R.I.P. Create Magazine

Yesterday, as on any given business day, I went to log in to the site of the U.S. design industry publication Create Magazine - and it was gone. In its place was the home page of Graphics.com with the following posting:

Create Magazine Joins Graphics.com Network
(Posted on 2008-06-12 16:03:39)

A few weeks ago, Create Magazine merged with Dynamic Graphics magazine. Beginning with the July/August 2008 issue, this new magazine will feature the best collection of news, tips and insights for creative professionals. (Paid subscribers will continue to receive the magazine, without interruption.)

I'd heard the rumblings of the merger, and of the layoffs of Create Magazine staff, in recent weeks - so the merger wasn't a complete surprise. What is a major disappointment is the death of one of the better online design magazine presences. Create Magazine did it right. With over 13,000 online members, the publication's website provided its readers with online portfolios, the posting of an article each day from its archives, a job board, online chat, image battles, a true sense of community, online versions of the current issue for paid members, and so much more.

The print version of Create Magazine was a great example of a true news publication for the creative industries. The geographic regional editions provided readers with a true perspective of local news and events - something lacking in most design industry magazines. I was privileged to have Jeff Fisher Logomotives news published in the magazine on numerous occasions. I was sometimes quoted in articles in the publication, and the editors were kind enough to plug my book, Identity Crisis!, earlier this year.

It will be interesting to see how the merger with Dynamic Graphics evolves. I've always been a fan of Dynamic Graphics - in fact, my marketing packet is featured in an article in the current issue. Unfortunately, the web presences of Dynamic Graphics and sister publication STEP Inside Design, are not match for the late, great Create Magazine site. I personally feel that design industry professionals deserve, and expect, better from representative industry journals. I do hope that the Graphics.com network takes that fact into consideration as they move forward. Some of the plans - and immediate implications of the merger - are addressed on the Graphics.com site.

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Marketing logo design services with online resources

At speaking engagements, while participating in online forums, and via email I am always being asked for suggestions on how to market identity design services online. I've covered a variety of methods I use in a previous bLog-oMotives entry. In this post I am specifically addressing online resources I have used to give exposure to my own logo design efforts. Each of the Internet portfolio, or gallery, options has resulted in potential logo design clients coming my way.

Logopond: My favorite web presence for showcasing, and viewing, logo design work is Logopond. Access to the site is free, as is participation. Participant contributions and advertising support the site. Design professionals and students can establish a profile, create a portfolio of work, comment on the work of others, participate in a site forum and more. Those seeking logo designers are free to peruse the site for potential designers. In addition, the first Logopond Awards competition is currently being conducted. A "sister" site has recently been launched to feature the work of illustrators.

LogoLounge: Many in the design industry are probably familiar with LogoLounge due to the four books being marketed under the same name (Volumes 1- 4). This membership-based site allows identity designers the opportunity to upload a portfolio of images that, for the $100 annual fee, are then also considered for upcoming volumes in the book series. Some identity-related content is available to anyone visiting the site. However, membership does have its privileges. The site is currently taking submissions, through June 30, 2008, that will be considered for LogoLounge, Volume 5.

The Identity Archives Project: The IADP is an interesting project that has the potential to be a great resource with additional participation from the design community. It is another free logo-specific resource that provides an searchable archive of identity designs uploaded by designers. I have only posted a few images myself. However, a client did find me through the site last year.

designerID: Social networking comes to the design community with the designerID site. Design professionals may create an online portfolio, post a detailed online profile, submit news, and connect with others in the industry on this advertising-supported website. The resource is not identity design specific.

design:related: This site is another making use of a social networking model. With registration, designers may create a profile, publish a portfolio of work, connect with other creative types, indicate inspirations, post news and more.

Facebook: My Facebook profile and photo galleries have been an excellent method of showcasing my identity design work. The exposure has even been greater since participating in Facebook groups related to logo design. An international community of identity designers has been established.

flickr: The flickr site isn't just for photo images. The creation of a set of my logo design images brought my work to the attention of numerous potential clients.

Graphics.com: Portfolios have been in place, in a wide variety of categories, for quite some time on Graphics.com. My logo design portfolio has been a valuable marketing resource for several years now.

DesignHide: My DesignHide profile is the newest addition to my online marketing. The site, still in beta, defines itself as the "place for creative media producers, including web designers, graphic artists, videographers, print media producers, photographers, artists, and ad managers, to display their work with the end goal of attracting new business opportunities. We want to put the best creative professionals in touch with those seeking the best."

Coroflot: Coroflot is really the only more traditional online portfolio site on which I have identity design work posted. The website offers a job board and industry-related blog in addition to portfolios.

There are many other online resources for posting and promoting one's design work. As mentioned earlier in this piece, those listed above are just the online options I am currently using to give my own identity design work an international presence beyond my website, blogs, and books and magazines in which my work may appear.

© 2008 Jeff Fisher LogoMotives.