Owning your own business (Post # 13) "Having a Logo"

I think you are right about the logo, I had started making boxes with the idea of maybe turning it into a business, first just making them for family and friends as gifts,which is mostly what I still do, building my skills and experience, I was branding my “it’s Mic” logo on them by hand, then I spent some time perfecting the logo, and had it turned into a branding iron, everyone who has received a box has noted about the cool logo, so, I think the logo serves several purposes, all of which enhance the meaning of the project. I also date my projects, to keep track of when they where made, I kinda doubt I will ever become well known or anything, but, maybe 100 years from now, someone will get a kick out of knowing when their box was made, and who that it’s Mic guy was. Interesting topic, thanks for sharing

-- It's Mic Keep working and sharing

Hi Nate22, You better believe it. It’s not just a logo. It’s marketing. How you use the logo on business cards, stationary, your product itself. Before I pulled the plug on my 1st woodworking company I had brands, cards, product cards attached to my products. Every little bit helps.

Pop

-- One who works with his hands is a laborer, his hands & head A craftsman, his hands, head & heart a artist

Hi Nate.

Not only is a logo important, it is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make in your professional career. It must be simple and clear enough to be recognized at a glance. If it;s too “busy” people won’t get it and that’s worse than not having one. It must tell what you do in a flash, such as a boxer ising a pair of boxing gloves or a doctor using a cadeusius (the ser[ent wrapped staff). A dentist might use a tooth and a Chevy dealer the Checrolet chevron, whis is in itself one example of a successful logo.

As a furniture maker, you could use a saw and a square or a plane and a chisel, whatever speaks to people of fine wood working. I wouldn’t use a piece of furniture though, as no matter which you chose, it will soit the tastes of only a fraction of your target market even though you may make many different types and styles.

-- The nicer the nice, the higher the price!

I agree,

It cracks me up when I see a really bad hand drawn sign on the side of a neglected work van, usually with a dash full of Mcdonalds wrappings.

Like, I want to hire that guy….. much less, have his truck sit in my client’s driveway for even 5 minutes.

It’s better to look good than it is to feel good…....and dahling, you look mahvalous! – Billy Crystal

or – dress for the job you want.

-- mark

Tiny is right. A bad logo is worse than not having one at all. I was a graphic designer long ago in a galaxy far away. The computer and art (logo) has been an interesting experiment. Anybody can sit down and whip out a logo or anything else they need. Is there bad logos out there? You bet! Can you do a good logo? Yes! The secret is to look at other woodworker’s logos and see what’s out there. You can spot the bad ones a mile away. Then find several good ones and follow their example. You’re off to the races.

Believe me designers don’t think up all those wonderful ideas on their own. In my studio I had 2 four drawer file cabinets full of art collected from everywhere to use as reference in designing.

Pop

-- One who works with his hands is a laborer, his hands & head A craftsman, his hands, head & heart a artist

Here is my logo that I designed. You guys can let me know what you think. I didn’t want to add to much to it. I thought it would look to busy then.

-- K & N Furniture Middlebury, In.

Nate,
Is there a significance to the “moon”?

Pop?
You probably have some ideas to share?

-- mark

The silver shield looks fine. Move it to the right about 3 X the distance it is from the left edge now. The “K” is too near the edge of the shield. It’s also too compressed horizontally. Expand it slightly and move the entire type set to the right just slightly . “Furniture” is unreadable out at the “E” increase the right end vertically so that the “E” is about as high as the “R”. Then step back and look at it. It may need a little more tweaking or maybe not. That’s my objective design changes. You’re on the right track. Hope this helps some.

Pop

-- One who works with his hands is a laborer, his hands & head A craftsman, his hands, head & heart a artist

Yes you better believe it is important. I have a couple customers that I make picnic tables for and in recent years they have come to insist that my logo be on top of the table not the underside. It’s only a picnic table so I’m ok with it, besides “the customer is always right”. I don’t argue with paying clients. Even the most insignificant pieces I make I’ll have clients insist that I fire up the branding iron. I think that it goes to show if you’re going to build a youself into a brand people want to know that it’s the genuine article. Your logo in a way is their proof of purchase, it’s part of what they’re paying for.
This is a little off subject, but when I put “Made in USA” on a piece I like to include the zip code so down the road years later they will know where in the USA it came from.

-- Darrell, making more sawdust than I know what to do with

Made in the USA is a Good thing!
I have tried working with my state (Washington) and so far All I get is big Co. stuff.
I have tried Google search and WA State search but short of “banging on the door” you may not get any help with that type of branding.

-- Folly ever comes cloaked in opportunity!

I took your suggestions “pop” and did the changes. I think I did what you were tring to tell me. Anyways I did those changes and got rid of the brown behind it. Let me know if it looks better with the brown background or not with it.

-- K & N Furniture Middlebury, In.