bLog-oMotives: Index Book

Showing posts with label Index Book. Show all posts

Calls for entries: Upcoming graphic design competition and book submission deadlines

All of the following competition or book submission 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:

One Show Interactive
(One Club - USA)
Deadline Extended: 15 February 2013 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

One Show Design
(One Club - USA)
Deadline Extended: 15 February 2013 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

One Show Entertainment
(One Club - USA)
Deadline Extended: 15 February 2013 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

Design Week Awards
(DesignWeek - UK)
Deadline Extended: 21 February 2013
Entry fees charged

HOW Promotion & Marketing Design Awards
(HOW - USA)
Early Deadline: 22 February 2013
Final Deadline: 25 March 2013
Entry fees charged

Top New 100 Creatives #56
(CMYK Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 25 February 2013
Entry fees charged

SOTA Catalyst Award
(Society of Typographic Aficionados - USA)
Deadline: 1 March 2013
No entry fee charged

Print's Regional Design Annual 2013
(Print Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 1 March 2013
Entry fees charged

Brand New Awards
(UnderConsideration | Brand New - USA)
Deadline: 1 March 2013
Entry fees charged

The Telly Awards
(The Telly Awards - USA)
Deadline: 1 March 2013
Entry fees charged

Summit Creative Awards
(Summit Awards - USA)
Deadline Extended: 6 March 2013
Entry fees charged

Communciator Awards
(IAVA - USA)
Deadline Extended: 8 March 2013
Entry fees charged

Neenah UnShow Competition
(Neenah Paper | HOW | Print - USA)
Deadline: 12 March 2013
No entry fees charged

Core77 Design Awards
(Core77 - USA)
Deadline: 15 March 2013
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Photography Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 15 March 2013
Entry fees charged

The Dieline Package Design Awards
(The Dieline - USA)
Final Deadline: 15 March 2013
Entry fees charged

D&AD Student Awards
(D&AD - UK)
Deadline: 30 March 2013
Entry fees charged

Best in Typography Annual 2014
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 30 March 2013
Entry fees charged

Social/Political Posters
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 30 March 2013
Entry fees charged

In-HOWse Design Awards
(HOW - USA)
Deadline: 1 May 2013
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Design Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 10 May 2013
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Advertising Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 10 May 2013
Entry fees charged

Summit Marketing Effectiveness Awards
(Summit Awards - USA)
Deadline: 13 June 2013
Entry fees charged

I Heart Logos, Season 4
(iheartlogos.com - USA)
Deadline: 31 August 2013
Entry Fee Increase: 1 September 2013
Final Deadline: 15 September 2013
Entry fees charged

Summit Emerging Media Awards
(Summit Awards - USA)
Deadline: 20 September 2013
Entry fees charged

LogoLounge
(LogoLounge - USA)
Deadline: Ongoing
Annual membership fee 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 and calls for book submissions: A collection of design competition - and book submission request - tips, tricks and observations.

A design competition calendar is also available at Icograda. Lürzer's ARCHIVE has an impressive online list of competitions sponsored by international magazines and organizations. Dexinger 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 over 160 graphic design books. Many of those inclusions are the result of design competitions, or requests for submissions, like those listed above.

© 2012 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Calls for entries: Upcoming graphic design competition and book submission deadlines

All of the following competition or book submission 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 Extended: 11 January 2013
Entry fees charged

2013 Photo & Illustration Awards
(Applied Arts -Canada)
Deadline: 11 January 2013
Entry fees charged

ADC Awards: Design
(Art Directors Club - USA)
Deadline: 11 January 2013
Entry fees charged

ADC Awards: Student
(Art Directors Club - USA)
Deadline: 11 January 2013
Entry fees charged

ADC Awards: Motion
(Art Directors Club - USA)
Deadline: 11 January 2013
Entry fees charged

ADC Awards: Photography
(Art Directors Club - USA)
Deadline: 11 January 2013
Entry fees charged

ADC Awards: Illustration
(Art Directors Club - USA)
Deadline: 11 January 2013
Entry fees charged

Design Week Awards
(DesignWeek - UK)
Earlybird Deadline: 18 January 2013
Deadline: 31 January 2013
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Illustration Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Late Deadline: 18 January 2013 (late fees apply)
Entry fees charged

The O'toole Awards for Creative Excellence
(American Association of Advertising Agencies - USA)
Early Bird Deadline: 11 January 2013
Deadline: 25 January 2013
Entry fees charged

Best in Poster Annual 2014
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 14 January 2013
Entry fees charged

ADC Awards: Interactive
(Art Directors Club - USA)
Deadline: 18 January 2013
Entry fees charged

Communciator Awards
(IAVA - USA)
Final Deadline: 18 January 2013
Entry fees charged

Top New 100 Creatives #56
(CMYK Magazine - USA)
Deadline: 21 January 2013
Entry fees charged

ADC Awards: Advertising
(Art Directors Club - USA)
Deadline: 25 January 2013
Entry fees charged

D&AD Professional Awards
(D&AD - UK)
Deadline: 30 January 2013
Entry fees charged

Best in Typography Annual
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 30 January 2013
Entry fees charged

Social/Political Posters
(Graphis - USA)
Deadline: 30 January 2013
Entry fees charged

Logo Nest 03 | The Special B&W Edition
(Logo Nest)
Deadline Extended: 30 January 2013
Membership flat fee charged

Core77 Design Awards
(Core77 - USA)
Early Bird Deadline: 31 January 2013 (Discounted entry fees)
Deadline: 15 March 2013
Entry fees charged

International Design Awards
(IDA - USA)
Extended Deadline: 31 January 2013
Entry fees charged

The Dieline Package Design Awards
(The Dieline - USA)
Early Bird Deadline: 31 January 2013
Final Deadline: 15 March 2013
Entry fees charged

Print's Regional Design Annual 2013
(Print Magazine - USA)
Early Bird Deadline: 1 February 2013
Entry fees charged

Brand New Awards
(UnderConsideration | Brand New - USA)
Early Bird Deadline: 1 February 2013 (Discounted entry fees)
Deadline: 1 March 2013
Entry fees charged

Summit Creative Awards
(Summit Awards - USA)
Deadline: 11 February 2013
Entry fees charged

HOW Promotion & Marketing Design Awards
(HOW - USA)
Early Deadline: 22 February 2013
Final Deadline: 25 March 2013
Entry fees charged

SOTA Catalyst Award
(Society of Typographic Aficionados - USA)
Deadline: 1 March 2013
No entry fee charged

The Telly Awards
(The Telly Awards - USA)
Deadline: 1 March 2013
Entry fees charged

Neenah UnShow Competition
(Neenah Paper | HOW | Print - USA)
Deadline: 12 March 2013
No entry fees charged

Communication Arts Photography Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 15 March 2013
Entry fees charged

D&AD Student Awards
(D&AD - UK)
Deadline: 30 March 2013
Entry fees charged

In-HOWse Design Awards
(HOW - USA)
Deadline: 1 May 2013
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Design Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 10 May 2013
Entry fees charged

Communication Arts Advertising Competition
(Communication Arts - USA)
Deadline: 10 May 2013
Entry fees charged

Summit Marketing Effectiveness Awards
(Summit Awards - USA)
Deadline: 13 June 2013
Entry fees charged

I Heart Logos, Season 4
(iheartlogos.com - USA)
Deadline: 31 August 2013
Entry Fee Increase: 1 September 2013
Final Deadline: 15 September 2013
Entry fees charged

Summit Emerging Media Awards
(Summit Awards - USA)
Deadline: 20 September 2013
Entry fees charged

LogoLounge
(LogoLounge - USA)
Deadline: Ongoing
Annual membership fee 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 and calls for book submissions: A collection of design competition - and book submission request - tips, tricks and observations.

A design competition calendar is also available at Icograda. Lürzer's ARCHIVE has an impressive online list of competitions sponsored by international magazines and organizations. Dexinger 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 over 160 graphic design books. Many of those inclusions are the result of design competitions, or requests for submissions, like those listed above.

© 2012 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Toot! Toot!*: Jeff Fisher LogoMotives designs included in 'Basic Identity' volume from Index Book

The design work of Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, is included in the recently released book Basic Identity. The volume, from Spanish publisher Index Book, is currently available online and at bookstores worldwide.

Fisher's identity for Emerge Medical Spa at Bridgeport is featured in the book, along with branding projects from 151 designers and firms, representing 30 nations. The Emerge logo, stationery package and signage are highlighted in Basic Identity (below).

The Emerge Medical Spa logo also appears in The Big Book of Logos 5, 100s Visual Logos & Letterheads (UK) and American Corporate Identity 2008.

Fisher, a 33-year design industry veteran, is the author of Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands and The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and tactics for a killer career. Several other book projects are currently in the works. The designer has received over 600 design awards and his work has been published in more than 140 books on identity design, self-promotion and the marketing of small businesses.

More information about Jeff Fisher, and his design and writing efforts, may be found on the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives blogfolio.

(* If I don’t "toot!" my own horn, no one else will.)

Toot! Toot!*: Spanish book 'For a Good Cause' gives new life to C.A.T. design by Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

The newly-released book For a Good Cause, coordinated and written by design firm Cactus Disseny, features an identity design by Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based Jeff Fisher LogoMotives. The designer's logo concept for the Cat Adoption Team (C.A.T.) appears in the volume from Spanish publisher Index Book.

For a Good Cause is a collection of the best socially conscious design from around the world. Index Book originally set out to produce a book of only pro bono projects, but later decided to expand the concept to any design done with a good cause in mind. The projects featured were created to show that it is possible to make a better, more beautiful world and simultaneously convey the message of a cause-focused business or organization.

The Cat Adoption Team design won a Silver Award in the Summit Creative Awards. It is featured in the books Killed Ideas, Vol. 1, Letterhead & Logo Design 11, Designing for the Greater Good: The Best in Cause-Related Marketing and Nonprofit Design and American Graphic Design & Advertising 25. The yet to be published LogoLounge Master Library Vol. 2, Logolicious and Logo Nest 01 (Australia) will include the design. The logo also appears in the textbook Perfect Match Art Primary 5, by Prisca Ko Hak Moi - a collaborative project of publisher Pearson Education South Asia and Ministry of Education Singapore.

Fisher, a 32-year design industry veteran, is the author of Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands and The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and tactics for a killer career. Fisher is currently writing a new volume, Logo Type: 200 Best Typographic Logos from Around the World Explained, about typography in identity design. It is scheduled for a 2011 release.

The designer has received over 600 design awards and his work has been published in more than 130 books on identity design, self-promotion and the marketing of small businesses.

Fisher serves on the HOW Magazine Board of Advisors, HOW Design Conference Advisory Council and Art Institute of Portland Professional Advisory Council, and is a past member of the UCDA Designer Magazine Editorial Advisory Board. The designer also writes for HOW Magazine, other industry publications, and many webzines and blogs. In addition, Fisher is a nationally-recognized speaker, making numerous presentations each year to design organizations, design schools, universities and business groups. Graphic Design USA magazine named Jeff Fisher one of the design industry “People to Watch” in 2009.

More information about Jeff Fisher, and his design and writing efforts, may be found on the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives blogfolio.

(* If I don’t "toot!" my own horn, no one else will.)

'Call for entries,' and design book submission request, observations and recommendations: Part Two

Nearly 20 years ago I began responding to design competition calls for entries and book publisher requests for submissions with the entry of client work. Part One of this article provided some general considerations for making the most of such situations. This entry offers some more specific recommendations:

Provide what is requested: Simple right? You would think so, but many designers seem to have a problem following instructions. If a competition or book call for entries requests actual printed samples don't provide digital images. Most likely there's a desire to photograph all selected projects in-house for quality control. If a writer or editor request two or three submissions, don't submit 10 and ask that the reviewer select what they like. With several hundred people submitting work, numerous additional, unneeded entries means hundreds of images that the recipient most likely doesn't have time to review. Besides, the submitting designer knows their own work best and should be able to select what they hope to have showcased.

Submit the exact image files needed: There’s a reason competitions and book publishers ask that image submissions meet their own very specific file type and size requirements. The requested files are what will best serve the needs of the specific judging process or high-resolution printing. Many submissions to my own books have been every file type other than what was requested - the wrong size, low resolution or just really poor quality. Specifications may differ for each competition or book project. It's in a designer's best interest to submit exactly what is requested to present one's work at its best. Improper image files, or misnamed digital files, may result in disqualification from review.

The old "garbage in; garbage out" adage applies here. Submission of a poor quality digital image is only going to make a designer's work look bad. High quality digital images are a book publisher's friend.

Take advantage of an opportunity to describe your work: If given the opportunity to submit a detailed description of your work, take advantage of the situation. In early 2010 I was asked to judge a large number of submissions for the book Logolicious. The online submission form provided designers the chance to include a short description of the logo being submitted. I was surprised at the large number of designers who entered no description at all. In judging the entries, I found myself questioning what some images were, and what other designs supposedly represented. Simple one or two sentence descriptions went a long ways in making my decisions as a judge much easier and definitive.

Complete all requested documentation and authorization forms: It may sound like a "no-brainer," but it is very important to complete all entry form information and provide any required signature verifying rights and authorizing publication. An individual reviewing submissions may find it easier to reject an incomplete entry than tracking down the designer to collect missing details.

Give credit where credit is due: It is incredibly important to always credit those who participated in any project you choose to submit as a competition entry or as possible book content. Be generous in listing all that have contributed to the final project – especially if the design will end up being published, with credits, in a book or magazine. There is nothing worse than a supposed “team” member providing a design for publication, or a competition, and not crediting (or improperly crediting) major players on a project. Many years ago a minor contributor on a project of my own submitted the end result for inclusion in an international design book – listing me as minor participant on the effort. To say I was unhappy is an understatement.

Verify that you have have permission to submit specific design work: Many designers automatically assume that they have all permissions required to submit a project for award or publication consideration. Work for employers, work-for-hire situations, projects executed as a contractor for a corporation and other scenarios may not offer carte blanche authority to do so. Many competitions and book publishers require that contributors verify that they have maintained the right to make the submission in question. Early in my career I would often find myself chasing down a former client to get permission to enter a project in a competition or for inclusion in a book. For the past decade the following clause in my own project agreement has made such submissions much easier:

The designer retains personal rights to use the completed project and any preliminary designs for the purpose of design competitions, future publications on design, educational purposes and the marketing of the designer’s business. Where applicable the client will be given any necessary credit for usage of the project elements.

Feel free to use and abuse the clause for your own purposes.

Set yourself apart from the crowd: What makes your design efforts unique? Work that stands out from the crowd in concept, execution and presentation is what will often get the attention of those judging a competition or selecting graphic content for a book. Several years ago I was judging the Summit Creative Awards and the trend of lime green and orange ink colors was a bit overwhelming. I found myself being drawn to the submitted designs that were unusual, didn’t fall into the trap of current trends or offered unique solutions to what may have been a very common design brief.

Ask any questions you may have about the competition or book project: Most design competition calls for entries, or book submission requests, do provide contact email addresses or phone numbers for any questions that contributors may have about the detailed specifications for such activities. Make use of these resources. Making your own assumptions in regards to any questions you may have could result in an entry that will not be accepted due to failure to follow the rules. In addition, contact with the competition sponsor or book publisher may initiate a relationship of value when submitters are being sought in the future for other projects.

Inquire about possible deadline extensions: Many design competitions and book submission deadlines allow for some flexibility. Rather than rushing to finalize an entry, due to a looming deadline, contact the entity in question and inquire about a possible extension. Often additional time will be provided, allowing for completion of an organized and complete submission.

Neatness counts: Neatness in all aspects of an entry or submission does make a difference. Enough said.

Package your submissions carefully: If shipping off actual printed samples of design work, make sure that your pieces are packaged to survive the wear and tear of the U.S. Mail or other delivery option. The first impression of a damaged project is going to impact the review or judging process.

Be patient in awaiting the results of a competition or book publication: Competition judging, and the production of a book, takes time. Be patient in awaiting the results of your design submissions. Most calls for entries or submissions result in hundreds, if not thousands of contributions. In its first year the HOW Logo Design Awards received over 800 entries. The book Logolicious required the review of nearly 5000 logo designs. In selecting designs for inclusion the book Letterhead and Logo Design 11, the firm Design Army had to sort through over 3000 submissions. Most design books are the result of a year or two of interviewing, writing, image selection, editing, design and printing.

Many competition coordinators and publishers are excellent about informing those whose work has been selected. By doing so, they are providing designers the opportunity to promote the news in a very timely manner - giving greater exposure to the competition or possibly increasing book sales. Unfortunately, in some cases I have received official notification of my work being included months after a book has hit the retailers' shelf.

Promote the hell out of your competition or book submission successes: It's in a designer's own best interest to "toot! one's own horn" when receiving a industry award or having work published in a book. Post the news on your blog, create a note on your Facebook page, or "tweet" about the information. Send out press releases to online and print design media, local newspapers, business publications, alumni organizations and trade magazines. An email press missive may be sent out to art/creative directors, vendors, clients, past clients, potential clients, design peers, friends and family. Make sure the client whose work has been recognized is aware of the fact. Ask the client if their specific industry has a trade publication or organization that should be made aware of the news.

Making others aware of your honor, or inclusion in a book, may result in requests for new work, possible inclusion in other books or articles, opportunities to make business or design organization presentations, or more.

Show your appreciation: In some cases, designers may receive complimentary copies of a book or magazine in which their work appears. If so, immediately send the author, editor or publisher a handwritten thank you note. In addition, whenever a writer or interviewer includes me in an article, book or podcast, I always make sure to express my appreciation with a note, email or call. Simple "thank yous" are an incredibly valuable tool in establishing career-long relationships.

Check out Part One of this article for more information about submitting design work for competition or book publishing review.

Some additional resources on this topic:

Calls for entries: Upcoming graphic design competition and book submission deadlines

When a "contest" is not a contest

"Calls for entries" confusion?

A Winning Strategy

'Call for entries,' and design book submission request, observations and recommendations: Part One

Nearly 20 years ago I began responding to design competition calls for entries and book publisher requests for submissions with the entry of client work. Early on I saw awards and inclusion in books as much more than an ego booster. Instead, positive results of such opportunities were a valid marketing and promotion tool for my business. Since then, my work has garnered over 600 regional, local and international design awards.

My designs appear in over 130 books from publishers around the world. The majority of potential clients coming my way begin our interaction with comments such as “I was at my local bookstore and saw some examples of your design work in a book...” In addition, relationships have developed with writers, editors and publishers. When they need illustrative elements for books, I am often contacted as a result of past positive experiences to submit work for inclusion in articles or books. I’ve also been asked to judge design competitions, or book submissions, many times in the last two decades.

When writing my first book, The Savvy Designer’s Guide to Success, I crossed over to the other side and became the person requesting design submissions to illustrate a book. I quickly learned the challenges of compiling the images I desired, obtaining the proper digital files for quality reproduction, collecting the descriptions and credits for specific projects and getting the permission forms required by my publisher, HOW Books.

My frustrations were multiplied in writing Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands - a volume greater in scope, with many more contributors from around the globe, and hundreds of graphic and photo images. I am now in the midst of writing my third book, Logo Type: 200 Best Typographic Logos from Around the World Explained which has involved over 200 submitting designers or firms and thousands of contributed images. Some days, while digging through the numerous submissions, I find myself getting really cranky and bitchy.

A few years ago, at a design conference, another author and I were lamenting about the issues associated with writing and coordinating a book before the finished manuscript is shipped off to a publisher. Our gripes and pet peeves were remarkably similar. As our conversation came to an end, he said, “If I ever even consider writing another book please slap me silly.” I gave him similar permission. Of course, he just completed his third book, and I am working on my second, since having that particular discussion.

The work on my current book got me thinking. What advice would I share with other designers in regards to responding to competition calls for entries and book submission requests?

The following is Part One of my observations, tips and tricks on the issue:

Read the call for entries or book submission request: Seriously. Read the call for entries or book submission request thoroughly and carefully. Pay attention to the details from the entity conducting the design competition or writing/publishing the book. Failure to follow the specific documented requests could result in your work being immediately disqualified from consideration.

Evaluate what competitions and book submissions will best serve the needs of you or your firm: What do you, as a designer hope to achieve by responding to a call for entries or request to submit designs for possible inclusion in a book? An ego boost? Validation from your design or industry-specific peers? A happy client? Marketing and promotion of your work? The opportunity to “toot” your own horn with the possible results? A trophy and certificate wall in your studio?

My purpose for entering design competitions, and submitting my work for possible inclusion in books, is to make use of the results for the marketing and promotion of my design efforts. With a focus on identity design, I tend to target competitions and publisher requests that will give the greatest exposure to logo design, corporate identity and branding. Logo-specific competitions and books are always a first priority. Requests for complete identity programs are a close second. Calls for entries focusing on stationery package and business card design follow. Re-evaluations do result in changing priorities over time. For example, my logo designs were selected for inclusion in Print’s Regional Design Annual for many years. When Print opted to exhibit many fewer logos in the annual, I lost interest in entering the competition as a possible showcase for my identity design work.

An added bonus in the case of some competitions, or book submission requests, is the future release of compilation volumes by the publisher. For sometime Rockport Publishers has increased the exposure of a designers’ work with The Best of the Best of... books highlighting brochure, letterhead and logo design. LogoLounge is now doing the same with the new Master Library series. It’s great to discover your work will be featured in an upcoming book – with no additional effort on the part as the original submitter.

Create a budget for entry fees and potential publication fees: Entering design competitions can be an expensive venture. From my earliest submissions, I created a budget for entry fees I was willing to pay – and considered that expenditure a major portion of what I would spend on marketing in any given year. I sought out competitions that had a cap on entry fees after a given number of entries, offered an additional cap on any publication or “hanging” fees (which just annoy the hell out of me), charged no additional fees beyond entry fees, or resulted in a book being published. The Big Book of Logos series, LogoLounge, the former American Corporate Identity competitions, the Creativity Awards, and a few others fit into the guidelines I established for my business.

I’ve always appreciated the fact that the Summit International Awards– already directed at smaller firms – is willing to offer an added discount to one-person studios. This year, the American Advertising and Graphic Design Awards offered a free pro bono project entry with a paid entry fee in another category. With their American Graphic Design Awards the trade publication GDUSA has offered discounted entry fees to previous submitters and winners. Still, having won 20 American Graphic Design Awards over the years, I have yet to pay what I feel are outrageous publication fees to have my work appear in the magazine. As a one-person studio, I simply can’t justify the expense - especially when some of the awards have been for pro bono logo design projects.

Personally, I prefer to submit my work to book producers such as the widely promoted efforts of Rockport Publishers, Rotovision (UK), Index Book (Spain) and zeixs (Germany) - which have no entry fees and incredible reach with their products. HOW Books and PIE Books (Japan) are increasingly promoting future books with no fees for submissions. Inclusion in the books of all of these publishers exposes a designer’s work to an international audience of potential clients.

I think it’s unfortunate the the American Graphic Design and Advertising Awards (formerly American Corporate Identity) recently announced that winning entries of the most recent competition will not be published in a book. To be honest, had I been aware of this prior to the competition deadline, I probably would not have submitted designs. I also noticed that for a specific submission request, although an entry fee is not necessary, Crescent Hill Books is now requiring a $25 fee ($350 for a selected case study) for publication in the future book release. I do understand the challenges of publishing these days, but such changes will cause me to have second thoughts about the book submission requests of those two entities in the future.

Enter what you consider to be your best and most representative work: When giving designers advice about what to include in their portfolios, I always say “only include what you feel is your best work.” The same goes for considering one’s own work for possible competition entry or book submission. Competitions and publications are an opportunity to present to the world what you do best. Don’t be tempted to submit what you may consider mediocre work due to an entry fee price break at, let’s say, 15 entries. If you have 10 kick-ass design projects to contribute; only submit the ten pieces. It’s almost a given that, if you present work of which you are not particularly proud, the work will be selected for recognition or publication.

Part Two of this article will go into some of the specifics of submitting design work for competition or book publishing review.

Some additional resources on this topic:

Calls for entries: Upcoming graphic design competition and book submission deadlines

When a "contest" is not a contest

"Calls for entries" confusion?

A Winning Strategy

Toot! Toot!*: Jeff Fisher LogoMotives designs included in 'Basic Logos' from publisher Index Book

The design work of Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, is included in the newly released book Basic Logos. The volume, from Spanish publisher Index Book, is currently available in Europe and will be in U.S. bookstores this spring.

Fisher's logo for Just Out, the monthly newsmagazine for Oregon's GLBT community, was one of two designs selected for inclusion in the book. The Just Out identity redesign gave the publication a fresh, contemporary look. It won an American Corporate Identity 22 award and also appears in The Big Book of Logos 5 and 100's Visual Logos and Letterheads.

A personal logo designed for hairstylist Micki King, while she was working at a salon named Chameleon, is also included in the new volume. In addition, the image is showcased in the books LogoLounge 4 and 100's Visual Logos and Letterheads.

Fisher, a 32-year design industry veteran, is the author of Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands and The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and tactics for a killer career. He is currently writing the book LogoType, about typography in identity design, with a scheduled release of late 2010.

The designer has received over 600 design awards and his work has been published in more than 130 books on identity design, self-promotion and the marketing of small businesses.

More information about Jeff Fisher, and his design and writing efforts, may be found on the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives blogfolio.

(* If I don’t "toot!" my own horn, no one else will.)

Clickety-clacks along LogoMotives' cyber tracks

Several online postings have been sending traffic to bLog-oMotives throughout the day. The first was an entry on the Creative Freelancer Conference blog from my friend Ilise Benun.

Benun, one of the co-founders of conference sponsor Marketing Mentor, wrote about the fact that the site DesignHide recently posted an interview with me - the closing speaker for the Creative Freelancer Conference.

The conference will be held in Chicago, August 27-29. The deadline for a $60 "early bird" registration has just been extended until July 31.

Yesterday the Spanish publishing house Index Book announced the European release of their latest design volume, A Tribute to Celebrities, by Pedro Guitton. According to the webpage for the book:

Almost 1,000 graphic tributes to celebrities from a variety of fields such as cinema, arts, television, music, sports, cartoon and other famous personalities.
Get plugged into some 500 graphic designers and agencies from all over the world, each with their own unique style: Akihiro Sai, Cocobongo Artworks, Jeff Fisher, Gianni Rossi, Guilherme Marconi, Hausgrafik, Musa Collective, Nick/Leyp, Noma Bar, Quickhoney, Serial Cut, eBoy, Tracy Sabin and more.

From the search results bringing people to my blogs, more than a few people were wondering who that "Jeff Fisher" guy was. Many examples of my work is showcased in other books by Guitton. One design is included in the new volume - but more about that when the book is released in the U.S.

The site of the free eBook download Winners and Losers in a Troubled Economy was also sending visitors to bLog-oMotives. The London digital agency cScape, publisher of the ebook, listed my recent blog entry "Why my design business is at its best when the national economy is at its worst" on the "Useful Links" page of the book promotion website.

Not a bad day for the marketing and promotions department at Jeff Fisher LogoMotives (that would be me).

Toot! Toot!:
Jeff Fisher LogoMotives showcased in
Spanish book Eating & Designing*

The design work of Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, is included in the newly released book Eating & Designing from Spanish publisher Index Book. Logos designed for the Seattle Hamburger Mary's and Celilo - the former restaurant in Portland's Governor Hotel - appear in the book by designer Marta Aymerich. The volume is a collection of restaurant identities from around the world, and the use of those images in menus, signage, advertising, websites and interiors.

A hand holding a raised hamburger takes the form of the Space Needle in the logo for Hamburger Mary's. The design was previously featured in the Japanese books New Logo and Trademark Design and Logo and Trademark Collection.

The Governor Hotel interiors; and marketing and promotion efforts created by designer Jeff Fisher; made use of imagery associated with the Pacific Northwest exploration of the Lewis & Clark expedition and the 1905 Portland exposition celebrating the centennial of the trek. Letterforms from the handwritten journals of Meriwether Lewis were used to create the identity for the Celilo restaurant when the eatery and the hotel originally opened.

Jeff Fisher has received nearly 575 regional, national and international graphic design awards for his logo and corporate identity efforts. His work is featured in nearly 100 books on the design of logos, the business of graphic design, and small business marketing.

Fisher is a member of the HOW Magazine Editorial Advisory Board, the HOW Design Conference Advisory Council and the UCDA Designer Magazine Editorial Advisory Board. His new book, Identity Crisis!: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands, was recently released by HOW Books. His first volume, The Savvy Designer’s Guide to Success, appeared on bookstore shelves in late 2004.

(* If I don’t "toot!" my own horn, no one else will.)

The development of a great relationship
with Spanish publisher Index Book

Over the past few years I've developed a great relationship with the Spanish publisher Index Book, resulting in incredible international exposure for my work. It all began with initial email contact with designer and author Pedro Guitton when he was planning a series of logo design books. The series didn't develop as originally hoped, but in the process the project evolved into the book Logos: From North to South America, published by Index Book. I was honored to have 46 logos featured in the volume. The book has now been published in a mini paperback version soon to be released in the U.S.

Since then Guitton has always kept me aware of upcoming design book submission needs for Index Book. As a result, my work is represented in the beautiful book Fashion Identity, recently made available in the U.S through Amazon.com. The upcoming Guitton book Brochures: From North to South America will include some of my work, as will the restaurant graphics book Eating and Designing from designer Marta Aymerich.

Some time ago Pedro Guitton invited me to participate in another of his book projects, one devoted to designers, celebrities and icons that individuals in the design profession admired. The concept was to produce a book of graphics images and logos, from designers around the world, that represented those admired people. My submitted graphic was a very simple tribute to Milton Glaser. I recently noticed that Guitton has included the image (shown above) on his promotional page for the book, to be called A Tribute to Celebrities. The book will be launched at the London Book Fair in February of next year.

In an email from Guitton this past week, he told me of his latest project - a book to be called A Tribute to Typography, for which he is currently accepting submissions. Index Book often makes their call for entries public and I include the information in my semi-regular design competition deadline updates on bLog-oMotives.

Index Book is additionally greatly increasing exposure of designers through the publishing of Spanish language volumes of some Rockport Publisher offerings. 1,000 Retail Graphics recently became 1000 Diseños Comerciales , and 1000 Restaurant Bar & Cafe Graphics was translated to 1000 Diseños de restaurantes, bares y cafés, resulting in Rockport book participants having a much great audience in promoting their work.

Toot! Toot!:
Jeff Fisher LogoMotives featured in Fashion Identity*

The design work of Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland firm Jeff Fisher Logomotives, is included in the newly released book Fashion Identity from Spanish publisher Index Book. An icon for Walk Your Talk, an urban clothing company projecting a positive message through their product offerings, appears in the book by Pedro Guitton. (Note: The image also appears on the webpage marketing the book)

The book is a collection of innovative designs used to market and promote the identity style of more than 100 different fashion companies from around the world. Ads, illustrations, direct mail pieces, point-of-purchase displays, toys, unconventional identity items, and more are presented in the 395-page volume.

The logo for the Maryland-based sportswear company was also featured in Guitton's previous book Logos from North to South America.

Jeff Fisher has received nearly 570 regional, national and international graphic design awards for his logo and corporate identity efforts. His work is featured in nearly 100 books on the design of logos, the business of graphic design, and small business marketing.

Fisher is a member of the HOW Magazine Editorial Advisory Board, the HOW Design Conference Advisory Council and the UCDA Designer Magazine Editorial Advisory Board. His first book, The Savvy Designer’s Guide to Success, was released by HOW Design Books in late 2004. His new volume, Identity Crisis!, will be on bookshelves in late 2007.

(* If I don’t "toot!" my own horn, no one else will.)

Update 08.01.07: "Fashion Identity" is now available for pre-order from Amazon.com

Toot! Toot!:
Logos: From North to South America* features
Jeff Fisher LogoMotives in a big way

The identity design work of Portland, OR firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives is represented in a big way in the new Index Book release Logos; From North to South America by Pedro Guitton. The Spanish publisher has included 46 of designer Jeff Fisher's logos in the 478-page volume, which contains hundreds of identity examples and comments about logo design from many of the professionals featured.

Small business logos from the designer featured in the book include that of his own business Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, and Portland businesses Balloons on Broadway, Big Daddy Marketing Specialties, Coyner's Auto Body, the Diva salon, greeting card company Good Pig - Bad Pig, retail development Heart of the Pearl and W.C. Winks Hardware. The identities for Harrison Flowers (Hood River, OR), Cooke Stationery (Salem, OR), writer Kimberly Waters (Seattle, WA), Kay Johnson's Sing Out Productions (Littleton, CO), the New England Firewood Company (Lancaster, MA), Walk Your Talk (Silver Springs, MD), Lone Star Site Design (Texas) and Buttonberry Books (Lebanon, NJ) were also showcased.

Education images exhibited in the volume include the logos for James John Elementary School in North Portland and the school's reading program, Buckman Elementary School's annual auction (Portland, OR), and an admissions program identity for George Fox University (Newberg, OR). Each year Fisher creates a graphic for the Fall Thesis celebration at Reed College (Portland, OR) and the images from 1999 through 2002 are in the book.

Organization logos for North Portland's Peninsula Clean Team, the Oregon Adult Soccer Association, the North Portland Business Association, the restoration campaign for the Vista House in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge and the Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico are also highlighted. Gay/lesbian community identities in the book include those for Oregon Family OUTings (Eugene, OR) and the 2001 and 2003 logos for the annual Cascade Cup softball tournament.

The Hospice of Humboldt (Eureka, CA), Monroe Orthodontics (Aloha & Rainier, OR), the Seacoast AIDS Walk (Portsmouth, NH) and the designer's own safe sex message graphic A Rubber's Ducky are featured in the section on health-related logos.

Entertainment identities in the collection include several from the triangle productions! theatre company in Portland. Those include the play The Dream State, the company's 11th anniversary icon, the musical Naked Boys Singing, the 12th season image, and the shows When Pigs Fly, Veronica's Position, As Bees in Honey Drown, Caught in the Net, and Girls' Night Out. In addition, the logo for the Broadway Rose Theatre Company (Tigard, OR) production of Will Rogers Follies is presented.

Jeff Fisher has received nearly 500 regional, national and international graphic design awards for his logo and corporate identity efforts. His work is featured in more than 80 books on the design of logos, the business of graphic design, and small business marketing.

Fisher is a member of the HOW Magazine Editorial Advisory Board, the HOW Design Conference Advisory Council and the Board of Directors of Proscodi: Professional Society of Communication Design. His first book, The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success, was released by HOW Design Books in late 2004. He is currently writing "Identity Crisis," also for HOW Design Books, which is expected to be on bookshelves in 2007.

(* If I don't "toot!" my own horn, no one else will.)

New calls for entries: From Index Books in Spain

The Spanish design book publishing company Index Book has issued to calls for entries for two upcoming design volumes. The first is Nude (Just Labels) by Ignasi Vich. The book will feature labels design for products that - because of shape, specific requirements or shipping restrictions - require exceptionally strong labels for identification or purchase persuasion. Vich also wrote the Index Book offering Mute (Just Pictograms).

The second call for entries is for Josep M. Garrofé's upcoming book Structurall Cards. The book will feature invitations, greeting cards and other designed items that stand out due to unique aesthetics or original concepts. Garrofé is the author of the recently published Structural Packaging.

Additional information about submission requirements may be found at the links for the two books.

Index Book publishes some excellent design resources. Some of my own work is included in one of their latest releases, Logos from North to South America by Pedro Guitton. In fact, my designs for the Peninsula Clean Team, Coyner's Auto Body, Oregon Family OUTings, and the play "Caught in the Net" (all Oregon clients) are featured on the Index Book promotion page for the volume. I look forward to seeing an actual copy of the book in the near future.

Mailbag

Whistle Stops

Get on Track!

Tootin' the Horn

Connections

Destinations

Identity Design Tracks

Side Tracks

The Lounge Car

Booking Adventures

Previous Engagements

Competition Judging

Calls for entries: Upcoming graphic design competition and book submission deadlines

Calls for entries: Upcoming graphic design competition and book submission deadlines

Calls for entries: Upcoming graphic design competition and book submission deadlines

Toot! Toot!*: Jeff Fisher LogoMotives designs included in 'Basic Identity' volume from Index Book

Toot! Toot!*: Spanish book 'For a Good Cause' gives new life to C.A.T. design by Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

'Call for entries,' and design book submission request, observations and recommendations: Part Two

'Call for entries,' and design book submission request, observations and recommendations: Part One

Toot! Toot!*: Jeff Fisher LogoMotives designs included in 'Basic Logos' from publisher Index Book

Clickety-clacks along LogoMotives' cyber tracks

Toot! Toot!:
Jeff Fisher LogoMotives showcased in
Spanish book Eating & Designing*

The development of a great relationship
with Spanish publisher Index Book

Toot! Toot!:
Jeff Fisher LogoMotives featured in Fashion Identity*

Toot! Toot!:
Logos: From North to South America* features
Jeff Fisher LogoMotives in a big way

New calls for entries: From Index Books in Spain

Engineer of Creative Identity