A Hawaiian escape for a non-holiday

My partner Ed and I ran away from home for the holiday season. We simply made the decision to escape for a couple weeks and not celebrate Christmas. No decorations. No gifts. No holiday craziness. Our friend Mike Smith, one of the owners of Joy Creek Nursery, joined us on our adventure. We rented the Big Island home of my longtime pal, and "HOW Conference wife," Jeni Herberger as our non-holiday getaway. The five-acre property is located in Captain Cook, just south of Kailua-Kona, on the western side of the island.

While in Hawaii, we not only missed having a traditional Christmas holiday - we missed most of the snow and ice that impacted Portland for over two weeks. We had an incredible time in the beautiful tropical location.

Our vacation photos are being shared in a Flickr gallery.

© 2009 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Cowboy Jeffie's Paniolo Papaya Salsa

(Yep, that's me - Cowboy Jeffie - in the photo)

Vacations are not necessarily conducive to blogging, but they are a necessity for sanity in one's life. Two weeks in Hawaii is a heavenly way to celebrate - or avoid - the holiday season. We stayed in an incredible home on the Kona Coast side of the Big Island, with five acres of avocados and fruit/citrus trees. Lemons, limes, oranges, tangerines, guava, figs, starfruit and more were on the property. What we couldn't find outside the house was available at the Kona Farmers' Market. Cowboy Jeffie went Hawaiian as 2008 came to an end. By the way a paniolo is an island cowboy.

Cowboy Jeffie's Paniolo Papaya Salsa

1 medium yellow onion - diced finely
(You may use a red onion to add color and spiciness)
1 papaya - peeled, seeded and diced into 1/4 inch pieces
(mango may be substituted if desired)
2 medium tomatoes - quartered, seeded, cut into 1/4 inch squares
1/2 habanero chile pepper - seeded and diced into tiny pieces
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro - rough cut
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Juice of one fresh lime
Salt to taste
Cilantro to garnish

Prepare all the ingredients as noted and simply dump into a mixing bowl. Do take care in handling the habanero. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after having any contact with the pepper. Stir well before pouring into a serving dish and garnishing with a few sprigs of fresh cilantro. It's best if your salsa sits in the fridge for a few hours before serving - and it's even better the next day. We used the salsa as a compliment to grilled fresh marlin - and with corn chips the following days.

You might also want to check out my other Cowboy Jeffie recipes.

Enjoy!

© 2009 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Re-Design: Private Parties

Back in 1994, a friend working for the catering company Private Parties contacted me about redesigning the firm's identity. The formal image conveyed by the existing logo (below left) was not successfully conveying the more casual and fun event planning being done for clients. Still, the business did not want to completely lose the public's visual reference to what had become an established identity in the local market.

The catering firm did coordinate some formal events, so I suggested maintaining the general look of the previous tuxedo image while changing out the bow tie element for a customized necktie. For the pattern on the tie I created simplified graphics (below) of a variety of fruits and vegetables that might be items incorporated in the menu offerings of the caterer. At the time, the owner even considered having similar neckties made for the staff. Instead of having the tie hanging straight down on the front of the shirt graphic, I gave it a little implied movement to project that the Private Parties personnel never stood still.

All these years later, the company represented by the logo is no longer in business. However, I do think the before and after images are still good examples of a company not totally losing an established business identity when updating the company logo.

Additional, before and after logo images may be seen on the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives blogfolio.

(Note: My book, Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands, contains case studies from 35 designers and firms located around the world. Learn more about the book on the Identity Crisis! blog.)

© 2009 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives.

Jeffism #10

"Market yourself ALL the time - especially when you are the busiest. A designer who waits until no work is coming in the door to start their marketing efforts will most likely be waiting much longer for new project work."

- Jeff Fisher on an online forum

© 2008 Jeff Fisher Logomotives

Jeff Fisher LogoMotives identity includedin "100 Brands of Interest" collection

In his recent dacheboard blog post, David Pache - a respected identity designer in his own right - showcases "100 Brands of Interest." The logo for Jeff Fisher LogoMotives is included in the impressive collection of 100 identifying marks for logo designers, brand identity consultants and graphic studios from around the world.

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Before and after logo designs: Part VII

Many of my identity design projects have been redesigns of existing logos. Over the years I have been contracted many times to update or makeover the logos of businesses and organizations. My "before & after" images of such projects get a great deal of attention in my marketing packets and through previous blog entries focusing on redesign efforts. I thought I would create a series of bLog-oMotives visual entries showcasing some of the examples - with links to previous posts offering project explanations and anecdotes - allowing bLog-oMotives readers to easily review some of the past featured designs.

Balaboosta • Portland,OR (More info to come)

Diane Tutch • Portland, OR (More info to come)

House of Light • Portland, OR (More info to come)

Samuels Yoelin • Portland, OR (Read more)

Private Parties • Portland,OR (More info to come)

Check out the complete collection of "before and after" logo design posts on bLog-oMotives.

(Note: My book, Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities Into Successful Brands, contains case studies from 35 designers and firms located around the world. Learn more about the book on the Identity Crisis! blog.)

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

"The Ultimate List of The Best Logo Design Resources" includes Jeff Fisher LogoMotives listings

Just Creative Design, the blog of designer Jacob Cass, has posted "The Ultimate List of The Best Logo Design Resources" - which includes a Just Creative interview with me (Logo Design Tips & A Not-So-Ordinary Interview with Logo Designer, Jeff Fisher), my own blog bLog-oMotives, and a listing of yours truly in the "Logo Designer" category. You'll also find Jeff Fisher LogoMotives mentions or listings at several of the other links provided.

In addition, my book, Identity Crisis: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands, is included on the list.

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Calls for entries:Upcoming design competition deadlines

All of the following competitions deadlines present great opportunities to showcase your design efforts, market your work on an international scale through the published books, and "toot!" your own horn to clients, peers and the media:

American Package Design Awards
(Graphic Design USA - USA)
Deadline: 12 December 2008
Entry fees charged

H2O
(Index Book - Spain)
Deadline Extended: 15 December 2008
No entry fees charged

HOW Poster Design Awards
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline Extended: 15 December 2008 - with late fees
Entry fees charged

Best of the Web #1
(CMYK Magazine - USA)
Deadline Extended: 17 December 2008
Entry fees charged

American Advertising & Design 25
(formerly American Corporate Identity)
(Graphics Books - USA)
Late Entry Deadline Extended: 29 December 2008 (Late fees)
Entry fees charged

Creative Offices
(Crescent Hill Books - USA)
Deadline: 30 December 2008
No entry fees charged

I.D. Annual Design Review
(I.D. Magazine - USA)
Deadline Extended: 31 December 2008 - with late fees
Entry fees charged

1000 More Graphic Elements
(Rockport Publishers - USA)
Deadline Extended: 1 January 2009
No entry fees charged

Charts & Diagrams
(maomao publications - Spain)
Deadline: 2 January 2009
No entry fees charged

Free Fonts
(maomao publications - Spain)
Deadline: 2 January 2009
No entry fees charged

1 & 2 Colors
(maomao publications - Spain)
Deadline: 5 January 2009
No entry fees charged

Communication Arts Interactive Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline Extended: 5 January 2009
Entry fees charged

Chaos & Order: Innovative Grid Systems
(maomao publications - Spain)
Deadline: 5 January 2009
No entry fees charged

1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse
(Rockport Publishers - USA)
Deadline: 9 January 2009
No entry fees charged

Project Never
Deadline: 16 January 2009
No entry fees charged

Aspiring Creatives #44
(CMYK Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 19 January 2009
Entry fees charged

Design Annual 2010
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 19 January 2009
Entry fees charged

Interactive Annual 2010
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 19 January 2009
Entry fees charged

The Big Book of Green Design
(Crescent Hill Books - USA)
Deadline Extended: 20 January 2009
No entry fees charged

88th ADC Awards
(The Art Directors Club - USA)
Deadline Extended: 23 January 2009
Entry fees charged

Summit Creative Award
(Summit International Awards - USA)
Deadline: 26 January 2009
Entry fees charged

My Own Business Card
(Index Book - Spain)
Deadline: 31 January 2009
No entry fees charged

The Mini Book of Great Logos
(Crescent Hill Books - USA)
Deadline: 1 February 2009
No entry fees charged

New Styles in Graphic Design
(maomao publications - Spain)
Deadline: 2 February 2009
No entry fees charged

Press Kits: Design & Packaging
(maomao publications - Spain)
Deadline: 2 February 2009
No entry fees charged

Point of Purchase Design
(Crescent Hill Books - USA)
Deadline: 9 February 2009
No entry fees charged

Advertising Annual 2010
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 16 February 2009
Entry fees charged

European Design Awards
(EDAwards - Greece)
Deadline: 14 February 2009
Entry fees charged

Designing for the Greater Good
(Crescent Hill Books - USA)
Deadline Extended: 27 February 2009
No entry fees charged

Basics: Logos
(Index Book - Spain)
Deadline: 28 February 2009
No entry fees charged

Wine Labels
(Index Book - Spain)
Deadline: 28 February 2009
No entry fees charged

PRINT's Regional Design Annual
(PRINT Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 2 March 2009
Entry fees charged

Handmade Graphics
(Rotovision - UK)
Deadline: 2 March 2009
No entry fees charged

Communication Arts Illustration Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 6 March 2009
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Photography Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 6 March 2009
Entry fees charged

Best of Business Card Design 9
(Rockport Publishers - USA)
Deadline: 9 March 2009
No entry fees charged

Photography Annual 2010
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 16 March 2009
Entry fees charged

HOW Promotion Design Awards 2009
(HOW Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 20 March 2009
Entry fees charged

Best Bio Packaging, Volume 1
(Design & Design - France)
Deadline: 31 March 2009
Nontry fees charged

New Talent Annual 2010
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 11 May 2009
Entry fees charged

Annual Reports Annual 2010
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 11 May 2009
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Design Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 1 June 2009
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Advertising Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 9 June 2009
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Interactive Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 5 October 2009
Entry fees charged

(To make sure you are reading the latest bLog-oMotives design competition update click here.)

You may want to read my article about participating in design industry competitions: A Winning Strategy. It has appeared on the Creative Latitude and NO!SPEC web sites.

Design competition calendars are also available at Icograda and Workbook. Lürzer's ARCHIVE also has an impressive online list of competitions sponsored by international magazines and organizations. Dexinger also posts competitions of great value to industry professionals - however designers need to be aware that some of the listings are for "spec" work as a requirement for submission. Requests for new, or speculative, work as a condition of entering a "contest" are much different than legitimate design competition "calls for entries," in which previously created works are judged for possible awards, exhibition, or publication in an annual or other book.

My own work appears in nearly 100 graphic design books. Many of those inclusions are the result of design competitions, or requests for submissions, like those listed above.

For the perspective from the other side of design competitions, I wrote a bLog-oMotives entry about judging the 2007 Summit Creative Awards.

Good luck!

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives