New logo, new year.

My week started slow, but ended fantastic. Drew this up last night. It's a little bit out of my usual realm, but I'm curious to see how it evolves. Happy New Year everyone!

Nerd

I love going to thrift stores. It's a guilty/nerdy activity that spilled over from high school searches for grungy attire. Sometimes I take my kids. The hate it, until yesterday. We found this awesome dinosaur pop-up book for $1.00!

Uh Oh

While researching logos this morning, I found this beauty on the world wide web.

Can't decide...

Slow week at The-Logo-Mat, so I'll be updating the flash on my site, portfolio, etc. Can't decide if the logo above should be included, or if it's too "plain Jane". Often I think it's important to show clients that I can design something completely different than say, an alligator drinking a beer...

Xmas morning.

Bought Nerf shotguns for sons Miles and Maxx. My daughter and I end up playing with them the most. I think miles Miles may have picked one up for a second or two.

Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

What the...

Does anyone know the name of this font?

Whatthefont.com isn't any help.

Book

I designed this book cover & the author sent me a copy. Does make me "published"?

Gift Baskets

Nabbed this photo from a friend's Facebook post. I would truly appreciate this gift basket if somebody got it for me. Minus the pigs feet.

Why does this happen?

I probably criticize logos a lot more than most people. Mainly while driving, seeing them on billboards, or while poking around on the web. I found the gem above here and wonder. "How the F@#$ did you end up with this? Who approved this logo, why does this happen?" Seems like people hold on to logos for way to long. Do you think business owners perceive a new image as an extra cost? New logo= new signs, shirts, etc...

Help!

Still trying to scrape up some extra funds for the holidays. Not too many folks are concerned about design work right before Christmas, but it's an excellent time for me to concentrate on any logo, printed product or website. If you have any family or friends that are small owners possibly needing a new logo, or want a design for a sports team, etc., please show them my package - here.

I want one.

We've had a Mazda5 for a couple of years. At first I loved it, but now feel like it's a rinky dink piece of plastic. Our main criteria for a car is to have 3 rows of seats for all the kids. Turns out Jeep makes the Commander (or Commando as my wife likes to call it) that has 3 rows. I want one, will investigate after tax season.

Bonus points

I know what I'm doing tonight...

Invented a cocktail called...

*The Lava Lamp

Fill pint glass 1/2 way with ice

Add 1 part Triple Sec

1 part vodka

1 part red soda of choice (in this case diet cranberry)

Drink stays separated & delicious through & through.

Probably tastes like a Cosmo, but cool enough for dudes.

Maxx

Somebody had a case of the Mondays.

Why didn't they hire me...

I could have designed something much better. At least this awesome article critiques the designers who claim the above logo "was developed to symbolize the conference's future, as well as its rich heritage, strong tradition of competition, academic leadership and passionate alumni". Reminds me of critiques in college when students tried to bluff their way out of crappy artwork.

Snow

I have to admit that by the end of the year, I get a little burned out on self-employment. The invoicing, the marketing, etc. all take their toll and I start to consider an art director position. Then it snows. The chaos on the news starts it all, people get stuck in traffic, accidents, injuries etc. This is when I become very thankful to wake up in the morning, and generate income from my cozy home office. This benefit surely rekindles entrepreneurship.

Christmas

If you're wondering, this is all I want for Christmas, size medium.

Jesus

Leave it to my kids to make everything Super Mario related.

Critique

I love this logo so far, the client is cool- just not 100% satisfied with the design yet. Any suggestions?

Mugs

Logo

Finished this last week, fishing for new projects today...

Interwebz

I'd love to get another website project before the end of the year. We just launched this one last week- please let me know if anyone out there needs an site designed.

Santa

This simple message on our dry-erase board has kept the kids docile for the holiday season.

Painting

Trying to get a painting finished by the end of the year. This was last year's, a tough act to follow.

Bonus

One of my few complaints about self-employment is: no Christmas bonus. Every year I rack my brain and bust my ass to get presents under the tree. My wife made me realize on Monday I worked from when I woke up until I went to bed (with a small dinner break). Regardless, now is the time I need projects the most; just finished the logo to the right. Please pass on any good leads, or projects on the back burner. I can knock them out swiftly with a holiday discount.