Typophile

Personal Identity Systems

AndrewSipe

I’m in the roots process of creating a new identity system for myself, and wanted to know what the growing consensus on some topics were.

1. My name versus a clever amalgamation example: Andrew Sipe Vs Clever Amalgamation Designs
Is this professional? Is it acceptable? Is it the way to go if I’m the only person using it, i.e. no other employees in this company?

2. Tagline : Yes or No or should I just use a title like graphic artist/designer/communicator?
Is it necessary to have a tagline/title line at all when creating a personal identity?

3. What are some resources or guidelines I should consider familiarizing myself with when creating my identity system. I’m guessing there isn’t much difference between a personal ID system and a professional company ID system, but I could be mistaken.

I’m sure I’ll have more questions as this topic develops out, until then I’d be happy to read your honest insights and opinions on the subject.

Thanks

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Alessandro Segalini

“Clever” ? That reminds me some shop signs like “fresh butter”, but people don’t go on a quest for rancid butter, it’s kind of fun. Do you think this could be useful :
http://www.cis.rit.edu/htbooks/dtp/projects/stationery/stationary1.html

aluminum

I don’t think there is reall concensus on answers to any of your questions.

For personal stuff, I tend to go with ’keep it simple’ and aim for ’sufficiently adequate’ else you’ll end up dwelling on your own logo forever.

Patricia Fabricant

Clever Amalgamated Designs abbreviates into CAD, maybe you don’t want to use that...

I’d just use your name unless you’re setting up a studio, in which you might want to come up with something... clever. Or you could try “Andrew Sipe Design” which kind of covers both questions.

AndrewSipe

Oh, Clever Amalgamated Designs is just a spoof title for example purposes only.

I guess going any root is perfectly fine then. I was kinda hoping there might be more of an argument against the common “so-and-so design” formula a lot of artist/designers use when creating a personal identity. Perhaps an argument like:

• The artist/designer who tacks on “design” shows little creative energy to their own personal identity, might translate to showing the same energy for the customer’s projects...

or

• the artist/designer who uses their own name as the company name might translate to having an egocentric attitude...

or for it

• there could be positives to using their own name, especially if the artist/designer is well known or their name is extremely unique and would lend.

I’m still not sure, I don’t want to come off as pompous and I don’t want to seem immature or under experienced to potential clients/new employers. If I use a name other than my own, I’d have to justify it some way, at least in my own mind.

BradB

Some of the most successful firms or individuals go by their own name or the names of the partners. Firm: Doyle Dane Bernbach. Individual: Stefan Sagmeister runs Sagmeister, Inc.

I think it could go either way. Stick with your gut on this one.

Marc Oxborrow

Two examples in one: the identity for a single person who goes by her own name, created by a two-man firm* that uses a business name unrelated to their own surnames:

http://www.brandsbyovo.co

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