hubbelldesignworks.com | Design with teeth.

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Leighton — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:44:16 +0000

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Leighton Hubbell interview on Logobird design blog

Leighton — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:06:35 +0000

Just posted today is my interview by Duane Kinsey, of Melbourne, Australia’s Logobird for his design studio’s blog. Some very interesting questions were asked about my design process, working with clients and how to overcome project challenges in the corporate identity discipline. I tried my best to answer them completely and I hope you get some interesting information out of it. Please give it a read.Similar Posts:

Logo work honored in the upcoming LogoLounge Master Library-Shapes and Symbols.

Leighton — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:14:03 +0000

I just received notification today that six of my logos will appear in the upcoming 2011 release of LogoLounge Master Library Vol. 3, Shapes and Symbols. Of course, I am very honored to have more of my work included in this very prestigious logo design series. I also have work appearing in the two previous releases of the Master Library, Volume 1, Initials and Crests and Volume 2, Animals and Mythology, as well as several of the other LogoLounge titles. You can check out some of the other LogoLounge books by Bill Gardner and Catharine Fishel (Rockport Publishers, USA, TBD) on Amazon.com.Similar Posts:

Are you open enough to allow great design work to happen?

Leighton — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:41:49 +0000

Sure, we all want to do effective and noteworthy creative work, but are we keeping an open mind about it? It’s really not a one-sided agenda. The client gets a well-designed and conceived piece of communication and the designer/design firm gets something worthy of their portfolio and potentially some new business to go with it. It’s a win/win situation for everyone involved, right?

I work with a lot of entrepreneurs in my day-to-day operations, and there is a certain mindset to that type of business owner. The entrepreneur is often times the sole or main employee in their fledgling company. They not only have the overall vision for their enterprise, but they are usually the ones answering the phone and taking out the trash, too. From the beginning, they had an idea or skill that was the inspiration for a new business. They are used to doing nearly everything themselves to maintain their vision and keep costs down. Being so focused on their goals, they are the absolute expert on every nuance of their business. So, when the time comes when they need outside help, they’re often not used to asking for advice – they are giving directions.

Having a client that knows exactly what they want is a blessing, right? Yes and no.

There are two types of clients that come to you for design work in this case. The client that comes to you for your expertise, knowledge and the ability to help them take their business to the next level. And the client that just needs someone to put the piece together because they ‘don’t have time to do it themselves’.

Hopefully, you get to work with the former.

Having an open mind and relinquishing control of your business’ future is scary for many people, especially the entrepreneur. They have been the sole guardian of their baby for so long, they can’t imagine letting someone else help out.

Here’s where the designer comes in.

As a designer, you are used to having business owners of all varieties and experience approach you for your skills and expertise. Many times, even very seasoned business owners have little background in working with a creative person. And rightfully so, they want the process to go well, so they are often apprehensive about how it works and most of all, how much it will cost.

Some clients have worked with a designer on a limited basis, or had a project or two turn out badly. These people are often apprehensive about going through the process again and may be way more ‘hands on’ than the designer would like. What needs to happen is the designer has to gain their trust. It’s not an easy task in the first place, let alone after a job gone wrong. Educate them and things will likely go much smoother.

With a client giving all the creative direction and manhandling the job, it certainly creates an often stifling and tense work environment for anyone to endure. Do they want a decorator or a designer?

On the other hand, is the designer being an effective listener to the client’s needs? In addition to the information the client is providing, are there any new tidbits of research that might help? Is the designer asking lots of pertinent questions before starting? Are they sharing these insights with the client and integrating them into the work?

The key to this whole client/designer dynamic working effectively is that both parties keep communications open. It’s much like dating, really. Many times you can tell how it will go in the first meeting. As any good business person can tell, if you don’t get a good vibe about the person across the table, it’s not likely you’ll do great work together.

So, keep an open mind. You never know where this relationship may take you. And that goes for you, too.Similar Posts:

Andy Kitchen Photography stationery design.

Leighton — Thu, 27 May 2010 00:22:09 +0000

Logo and stationery design for a photographer liking the retro-1950′s vibe. With such a unique last name, I thought it would be a fun to capitalize on it with a subtle retro-50′s design concept – mixing kitchen counter patterns with vintage hues. We did everything from letterhead and business cards to decals and policy envelopes. Overall, I thought it made for a cool design and impactful branding presence.

The stationery design is featured in the books, Big Book of Business Cards, Big Book of Letterheads and World Business Cards Today.Similar Posts:

In the Hunt Canine and Equestrian Farm stationery design.

Leighton — Thu, 27 May 2010 00:06:43 +0000

Logo and corporate identity design for a canine and equestrian farm located in the beautiful Middle Tennessee town of Eagleville. The overall concept of the identity was to communicate both vocations of the farm in one logo. The letterhead, business card and mailing label all flip vertically to work as either a ‘canine’ or an ‘equestrian’ communication piece. This gives them the opportunity to sell either arm of the business and keeps the stationery versatile.

The logo is featured in the book LogoLounge Master Library Vol. 2 and American Corporate Identity 2004.

The identity work is featured in American Corporate Identity 2004, Big Book of Business Cards, World Business Cards Today and Big Book of Letterheads.Similar Posts:

Logo work honored in upcoming LogoLounge 6.

Leighton — Wed, 26 May 2010 19:54:11 +0000

I just received word today that the logo I designed for the Port of Long Beach’s Seaport Sustainability Symposium will be included in the upcoming LogoLounge 6 volume by Bill Gardner and Catharine Fishel, published by Rockport Publishers. This will be my seventh LogoLounge volume that my work has appeared with nearly 70 honored logos.Similar Posts:

Welcome to the new hubbelldesignworks.com.

Leighton — Fri, 21 May 2010 18:01:25 +0000

Hello and welcome to the new and improved hubbelldesignworks.com! There is lots to see and read about in present and past logo design, identity and of course, branding work. All the portfolio work is now available in article format, so you can find out a lot more about each piece. There will also be plenty of new articles on the different disciplines and issues surrounding the goings on at Hubbell Design Works. Please take a look around and give everything a thorough gander. Feel free to contact me with any questions and above all, enjoy!Similar Posts:

Campsite Wizard logo design

Leighton — Tue, 18 May 2010 23:31:59 +0000

Client: Campsite Wizard | Location: Southern California, USA

A hovering wizard with a flaming marshmallow create this light-hearted mascot for a website that works to become your biggest camping resource. The logo is featured in the books, LogoLounge Master Library Vol. 2 and American Corporate Identity 2006.Similar Posts:

Blufish logo design

Leighton — Tue, 18 May 2010 23:29:53 +0000

Client: Blufish, LLC | Location: Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA

This pixilated and digital looking fish signifies the many disciplines that Blufish is involved in. Working in interactive and digital media in the Hawaiian region gives this logo its flavor. The logo is featured in the book, LogoLounge Master Library Vol. 2 and awarded a gold medal at the AAF District 13 Awards.

The identity work is featured in PRINT Regional Design Annual, PRINT Digital Art & Design Annual and PRINT’s Best Letterheads and Business Cards 6, as well as a silver medal at the Orange County Ad Awards and a Neenah Paper Works Bronze Medal.Similar Posts: