Identity Crisis! teaser spread No. 3 (Redux)

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.

© 2011 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Identity Crisis! teaser spread No. 2 (Redux)

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.

© 2011 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Identity Crisis! teaser spread No. 1 (Redux)

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 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.

© 2011 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

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

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.

© 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 named one ofGraphic Design USA's "People to Watch in 2009

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.

© 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

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

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.

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

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.

Oregon Department of Forestry - A case study

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

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.

Image: Copyright © 2008 Jeff Fisher • Used with permission of author and HOW Books, an imprint of F+W Publications, Inc.

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.

VanderVeer Center - A case study

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.

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives.

Identity Crisis! teaser No. 15

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.

Image: Copyright © 2008 Jeff Fisher • Used with permission of author and HOW Books, an imprint of F+W Publications, Inc.

Identity Crisis! teaser No. 14

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.

Image: Copyright © 2008 Jeff Fisher • Used with permission of author and HOW Books, an imprint of F+W Publications, Inc.

Dexinger newsletter promotes Identity Crisis!

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.

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."

Identity Crisis! shows up on Dexinger

I just had an email from a designer friend letting me know that they had spotted Identity Crisis! on the homepage of the international design portal Dexinger this morning (above). They also posted an additional blurb in the news section - as well as my complete press release. Thanks Dexinger!

Graphics.com newsletter plugs Identity Crisis!

The design industry resource Graphics.com featured Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands as one of their "New Resources" in their newsletter yesterday. Watch for an exclusive Identity Crisis! online excerpt on the site in the near future.

Thanks for the exposure Graphics.com!

HOW Blog posts Identity Crisis! sneak peek

For those interested in taking a closer look at the visual teaser pages of Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands, a downloadable PDF has been posted on the HOW Blog.

The document includes a look at the table of contents (above), and projects from Shine Advertising Co., Willoughby Design Group and Subplot Design.

Identity Crisis! was also featured this weel in the "Book Watch" section of the HOW Magazine e-newsletter with the following description:

"Identity Crisis takes a fresh look at this common subject by exploring the process of redesigning existing identities to help businesses refine their images, communicate with customers, and find success. You'll get an inside look at the challenges of redesigning identities and see the creative and strategic thinking behind fresh design work."

HOW Books is the publisher of Identity Crisis! - and they also published my first book, The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success back in 2004. In addition, I serve on the HOW Magazine Editorial Advisory Board and the HOW Conference Advisory Council.

Look for Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands on your bookstore shelves in October.

Image: Copyright © 2007 Jeff Fisher • Used with permission of author and HOW Books, an imprint of F+W Publications, Inc.