Design better logos and become a more successful, confident graphic designer with Made by James as your guide.
*Winner of the 2021 American Graphic Design Award for Book Design from Graphic Design USA*
UK-based graphic designer James Martin shares his wealth of experience, information, and advice with one goal in mind: to help designers of all levels create better work and enjoy the process. James has designed hundreds of logos for a variety of top brands, and shares his unique creative process, from concept to sketches to final design. Learn how to create outstanding logos, craft and refine your creative process, build great relationships with clients, and become prolific and consistent.
Discover how James creates innovative, clever, and memorable logos with his own hands-on, step-by-step process that includes word mapping, rapid prototyping, and sketching ideas on paper. Learn how to become a visual storyteller by understanding the key factors of working with clients and making them a valued part of the process.
In addition to the important "hows" of logo design—techniques, ideas, and examples of creating logos and building brands—you will benefit from learning aspects of the business rarely discussed: how to become more disciplined, how to see failures as valuable experiences, and ways to avoid burnout.
James shows that design isn’t just about creating images; it’s about building trusting relationships with clients, finding inspiration and using it effectively, and sharing ideas and becoming part of a community.
Made by James also includes:
• Annotated case studies that follow designs from concept to completion
• The advantages of a hands-on, human approach to design
• The value of personal and career growth, and how to enjoy the journey of improvement
• Effective work habits that can make you more efficient, productive, and satisfied
Learn how to harness your passion and become the designer you’ve always wanted to be.
Author(s): James Martin
Edition: 1
Publisher: Rockport Publishers
Year: 2022
Language: English
Commentary: Vector PDF
Pages: 224
City: Beverly, MA
Tags: Design; Art Studies; Sketching
Cover
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION. HELLO, IT’S ME.
Let me properly introduce myself
What you can expect from the book
What inspired my creative journey
1. THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
The early years
Education
Before I became a (real) graphic designer
My first agency experience Baby Giant Design Co.
Made by James
2. CREATING AN EFFECTIVE WORK PROCESS
How to gain clients
Just say yes—until you have the luxury of saying no
Finding your style
Habits and routine
Mindset matters
3. MY HONEST AND AUTHENTIC APPROACH TO LOGO DESIGN
Why I draw
My weapons of choice (a.k.a. my drawing tools)
The logo process: An overview
Defining and redefining ideas
Creating custom type
Building brand identities
My logo process tips
The process of failure learning
Allowing yourself to be terrible
Replace the word failure with experience
4. WORKING WITH CLIENTS
Protect the asset: You
The discovery call
Being in control at all times
The importance of language
Pricing your work
What happens when things go wrong
How to deal with negative clients
5. LOGO CASE STUDIES
Plastic Freedom
Pizza Rebellion
Unincorporated Coffee Roasters
Don Cuervo
Vexquisit
Prince Jaguar
Future Brewing
Gogo Galactic
Tom Ross
Jungle Culture
6. GROWTH AND LONGEVITY
Being prolific and consistent
The self-doubt jackal
Keep it simple
Surround yourself with the right people
Stay curious
Sleep a lot, play a lot
7. RUDE NOT TO CONCLUDE
Takeaways
Be patient with yourself
Enjoy the journey
RESOURCES
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
INDEX
A
B
C
D
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W