I recently posted several of my new logos (a couple that you’ve seen on my outdated website) on Logospire. Their rating system and comments make it easy to find out which ones people tend to like the best.
I’d recommend visiting the site if you enjoy logos, or just need inspiration for your next design.
As you may have noticed, I don’t take my blog too seriously of late. It’s mostly a place where I put my thoughts, things I run across, latest projects and discoveries, etc. This more casual approach will help me to blog more often and get less anxiety about when I put my fingers on the keyboard.
After my blog post the other day on A Tidbit on Graphic Design Trends, I started noticing many of the people I follow on twitter talk about design trends in logos or web design, etc. Whether you agree with these trends, follow them, enhance your portfolio with them or ignore them all together, I just thought I’d share a few things that came to my attention.
My dad was a Contractor by trade, and owner of his own business called “McCall Building Company”. Jokingly he asked me one time if I wanted to take over the family business and I can only imagine my face looking back. Though I love architecture and have considered it as an alternative profession, building is hard work. I have much respect for those folks.
My Dad was and is a great builder, a talented craftsman who’s built many beautiful homes and structures. And yet, he’s never built a home for himself.
That’s how I feel about my portfolio site sometimes. I’m always designing for everyone else, sometimes I forget to design for myself. In fact, my current site at bradmccall.com has been there since I initially launched it in March of 1999. Yes folks, that’s 10 years ago next month. I’ve updated the text content as it’s changed as well as adding this blog (still with the default template - blah!), but things are still very much 1999. (Silly little frames and all)
So in celebration of bradmccall.com’s 10 year anniversary, I’m launching it again.
But not quite yet.
I’m currently finalizing the templates, creating the designs (and recreating and recreating), and then beginning to gather the portfolio files together. Here’s a 30,000 foot view of my files as they stand (sorry it’s not clickable!):
I’ve got probably a thousand samples of work I’ve done over the past 10 years, but have begun pulling the logos together.
This website has served me well over the last 10 years and has made me lots of money. But as with all good things, it’s time to retire it and try something new.
So I did a quick search on Twitter to see what people where talking about with regards to graphic design trends. One of the first links I hit is from Jacob Cass, who I follow on twitter. The article called Logo Design Trends 2009 is about a month old, but sums up what several other sites have been saying about logo trends for 2009.
The most interesting part for me was, which usually is the case on these type of articles, is a bit of a debate that the article prompted in the comments section of the blog post. Starting with a comment from Jeff Fisher of Jeff Fisher Logomotives, someone who I have great respect for, who said:
“When a graphics industry expert proclaims something a current ‘design trend’ it is a ‘breaking news’ message to designers everywhere that the specific ‘trend’ should be avoided from that moment on - rather than followed by a thundering flock of design sheep.”
He called it his “annual design trend comment.”
I’ll let you read the comments on the blog there and participate in the conversation if you’d like, but one of my favorite responses to the debate was from Fred Showker, someone who I haven’t run across online before. He mentions in one of his comments about the “acid tests” that any logo has to go through. Tests such as scalability, black-n-white, screen printing, stitching, etc. He says:
“Too many people rely on process color, and computer effects to “carry” the design — or lack thereof.”
I’ve run into problems in this aspect as well with several of my logos. Though I’ve tried to discover in advance through creative worksheet questioning on “how” my client will use the logo, sometimes they don’t always know. It’s not long until a fancy “online only” logo gets stitched on a hat.
I enjoy looking around and seeing where trends are going and what new innovative ways graphic designers are using to represent their client’s brands. But as graphic designers we’ve got to keep the basics in mind and remember that logos are as practical/functional as they are beautiful.
Join the conversation! –>Logo Design Trends 2009
So I had a brain fart just now (a “brain fart” is a rather crude phrase for a random idea, but you get the point) and thought I’d put it in my blog. Goodness, unprofessional moment. I digress.
So I’ve been of a big fan of Twitter of late for many reasons. Though I do have my off days where I get tired of everyone talking and no one listening (remember Mr. McCall, no expectations). And as the Twittering keeps going and going, I see all my little witty posts disappearing below hundreds of others and then I catch myself saying to myself (Wow, that felt just like a Austin Powers moment there) that ‘hey, I’d like to remember some of these’.
So ta-da, here’s my newest post. My best tweets of January 2009. I honestly will try to do this monthly, if just for the fact that I’ll want to go back and enjoy them later. Here goes. <begins to read my own tweets.>
January’s Best Tweets
Just recalled the time I was a boy scout singing Christmas Carols at a retirement home and an old lady started doing a strip-tease. about 2 hours ago from Tweetie
My cousin’s kid keeps sticking her finger in her little brother’s mouth and saying “Charlie bit me!” about 3 hours ago from Tweetie
Ahhh! Turn it off, turn it off! The radio station in my head is too loud and keeps playing the same songs. Gack. about 7 hours ago from twhirl
I’m feeling a little flem-ish this morning. As in <cough> <cough>, not as in Belgian Dutch. about 11 hours ago from twhirl
My step-mom put a little scrapbook together for my birthday (Jan 31) and I remembered I used to wear flip-flops and hoodies all the time! 9:06 PM Jan 29th from web
“Try these sprouts, they taste like soccer!” 12:59 PM Jan 29th from Tweetie
“When your male trunk is a little punk, you feel like a pig because your tool is not big.” More deep thoughts from SPAM 9:56 AM Jan 29th from twhirl
Flash websites are cool and all, but sometimes I feel cheated when I wait for the loader. 23…45…68…99… OH, so now you suck. 9:19 AM Jan 29th from twhirl
I’d love to have my whole home automated. The fact that my house heats up and lights down when it’s supposed to thrills me. 8:05 PM Jan 28th from web
I am a wireframe ninja today! Yah! Take that you nasty complicated UI problem. <insert sweet moves here> 3:07 PM Jan 27th from twhirl
@mezzoblue I don’t think so. If only I had been raised in metrics… THEN I just might know a kilometer from a hole in the ground. 3:02 PM Jan 27th from Tweetie in reply to mezzoblue
@jasonegan Those Snuggies are way funny looking. Laugh at the commercials everytime. Kinda like a blanket mated with a robe. 2:30 PM Jan 27th from twhirl
I’m hearing a high pitched ringing. What was that joke about dogs blowing human whistles? Ruff, ruff, ruff. (That’s dogeese for stop it!) 1:44 PM Jan 27th from twhirl
“Oh, this is where you get that strange Utah mayonaise ketchup mix” -Archana Yup, Fry Sauce, a Utah original. 12:20 PM Jan 27th from Tweetie
There’s nothing quite like Hot Cocoa to warm a confused mind into resolution. (You heard it here first) 10:23 AM Jan 27th from twhirl
Regarding the tweets about the Omniture billboards, I think we need to hire a guy named Evan. We’ve got Kevin, Trevan and Devan already. 11:35 PM Jan 26th from Tweetie
@jeffjordan “Click save as nude”. (Pause) “I mean save as NEW.” 12:08 PM Jan 26th from Tweetie
I need to make a documentary of my life called “50 First Mondays”. I get weekend amnesia and leave notes: “this is what you were doing”. 11:42 AM Jan 26th from Tweetie
I’m watching a rerun of House Hunters on TV. She picks house 1. Why do people always go ga-ga over crown molding? It’s cheap to install! 11:14 PM Jan 24th from Tweetie
A sign at the cookie table read, “These cookies have been exposed to nuts.” Sounds either dirty or dangerous. 7:18 PM Jan 23rd from twitterrific
#Mint just told me that I exceeded my budget for groceries this month. I think it’s because I actually bought some. 3:34 PM Jan 23rd from twitterrific
bumper sticker from this morning: “My child is an excellent student at PEDROS TACOS” Sign me up for a degree in that! 9:42 AM Jan 23rd from twhirl
Man, if my eyes were any drier, I’d be looking at the world through raisins. Urg. 3:42 PM Jan 14th from twhirl
US Mint: now can we give my cute little Dime some design love? Do only the big coinage get redesigned? What about the little guys here? 10:09 AM Jan 9th from twhirl
is wondering if kids under 2 are called by their age in “months”, why aren’t people over the age of 20 called by their age in “decades”? 1:18 PM Jan 5th from twhirl
Give me a follow on Twitter if you’d like. I love to meet some new people (especially funny designers!) @bradmccall
I’ve not been active on my blog of late, but I have been active on twitter. I’m still putting together my personal opinion on twitter and formulating a blog post in my head, but it’s not ready to commit.
I’ve also been working on a total overhaul to my portfolio website. I’ve been neglecting it for much too long. (10 years to be exact!) I’m excited to get some of the work that I’ve done over the past few years out there and hear what you think. I’ve started and stopped the redesign of my portfolio site several times, and this time I’m going to make it happen.
A special thanks to those of you who regularly follow me. If you’re on twitter, I’d love to connect. (@bradmccall)
I just finished writing a post called My Best Tweets as Rated by Me, January 2009 that included some of my favorite tweets from that month. I found a few I liked from December, so I thought I’d go back and create a post for that day. (The theme from “Back to the Future” starts playing in my head - “Gonna go BACK in time”.)
Is it cheating to pre-date a post? Well I figured I’d do it anyhow, as I know there’s a sweet select few that read my posts. (Thanks to you!)
December’s Best Tweets (Twitter updates)
The highway looks like a candy cane and I’m at a dead stop in the red part of it. 5:49 PM Dec 24th, 2008 from twitterrific
From the kid next to me in Target to his dad. “ewwe, I don’t want to go in the woman’s section!” 2:28 PM Dec 24th, 2008 from twitterrific
I wondered why there were so many live birds inside Lowes. Then realized, they were breaking into the bird seed. Such cute little thieves. 1:13 PM Dec 24th, 2008 from twitterrific
If it snows in Las Vegas (”Sin City”) then does that mean Hell froze over? 2:12 PM Dec 23rd, 2008 from twhirl
@kittygutz It takes a steady hand to perform candle surgery. I once did a tripple wick-pass and nearly lost it. ( the crazy “lost it”, yes) 10:22 PM Dec 22nd, 2008 from twitterrific in reply to kittygutz
Just dug myself out of a snowbank but I was smiling the whole time. Why? You should have seen the killer trick I did to get there. Sa-weet! 5:42 PM Dec 22nd, 2008 from twitterrific
Glitter is a permanent part of my wardrobe this time of year. Why is that? To quote the second Charlie Unicorn movie… “sparkle sparkle!” 2:39 PM Dec 22nd, 2008 from twhirl
A snowey wet day brings out the squeekiness in my shoes. “Why hello shoes, it’s nice to hear from you.” 2:31 PM Dec 22nd, 2008 from twhirl
I accidentally de-pantsed a saggy jeaned mannequin at the Gap this weekend. My friend had to pull them up because I was laughing so hard. 1:43 PM Dec 22nd, 2008 from twhirl
Tomatoes are nasty little buggars. They excrete their goop and seeds on everything in my sandwich. 11:52 AM Dec 19th, 2008 from twhirl
On the freeway about 8 miles from work, going 8 miles an hour. Can you guess when I’ll get there? Yup, easy story problem!9:44 AM Dec 18th, 2008 from twitterrific
I think the dime is my favorite coinage. They’re just so darn cute. 4:19 PM Dec 16th, 2008 from twhirl
I think my tux collar is making me lightheaded. A little too tight!9:21 PM Dec 13th, 2008 from twitterrific
My friend said “what’s wrong? when I kept shaking my iPhone. I didn’t realize that it looked wierd to update Facebook with a phone shake. 4:28 PM Dec 12th, 2008 from twhirl
Every time someone says “Expedia”, I want to blurt out “dot com” in a low and melodic voice. 1:09 PM Dec 12th, 2008 from twhirl
I would like to thank the kind person who returned the red bow that blew off my wreath. My house is happy to have it’s Christmas bling back! 9:24 AM Dec 12th, 2008 from twitterrific
My friends are busy with being sick or family time, so I’m hanging out with Brad. It’s a good thing he’s pretty cool. 6:23 PM Dec 6th, 2008 from twitterrific
So I thought it appropriate that I announce my new iPhone by posting a blog from it. So I downloaded the Wordpress blog tool, then found out the code on my blog was outdated. After updating that, I came back and typed a post and then for some reason, the post or save buttons wouldn’t appear. So after some practice, and the realization that it’s not the most practical device for typing, here it is. Expect to hear more about my new “toy” in the future, I’ve already come across a couple things of interest.
So you might have noticed that my blog postings were somewhat sparse this year (for the 2 of you who follow it on a regular basis). Beyond not having much time to present my interesting findings, I’ve been busy flipping a house I purchased in January of this year. I blogged about it through most of the process, and now it’s just time to put up all the “after” pictures to enjoy what I came up with.
I’ve got to say I learned a lot in the process about many things that apply directly to being a freelance designer. While working with contractors, sub-contractors and people who I thought were “skilled” tradesmen in their respective fields I learned valuable lessons about being on the “client” side of things. Perhaps I’ll share those in a future post. I also enjoyed being creative in a format beyond my day-to-day job of doing UI design. Picking tile, wood floors, designing window woodwork, picking carpet, tearing down walls, etc. all provided a tactile experience that the design of software lacks. From that standpoint, I’d have to say the experience was an enjoyable one.
I also wanted to mentioned that I joined Facebook recently. I had been interested in some of their use of the latest-and-greatest technologies and wanted to keep track on what changes they make overtime. (Their growth rate has been phenomenal!) I’ve already found many people I know there, and have enjoyed exchanging messages through their internal email, or their “wall” functionality.
In the blogs that I read, email newsletters I subscribe to, and info that comes across my desk, the new search engine Cuil (pronounced like “cool”) seems to have been mentioned quite a few times times. So in typical fashion, I did a vanity search for my own name (and my company’s primary product name for that matter) to see what results it would come up with compared to other searches in Google or Yahoo.
What I found, is Cuil seems to have liked my LinkedIn page best. So I did a search for my friend, and illustrator Jonathan Hull (who continually competes for search engine attention from an author with the same name.) The author guy (that “other” Jonathan Hull) seemed to control the first three pages, and then… well then… nothing else (Nope, no more results at all). So the first thing I found is the fact that Jonathan Hull’s website is named www.jonathan-hull.com or my website is www.bradmccall.com seemed to have no effect on its relevancy for the same terms searched for in Cuil. In fact, even 10 pages into Cuil’s results and I didn’t find bradmccall.com listed as any part of its results when searching for “Brad McCall”.
So I followed up with my typical rounds of search to see what showed up by typing Brad McCall Utah and while links showed up from other sites that directed to mine, the direct link didn’t show up until page 5. Seems odd, right?
So I tried another brand company. Glaceau (They make the Vitamin Water that I’ve been drinking of late – so it was a quick grab.) and voila! Their brand name appears first thing. (glaceau.com) Okay, so they got that right. So I tried “Dell”, and the search engine errored out. A search engine erroring out? More oddness. (I tried this again later and whatever didn’t work was fixed)
So at last, I tried Omniture, the company that has garnered my full-time employ, and a random bunch of links came up, many of which were a part of the Omniture website, but its corporate website was nowhere to be found in the results. If you ARE patient enough to wait, you will notice on an “Omniture” search will create a menu that has some awesome links to the corporate site as well as product links – pages that ARE MISSING from the search results.
Does anyone get how this works? What gives? And is this REALLY supposed to compete with Google?