How NOT to Design a Logo.

Although I am best known for my writing skills, I have also honed a critical design eye over the years.

I regularly receive compliments for my own logo, Writesquared, which was designed by the talented Stephen Walker. Check it out: http://writesquared.com/.

If you need to develop a logo, I have three easy-to-follow pieces of advice which can streamline the process, saving you time and money and yielding a better result:

* Don't go with your gut.  Hire--and then trust--a qualified design professional.

* Don't over assess.  When it comes to design, everyone and their brother is a so-called expert. Don't try to include all this input in the decision-making process or you end up with schlock.

*  Don't be a copycat. Nike, GM and Apple all have memorable logos. You are not any of those companies. Create your own editorial and design footprint.

Creativity & Drudgery Are Not Mutually Exclusive.

Do creatives balk at rules?  Does it matter?

http://www.inc.com/magazine/201111/stan-richards-unique-management-style_pagen_2.html 

Big Mouthing.

On a recent episode of the ABC TV show Cougar Town, Courtney Cox's character Jules admonished one of her friends not to "big mouth her."

Big mouthing in her world means using an obscure word when a familiar one will do.

On a recnet hike at Pinnacle Peak, I big mouthed a ranger. He and his colleague needled me about "talking fancy."

I've written before about the danger of using $10 words when $5 ones will suffice.

So, let this serve as a reminder: in life as in art, the lesson is to check your big fancy mouth--most of the time.