Comments on: Fake Logo Designs: Revisited

By: The Perfect Logo : Conclusion | THUMBPRINT PRODUCTIONS

The Perfect Logo : Conclusion | THUMBPRINT PRODUCTIONS — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 12:54:31 +0000

[...] Fake Logo Designs: Revisited [...]

By: mike erickson

mike erickson — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 23:55:06 +0000

I think that in conceptual or “fake” logos you will find. It’s a solution of a design, where as in Real life dealing issues, It’s a design for a solution.

By: 5 Branding Basics Every Logo Designer Should Know | Vectordump

5 Branding Basics Every Logo Designer Should Know | Vectordump — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:33:12 +0000

[...] Fake Logo Designs: Revisited [...]

By: Diseño de logotipos ficticios | Adventure Graphics

Diseño de logotipos ficticios | Adventure Graphics — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:14:09 +0000

[...] su blog Just Creative Design y que tuvo una actualizacion en otro articulo que podemos leer aqui: Fake Logo Designs: Revisited Comparte este [...]

By: How to choose a logo designer

How to choose a logo designer — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:20:49 +0000

[...] strong is their portfolio?Â What is the make up of real to ‘fake’ logo designs? When I say ‘fake logos’ I refer to the logos made for fictional companies, rather than [...]

By: novativedesign.com » Blog Archive » Fake Logos. Good or Bad?

novativedesign.com » Blog Archive » Fake Logos. Good or Bad? — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:14:38 +0000

[...] topic of fake logo designs was brought up again 5 months after posting this [...]

By: Rashael

Rashael — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:19:10 +0000

Tom,
In my opinion conceptual logos are still starting with a problem statement. It may not be the multi-faceted, complex problem statements we have with client logos, but they still begin with a question. Its that journey from the question (no matter how simple) to a solution that gives you insight into how a designer thinks and what you may be able to expect from them. Thats why I find them relevant in a portfolio. However, I agree that people may use it to mislead.

We may be defining problem solving differently, or have different philosophies on design process, or just agreeing to disagree. :)
Regardless, I respect your professional opinion and thank you for asking. Sorry it took so long to respond.

Best,
Rashael

By: Mort

Mort — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:11:58 +0000

I’ve not had much success with fake logos myself, but at the same time I only have designed a handful of client logos so I can see why it might be a good thing to pad with a few fake logos.

I’ve never heard of logopond but it looks very useful. Thanks for the heads up!

By: Tom OKeefe

Tom OKeefe — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:39:53 +0000

Trish–
One thing I do with my sample books is the inside cover has a list of all clients and services along with a brief description below each sample with a closing page with customer quotes. This gives more than enough for a potential client to review without having a face-to-face.

If you’re starting out and with no client list I would just word it in a way that makes it clear. This goes beyond logos. I’ve seen so many portfolios that are misleading. Even ones that say “their client XXX” when it’s not their client and was a project they worked on while freelancing at XXX agency and when you dig deeper only to find out they did the production on a project.
I know off topic. This along with designers showcasing work they didn’t even design oh don’t get me started. LOL

–Tom

By: Trish

Trish — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:27:00 +0000

Well, this has been my experience when providing a portfolio (please, share your own experiences). Certainly if a potential employer asks for samples or require you send in entire portfolio without a face to face interview, all they are looking for are examples of your skill level. Once you are there, one on one, in an interview situation with a potential employer, you go through your portfolio and you break each piece down. For printed pieces, what the client was looking for along with how you took care of the printing. For logos you outline the ‘brief’ (if there was one) or simply state the client’s expectations, any research you did into the client’s industry and your design solutions accordingly. If you want to put a summary with every piece in your portfolio, that is fine. But I certainly don’t think you should put “fake” or “real” next to anything. Both are too simplistic and misleading in the long run.

By: Nathan Sarlow

Nathan Sarlow — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:46:12 +0000

I think the discussion has taken a turn from the original post. My understanding was that the debate was over whether or not logos should contain a ‘fake’ disclosure, and not whether or not they should be used at all.

I think we’re all in agreement with the quote in the original post “does it give an accurate representation of a designer’s ability to deal with real-world client demands and actual company requirements? I’d say no.”, however, I think the debate really needs to be surrounding the reasons why a fake logo within a portfolio would be misleading to a client.

Very few portfolios give a breakdown of the strategic information given to them, and even fewer show the brief that they were given. Without these 2 pieces of information, EVERY logo in a portfolio has no context.

Even some of the best logos may have been off brief. Does it give an accurate representation of a designer’s ability to deal with real-world client demands and actual company requirements? I’d say no.

If you’re applying a rule, at least be consistent. Under this pretense, we either provide a full explanation of every logo or we have a blank page.

By: Otto Rask

Otto Rask — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:03:44 +0000

I’ve been also struggling with whether to show my “just for fun” works in my portfolio. What can a beginner do to get some work visible?

Thanks for posting, now I know what needs to be done for this to work out. :)

By: Trish

Trish — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:07:54 +0000

Label them ‘logo concept’. I really don’t think a client needs to know if you did it for artistic practice, for a school project, for fun or for profit. Leave it open so you can submit them as a logo idea to a future client or sell them through an online venue later. If they ask, speak the truth. But concept is enough to tell most people the logo was never finalized, bought or in use by a previous client.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:15:13 +0000

I’ve been doing design for 20+ years but I have only had 3 logo projects. When I had those in my portfolio, people would ask, “Is that it?” In the end I didn’t get those logo jobs. I removed the logos in my portfolio and have not had to deal with those questions. Now I am going to add them back and make some ‘fake’ ones to show that I can create logos even though I haven’t had many in the past. (I’ll label them ‘just for fun’ or some such thing…)
Thanks Jacob.

By: Jacob Cass

Jacob Cass — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:25:19 +0000

I’ve been silently following all of your (quite heated) comments and I believe both sides make some valid points, however, I still stand by my opinion as stated in the original article.

Thanks again for your feedback and please do continue commenting.

By: Fake Logo Designs

Fake Logo Designs — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 05:24:34 +0000

[...] Fake Logo Designs: Revisited [...]

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:54:49 +0000

oops!

Sorry – tom!

By: Tom OKeefe

Tom OKeefe — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:50:16 +0000

Trish,
I do agree for the most part in what you’re saying. It’s the solving problem part that I don’t. So I will agree to disagree. :)

Wow a Stat camera I haven’t used one of those whoa for a long long long time. Oh how times have changed.

By: Trish

Trish — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:39:18 +0000

Oh, and Paul, that quote is from me, not Tom. Try reading the posts rather than skimming them.

By: Trish

Trish — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:37:41 +0000

What’s weird is you are all proving my points. I know you think you are disagreeing, but you aren’t. And I have to say that it does erk me when I have to do all the business research for a client. I do it because I want to do right by them, but obviously they should care more. Oh, and I’ve been designing for over 25 years myself, just FYI. Yes, I started BEFORE computers when you actually had to be able to draw and use a stat camera. But that is beside the point. I am so used to researching my clients’ industries and businesses that I do it automatically now. When I come up with an illustration for a logo that is not accepted by the client, I take it and mold it to another industry and sell it as a concept. The questions you bring up when problem solving for a logo design are completely automatic to me. Even though I realize, realistically, that all of that problem solving means next to nothing to your average client. Most clients are linear thinkers and you are asking them to think abstract… an artist’s specialty. They want what they want and you give it to them or don’t get paid. For me ‘fake’ logos are usually more creative, have more thought put into them, solve more ‘problems’ then most logos I do for clients. NOT all, mind you, but most.

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:26:17 +0000

Tom,
For the sake of the discussion – I think your talking rubbish!

“I would put myself into that fake business and do the research just like I would for a client.”

Sorry but I would say that most conceptual/fake logos stem from a creative idea of something that looks good aesthetically and fits a graphic idea/concept – not one that is driven from a conceptual/fake business with made up products and demographics and target markets and then after having and researching that fake business the idea is created from that.

However on another point if a conceptual/fake logo aligns with a business who comes along and they decide they want it and want to pay for it – fair enough.

but don’t take it personally :)

By: Tom OKeefe

Tom OKeefe — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:45:24 +0000

Trish,
For the sake of discussion I would put myself into that fake business and do the research just like I would for a client.

If you were to do research for designing a logo for a fake business would you first start off by coming up with a business plan for the fake business? What type of product will this fake business sell. Will it be a B2B? B2C? Will this fake business need to get funding? Will this fake business need to embrace the Social Media? What demographic will this fake business need to be successful? Will their be any testing? Sure if you did do all that for the sake of a fake logo then there is ALL your talking points to a problem solving with a fake logo for a fake business. It will also give ALL talking point when explaining all your choices you made in your design.

You get what i’m saying right? I’m not saying this is needed to design for a fake logo by no means. This is mainly towards your comment above how you will put yourself into the fake business and research.

Tom

By: darqsnite

darqsnite — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:27:48 +0000

Just a small question to Trish

surely by reminding them of their demoographic and what they are attaining to project, whether its what they do or to stand out from a plethora of other companies say in the insurance field.

Isnt that problem solving? Big or small makes no difference 15 years plus or nothing ….

By: Tom OKeefe

Tom OKeefe — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:23:36 +0000

Trish,
The question was directed to Rashael in regards to It’s an opportunity to really showcase creativity and problem solving

I will like to add without getting into the name calling shit-fest
Designers like me and others who have been designing for 15 years or more, When you get there you’ll know what I mean.

Without knowing anything about me and the time I’ve been professionally in this field, you really shouldn’t assume anything or direct a comment like that towards me. If you would like you could contact me direct and we can compare what we both have done over the years and the length of time we’ve been designing. So contact me.
Tom

By: Trish

Trish — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:21:21 +0000

Tom,

I’m sorry but most logos I’ve done for clients do not solve problems. My realtor clients just want something that looks like a house and their mug shot in the logo. My insurance clients want something that represents them or the region (like the state of Texas or a fleur de lis) and their mug shot in the logo. Others just want something pretty that uses their favorite color or they want something ubber profession which for them is just a simple font (serif is too feminine! huh?). Maybe super large companies with committees and investors have problems their logos need to solve for them, but most small businesses and start ups I work with, that is not the case at all. I have to remind them of their target audience and what new audiences they want to target. I have to do the the research and educate them. If I did a fake logo, I would put myself into that fake business and do the research just like I would for a client. I’m not saying fake logos are better, but they usually have a lot more going for them than must a good idea and good execution. Designers like me and others who have been designing for 15 years or more, really do know better than most clients. When you get there you’ll know what I mean.

By: Oridusartic

Oridusartic — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 07:17:55 +0000

True. Especially for a college student like me – who hasn’t got lots of logo design job. Fake logo can help me to improve my portfolio, so people can know how much my skill is.

By: Tom OKeefe

Tom OKeefe — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:15:23 +0000

Rashael,
My only question to you is…What problems is a conceptual logo solving?

By: Rashael

Rashael — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:10:28 +0000

Good Blog! I agree, that “fake” logos have their place in the design portfolio. It’s an opportunity to really showcase creativity and problem solving, without the constraints of real world. Plus its good exercise!

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:46:53 +0000

Ok – I have a FAKE logo that I would like critiquing that I cam up with after reading this thread – look forward to your feedback

Tried to give it that modern feel and yet stick with a classical typeface and also get some typographic ligatures in there – hell i even did a bit of kerning – only thing i missed out is some shine on the border and maybe a reflection

Look forward to your feedback – and hey its for sale just after it goes in my portfolio :)

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/3500/stropon.jpg

By: Trish

Trish — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:13:12 +0000

Someday, Stacey Martin, when you have over 20 years experience under your belt, a dozen wonderful but unused concepts hanging around in your computer, and the economy has put a hit on your industry, you’ll find offering logos and brands for sale thru your own site or a specialty site a real blessing.