Paul Stamatiou's Logo Design Project

I've just completed a logo design project with tech guru, and fellow 9rules blogger, Paul Stamatiou.

Paul writes commentary and reviews on varied topics with a focus on technology, and has very high visibility on the web. So as you can imagine, I found it a fun challenge to work with Paul.

Below are links to the set of mockups and final art at Paul's Flickr account:

Paul Stamatiou Logo Design Set
Paul Stamatiou Final Logo Design Spec Sheet

It was fun, and different working with Paul, since he put all of the sketches, black and white and color mockups I did for him on Flickr — as they were delivered — and opened them up for public comments. I've not had that kind of in-progress, public critique done with my work before. Paul and the commenters liked the work and through the normal process, Paul selected a final winner.

One advantage to having your client post in-progress to final work posted on Flickr is, prospective clients can see the process, how it works and looks — which hopefully sends them to me and MakaluMedia for their identity design.

All in all, it was a blast working with Paul. I think we've found a clean, crisp and memorable mark for Paul to use as personal branding, on the blog and for other things, which makes me very happy.

Thanks for choosing to work with me Paul! :-)

Related Links
Paul Stamatiou: New Logo, New Design
Paul Stamatiou Logo Design Set
Paul Stamatiou Final Logo Design Spec Sheet

Comments

[Charles]

I like it because it reminds me of an inkan, a personal seal used in Asia. There's a particularly old style of inkan with a rectilinear script, here's an example, I'm sure you'll see the resemblance:http://www.himono1ba.com/images/history/inkan.jpgYou ought to get an inkan carver to make the logo into a seal. Or at least make a low-fi rubber stamp. That would be cool.

[Mike Rohde]

Interesting comment Charles! I have seen these stamps and they were kind of floating through my mind as we worked on the mark.

Getting a stamp done is a great idea! Feel free to pop by Paul's Flickr collection and suggest that on the latest, final art image. Paul would love and I think go for that idea!

Paul is also Greek, so I also drew from my visual library of ideas, wanting to create something nearly symmetrical for the mark to honor Paul's history.

Thanks for your kind words! :-)

[Charles]

I love inkan, I had one made for myself when I was a student in Japan. When I started studying calligraphy, I was always amazed at the really amazing ancient calligraphy examples that had seals stamped all over them, sometimes there were so many stamps that they almost obliterated the writing. I asked my art history professor about it, he said that as each new owner acquired the work, they'd add their stamp, creating a historical provenance, and since it was in red, it wasn't thought to conflict with the black ink. I thought it was desecrating the fine calligraphy, but in the end, I came around to thinking it wasn't so bad, it helped me break out of thinking typography and calligraphy had to be so precious and inviolate. So that's why I like the idea of Paul getting a logo stamp, if it was me, I'd stamp all it over everything that came out of my office.

[adrian boioglu]

hello Mike. i like the way Paul's blog it's been redesigned. I want to do the same thing with my blog and i want to talk to you about this. could you please contact me on my e-mail address.thank you

[Mike Rohde]

Charles, this is very interesting! I love the sample you provided and can see how the red and black exist on different levels within the work. Very cool background info.

Do you have any ideas where to get an inkan made? I spoke to Paul and he liked the idea of getting one made very much.

Thanks for the comments!

[luca]

Great Job, I like it.

[Daniel Del Real]

I really like the logo design, great job! If you could send me additional information on your services it would be greatly appreciated. I'm looking for a good graphic designer to help with the same thing. Best Wishes, Daniel Del Real, DelRealProperty.com

[Neubreed Design]

Great tip about posting in-progress work on Flickr

[Freelance Website Design]

I just saw this at paulstamatiou.com, very nice job. Very clean.

[Mike Rohde]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

Daniel, I've been swamped, so I'll send you something today. :-)

[Charles]

I'm not sure where Paul could get an inkan carved. I got mine carved at a department store in Japan, and there are many little shops that do nothing but carve seals. It seems to be a speciaized occupation. Usually the inkan (or "hanko") are carved in stone or wood, and the carver will consult with you on the most appropriate format for your seal.Paul seems to be in Atlanta, I checked and there are several Asian shopping communities in the area. He could ask around at a Japanese or Chinese market or art gallery and see if anyone can suggest a good carver. Or he could always go the conventional modern route and get a rubber stamp.

[Mike Rohde]

Thanks Charles. Hopefully Paul will check here if he does a stamp, though he's the kid of guy that will work it out one way or another.