Designing My Logo

Hello Everyone...

I have been attempting to design an affective logo ever since my senior year at MIAD. What do I need to take into consideration for this design?

Here are my thoughts:

- Recognizable up close and from a "thumb nail" distance
- Clean
- Line Weight
- Balance
- Composition
- All of the elements and principles of design
- Not so overpowering that it takes away from other information (when it is included as a letterhead, in end credits, etc.)
- Strong enough to stand alone

- The last point I would like to make is in regards to my last name. It is no secret that the word "Morningstar" lends itself to a variety of creative imagery (rising suns, stars in the sky, and any other hieroglyph-esque pictures). Therefore, yielding a successful logo should be a sinch, right?

At first I did not feel that exploiting my last name would be the best option. What an easy way out! Where would my challenge be? Plus, wouldn't people start thinking "Oh, look at the morning star. Typical!" The last thing I want to be is "typical."

I began sketching concepts a few weeks ago. For inspiration, and to see what works, I googled images for "logos." About 99% utilize letters in a graphically clever manner. This influenced me to consider the letters in my name, in particular my initials: A and M.

As my drawings evolved, a variety of logos started taking form. I manipulated my initials to the point of abstraction, gave them character, and tried to maintain the elements and principles of design. Once I felt confident in a logo I would ask others to critique the design. The first option I was attached to was not as well received as i had hoped. Though recognizable, many equated my design to that of an abstracted bunny, lion, goat, and other "creatures." Back to the drawing board!

My sketching process continued last night. Watching my pen's ink flow onto the acid free paper of my sketchbook was hypnotizing. I drifted in and out of a dream-like state, asking myself questions like "who am I as an artist?" "how do I convey my artistic style and characteristics through a logo?" "am I the only artist making this task more difficult that it needs to be?" That is when I realized, being literal could still produce an unexpected result. In other words, maybe I should take advantage of my last name's potential; here lies my challenge.

Instead of continuing work on my logo, I decided to begin conceptualizing my "bumper." A bumper is a short, 3 - 8 second clip introducing the producer(s) of a film, animation, website, etc. (think of the Roaring Lion, Pegasus, Lightning Bolt, Statue of Libery, and many others that occur at the beginning of a movie). What should mine be? How will my bumper and logo work together?

Although I have completed my bumper's storyboard, I will not be sharing it with you today; I have yet to animate it, and to explain would be too difficult. However, to stimulate your imagination, my bumper will include a sunrise, pasture, silhouetted fence, shift in camera angles, and a zoom out. Finishing my storyboard allowed for a natural progression into the design of my logo. I believe the two together are an affective representation of me, my artistic style, and my life.

If you are planning to design your own logo, I encourage you to dig deep into yourself: Who are you? What is your name? What type of work do you do/who will your audience be? It will also be important to take the elements and principles of design into consideration. Sketch a lot! Think of your designs as a rubber-band; expand your ideas as taught as they will go, and then bring yourself back. This will allow your concepts to grow. Have others critique your ideas and give their input, but remember that this is ultimately a representation of you.