007), will sign copies for individuals bringing the book to the workshop.

The School of Visual Concepts, located directly east of the Seattle Center at 500 Aurora Avenue North, offers day and evening portfolio courses and professional development workshops in graphic design, computer graphics, advertising, letterpress printing, and business practices for freelancers and creative organizations. Founded in 1971, SVC adheres to a policy of having classes and workshops taught by top working professionals, rather than by full-time academic faculty members. For more information about SVC, call 206.623.1560 or visit the School of Visual Concepts website.

'Identity Crisis!' author cited as "marketing makeover" expert in Entrepreneur Magazine

2009-01-23T12:11:00.000-08:00

Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based design firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, is featured as an expert on design and branding in the February 2009 issue of Entrepreneur Magazine. Fisher, author of the book Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands, was asked by writer Gwen Moran to critiqued several marketing element redesigns for the article Five Great - and necessary - Marketing Makeovers.

Joining the internationally recognized identity designer in commenting on the highlighted redesign projects are branding consultant and author Karen Post, the Branding Diva from Tampa, FL; and Lynette Xanders, the founder of Portland branding and research firm Wild Alchemy.

The expert panel reviewed the retail store makeover of Philadelphia shoe seller Ubiq; the collateral redesign for Patriot Consulting, Inc. of Iselin, NJ; and the new identity for Portland's Jive Software. The website makeover for CoffeeCakes.com, of Castle Rock, CO, and the new packaging for the Phoenix-based Fairytale Brownies were also critiqued.

Jeff Fisher has received over 600 regional, national and international graphic design awards for his logo and corporate identity efforts and his work is featured in more than over 100 books on the design of logos, the business of graphic design, and small business marketing. His first HOW Books offering, The Savvy Designer’s Guide to Success, appeared on bookstore shelves in late 2004, and was recently re-released in PDF format on CD. Fisher is currently writing a book about typography in identity design. In 2008, Jeff Fisher LogoMotives was recognized as one of the top 100 U.S. home-based businesses by the web presence StartupNation

More information about Jeff Fisher, and his design and writing efforts, may be found on the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives blogfolio.

'Identity Crisis!' one of 30 must-have logo books

2009-01-16T06:03:00.000-08:00

The design industry blog You The Designer has included Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands, on their list of 30 Must-Have Logo Books. Publisher HOW Books/F+W Media acknowledged the book list on the HOW Blog.

In addition, many Jeff Fisher LogoMotives identity designs may be found in other books noted on the list, including the Big Book of Logos series, the LogoLounge volumes, Really Good Logos, Explained, Rockport's Letterhead and Logo Design books, and Graphics Logo Design 6.

The image above is a spread of one of my own designs from Identity Crisis!. Many other teaser spreads may be seen on this blog.

"The Ultimate List of The Best Logo Design Resources" includes "Identity Crisis!"

2008-12-03T15:13:00.000-08:00

Just Creative Design, the blog of designer Jacob Cass, has posted "The Ultimate List of The Best Logo Design Resources" - with my book, Identity Crisis: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands, included on the list.

The resource list also includes an earlier Just Creative interview with me (Logo Design Tips & A Not-So-Ordinary Interview with Logo Designer, Jeff Fisher), my own blog bLog-oMotives, and a listing in the "Logo Designer" category.

'Identity Crisis!' - and all other books - 50% offat HOWBookstore.com through 11.28

2008-11-25T14:34:00.000-08:00

For a limited time my book, Identity Crisis: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands, and all other HOW Books offerings are 50% off at HOWBookstore.com. From November 25 through November 28 take 50% off suggested retail on book orders of any size from the entire selection of books. Include coupon code BLACKFRIDAY when ordering to receive savings at checkout.

"Identity Crisis!" - recovery from being "flogged"

2008-11-22T12:45:00.000-08:00

To have a design of which you are proud rejected is to have been "flogged." flogged magazine, the brainchild of editor/designer Jo Mulga Bill, is a website and digital download publication that provides a home for unwanted designs and unappreciated art. Creatives are asked to submit rejected work for showcasing in the PDF format magazine. Jeff Fisher Logomotives was invited to share some flogged past identity design projects in the recent November 08 issue.

Non-flogged work is also presented in each issue of the magazine, in an effort "to help our welts heal" as forms of inspiration. The November issue offers my book, Identity Crisis: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands, as a prescribed antidote for the bruises, scrapes and cuts from being flogged. It is suggested that readers take a look at the "teaser" spreads from the book.

Download the current issue of flogged magazine, and discover additional distractions from flogging injuries, at the magazine's website. You may also submit flogged designs, and subscribe to notifications of upcoming issues, on the site.

Infographic journalist flips over 'Identity Crisis!'

2008-11-14T11:42:00.000-08:00

Teoh Yi Chie - an infographic journalist, illustrator, and cartoonist from Singapore - posts design book reviews with great photo imagery on the Design Shelf blog. I recently came across a review and video (above), with the reviewer flipping through my book Identity Crisis: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands, when posted on the Amazon.com page for the volume. I followed the provided link to the Design Shelf page for my book, which displays some great additional photo images.

Inside Digital Design features "Identity Crisis!"

2008-11-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

Recently Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives was interviewed for the design industry radio program Inside Digital Design. The primary focus of the podcast, conducted by hosts hosts Scott Sheppard and Gene Gable, was Fisher's latest book Identity Crisis: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands. - which was released one year ago.

The Inside Digital Design show airs weekly in key U.S. national markets and is then made available to a global audience, on the program's website and as a podcast via Apple’s iTunes.

Inside Digital Design Radio & TV is a weekly broadcast program providing news, information, product reviews, and in-depth interviews for today’s creative professional. Covering the latest digital design tools, tips and techniques, insights from industry icons and designers, anecdotes from the history of design, and a good dose of creative inspiration, the original content is distributed and produced by Inside Media Networks.

Writer’s Handbook Blog notes marketing efforts

2008-10-23T07:25:00.000-07:00

The Writer's Handbook Blog offers authors book marketing advice in the entry Online Marketing Tips (Use These Today!). In part, the suggested book promotion tactics highlighted are my own - with a link to my list of social networking/media sites I have used to market my own book, Identity Crisis: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands.

The Writer's Handbook Blog offers practical writing tips and career advice for writers, by Philip Martin, series editor of The New Writer’s Handbook: A Practical Anthology of Best Advice for Your Craft and Career.

Logoblink posts 'Identity Crisis!' fragment...

2008-09-26T09:47:00.000-07:00

The identity design resource site Logoblink has posted what they are referring to as a "fragment" from my book Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands.

'Identity Crisis!' on Goodreads networking site

2008-08-26T22:09:00.000-07:00

Goodreads is a great social networking site for readers and authors, offering so much more than just the opportunity to connect with others around the world.

As explained on the Goodreads site:

Goodreads is a free website for book lovers. Imagine it as a large library that you can wander through and see everyone's bookshelves, their reviews, and their ratings. You can also post your own reviews and catalog of what you have read, are currently reading, and plan to read in the future. Don’t stop there – join a discussion group, start a book club, contact an author, and even post your own writing.

As the author of Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands, Goodreads provides yet another marketing tool for my book with my own author's page. Authors can post a detailed biography, make note of upcoming book-related events, share writings or book excerpts, participate in discussion groups, and promote their own books.

Anyone with a passion for books - and an interest in finding out what others are reading (and writing) - should give Goodreads a look.

(Note: I have added Goodreads to my previous list of social networking/media sites I use for marketing and promotion purposes.)

Summer is a great time read a book...

2008-08-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Kelly Erickson, Owner and Creative Director of VisionPoints, for including Identity Crisis! on her Summer Is a Great Time to Read a Book list. Her 10 suggested beach reads appeared on the Maximum Customer Experience Blog.

Erickson writes:

This book will set you back a bit more than the others on this list but not too much for this colorful, real-life-example packed classic. After you’ve read the book, applied all the lessons, and become a fan, you’ll want to visit Jeff’s LogoMotives blog, where you can also click through his wonderful portfolio.

I appreciate the plug for the book and the comments!

Design Dump names 'Identity Crisis!' winners

2008-08-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

Today Design Dump, the online design industry resource, announced the winners of the drawing for copies of Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands. Congratulations to the winners! Thanks to all who entered and to the Design Dump gang for coordinating the event.

'Identity Crisis!' to be available at firstCreative Freelancer Conference

2008-08-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

While there will not be an official bookstore at the Creative Freelancer Conference - to be held August 27-29 at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago - the book Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands will be available at the event registration desk. Author Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, will also be autographing copies of the book throughout the industry activity.

The Creative Freelancer Conference, co-sponsored by HOW Magazine and Marketing Mentor, will provide independent designers, illustrators, copywriters, photographers and others with pricing strategies, marketing techniques and the best business practices for running a one-person business.

Speakers for the conference include Ilise Benun and Peleg Top of Marketing Mentor; cartoonist, artist and writer Lloyd Dangle; and PR and issues management specialist Joan Gladstone of Gladstone International. Author, speaker, trainer and entrepreneur Lee Silber and Dyana Valentine, founder and principal of Creative Consultancy, will also be making presentations. Closing speaker for the event will designer and author Jeff Fisher of Jeff Fisher LogoMotives with his session, "Reaping the Rewards of Creative Independence."

Those interested in the new event may learn more on the Creative Freelancer Conference Blog, hosted by blogmistress Colleen Wainwright of communicatrix. Additional information, and registration, is available on the Creative Freelancer Conference website.

The Sentinel ad: Jeff Fisher wrote thebook on identity design...literally!

2008-08-01T13:46:00.000-07:00

Seldom during my 30-year career have I promoted my design or writing efforts with print ads. However, I recently redesigned the identity for my local neighborhood newspaper, The Sentinel, and as part of the compensation package publisher Cornelius Swart offered me a series of ads in the publication. The latest edition hit the streets this week with the ad marketing my local North Portland logo design efforts and my book, Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands.

'Identity Crisis!' on DesignHide

2008-07-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

The portfolio site DesignHide posted an interview with me this week. I appreciate the mention (and photo) of my book Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands.

Design Dump has drawing for "Identity Crisis!"

2008-06-29T15:33:00.000-07:00

The design industry resource Design Dump is currently having a drawing in which two site visitors will win autographed copies of my book Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands.

Enter the contest now through July 30, 2008 at the Design Dump website. Earlier this year Design Dump posted a review of Identity Crisis!.

Introducing HOWBookstore.com -with featured selection 'Identity Crisis!"

2008-06-25T15:24:00.000-07:00

One of the bonus highlights of the annual HOW Design Conference is the on-site HOW Bookstore, with discounted prices on the offerings from HOW Books. Now online shoppers can benefit from those same sale prices on the new HOWBookstore.com website. With news of the site introduction, my book - Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands - is one of today's featured selections.

Through the end of June, shoppers will receive an additional 15% off an entire purchase by using the code DEGD608 at checkout on the site. Signup for the HOWBookstore.com email newsletter while visiting the site and receive notifications of upcoming special promotion savings of up to 40% off and advance knowledge of future sale events.

Thanks to Dynamic Graphics for the mention!

2008-06-06T07:37:00.000-07:00

A quick "thank you" to Dynamic Graphics magazine for the mention of the Identity Crisis! blog in the June/July issue of the publication. Writer Daniel Schutzsmith, a professor at the School of Visual Arts, included the reference in his article "Ingredients of a Successful Capabilities Presentation," which used my "Toot! Toot!" press release "Jeff Fisher is having an 'Identity Crisis!'" as an illustration. Such press releases are included in my customizable media kit, which was featured in the Dynamic Graphics piece.

Marketing the "Identity Crisis!' book through social networks and social media

2008-05-30T19:52:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I was a member of a panel discussing "Harnessing the Power of Online Social Networks," hosted by Self-Employed Creative Professionals (SECP) in Portland. Others on the panel discussing the business advantages of social networking included writer Susan Rich of RichWriting Creative Services, Working Artists LLC founderAdrienne Fritze, and eMarketing Strategist Elgé Premeau. Christian Messer, of Whiplash Design, was the moderator for the evening.

I was asked to approach the subject of using online social sites from my perspective as the author of Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands. Panel members wanted me to showcase how I had used social networking and related media to market and promote my book. In doing so, I prepared a handout for attendees with the following examples:

MySpace - MySpace drives more traffic to my web presence and blogs than any other social networking site I've used. It allows a detailed profile, image storage, blogs - which I use to post my blog headlines with links back to my own blog sites - forums and actual social networking. MySpace is much more than simply social networking for teenagers. I have eliminated most interaction not directly related to my book and my work with the posted statement: The primary purpose of this MySpace page is to discuss and promote various aspects of graphic design.

FaceBook: Facebook is probably my favorite social networking site. For me it's actually fun, in addition to providing a great opportunity for posting a detailed profile - with links back to whatever sites you wish to post, networking, image galleries, article posting capabilities, blog auto-feeds, and much more. Again, it's very effective in driving web traffic my way. A design industry editor once asked, "Isn't Facebook just for college kids?. My response was: "Have you visited Facebook lately?" It's amazing who in the design industry is making use of the resource as a marketing and promotion tool.

LinkedIn: LinkedIn comes across as primarily a technical information resource for job seekers and those seeking specialized employees. The specialized questions and answers, along with the recent addition of "groups." does make it a bit more interactive. I wish the navigation wasn't so "clunky." Still, making use of the detailed profile has been a great self-promotion tool. The more information provided the more successful LinkedIn will be for the user.

biznik: biznik - Business networking that doesn't suck - is one of the most user-friendly social networking/media sites. It's easy to connect with other members and to create an actual dialog with them. The detailed profile, ability to post articles and other aspects make it a value resource for the independent business person. Local "real world" networking events are an added benefit. As in many of the examples, there are additional benefits with paid memberships.

naymz: I'm relatively new to this site. Months ago I was invited by someone I know and I did little to complete the profile until a discussion with my fellow panel members. Less than one hour of work and a great deal of traffic was coming my way - primarily due to the blogs feeds to my personal profile.

Flickr: Referring to this resource as social networking may not be the first thing that comes to a individual's mind when visiting the site. The storage and sharing of images is it's main attribute. However, the creation of personal communities, groups and the image feeds to other social sites all become part of the online networking experience.

JumpUp: This site, from the Intuit folks, is an example of another aspect of social networking - the corporate-sponsored networking resource. JumpUp creates an avenue for a detailed business profile, interacting with other business professionals, creating a blog and more. My participation online also resulted in my work and book being featured in a traveling exhibit for the company. An online radio program is in the works.

StartupNation: I've been a participant on this site for some time. My primary reason for joining was that a designer shouldn't be networking only with other designers - one needs to be interacting with business people who may become potential clients. StartupNation provides an opportunity to mingle with business people through forum participation, forum postings, a detailed profile, blogs, articles and podcasts.

Adholes: This online networking resource is primarily for the advertising professional. It's a great vehicle for networking through forum participation, posting blogs and articles, and scheduling local meetups through groups. Besides, I like the name of the group, and their tagline: "Ad industry schmoozing without the expensive restaurant tabs."

Fast Pitch: I initially made use of this site for the press release distribution capabilities. Fast Pitch now includes greater networking opportunities, blog feeds and more.

Fast Company: This is the social networking and social media presence of my favorite business magazine, Fast Company. You can network, join groups, post articles and more.

GOOD Magazine: I'm fairly new to GOOD. It's another publication that allows its readers and members to socially interact. My profile, with pertinent information posted, has drawn traffic to mt site and blogs.

Zoodango: This site recently went through a major update. I haven't yet checked out all of the features.

Ziki: The site allows you to network with others, post links, and revieve auto-feeds from blogs and Flickr. The blog feeds are especially effective in bring me a great deal of traffic.

Small Business Online Community: This offering, from Bank of America, is somewhat new and evolving. A forum allows for customer interaction, articles are posted by experts and more is offered on a regular basis.

This is far from a complete list of the sources available for social networking and social media. As mentioned earlier, these are just the resources I put into play in marketing and promoting my book, Identity Crisis!. As you can see, from each page example, I have taken the opportunity to establish a somewhat consistent look in the content and imagery used in each profile. The photo of me is the same in many, my logo is an identifying mark for most, the same book cover image is featured, mentions of the book are always included, and website, or blog, addresses are used with consistency.

Still, it the examples presented should give many people ideas of where they might look for added marketing opportunities.

For a look at portfolio sites check out my earlier piece Marketing logo design efforts with online resources.

eMarketing Strategist touts 'Identity Crisis!' social networking promotion methods

2008-05-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

Elge Premeau, the eMarketing Strategist, writes on her My Travels on the Net blog about my use of social networking to market my book Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands. Read about it in her post Case Study: How Social Networking Can Sell Books.

Elge and I recently met at a Portland biznik event. biznik is an online and "real world" social network with the tagline "Business Networking That Doesn't Suck." We soon found ourselves members of a panel, with two additional "biznikers," for a discussion on social networking to be presented at a Self-Employed Creative Professionals (SECP) event.

For the SECP discussion, "Harnessing the Power of Online Social Networks," I was given the assignment of introducing social networking and social media as marketing tools from the perspective of an author. In doing so, I presented the event attendees with a handout listing the wide variety of such resources used to promote Identity Crisis! and have since posted that information on bLog-oMotives.

'Identity Crisis!' contributor Mayhem Studiosfeatured in FreelanceSwitch interview

2008-05-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

Calvin Lee, the Principal and Creative Director of Mayhem Studios, gives Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands a mention in an interview on the design industry site FreelanceSwitch. Mayhem Studios is represented in Identity Crisis! with chapters about the firm's own identity re-design and that of the Fagerholm & Jefferson Law Corporation.

'Identity Crisis!' to be at HOW Design Conference

2008-04-12T16:11:00.000-07:00

Designer/author Jeff Fisher will be signing copies of Identity Crisis: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands during the 2008 HOW Design Conference to be held May 18-21 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA. The book signing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the HOW Conference Book Store.

The HOW Design Conference is an annual creativity, business and technology gathering for graphic design professionals This year nearly 50 speakers and wide variety of topical sessions and workshops.

Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives will once again speak at the conference. Fisher's session, Planning, Packaging & Promoting Yourself as the Product, will take a look at the challenges faced by graphic designers in marketing their own services.

Attendees can choose from more than 50 sessions in a variety of tracks, including Creativity & Inspiration, Design Disciplines, Career Development and more. Optional events include pre-conference workshops, a networking lunch, Boston design studio tours and more. The Conference will also host a Design Resource Center with exhibits featuring paper, stock photography, computer hardware and software, and products from other industry vendors.

More than 3,000 graphic designers, art directors, creative directors and illustrators are expected to participate in this year's Conference. The 2008 HOW Design Conference is presented by HOW Magazine, the creativity, business and technology magazine for graphic designers. HOW is published by F+W Publications, Inc. in Cincinnati, OH.

For additional information, and to register, visit the HOW Conference website and the HOW Conference blog.

Fisher has a long-standing relationship with the HOW organization. He has made presentations at previous HOW Conferences in New Orleans, San Deigo and Chicago. In addition to writing articles for HOW Magazine, the designer has often been the subject of pieces in the publication. Identity Crisis! was released by HOW Books in late 2007, and his first book, The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success, was released by the publisher in 2004. Fisher, is also a member of the HOW Magazine Editorial Advisory Board and the HOW Design Conference Advisory Council.

Sigma Chi has 'Identity Crisis!'

2008-04-09T07:05:00.000-07:00

Actually, the Sigma Chi Fraternity itself is no longer having an "identity crisis." The identity of the organization, as redesigned by by the Chicago firm Brainforest, is a case study in the book, Identity Crisis: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands. The rebranding effort also included The Magazine of Sigma Chi - which is featured in the HOW Books release. The national headquarters of the institution does have a copy of Identity Crisis!.

Editor Susan Lorimor shared that the Spring 2008 issue of The Magazine of Sigma Chi has a mention of Identity Crisis! on its "Books by Sigs" page. As noted in the publication:

Identity Crisis! gives readers a detailed, illustrated behind-the-scenes look at how 50 businesses and organizations, including Sigma Chi, reinvigorated their public images through redesigns of their logos, Web sites and promotional materials and other publications.

When writing Identity Crisis! I was pleased to get the Brainforest submission. As an active member of the Beta Iota chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, while at the University of Oregon (back in the late 1970's), I was very familiar with the "before" designs of the organization.

Design Dump praises 'Identity Crisis!'

2008-04-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

The design industry web presence Design Dump just posted a review of Identity Crisis: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands on their site. The review states:

What a great book! If you're a graphic designer, and love logo/identity design, then you'll indeed enjoy this book. Who doesn't love to see the "Before and After", then perform their own critiques. This book is also a great resource for getting new fresh ideas for successful identity systems. And wait...Yes, it's hardbound. A nice touch. Another great book by Jeff Fisher of LogoMotives

Watch for information about an upcoming Design Dump drawing to win an autographed copy of Identity Crisis!.Thanks for the mention!

A W.O.W. from Identity Crisis!

2008-03-27T08:28:00.000-07:00

Scattered throughout my new book, Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands, are "Words of Wisdom" (W.O.W.) from a great group of design industry experts. I asked these individuals to contribute comments, for both designers and clients, in regards to the identity re-design process.

One such piece of advice - from Sean Adams of AdamsMorioka, Inc. - reads:

"Hire the designer that you feel comfortable with, who is willing to truly listen to you. Explain your expectations, in deliverables and time. Pay more than you want to. It's worth it."

Visit the AdamsMorioka website to learn more about the company and see examples of their design work.

Oregon Department of Forestry - A case study

2008-03-18T08:53:00.000-07:00

In its seventy-nine-year history, the Oregon Department of Forestry has been represented by a series of identities. Most recently, in 1971, the department adopted a half-tree logo (below).

They had been using this logo for nearly two decades when a change was proposed. Many within (and out of) the State of Oregon government agency disliked the image and found that it was confusing to many others. Some thought the thin half-tree graphic conveyed a message of unhealthy forests.

The new logo (above) conveys a much more simplified and organic image, while maintaining some the inherent formality of a government agency identity. It projected the Department of Forestry's growing involvement and interest in all forest resources, including air, soil, water and trees. The new image is more inline with the Oregon Board of Forestry's new guiding policy document, the Forestry Program for Oregon.

The logo is the department identifier on all printed collateral, vehicles, uniform shoulder patches, the website and other materials. It is widely recognized due to the carving of the logo on signage at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters and throughout the state at ranger stations and state forest boundaries (above).

The rebranding of the Oregon Department of Forestry by Jeff Fisher LogoMotives is one of 50 case studies, from designers and firms around the world, featured in my latest book, Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands. The actual spread from the book is shown below. The volume was released by HOW Books in late 2007.

Identity Crisis! teaser No. 16

2008-03-08T12:40:00.000-08:00

An additional sneak peek at my book, Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands, is the spread featuring the Oregon Department of Forestry identity re-design case study - one of the designs from Jeff Fisher LogoMotives.

You'll find a number of teaser spreads from the book here on the Identity Crisis! blog.

Look for the book on bookstore shelves throughout the world and on all online booksellers.

'Designer' takes a look at 'Identity Crisis!'

2008-03-01T09:25:00.000-08:00

In the upcoming issue of Designer, the magazine of the University and College Designers Association (UCDA), editor Kirsten Ruby takes a look at the book Identity Crisis! 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands in her The Designer's Bookshelf column.

Ruby writes:

If browsing before-and-after logo designs fascinates you (and it does most designers), Identity Crisis! should be just what you need for a creative boost. UCDA Designer magazine advisory board member Jeff Fisher explores 50 logos from colleges, universities, restaurants, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and foundations, and shares the detailed creative background about each. The old and new identities are dissected and discussed, and Fisher provides eaxamples of the new logos as stand-alone art and in application. Especially interesting are the descriptions of the redesign process from both the clients and designers' perspectives.

Design*Sponge mentions Identity Crisis!

2008-02-27T10:24:00.000-08:00

It was great to have a little mention of Identity Crisis! in a post on the Design*Sponge blog yesterday. (Hmmm...I think the "Brand Makeover" addition to the book title in the D*S reference came from the headline when Identity Crisis! was featured in HOW Magazine) The blurb on ordering Identity Crisis! certainly stirred up a lot of interest in the book.

Check out Design*Sponge - it offers a great commentary on all things design.

Identity Crisis! - a "best logo design resource"

2008-02-26T08:17:00.000-08:00

Identity Crisis! 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands has been sent some additional "love" from designer David Airey's identity design blog Logo Design Love. My book has been listed among 70 of the best logo design resources.

Read more about listings associated with Jeff Fisher LogoMotives on bLog-oMotives.

Identity Crisis! at the Art Institute

2008-02-24T16:47:00.001-08:00

On Thursday, February 28, I will be making a presentation about Identity Crisis! 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands to students at The Art Institute of Portland. I'll be speaking from noon until about 1:00 p.m. in Room 262 of the facility at 1122 NW Davis St. in Portland, OR.

HOW Blog mentions Identity Crisis! interview

2008-02-05T07:04:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the HOW Blog for posting a mention of the recent TCG eZine interview in regards to Identity Crisis! 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands. The blog is part of the online presence of HOW Magazine, which is an element of the bigger media company that published my book.

VanderVeer Center - A case study

2008-02-03T09:17:00.000-08:00

Dr. Elizabeth VanderVeer’s clinic, offering nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, was having an identity crisis. In the period of just over a year there had been two name changes (one logo is shown above) and a major internal business reorganization.

It was decided to rebrand the company with the Doctor’s name. Initially I was asked to maintain Papyrus as the font for the redesign. By showing the client multiple images of the font in use by local businesses I was able to encourage the use of another typeface.

Originally the client proposed that the identity have an Asian influence, with bamboo as a design element. As the project progressed further, it seemed more appropriate to create an image that worked well with the rich Tuscan colors the walls of the clinic had been painted. The font Mousse Script lent itself well to use in the identity, especially with the expressive “V” letterforms.

Once the new logo (at right) was finalized the rebranding took an unusual turn. Before a stationery package, or any collateral materials, could be designed the immediate creation of a two-page magazine spread was required to meet an impending deadline for the premiere issue of a new publication.

The previous ads (at left) ran over a period of the previous six months and demonstrated the split personality of the business at the time.

The fact that Dr. VanderVeer was an artist led to the proposing of “The Art & Science of Image Enhancement” as a tagline. With the photo images of Loma Smith, the colors of painted walls in the clinic and the new identity, the ad effectively introduced the VanderVeer rebranding. The ad became the inspiration for all other marketing and advertising pieces.

The rebranding of the VanderVeer Center is one of 50 case studies, from designers and firms around the world, featured in my latest book, Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands. The volume was released by HOW Books in late 2007. Read more about the book on the Identity Crisis! blog.

The initial two-page VanderVeer Center ad (above) was honored with a 2007 Summit Creative Award. A one-page version of the ad appears in The Big Book of Layouts. The VanderVeer Center logo is featured in The Big Book of Logos 5. The rebranding case study is also posted on the membership site The Designers Inner Circle.

TCG eZine interviews Identity Crisis! author

2008-01-28T14:49:00.000-08:00

The latest edition of the TCG eZine features the article A New Brand for the New Year - an interview with Jeff Fisher, the author of Identity Crisis! 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands. In addition to discussing aspects of the book; strategies for fortifying a designer's own brand image are shared.

The eZine is the online magazine of The Creative Group, a highly specialized staffing company focusing on the placement of freelance professionals in the creative, advertising, marketing, web and public relations fields.

Identity Crisis! given some 'love'

2008-01-25T11:28:00.001-08:00

Some "love" has been sent to my book, Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands, in the form a recommendation from the new industry blog Logo Design Love.

The project, introduced today - January 25, 2008 - is authored by David Airey, a self-employed graphic designer in Edinburgh, Scotland.

My Logo Notions column (which is greatly in need of an in-the-works update), on Creative Latitude, and bLog-oMotives are also listed on Logo Design Love as resources.

Identity Crisis! teaser No. 15

2008-01-23T02:13:00.000-08:00

An additional sneak peek at my book, Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands, is the second spread of the VanderVeer Center identity re-design submission - one of the designs from Jeff Fisher LogoMotives.

Take a look at the first two pages here. Read more about this case study on bLog-oMotives. You'll find a number of teaser spreads from the book here on the Identity Crisis! blog.

Look for the book on bookstore shelves throughout the world and on all online booksellers.

SNU invites students to Jeff Fisher presentation

2008-01-21T18:16:00.000-08:00

On its website, Southern Nazarene University has invited students to attend the upcoming presentation by designer Jeff Fisher, author of Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands:

Join the SNU Art & Design Department and the American Institute of Graphic Arts to hear Jeff Fisher, noted HOW Magazine (The Graphic Design Community’s Trusted source for Creative Inspiration, Business Advice and Tools of the Trade) conference speaker and author on Thursday, January 24, at 9:00 a.m. in the SNU Art & Design Computer Lab, Fine Arts room 146 on the campus of Southern Nazarene University, 6729 NW 39th in Bethany, OK.

Jeff Fisher to speak at AIGA Oklahoma

2008-01-16T08:14:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, January 24th I will be speaking to members of AIGA Oklahoma in the group's first event of 2008. The presentation will be held at 7:00 p.m. at OPUBCO Communications Group/The Oklahoman, 9000 N. Broadway in Oklahoma City. Admission is $15 for professionals and $5 for students.

In addition to speaking about the book Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands, I will be discussing designer self-promotion methods and various aspects of my 30-year career. Books will not be for sale at the event, but I will be happy to sign copies of both Identity Crisis! and, my first book, The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success for those attending.

While in Oklahoma City I will also be visiting the graphic design departments at Southern Nazarene University and Oklahoma Christian University to speak with students, have question/answer sessions and possibly review some portfolios.

I want to thank AIGA Oklahoma President Brian Mays for his efforts in coordinating these appearances - and for the mention on his blog. I'm really looking forward to visiting Oklahoma City.

Identity Crisis! teaser No. 14

2008-01-12T13:32:00.000-08:00

Here's another sneak peek at my book, Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands

The above is the first spread of the VanderVeer Center identity re-design submission - one of the designs from yours truly.

Read more about this case study on bLog-oMotives.You'll find a number of teaser spreads from the book here on the Identity Crisis! blog.

Look for the book on bookstore shelves throughout the world and on all online booksellers.

Create Magazine features Identity Crisis!

2008-01-11T07:51:00.000-08:00

The January/February 2008 issue of the design industry publication Create Magazine features the book Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands among its recommended books for creative professionals. Create Magazine provides creative professionals with an insider's perspective on the people, news, trends and events that influence the local advertising, design, printing, photography, film & video, animation and new media industries. Published in five regional editions, the publications has approximately 45,000 readers nationwide.

The Create Magazine web presence provides creative individuals with additional pertinent news, the opportunity to post an online portfolio, industry blogs, a job board, networking opportunities through a community forum and more.

HOW Blog notes Identity Crisis! interview

2008-01-07T11:03:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Megan Lane Patrick, Senior Editor of HOW Magazine, for posting "Fisher on Freelancing" on the HOW Blog. It's a mention of the recent FreelanceSwitch interview - by Kristen Fischer - with yours truly. It's also a nice little plug for my book Identity Crisis! - recently released by HOW Books.

Hmmm...the situation has forced me to use that "freelance" word I detest so much. One of my often-quoted Jeffisms is:

"Freelance" is a nasty little word. It seems to imply an individual doesn’t have a "real" job, can’t get a job, isn’t truly professional in their field, and is willing to work for "free."

ZehnKatzen Times comments on Identity Crisis!

2008-01-04T15:15:00.000-08:00

Belated thanks to Samuel John Klein, of The ZehnKatzen Times, for his additional blog comments about the book Identity Crisis! He had previously reviewed the book for the Designorati website.

Sam and I have known each other cyberly (is that legal in the State of Oregon?) for several years - but recently met for the first time at the inaugural gathering of The PDX Graphic Designers' Social Club, a Meetup group. It was great to finally connect with him in person.

Sayles Identity Crisis! submission winsDynamic Graphics Re-Design Competition

2008-01-02T10:26:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Sayles Graphic Design for their Grand Prize win in Dynamic Graphics' initial Re:Design competition, which is featured in the publication's December 2007 issue. The firm's rebranding of The Des Moines Playhouse is also one of 50 identity redesign case studies featured in the book Identity Crisis!. The Sayles redesign of the P.E.O. International Sisterhood identity is another Identity Crisis! feature.

FreelanceSwitch posts Identity Crisis! interview

2007-12-30T11:56:00.000-08:00

Today the web presence FreelanceSwitch posted an interview with me about my career and the book Identity Crisis! The piece, "Veteran Designer Embraces Identity Crisis and Casual Fridays," was written by Kristen Fischer.

FreelanceSwitch is an online resource for all independent creatives, offering advice, articles, podcasts, a job board, and a community forum for designers, writers, photographers, web developers and others.

Kristen Fischer, an independent copywriter and editor, is also the author of the book Creatively Self-Employed. I was one of the "creative types" featured in the January 2007 release.

Identity Crisis! released in UK and Europe

2007-12-28T11:32:00.000-08:00

Today, December 28th, is the official release date for Identity Crisis! in Europe according to distributor David and Charles. The book should soon be available at the sites for Amazon Germany, France and U.K. - as well as at local bookstores in many countries.

It's all about proper product placement

2007-12-27T16:17:00.001-08:00

When my first book, The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success, was released in 2004, my friend Lisa was known to reorganize bookstore shelves when coming across the volume in retail locations. As she would remind me, "It's all about proper product placement."

I now think about what she said every time I see my new book, Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands, on a store shelf. I am always very much aware of proper product placement.

Why look, there's Identity Crisis! featured on the shelf above the design section - right next to my friend Von Glitschka's book Crumble, Crackle, Burn: 120 Stunning Textures for Design and Illustration - another HOW Books offering. What are the odds? How did that happen?

(Actually, I had just set up my little photo shoot and taken three photos, when the store manager and security were immediately all over me asking what I was doing. After explaining that I was the author of the book, and showing them some identification, I was no longer considered a possible criminal or security risk.)

Identity Crisis! has broad appeal - Designorati

2007-12-20T17:10:00.000-08:00

With the subhead "Portland logo designer’s book illustrates ins and outs of brand rethinks in format that pleases both the logo maven and at least a few members of the public at large," writer Samuel John Klein has reviewed Identity Crisis: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands for the industry resource Designorati.

In part, Klein comments:

One thing we found in showing the book to some of our non- design-oriented friends was how popular it became amongst them. When they saw us reading it, they though maybe it was yet another design book for designers; when they got a chance to look into it, they couldn’t put it down–we had to pry it out of their hands just to get it back!
We’ve long felt that the public at large is more interested in design than they think they are, and for us, Identity Crisis! serves as evidence, aided and abetted by Jeff Fisher’s friendly style. This book will find a home not only on designer’s shelves but also the bookshelves of those who just plain like design and good writing.

The entire review is available on the Designorati site.

Identity Crisis! showcased in HOW Magazine

2007-12-14T12:45:00.000-08:00

This afternoon I received my February 2008 issue (Yes, I do realize it is still December 2007) of HOW Magazine in the mail. I was sitting in a holiday shopping traffic jam flipping through the publication when I came upon a major promotion for my book Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed state identities into successful brands on the book promotion page. That's the opening spread of the multi-page Space Needle case study, by Hornall Anderson Design Works, featured in the piece.

My relationship with HOW goes back a few years now. I've been a speaker at several HOW Design Conferences, and will be making the presentation "Planning, Packaging & Promoting Yourself as the Product" at the May 2008 event in Boston. I've also been a member of the HOW Design Conference Advisory Council for a while. In the past I have also written articles for HOW, been featured in several others, and I serve on the HOW Magazine Editorial Advisory Board. HOW Books is also the publisher of my books The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success and Identity Crisis!

The fun staff at HOW has always made me feel like part of the family - so, maybe promoting my book in such a big way is kind of nepotism. I think I'll look at is as a great holiday gift from the whole clan.

Identity Crisis! on The Designer's Bookshelf

2007-12-08T07:35:00.000-08:00

This morning I got the latest email DT&G newsletter from The Design Center. The monthly missive is always a reminder to check out the latest on the site. Of course, when visiting the design industry resource, I always have to check out the new books listed. I was pleased to see Identity Crisis! listed in the design section of The Designer's Bookshelf.

Check out Identity Crisis! - literally

2007-12-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

It's great to hear that designers and students are already able to find Identity Crisis! at some libraries. A couple local facilities have let me know that the book is available for users to check out, including the library at the Art Institute of Portland.

The Art Institute of Portland is a great facility. In the past I have spoken to classes, participated in portfolio reviews and served on the professional advisory committee for the Graphic Design and Interactive Media programs. Another speaking engagement, to discuss Identity Crisis!, is being scheduled for after the first of the year.

I do appreciate the fact that, as a "friend of the Art Institute," bLog-oMotives has been listed as a resource on the library homepage.

Identity Crisis! makes its 'point'

2007-12-01T16:58:00.001-08:00

In the past few weeks, I've enjoyed walking into bookstores and seeing that the spine of my book Identity Crisis! is living up to its desired effect. HOW Book designer Grace Ring did a great job creating an image that does kind of "yell" at the customer perusing the design volume shelves.

Just yesterday, someone with whom I was having coffee mentioned how eye-catching the spine, and book cover, were when seen in a store among other books. I replied that when HOW Books acquisitions editor Megan Patrick informed me of the working title Identity Crisis, back in February 2006, I sent her the following email:

Maybe it should be "Identity Crisis!" - with an exclamation point. One of my clients just went through hers and it needed/deserved the additional punctuation!

Besides, I figured it would look good on the spine and cover of the book. It does!

Media Inc. makes note of Identity Crisis!

2007-11-28T16:37:00.000-08:00

This afternoon I received the latest issue of Media Inc. - which included a mention of my book Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands. Media Inc. is a trade magazine promoting the Pacific Northwest's advertising, creative services, film & video, audio, multimedia, web, broadcast, publishing, printing, and music industries. A digital edition of the issue is available to read on the publication website.

A W.O.W. from Identity Crisis!

2007-11-25T20:43:00.000-08:00

One such piece of advice, from Debbie Millman, reads in part:

If I had to one belief that I believe is most detrimental to many designers, it is this: that being a successful designer is all about being a fabulously talented designer. It is not. That is only one part of it. Being a fabulously talented designer is essentially achieving operational excellence, in the same way that Apple makes great iPods or Jimmy Choo makes great shoes.

Read Debbie's complete quote in Identity Crisis! - or check out more of her words of wisdom, and personal insights, on her blog or her Internet radio show Design Matters.

No Identity Crisis! at Powell's?

2007-11-18T09:18:00.000-08:00

I've had numerous phone calls, emails and forum postings from people who have gone to Powell's City of Books (or have intended to do so) in downtown Portland and found that Identity Crisis! is not in stock. With recent local appearances, and published mentions, I know local designers are seeking the book. I thought it odd that the major independent bookstore in my hometown, with the best section of graphic design books in the city, didn't have the book at all. When my first book, The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success, was released the store had numerous copies available immediately.

The Powell's website, which still posts the incorrect title of the book (Update 11.19.07: OK, that's funny - overnight the title was corrected on the Powell's site), has shown a couple "used" copies of the book in recent weeks - which simply means that some individuals receiving local review copies have sold them. In contacting Powell's over a week ago, I learned that the two copies of Identity Crisis! ordered from the publisher were never shipped and therefore never arrived at the store. I was also told that the website listing for the number of book copies in a local warehouse is actually not that at all. The number of copies supposedly in a Powell's warehouse is, in reality, the number available from various regional book distributors.

I do understand that many interested in Identity Crisis! want to peruse a copy before buying the book. In buying design books, I always want to look before I buy. So, if you want to physically buy the book at Powell's you need to let them know they need to make copies available at the stores. (Years ago I lived four blocks from the store and was almost in need of rehab due to the illness of purchasing so many design volumes.) You may order the book from them and it will be shipped to the store for pickup or to your address.

If you are an individual who likes to support local, independent bookstores I would suggest picking up a copy of Identity Crisis! at St. Johns Booksellers in North Portland. Multiple signed copies of the book are available at my neighborhood bookstore - and the support of a small retailer will be greatly appreciated. You might want to inquire about the book at your own local independent bookstore, too.

In the Portland metropolitan area, I have also seen multiple copies of Identity Crisis! at major chain bookstores like Borders and Barnes & Noble. In fact, the other day I saw multiple copies of Identity Crisis! right next to two copies of my friend Von Glitschka's book Crumble. Crackle. Burn. I did some creative product placement on the shelf so both of our books had a much higher profile.

I do appreciate all the positive comments I have received about Identity Crisis!. The published reviews have been great. The book is out there - it just takes a little searching for it in some parts of the country (like my hometown).

DesignerToday reviews Identity Crisis!

2007-11-16T07:45:00.001-08:00

Online magazine DesignerToday has posted a review of Identity Crisis: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands. The complete critique, by designer and writer Jake Van Ness, may be read on the DesignerToday site. Van Ness sums up his comments with:

This book is a wonderful source of inspiration and I think it is a must have for any designer interested or currently working in the field of identity design.

DesignerToday has been providing industry professionals the most current design news, product reviews, related articles, tutorials by subscription and more, for nearly a decade.

Identity Crisis! goes to college

2007-11-15T09:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the first of several Identity Crisis! speaking engagements on my calendar. Program Director Gary Brown invited me to speak to the Capstone students in the School of Business Administration's Business Outreach Program at Portland State University. My presentation on branding and marketing tied in well with the course's current project work.

Student teams are paired with local existing businesses that need business and marketing assistance. Over the two-term course, students take on the role of small business consultant. At the end of the second term a written report is turned in at the time of the final team oral presentation. The format of the report is different for each team, as different businesses require different types of information. The report provides an overview of the client’s needs, work done throughout the project, and applicable recommendations for the client.

My own identity redesign case studies, examples from Identity Crisis! and shared marketing/advertising experience, gave students some "real world" examples and information to consider when dealing with the challenges of their own course "clients."

By the way, the Portland State University identity re-design, by firm Sockeye Creative, is showcased in Identity Crisis!.

HOW homepage mentions Identity Crisis!

2007-11-12T14:51:00.001-08:00

It's great to see HOW Magazine posting a blurb about Identity Crisis! on the homepage of their HOWdesign.com site. HOW is published by the same parent company as my book.

Since 2004 I have been a member of the HOW Magazine Editorial Advisory Board. I have also written for the magazine, and been included in HOW articles written by others. In May 2008 I will be speaking at a HOW Design Conference for a fourth time.

PaperSpecs selects Identity Crisis!as Book of the Week

2007-11-11T18:58:00.000-08:00

PaperSpecs is the first online paper database specifically developed for the design/print industry. This past week they selected Identity Crisis! as the Book of the Week in the site's online Paper Talks newsletter. It's also listed as one of the PaperSpecs suggested books.

Signed Identity Crisis! copies availablefrom St. Johns Booksellers in Portland

2007-11-09T09:50:00.000-08:00

Last night I had a very successful Identity Crisis! book signing event at St. Johns Booksellers in North Portland. Owners Liz Dorman and Nena Rawdah hosted the fun evening at their store, located at 8622 N. Lombard in the St. Johns neighborhood.

Following the event, I signed numerous copies of Identity Crisis! and the store now has the books available for purchase. Unfortunately, they don't have website ordering. However, you may visit the store in person, email them at info@stjohnsbooks.com, or call (503)283-0032, to place an order or get additional information about the book. As other Portland area bookstores have limited quantities of the volume in stock - or have not yet received orders - St. Johns Booksellers is a great independent bookstore option.

If someone would like a personally inscribed copy, provide the store with the necessary information and I would be happy to stop by and personalize the book before it is shipped out.

For any order over $25 St. Johns Booksellers will ship by USPS media mail for free to Oregon, Washington, and California. (They don't recommend trying media mail for longer distances, because it can take an unreasonably long time and the additional handling is hard on the books.) The UPS ground fee is $6 for the first book, $1.50 for each additional item.

Thank you Just Out!

2007-11-09T06:13:00.001-08:00

Yesterday afternoon Just Out editor and publisher Marty Davis blogged about my Identity Crisis! book signing being held later in the evening. (Hey, she even called me an "all round good guy.). Ms. Davis came to the event with her camera in hand and took a number of photos.

Just Out, the state-wide newsmagazine for the GLBT community, had it's own "identity crisis" two years ago. I was brought in to give the publication an updated and more sophisticated look. Back in 2000 writer Marc Acito wrote a feature story about me for the paper.

I really appreciate the ongoing support of Marty Davis and Just Out.

Identity Crisis! book signing reminders

2007-11-07T06:58:00.001-08:00

It was great to see the notice about my Thursday book signing in the O! section of The Sunday Oregonian. It's also posted on the paper's online Literary Calendar.

This morning my neighborhood monthly newspaper, The St. Johns Sentinel, published a reminder about my book signing tomorrow evening (Thursday, November 8th) at the St. Johns Booksellers.

The Identity Crisis! event starts at 7:30 p.m. at the bookstore, located at 8622 N. Lombard in the St. Johns neighborhood - about 15 minutes north of downtown Portland.

HOW Books promotes Identity Crisis!

2007-11-06T11:10:00.001-08:00

It's been great seeing ads, from my publisher HOW Books (an imprint of F+W Publications), promoting Identity Crisis! in new design industry publications. The ad is in the special Designer's Good Business Guide issue of HOW Magazine and the 2007 PRINT Regional Design Annual.

"Identity Crisis is a rare book" - Chuck Green

2007-11-01T07:58:00.000-07:00

One of the blogs I check out on a regular basis is PagePlane, an online presence of design industry expert and author Chuck Green. His site Ideabook.com, the tutorials he offers, and his Jumpola design links are incredible resources for anyone in the profession.

On PagePlane Green has posted a review of Identity Crisis! under the headline Identity Crisis is a rare book. In part the review reads:

If you are a graphic designer who has real-world clients—I suggest you add this book to your toolbox. If you are a business owner or marketer who wants to see how others make over and leverage their identity—Jeff Fisher’s Identity Crisis is a good place to start.

The entire review is available on PagePlane.

HOW blogs about my blog about Identity Crisis!

2007-10-31T06:43:00.000-07:00

A couple days ago I posted a blog entry about Identity Crisis! being included in the QuickBooks/Intuit "Just Start" campaign exhibit traveling around the country. I wanted to thank the editors of HOW for giving the news some attention on the HOW Blog yesterday.

Identity Crisis! travels country withQuickBooks "Just Start" campaign

2007-10-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

This past week, while I was on vacation in Italy, Intuit, the maker of QuickBooks Simple Start 2008, held their initial "Just Start" event in Seattle's Westlake Center (above) to announce the free distribution of the product. My business, Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, and my newly released book Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands, are featured in the "Just Start" Gallery of proven entrepreneurial businesses for the event (below). The product rollout, and the traveling exhibit, will also be seen in Chicago's Union Center - Great Hall (November 1-2), Grand Central Terminal - Vanderbilt Hall in New York City (November 8-9) and Boston's South Station (November 13-14).

As a QuickBooks user, I joined Intuit's JumpUp online networking community this past year. This past June JumpUp.com did a spotlight on my business efforts. I was recently asked to occasionally write a blog entry for the JumpUp site and Designs on Business was the result. This relationship with JumpUp.com resulted in being asked to participate in the "Just Start" event series.

Already trusted by more than 300,000 small business owners nationwide, QuickBooks Simple Start is full-featured accounting software. Known for its drop-dead ease of use, Simple Start focuses on the essentials of tracking "money in" and "money out," as well as keeping key business data organized for tax time. With this free accounting software, entrepreneurs can now easily establish the financial habits that will help them get their business successfully off the ground. The small business financial software, with previous versions valued at $99.95, is available for free download at www.simplestart.com.

Further supporting entrepreneurs, Intuit also announced its nationwide "Just Start" campaign with a chance to win a $50,000 business startup grant. The campaign is designed to empower the many Americans who aspire to run their own business to take the next step and "Just Start." Along with a contest for $50,000, "Just Start" offers the encouragement and guidance aspiring entrepreneurs need to get started via the events in Seattle, Chicago, New York City and Boston. Go to www.IWillJustStart.com for more information.

Dexinger newsletter promotes Identity Crisis!

2007-10-21T08:22:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite design email newsletters is that of Dexinger.com. It always provides a wealth of information about various design disciplines from around the world. It was great to see Identity Crisis! included in the October issue. (Here's the "clicky clicky" to sign up for the monthly industry news missive - and to review an archive of past newsletters.)

I did previously post an Identity Crisis! blog mention of the book appearing on the Dexinger home page.

The "LogoMotivator" huh?

2007-10-19T03:07:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here having cappuccino number two - at Casa Mennone in Segromigno in Monte, Italy - and hopping online to see what's going on with my book, Identity Crisis! When I last posted on this blog, prior to going off to Venice for three days, it was to announce my upcoming Portland book signing.

I thought that the book event might allow me to meet some of the Portland design community with whom I've had online connections, including a couple contributors to the book, but have never met in person. One of those individuals I hoped to see at the St. Johns Booksellers is Samuel John Klein, designer and blogger of The ZehnKatzen Times. Several times he's been nice enough to post entries about me or my work. He's done it again, with a mention of the November 8th event. Unfortunately, he will be working that evening.

This is getting ridiculous. I guess we just need to make plans to get together for coffee at some point when I get back to the States.

Thanks for promoting the book and the book signing!