Stumped for logo idea...

[PandaBear]

Hey guys & gals,
In the quest to improve my professional image, I'm trying to create a logo for myself, which will be the basis/foundation for things I plan to update (resume, online portfolio, business cards etc). It's going to be of my first & last name, as I don't have a company name, nor do I freelance anymore.

I'm having a major designers' "block" and need some help getting past it. I have one idea/concept in mind but not sure if it will work the way I want so to get some inspiration, I'm calling all of those who have logos for their first & last name only, to post their logo.

[Mynock]

tell us a little about yourself, what you like to do information, any ideas you have already. "need the info"

[PandaBear]

I'm reluctant to say what my ideas are as I want to keep my design and concept as original as possible. Of course once I'm complete with my "image", I'll definitely post here for feedback. Until then, I guess I can let you know a little bit about me.

25 years old, Leo
Graphic designer, freelanced for 2 years on and off, but wanted steady work so found a full-time position. Been in the industry for a total of 5 years. Love it!!

Personally, I enjoy movies, scrapbooking, travel, shopping, Sims games (makin magic is my fave).
I take interest in magic, fairies, wizards, history, animals.

Um, not sure what else...

[morea]

gender?

[PandaBear]

female...

[Mynock]

what kind of places do you travel to? cities? national forrests? historic sites? rock croppings?

[PandaBear]

Travel anywhere and everywhere, although I haven't quite made it over to England yet but hopefully one day I'll get the chance. Mostly just weekend "get aways". South coast of North America mostly. Whistler, Victoria, Vegas, San Fransisco. Seen the Redwoods in California, gone to "cowboy" towns as I like to call them, like Columbia and Old Sacramento, enjoy old "ghost towns", mining towns, prehistoric museums, butterfly gardens & tropical rain forests, conservatories and sanctuaries.

[Crimson]

What can you say with just you name. I guess just reflect your style. If you like a really architectual approach to things with Grids and Symetry - go that route. If you like to be really outrageous than use Neon colors. Less is more?? Old fashsion/ cartoony / funkified

Use the force!

[Rocketpig]

Panda bears are mean.

[Drorain]

a lot of people...including sole proprietorships and freelancers make up their own little 'brand' or name, its a good excercise in creative branding. I cant help you with first and last name...I tried that and hated it...no one knows who I am, or my name, and I won't create a name for myself until I'm a heavy hitter in design. So I created my 'brand' it'll be used as freelance and it goes at the bottom of every page in my portfoilio. Even though it looks like I'm a company...it's truly just me.

If you care to see it, click my website link in the sig...

There is a lot of creative thought involved with my brand too, but its buried in the pages of these forums, and I dont care to dig it up right now.

[morea]

what you are trying to do is define yourself - and I don't think that's something that anyone else can do for you. You need to get away from the computer and brainstorm and come up with some concepts and work from there... I think that you will surprise yourself with what you can come up with!

[Drorain]

a concept...the foundation for the whole idea...that is where you need to begin.

if you have this, share that idea...we could give more input for you with that

[sadesigner]

Come up with a few names/words you like. Google them to see whether any competition exists (you'll be surprised how many people think alike) and then start playing around with concepts around your chosen name. Put your logos up for review on logo review pages and get people's comments. Choose something close to your heart and something which will stand out as a brand.

If you take many of the band names out there today, you wouldn't have thought they could make it with a name like that. U2, Smashing Pumpkins etc.

sad*

[Magnus]

This is a project you must take on yourself. We can't create a self image for you...none of us know you! If your'e having difficulty, then it sounds like there are aspects of yourself which you haven't defined yet, as such it's difficult to translate them into graphic images, colours and/or fonts.

[keith1]

Personally, (makin magic is my fave).
I take interest in magic, fairies, wizards, history, animals.

Um, not sure what else...

I can think of endless ideas from what you said above but I'm not gonna tell you cuz I don't want you stealing my ideas for you. I need pocket lint up front.

[PandaBear]

Of course I don't expect anyone to do this for me, I've just hit a designers block and need some inspiration, some direction.

[keith1]

To quote En Vogue: Free Yo Mind and the Rest Will Follow

[morea]

read this thread. http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5392

I bet you will feel more creative immediately.

[Jason Fraker]

Magnus, is the psychoanalysis free, or do you charge for that.

[PandaBear]

Keith I'm pretty sure our "ideas" are along the same lines. It's all a matter of "refining" now. ;) And the most important question, which idea do I use? I think maybe that's my problem. :o

[Broacher]

Mono Bear: what about your WORK preferences? What kind of work do you want to sell? Do you specialize in any particular discipline, form, style? Clientelle? Market?

If you can really think like one of those clients you're after, waiting to be impressed, what would you want to see? Not pictorially, but abstractedly-- what is the message that hits and sticks?

I've yet to be convinced that a designer's personal interests are worth conveying across her/his identity graphics-- unless there's a solid resonation with the target market, why would a client really care?

[PandaBear]

Breacher Man: Very true but my concept will have some link to my work. It won't just be designed based on what I like and have NOTHING to do with the quality of my work and what I can offer.

[danedawg99]

Keith I'm pretty sure our "ideas" are along the same lines. It's all a matter of "refining" now. ;) And the most important question, which idea do I use? I think maybe that's my problem. :o
Take these ideas and work all of 'em up. ALL of them. do some sketches. That's usually the easiest way for me to determine which ones to go forward with. Don't worry about picking one just yet, just put pencil to paper and see what you come up with. ;)

[PandaBear]

Thanks Dane. That sounds like a great idea. I'll post what I've come up with once I've got something solid.