Friday, May 19, 2006

Leggo my logo!

It's *looks at the time* 3:55 AM, Malaysian time and I find myself searching the net for what is defined as a 'middle-class' logo. Right. I enjoy creating logos but the thinking process can be a bitch sometimes. And I'm SLOW. It doesn't help that the logos I keep coming up with are ridiculously complicated. And the briefs! Oh the briefs I'm given!

SMS from boss: Please create two logos for me one is something to do with trains, central station and the other a hainanese boy. Kthx!

I suppose people have managed on less right? right? right?!

Logo’s can be the most rewarding things to design. The ability to summarize a whole concept of the business, income group, age group, location, history, direction all in one image is pretty cool when you manage to find ‘it’. A picture is indeed worth a thousand words.

What I’ve learnt is that a logo should be easily identifiable, simple (not a hard and fast rule this one), relatable and relevant to the company that might be hiring you. Basic stuff right?

The problem is, for someone who’s so used to having a clear idea of what I want and almost complete freedom when creating back in school, I’m quickly finding out that trying to pinpoint a client’s needs and wants for their image is like trying to catch a wiggling electric eel in the depths of aquaria! Very unpleasant.

Yes, yes I know, we should adapt. Yes, we should keep our identity. Yes, we should be chameleons. Yes, we should be flexible and diversify. Yes, we should find our own style. Do you see where this is going? Cause I sure as hell don’t.

Still, for now at least, I understand it's not a good thing being too set in my style especially when the jobs are so diverse. I still need to learn about flexibility at work and to rely less on moods and not get too attached to my work. At the same time be proud of the work I put out. It seems like a perpetual juggling act between work and aesthetics. And it seems like most businesses aren’t giving in.

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