The new logo designed by Jen Wolfe
Changing a logo is always a risk. Your logo brands you, it is the visual identity of your company. But I decided to take the step anyway. For years, my logo was the company name– QuinnCreative–done in graceful calligraphy by Michael Noyes. It got a lot of careful looks. It was neutral enough to identify me both as a business person and as an artist. You can see it on my business website.
When I began using Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, I broke the rules and didn’t use my photograph. Instead, I drew a yellow #2 pencil, and used the pointy end of the pencil as my avatar. It worked for all the things I do–write, develop training programs (in business communication) and teach them; the pencil also was a good association with my work as a life- and creativity coach. I loved he pencil enough to design a totem pendant and have it made in gold and silver.
One day, I handed over my business card and the recipient thought I was a calligrapher. I let it go. Just a mistake. Then it happened again. People began to ask me if I taught calligraphy (people who know my talents in that field will feel my fear). One person asked me if I taught penmanship. Good humor was not the answer, I was sending the wrong message. It was time to change the logo.
I spoke with Jen Wolfe of JenWolfeCreative (no relation) and she started to come up with ideas. She immediately understood that I needed one image for both the art side and the business side of my company. She solved the problem of the front and back of a business card. But best of all, she developed a logo that is clean, simple, colorful and easy to recognize. It incorporates the pencil (I drew a new one–Jen made me draw it facing both ways and my head nearly exploded) as well as the company name. It’s great.
My art business cards have a piece of my artwork on the front, and the logo on the back. The business card has the logo on the front and a list of how I work with clients on the back. I’m excited to see what they look like when they come from the printer.
Thanks, Jen! This is a wonderful way to include everything I do!
