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

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.

© 2010 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!' included in 'Best Logo Design Books for Your Graphic Design Library'

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.

© 2009 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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

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"

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!' one of 30 must-have logo books

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.

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

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.

Sigma Chi has 'Identity Crisis!'

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.

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.

Create Magazine features Identity Crisis!

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.

Identity Crisis! released in UK and Europe

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.

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.

HOW blogs about my blog about Identity Crisis!

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! book signing: November 8, 2007St. Johns Booksellers, Portland OR USA

St. Johns Booksellers, the neighborhood bookstore of North Portland graphic designer and author Jeff Fisher, will be the location of a presentation and book signing for his new book, Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands, on Thursday, November 8th at 7:30 p.m. Bookstore owners Liz Dorman and Nena Rawdah will host the event in their store, located at 8622 N. Lombard in the St. Johns neighborhood - about 15 minutes north of downtown Portland.

St. Johns Booksellers is a full-service, independent neighborhood bookstore offering new and used books. The store is one of only two U.S. bookstores featured in the 2008 Unique Bookstores calendar published by the International Booksellers Federation.

Anyone having questions about the Identity Crisis! book signing event is encouraged to contact the store at 503.283.0032, Tuesdays through Sunday.

Check out independent bookstores in your local area through Book Sense, and contact them to see if they have Identity Crisis! available.

GDUSA gives Identity Crisis! a mention

The design industry publication Graphic Design USA has given the book Identity Crisis! a mention in its October eGDUSA newsletter. GDUSA writes that Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns that Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands "delivers exactly what the title promises."

In introducing "New Designer Books," the column also notes the release of The Graphic Designer's Guide to Better Business Writing, by Barbara Janoff and Ruth Cash-Smith. Identity Crisis! author Jeff Fisher is featured several times in the Allworth Press selection.

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.

Online bookseller ranking fun

Yes, the rankings do change hourly - and there are a multitude of categories - but it is fun to see Identity Crisis! in the listings on Amazon.com. The book seems to be doing very well as a "Hot New Release" in the categories of Advertising, Illustration and General Graphic Design.

Identity Crisis! - part of HOW's 'Creative Life'

I earlier posted that a download of some teaser spreads from Identity Crisis! had been made available through the HOW Blog. The same PDF preview of the book is also available on HOW Magazine's website on the "Your Creative Life" page of the Design & Creativity section. Enjoy!

Why, that's just RDQLUS!

I've mentioned Identity Crisis contributor, cyber design community buddy, and real world friend Steve Gordon previously in this blog. However, I do want to thank him for them mention of the book on Str8 Up RDQLUS.

The release of Identity Crisis 'across the pond?'

I've been getting an increasing number of questions, on design forums and via email, about the release of Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands in the U.K. and throughout Europe. It looks like the distributor for that region of the world, David & Charles has the book scheduled for a December 2007 release.

The book is available for pre-sales on the Amazon.com sites in the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Do keep an eye on the shelves of your local independent bookstores - it may appear earlier than expected.