Author Jeff Fisher interviewed on PsPrint blog

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.

© 2009 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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

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.

© 2009 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

'Identity Crisis!' author on The Reflex Blue Show

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.

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

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

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."

© 2009 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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

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.

© 2009 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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

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.

'Identity Crisis!' contributor Mayhem Studiosfeatured in FreelanceSwitch interview

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.

A W.O.W. from Identity Crisis!

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.

Identity Crisis! - a "best logo design resource"

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.

A W.O.W. from Identity Crisis!

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 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.

Graphics.com shares Identity Crisis news

Design industry Internet presence Graphics.com is sharing the news of the release of Identity Crisis! with their website readers today.

Unbeige gives Identity Crisis! 'seal of approval'

A great way to start the week is with the industry website Unbeige posting a positive review (the first review I've seen so far) of my book Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands. I'm honored to have their virtual "seal of approval."

Toot! Toot!*: Jeff Fisher is having an Identity Crisis!

(This is the press release I have been sending out to a variety of resources over the weekend.)

24 September 2007
For immediate release

(Portland, Ore) -- Identity Crisis! 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands, the new book from Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based design firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, has been released by publisher HOW Books, an imprint of F+W Publications, Inc. The book is currently available from all major online booksellers and will soon be on bookstore shelves internationally.

Identity Crisis! takes a fresh look at 50 before and after case studies, from designers and firms from around the world, by exploring the process of redesigning existing identities to help businesses refine their image, communicate with customers, and find success. Designers seeking inspiration - and any business considering a graphic makeover - will be presented an inside look at the challenges of redesigning identities and visual examples of creative and strategic thinking in achieving the desired results.

Jack Anderson, of the Seattle firm Hornall Anderson Design Works wrote the foreward for Identity Crisis! "Words of Wisdom," throughout the book, were provided by Sean Adams/AdamsMorika, Inc, Bob Domenz/Avenue, Tony Spaeth/Identityworks, Debbie Millman/Sterling Brands, Jack Yan/Jack Yan & Associates, design educator and author Robin Landa, Robynne Raye/Modern Dog Design Co., Mark E. Sackett/Reflectur, and the author.

Case studies presented in the volume include projects from the following firms: 3 Dogz Creative Inc. (Toronto, ONT, Canada), Advertising By Design (Clermont, FL USA), angryporcupine*design (Park City, UT USA), Avenue (Chicago, IL USA), b-design (San Diego, CA USA), biz-R (Totnes, Devon, UK), Brainforest, Inc. (Chicago, IL USA), Breathewords (Caldas da Rainha, Portugal), CC Graphic Design (Salt Lake City, UT USA), Common Sense Design (New Hamburg, ONT Canada), Connacher Design (Stamford, CT USA), Finamore Design (Brooklyn, NY USA), Fullblast, Inc. (Portland, OR USA), Glitschka Studios (Salem, OR USA), Graphicwise, Inc. (Irvine, CA USA), Hornall Anderson Design Works (Seattle, WA USA), and Identityworks (Rye, NY USA).

Other firms represented include: Jeff Fisher LogoMotives (Portland, OR USA), John Silver Design Bothell, WA (USA), MasonBaronet (Dallas, TX USA), Mayhem Studios (Los Angeles, CA USA), Modern Dog Design Co. (Seattle, WA USA), MyBrand (Lisbon, Portugal), nHarmony, Inc. (Muncie, IN USA), Octavo Designs (Frederick, MD USA), Paragon Integrated Marketing Communications (Salmiya, Kuwait), RDQ - Rdqlus Design Quantum (Omaha, NE USA), Round2 Communications - R2i (Baltimore, MD USA), Sayles Graphic Design (Des Moines, IA USA), Shapiro Design Associates Inc. (Irvington, NY USA), Shine Advertising Co. (Madison, WI USA), Sockeye Creative (Portland, OR USA), Studio GT&P (Foligno, PG Italy), Subplot Design Inc. (Vancouver, BC Canada), and Willoughby Design Group (Kansas City, MO USA)

Title: Identity Crisis! 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands
Hardbound: 216 pages
Publisher: HOW Books, an imprint of F+W Publications
Release: September 2007
ISBN: 1581809395
Price: $35.00

For more information, visit the Identity Crisis! blog. A downloadable PDF file of some teaser spreads is also available from the publisher at HOW Blog.

Jeff Fisher has received nearly 575 regional, national and international graphic design awards for his logo and corporate identity efforts. His work is featured in nearly 100 books on the design of logos, the business of graphic design, design education, and small business marketing. In addition, Fisher also writes for CreativeLatitude.com, HOW Magazine and other design resources; and speaks about the design profession to high school classes, college students, and at international design industry events.

Fisher is a member of the HOW Magazine Editorial Advisory Board, the HOW Design Conference Advisory Council and the UCDA Designer Magazine Editorial Advisory Board. His first book, The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success, was released by HOW Design Books in late 2004.

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

A W.O.W. from Identity Crisis!

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 of my favorite pieces of advice, directed at clients needing a new business or organization identity, is from Robin Raye of Modern Dog Design Co.:

"Find a designer you can trust, and then trust them."

You will be able to check out the other W.O.W. comments in Identity Crisis! when the book hits the shelves of bookstores worldwide in October.

Major corporate identity crises reviewed in book

At times major national and international corporations will have very public identity crises. Last year, along with Howard Belk of Siegel+Gale and Bill Gardner of Gardner Design (and LogoLounge), I was asked to comment on a variety of logo redesigns for a Fortune magazine article with the title "Logo-Licious or Lame." Our comments on the identities of Kodak, Intel, Sprint & AT&T were published in the magazine and online.

In addition to a great foreward by Jack Anderson of Hornall Anderson, "words of wisdom" from leaders in the design industry, and identity redesigns from contributers around the world, my book Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands includes my expanded comments on the new logos of those major corporations. My reviews of the Quark, UPS, Unilever, USA Network and Visa revamps are also featured.

Yes, each time I see the latest USA Network logo I still see images of male genitalia...

Image: Article from February 2006 Fortune magazine.

Identity Crisis! teaser No. 9

My upcoming book Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands features 50 case studies of identity re-designs and rebranding with the application of the new business images. Projects showcased include "mom and pop" businesses, major corporations, educational facilities, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and more.

Design entities from around the world, from one-person operations to major industry firms, submitted work for possible inclusion in the book. With a series of Identity Crisis! blog entries I have been announcing the firms and projects that are included in the book. Each re-design is an Identity Crisis! chapter.

Here is the fifth, and final, installment of ten re-design case studies included in the book, listed by project featured and firm responsible for the effort:

Canton Crossing
Round2 Communications (now R2i) • Baltimore,, MD USA

Mayhem Studios
Mayhem Studios • Los Angeles, CA USA

Vancouver Aquarium
Subplot Design Inc. • Vancouver, BC Canada

Frivole Couture
Breathewords • Caldas da Rainha, Portugal

The Boyd Center for Integrative Health
b-design • San Diego, CA USA

Murray's Jewelers
nHarmony, Inc. • Muncie, IN USA

Weyerhaeuser Company - iLevel
Hornall Anderson Design Works • Seattle, WA USA

Slipstream Design
Modern Dog Design Co. • Seattle, WA USA

Sigma Chi
Brainforest, Inc. • Chicago, IL USA

American Technion Society
Shapiro Design Associates Inc. • Irvington, NY USA

I will continue to use the Identity Crisis! blog to post some additional visual teasers, and other related news items and notes. The book is scheduled for a September release.

Identity Crisis! teaser No. 7

The upcoming book Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands features 50 case studies of identity re-designs and rebranding with the application of the new business images. Projects showcased include "mom and pop" businesses, major corporations, educational facilities, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and more.

Design entities from around the world, from one-person operations to major industry firms, submitted work for possible inclusion in the book. With a series of Identity Crisis! blog entries I am announcing the firms and projects that are included in the book. Each re-design is an Identity Crisis! chapter.

Here is the fourth installment of ten re-design case studies included in the book, listed by project featured and firm responsible for the effort:

Outward Bound
Identityworks • Rye, NY USA
Connacher Design • Stamford, CT USA

Vita Cafe
Fullblast, Inc • Portland, OR USA

Washington Conservation Guild
CC Graphic Design • Salt Lake City, UT USA

Joffrey Ballet
Avenue Marketing & Communications • Chicago, IL USA

Intelligent Creatures
3 Dogz Creative Inc. • Toronto, ONT Canada

The Des Moines Playhouse
Sayles Graphic Design • Des Moines, IA USA

Central Florida West
Advertising By Design • Minneola, FL USA

Union Square Partnership
Shapiro Design Associates Inc. • Irvington, NY USA

Schellin Grounds Maintenance
angryporcupine*design • Park City, UT USA

Energias de Portugal
MyBrand • Lisbon, Portugal

I will soon post the final list of contributors on the Identity Crisis! blog - and will continue relaying other related news items and notes. The book is scheduled for a September release.

'Identity Crisis!' contributor 'toots' his horn

I want to acknowledge Calvin Lee, of Mayhem Studios, for taking the news of his two identity redesign projects appearing in the upcoming book Identity Crisis! 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands and running with the information as a promotion tool. For years I've written, and made presentations, about the need for designers to fine-tune their marketing skills - especially through the use of press releases. Lee has used this promotion tactic extremely well in marketing his own design business.

The Internet posting of the press release on various free PR distribution sites is bringing a lot of traffic to the Identity Crisis! blog. As an example of how a design firm (or independent designer) can use inclusion in a book, or news of industry design awards, here's the content of Lee's press release:

Mayhem Studios Case Studies Published
in Jeff Fisher's Identity Crisis!

Los Angeles, Calif. - The identity of Mayhem Studios client Fagerholm & Jefferson Law Corporation and the award-winning, Los Angeles-based, design firm's own identity will be featured in Jeff Fisher's next book 'Identity Crisis! 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands.' 'Identity Crisis!' will be released by HOW Design Books in 2007.

'Identity Crisis!' takes a fresh look at 50 before and after case studies by exploring the process of redesigning existing identities to help businesses refine their image, communicate with customers, and find success.

Readers will get an inside look at the challenges of redesigning identities. They'll see the creative and strategic thinking behind fresh design work as well as have a powerful tool to show clients what a difference a professional can make to their image.

For more information, please visit http://identitycrisisbook.blogspot.com.

Jeff Fisher, author of the 'Savvy Designer's Guide to Success' is the Engineer of Creative Identity for Jeff Fisher LogoMotives. He has received over 550 regional, national and international design awards for his logo design efforts. His work is featured in over 85 books about logos, the business of design, and small business marketing. Fisher serves on the HOW Magazine Editorial Advisory Board, the UCDA Designer Magazine Editorial Advisory Board, and the HOW Design Conference Advisory Council. In addition, Fisher also writes for CreativeLatitude.com and HOW Magazine.

About Mayhem Studios:
Mayhem Studios is small, award-winning design firm located in Los Angeles, California, developing identity and brand recognition for small, mid-size and large businesses across the nation.

The Studio uses strategic and creative design with effective messages targeted to the client’s specific audiences to produce identity and branded collateral pieces, annual reports, brochures, logo design, advertising & interactive web sites.

Calvin Lee, Principal & Creative Director of Mayhem Studios is a graduate of Platt College and serves as a member of the Platt College Advisory Board for the Visual Communications Department, NO!SPEC Committee and on the Creative Latitude Management Team.

Contact:
Calvin Lee, Principal
Mayhem Studios
Web: www.mayhemstudios.com
Blog: www.mayhemstudios.com/blog

I want to thank Cal for his 'Identity Crisis!' submissions - and for promoting the book while also increasing awareness of his own work.

Identity Crisis! teaser No. 5

The upcoming book Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands features 50 case studies of identity re-designs and rebranding with the application of the new business images. Projects showcased include "mom and pop" businesses, major corporations, educational facilities, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and more.

Design entities from around the world, from one-person operations to major industry firms, submitted work for possible inclusion in the book. With a series of Identity Crisis! blog entries I will announce the firms and projects that are included in the book. Each re-design is an Identity Crisis! chapter.

Here is the third group of ten re-design case studies included in the book, listed by project featured and firm responsible for the effort:

Vickie Lea Designs, Inc.
RDQ (Rdqlus Design Quantum) • Omaha, NE USA

Ruby Receptionists
Sockeye Creative • Portland, OR USA

Los Angeles Mission
Graphicwise, Inc • Irvine, CA USA

Software Spectrum
MasonBaronet • Dallas, TX USA

Ecos Consulting
Fullblast, Inc. • Portland, OR USA

Space Needle
Hornall Anderson Design Works • Seattle, WA USA

Oregon Department of Forestry
Jeff Fisher LogoMotives • Portland, OR USA

CHUMS
Fullblast, Inc. • Portland, OR USA

Pier 39 Steakhouse and Winery
Graphicwise, Inc • Irvine, CA USA

Portland State University
Sockeye Creative • Portland, OR USA

Over the next few weeks I will post additional contributors to Identity Crisis!, as well as other news and notes. The book is scheduled for a September release.