"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!" 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

Using Twitter to promote "Identity Crisis!"

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

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

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