I had been working on an identity project for the past few days.
I have an obsession with creating identities that do not conform to a one-logo-fits-all approach. My working methodologies on identity programs had always revolved around establishing perimeters on how the identity should behave and how it could continuously evolve to remain relevant and fresh. I am excited about the thoughts of having an interchangeable logo and am challenged by the thoughts of creating a dynamic identity that still works within a consistent implementation framework.
Needless to say, I am not so much of a fan of a big-concept-delivered-logo, with implementations rigorously documented on huge corporate identity manuals.
However, such a working approach carries its own perils. It is risk-taking — and given the complexities of executing such a program — I am not sure whether I could carry it through.
There are doubts on my part and I wish I had someone to guide me — at its very least, to provide some pointers on how to keep this project manageable efficiently. If someone out there had worked on an approach as such — I supposed I would have gained some valuable insights from his/her experience.
Looking back.
Being shouldered with the responsibility of leading a studio at a fairly young age, for many years I secretly yearned for guidance from people with far more experience than me. There are numerous occasions where I felt somehow unqualified to lead and would rather be led. But common sense told me that it wasn’t such a good idea to show subordinates the doubtful and inferior side of me. Thus whatever that came as a job, I gave it my best shot — sometimes without knowing whether I did right or wrong — until many years later. It is funny that as designers, we are often misled to believe that our ideas-at-that-moment are the best. Whenever I come to learn and realise the so-called invincible brilliance was actually crappy, the thoughts haunt me.
How I wished at that particular moment, someone more capable and qualified had looked through the works and say, “oh, that’s crap.” And I could have learned on the spot, instead of learning after a few years.
I think, working designers should have people whom they could bounce off ideas or nit-pick at each other’s kernings and leadings. This is the part which I sorely missed out.
So now here I am.
My idea of design has been a mixture of what I have done, what I have read, what I have heard and what I have seen. It is adequate to provide the skill sets to easily solve design problems and to deal with clients. But somehow, I know there are still much which I haven’t done, haven’t read, haven’t heard and haven’t seen. I will still face occasions where I am uncertain and filled with doubts.
If there was someone I could turn to, that would be so nice.