time to find my identity

[jdeeesign]

Alright, I have officially begun the search for an identity, and wanted to get you guy's opinions on some names I have. I do primarily print work. I probably won't actually register the business name, yet, because I want to just operate under my name for now, but need some kind of mark, and when I eventually change my name to this, I would like it to match.

Anyways, here are some ideas I have so far. Would love to hear some feedback, and if you have any other ideas, shoot em out there!
One idea I had was to name is something that starts with a J (i.e. junebug design) so that I can capitalize on the JD part graphically (my name is J.D.) That's just an idea though.

Paint Bucket Design
Dynamite Cafe
Lighthouse Design Studio
Bonfire Design Studio
Firefly Design Studio
Blowtorch Design
Juicebox Design
Jackrabbit Design Studio
Crossfire Design

any likes or dislikes?

(i hope this is the right place to post this... if it really belongs in the showcase section, movie it mods)

[cjoe]

'Lighthouse Design Studio' is probably my favourite out of the list, then 'firefly'. Anything with a light theme is good. 'Dynamite Cafe' doesn't suggest what you do which is the primary concern. I personally don't like 'juicebox', 'jackrabbit' or 'paint bucket'.
I prefer adjective or verb names rather than nouns, they tend to anchor you less to a style or object and more to an idea or an idealism. e.g. 'paradigm studios' (crappy name but more abstract than Paint Bucket)

[Image]

The one that struck me was Dynamite Cafe. Dynamite can go, but i like the idea of using "cafe" or something like that. Even though it doesn't suggest what yo do, let your business cards and postcards do the talking. it's extremely creative. On the other hand, it could sound too much like a trendy online journal site, too.

Try thinking of other facilities where they create things, like a lab, shop, stage, or studio. Use something that still suggests design or creation, but is a little out side of the box.

I certainly don't follow my own advice, but I perfer inside the box myself. It's cleaner and they know me in here.

[Ghastly]

I went through the same problem a few months ago, a couple of the 'brand names' I developed for myself were:
Fission Design (a play on words, meant to sound like efficient when said fast)
New Leaf Design (A dodgy excuse to produce some nice looking stationery)

Recently though however, I just sat back and thought to my self: Greg, what is it you do? You are a drawer, you've been wrangling some good use out of graphics software for years and know more than a thing or two about printing...but basically you like illustrating things, be that with a pencil or a 3D program.

Then I looked back at the names I had developed, first thing I realised is that I don't have a studio and an entrepreneur title wasn't justified for someone who was just a stranger in a backwater town. Secondly none of the concepts I devised had anything to do with what I actually enjoy doing, I just thought they sounded good.
Basically now I've settled on the somewhat primitive idea of just using my name, and have tried to devise a corporate ID for myself that best explains what I enjoy doing and can do well. I feel more comfortable with this than picking a cool sounding name and trying to roll with it.

If you have a wide set of talents perhaps another name that you could play with would be: 'Just Design?'

Essentially what I'm saying is try make your identity hone in specifically to what you like and are good at.

just my 2 pence worth
:D :D

[Drorain]

Most people like to use their name, or their intials in their studio name. For some this works very well: ie Jeff Fisher Logomotives, and a class mate of mine...Archer Graphics, but this never worked for me. I did use it as a starting point tho. And thru this I created my concept and eventually came up with PowderKeg Graphic Design. Lots of creative oppurtunities with a name like that. Now I like your names u came up with, and I'm thinking...Blowtorch...then I think Welding for some reason...So take it a step forward...

Creative Weld
Creative Meld
The Creative Meld

something to that tone. Now as far as your name defining what you do, this may or may not be important. look at Chopping Block, you dont know they are design until you get to their site. It'll all be in the marketing.

Hope that helps a bit, U can use any names I suggested, or toss em out, I'm not prideful

[defjoe]

Dynamite Cafe has the most potentiel as far as making a logo.

[Jeff92]

Juicebox Design. The logos that you can up with would be fun... though only thing is is that it does soud kiddish.
Paint Bucket might be fun as well.
I like these just based on the idea that they are fun and you can get really creative with them!

Though I must say i quite like Lighthouse Designs. I must admit though it sounds familiur. Do a business name search in your area and see if someone as the same name.

[jdeeesign]

Thanks for the replys!

There is a Lighthouse Design group (www.lighthousedesign.net) that does web development in South Carolina, but I don't think it'd be a problem. I would be Lighthouse Design Studio, and specialize in print work.

I did a search, and there are a few different Firefly Design places, which kind of surprised me... so I think that's out.

I like the idea of using a stick of dynamite as a mark to go along with my name for now, or a lighthouse, or paint bucket ... just something to that effect.

I'm taking all this advice to heart, though ... I'll probably start on some roughs tonight.

[D-Zine]

How odd - Lighthouse Design is only like 30 min from me in Bluffton! LOL!
Small, small world!

[steelcoast]

I was so rooting for Firefly, but a name like that was bound to be taken. I have always been partial to offbeat names. They stay with you longer and are easier, for me at least, to brand. I like juicebox, it's a tad bit odd and I can see some interesting marketing angles to work with it. Although I would probably modify it to JuiceBox Digital, or something along those lines. Some of the other names seem a little too generic for my taste but I like where you are headed.

Take Luck (take care and good luck combined, it's my new thing.)

[jdeeesign]

yeah to me the "digital" on the end of the name makes it sound more like a web design place... i don't know if that's true for anyone else.

[Robin Finnell]

a play on Firefly could be "Lightning Bug Design."

i think that's cute, and everyone in the Midwest calls fireflies lightning bugs anyway. i don't know where you are, but if you're in the Midwest, that could help.

pax,