An old-school meme for Friday, and the first I’ve taken part in since back in the days of the face behind the blog. URL ABC was started by Tim Van Damme—just type a letter in your browser’s address bar, then list the first URL that appears.

A: acejet170.typepad.com (design blog from fellow resident of Northern Ireland, Richard Weston)
B: bbc.co.uk/football (I was hoping this might show the BBC news URL, but alas, it’s football)
C: cgstudionyc.com (that’s more respectable)
D: davidairey.com (to be expected)
E: easyjet.co.uk (I caught a flight to Edinburgh last Sunday to sort out my new home office come January)
F: football365.com (a theme is developing)
G: edinburgh.gumtree.com (I used Gumtree to search for homes in Edinburgh—the notable result was a time-wasting email chat with a scammer)
H: hellosubsist.com (Michael Kosmicki—one of my book contributors)
I: informationarchitects.jp (architects of online information)
J: jasonsantamaria.com (respected graphic designer in Brooklyn)
K: andrewkelsall.com (friendly, down-to-earth designer)
L: liverpoolfc.tv (tough times for the Liverpool faithful)
M: malmaison-edinburgh.com (hotel I stayed in a few days back)
N: no-spec.com (design students take note)
O: omniplex.ie/cinema/cinema/bangor (my local cinema)
P: paul-rand.com (an ode to the past master)
Q: unnecessaryquotes.com (the ‘q’ for ‘quotes’ pulled this one)
R: readbetweentheleading.com (design podcast by Aaron and Matt)
S: skysports.com/football (football? again?)
T: twitter.com (I’m one of the old-school who uses Twitter on the Web—finding it easier to limit time spent tweeting)
U: uprinting.com (impending sponsor for Logo Design Love)
V: vimeo.com/user1541333 (I’m due another vlog post)
W: winwithoutpitching.com (design business advice from Blair Enns)
X: xe.com (currency converter of choice)
Y: youtube.com (the standard result)
Z: peachpit.com/podcasts/episode.aspx…. (a Jeffrey Zeldman podcast interview by my publisher Peachpit)

Does anyone get an actual Q?

A few other URL ABCs:

• The Standardistas
• Elliot Jay Stocks
• Pat Dryburgh
• Andy Clarke

Feel free to link to your own URL ABC post in a comment.

Image credit: Nir Tober

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What’s been happening with me in the past seven days.

Book tweaks
I’m currently tying up the final details of my design book, working closely with my copy editor to iron out any kinks. It’s looking much better than I hoped, and although the last-minute addition of an extra chapter created more work, that’s good news for anyone wanting to buy a copy. The cover design has been passed to the publisher for feedback. Once ready I’ll share it here (my internal design was settled at the start of the project).

Teaching in Mexico
Out of the blue, I was offered a position teaching corporate identity at Cedim University in Mexico, during the January to May 2010 semester. Some nights were spent laying awake longer than normal, thinking over a possible move, but I eventually declined in order to focus on other things. A big thanks to Miguel Fuentes for his time, and to those of you who offered advice.

Judging the Chip Shop Awards
For new subscribers, I’ve previously featured the Chip Shop Awards on my blog. Event manager Katy Thomson gave me a nice surprise with an invitation to judge the 2010 awards in London. Entry is open.

Wedding plans
Some of you will know already that in June next year I’m tying the knot in Cyprus. It’ll be a small ceremony in a beach-front gazebo. Family and close friends. One to look forward to alright.

Synecdoche, New York
I took a little time-out to watch Charlie Kaufman’s Synecdoche, New York (2008). Philip Seymour Hoffman doing what he does best, in a strange and incredibly detailed film. 7/10. On a similar note, I give The Men Who Stare at Goats a disappointing 4/10. Expected more from a top cast.

Christmas
Every year I say the same, “I won’t leave it until the last minute.” It rarely works that way, but with just six weeks to go I’m doing well to get a few online purchases made. I can’t stand shopping in sardine can stores.

Fielding email
If you’ve sent an email and I haven’t replied, please bear with me. It’s head down for the next two weeks.

What’s next?
Once my book’s wrapped up I’ll be working with clients again. I didn’t think I’d be looking forward to it as much as I am, so the time has just about arrived when I stop directing potential work to other designers.

That’s pretty much it. I hope things are going great for you.

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Although it was grey and overcast on Saturday, I persuaded my girlfriend to come with me for a walk. We drove 20 minutes to a nearby country park, but when we got there it had started to rain, and Catherine wasn’t having any of it, so we went grocery shopping instead.

Thankfully, after an hour in the supermarket, the sky had cleared a little so we drove up into the hills of Scrabo country park. After walking for a while through the Killynether Wood we came to a clearing.

Killynether Wood, photo by S Muir

There was an old wooden bench there, and we sat overlooking Belfast and the green fields of the surrounding countryside.

View from Scrabo Country Park, photo by S Muir

I asked Catherine if she liked the notes I’d been leaving for her all week (scattered about the house, telling her things I love about her). Of course she did, and she asked me if there’d be any more. I said, “Actually, there’s one here”, pulling another from my inside pocket. It was written on a card from the jewelers and had a silk ribbon attached. This note read, “Is it true that diamonds are a girl’s best friend? Let’s find out.”

As she was reading, I got off the bench and went down on one knee in front of her (the scenery behind me). I pulled a box from my pocket, opened it to show the three-stone diamond ring, and asked, “Catherine, will you marry me?” She went all red, not knowing what to say, until I put the ring on her finger and she said yes with delight.

We stayed there for another 15 minutes or so until reality kicked in and Catherine said we should go because the frozen chips would be defrosting in our car.

We unpacked the shopping and celebrated in front of the fire with some bubbly, so as some will already know via Twitter, I’m now a fiancé!

Wedding invite design inspiration

I’ll be designing my own invites soon enough, and thought this was a good time to share a little inspiration. First stop, the wedding category on Beast Pieces — the design and letterpress blog of Studio On Fire.

Woodgrain & Crest Letterpress Wedding (above) by Nick Brue.

Something Old & New: Wedding Type (above) by Ryan Floss, groom.

Black Tie & Black Paper: Wedding In Edinburgh (above) by Field.

A Hamptons Wedding Invitation (above) by Stacey Averbuch, bride.

Mix Tape Letterpress Wedding Invitations (above) by Adam Ramerth.

Tuscany Semi Formal Wedding Invitation (above) by Aya Ikegaya.

Look Mom, No Script Fonts: A Wedding Invite (above) by SEVNTHSIN.

That last one’s my favourite, the sans-serif design from SEVNTHSIN. Plenty more pics through each invite link.

More wedding invitation designs

• Hand-made Asian-themed invitations from Kellyn and Daniel Lombardi
• Inspiration: Wedding invitations from Mariusz Ciesla
• Raised type wedding invites from Beyond the Pixels
• our wedding: invitation inspiration from yes, please
• Custom letterpress wedding invitations from Bella Figura
• {simple + nontraditional wedding invitation wording} from Oh So Beautiful Paper

Your wedding invites

Did you design your own? Do you have any you can share? It’d be great to see a few more ideas.

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“Everyone who is honest is interesting.”

Stefan Sagmeister, interviewed on Scene 360 and designboom.

Yes, design can make you happy.

Thanks for the video tip, Fredrik.

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The short video was created using iMovie, and my MacBook’s built-in webcam / microphone. I exported the clip from iMovie to YouTube, then embedded the YouTube file here on my site. I figured that was probably the easiest way to go about it. I uploaded the video to Vimeo, which is a much better option than YouTube. Thanks for the tip!

If you have any tips or suggestions for future video posts, I’m all ears, and sorry to all the gals out there for calling you guys.

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Following the advances of US publisher, Peachpit Press, I’ve been officially offered a deal to author their first book about logo design. Terms are agreed, and a contract is being prepared signed.

Peachpit is a part of Pearson, the international media company responsible for The Financial Times, Penguin, Dorling Kindersley, Prentice Hall and other leading brands.

I’ve begun approaching iconic logo designers, asking if they’d contribute to the book, and so far the response has been fantastic. Confirmed contributors include the likes of Miles Newlyn, Lance Wyman, and Jerry Kuyper, and I’m talking it over with Ivan Chermayeff, Steff Geissbuhler, Michael Bierut, and many other highly respected creatives.

A Guide to Creating Iconic Brand Identities

The book will be called Logo Design Love: A Guide to Creating Iconic Brand Identities. It won’t be another gallery showcase, as there are plenty of those in circulation. Instead, the aim is to educate the reader about best practice in logo design, with insights from a wide and distinguished range of design professionals.

I will be creating the cover and tempate — sized at 7×9 inches, with a maximum page count of 216 — as well as compositing the information.

The completion deadline has been set at October 23rd, 2009.

Rough Cuts

Throughout the duration of the writing process, each chapter will be electronically published as a Rough Cut (on Safari Books Online). Rough Cuts are pre-published manuscripts that authors release on the Safari website before the book is available in print. Visitors are able to post feedback or respond to comments from editors and authors.

Benefits to the book-writing process are twofold:

1. Feedback received helps authors tailor the book so it’s as beneficial and appropriate as possible.
2. Anticipation is generated with each new draft chapter, with the aim of boosting sales upon release of the printed book.

This is both the largest, and most exciting project I have undertaken, and I’ll be sure to share my experiences with you along the way.

Update: 08 October 2009
The book is now available for pre-order.

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I currently work from home in Bangor, Northern Ireland, running Adobe CS4 on a Macbook Pro. Here are a few shots of my home-town.

Bangor from above — copyright: Bangor Boat

Bangor castle

Ballyholme beach, Bangor

Bangor marina

Beware the waves

If you know who the photos of Bangor belong to, please let me know so I can add proper attribution.

Visit Web Designer Depot to view workstations of popular websites (including Darren Rowse, Chris Spooner, and Adelle Charles).

I’m hoping to create a few video blog posts, to act as a short introduction for first-time visitors / potential clients. Stay tuned for those.

Update: 27 September 2009
Here’s my first video blog post.

What’s your office-space like?

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I’ve been asked to author the first logo design book from Peachpit Press.

We’re discussing possible topics, and the aim is to publish a book that’s different from any other in the logo design market. I thought it’d be a good idea to involve you.

It’s funny how these things come about. Nikki (my contact at Peachpit) has long admired my logo design for Miskeeto, and it turns out that Robert Hoekman, who runs Miskeeto, is also a Peachpit author and one of Nikki’s long-time colleagues.

The main reason I’m asking for your advice is on the book’s focus. Nikki suggested we call the publication, “Logo Design Love“, then add a descriptive subtitle e.g. “Logo Design Love: the sketchpad diaries”, or, “Logo Design Love: iconic logo designers”.

Great idea, I thought, and a nice way to promote my website offline.

Here are just a few of the topics we’ve considered.

Creating effective identities

An all-encompassing look at the journey of a logo, from initial design brief through to style-guide and contextual use. Nikki thought we could include a section showing how to use Adobe Illustrator for creating specific logos. I’m reluctant, however, to incorporate software screenshots, as this automatically dates the content. Besides, Peachpit already publish some excellent Illustrator handbooks (I own one).

Iconic logo designers

This idea revolves around the iconic logo designers website. When compiling that resource, I chatted with many of the featured designers. They may want to participate in a book that highlights their skills.

Conversations from the blog

Since October 2006, I’ve published more than 450 blog articles, with the main emphasis upon logo design and the business around it. You’ve helped create some compelling debates in the comment section of certain articles, and there’s no denying the mass of possible book content contained within.

Why write a book?

Personally, business is better than ever, so do I need the additional workload? As with anything, there are pros and cons.

The preparation involved will undoubtedly improve my knowledge of the industry, which is a big plus, and in a way, I’d consider it like return to education — spending long periods of time researching a personally chosen subject. I’ve also been contemplating writing a book, although on the other hand, sacrifices will obviously need made, and I won’t be able to focus as much on client projects.

Self-publishing

It’s no longer a requirement to use traditional publishers, and with the digital age comes the ability to self-publish your book. Cardiff-based designer, Mark Boulton, is doing just that in the form of an ebook, and recently shared how he’ll deliver his published works online.

Blurb and Lulu are two print-on-demand options, where I could always produce a small run of hard copies, for a memento more than anything.

Elliot Jay Stocks has recently finished writing a book, and although he used a traditional publisher to produce his writings, he’s now considering self-publishing for his next instalment.

One of the most appealing aspects of self-publishing, is that you create your own deadline, and aren’t working towards the schedule of a publisher. The last thing I want to do is cause anxieties when client projects may need precedence over looming book deadlines.

Your thoughts

Nikki and I both thought it’d be a good idea to gauge your opinion.

What content would compell you to buy a logo design book? If placed in my position, would you choose to run with an established publisher, or attempt to self-publish your book?

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You’ve helped make 2008 a fantastic year. Without your visits, comments, encouragement and constructive criticism I wouldn’t be where I am today. Thank you.

I hope you’ve had an equally great year, and if there’s anything you think I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Logo design client appreciation

A special thank you to a few recent logo design clients (those I’ve had time to feature). It has been a pleasure working with you all.

Ecometrica website // logo design process

Berthier website // logo design process

Komplett Fitness website // logo design process

Hilcon website // logo design process

I’m currently working on a number of exciting logo projects, with clients in England, Greece, Canada and the USA, and you can expect more identity design features throughout 2009.

Again, thank you very much for helping me achieve success in self-employment. I couldn’t have done it without you.

Your favourite design blog post of 2008

I’m rounding up the year by featuring your favourite design blog post (one you published), so if you want me to give your blog a mention, send me a message with a link to your favourite blog post of 2008, with a sentence or two about why you chose it.

Have a wonderful festive holiday, and an even better new year!

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Some weeks back, I moved home from Scotland to Northern Ireland.

As the vast majority of my design clients are based outwith the UK, this hasn’t adversely affected my self-employment. In fact, part of the reason behind my move was to help with work, as here in Northern Ireland I can afford a larger home, thus a more comfortable office space.

Most of my close family are also in Northern Ireland, around the Belfast area, and it’s great to see more of them.

Belfast Laganside, Northern Ireland. Photo by Glenbourne at Home

If you’re considering a move to Ireland, be aware that installing a broadband connection can prove both frustrating and time-consuming. After more than five hours on the phone (spread over some weeks) talking to an incompetent customer service / technical support, I’ve just switched to a supplier I’m hoping is easier to deal with. In the meantime, I’ll continue driving each morning and evening to a temporary office (almost as comfortable as the dedicated office I’ve set up in my own accommodation).

Work continues as normal, with some fantastic new clients, though I do look forward to again walking to work, as I did in Edinburgh. It was a short walk — from my bedroom to the home office in the adjoining room — but an enjoyable one nonetheless.

Since moving to Northern Ireland I’ve received a couple of house-warming gifts. The first is a kind offering from Andrew, of Sumo Lounge — a Sumo Omni chair (pictured below).

Attractive model not included.

From the Sumo website:

It’s a crash mat, lounge chair, loveseat or floor pillow…

Sumo Beanbags are made from space age rip-proof nylon and come filled with top quality Sumo Beads. Omni is 4.5′ x 5.5′ and it only weighs 18 lbs!

A loveseat, eh? I’ll have to ask my girlfriend what that means. If the Sumo Omni isn’t big enough for you, check out the Sumo Gigantor! Oh boy.

Andrew has been busy marketing his Sumo range by contacting a number of blog authors (nice tactic), and you may have seen his chairs mentioned on other blogs. Uncrate mention how the Sumo Omni Plus improves upon the Omni by using a micro-suede outer, as opposed to the nylon used on my gift. I’d say the Omni Plus is definitely worth the extra few pounds.

You’ll find other reviews of the Sumo Omni on Cameron Moll’s Authentic Boredom, Fraser’s Affiliate Marketing Blog, Ben’s Binary Moon, that Canadian girl, SonSpring and swissmiss.

The second kind gift (shown below) is from Sandra, of Berlin-based 500GODZ.com — a limited organic streetart t-shirt label.

• Material: 100 % Organic Cotton
• Print: 100% Water based Ink no PVC or Formaldehyde used
• Sweatshop Labour: 0 %
• Origin: Made in the E.U.

The t-shirt even arrived in compostable packaging. Nice. Thanks Sandra, Andrew. I hope everything’s great with you both.

If similarly designed clothing is your thing, here are some other graphic tees for inspiration.

So I’ve now returned to my roots after nine years living mainly in Scotland. Two other design blog authors reside here in Northern Ireland, Richard, of Ace Jet 170, and Michael, of Pro Blog Design. Their websites are certainly worth a visit.

Edinburgh, and the good folk that live there. Here’s to you.

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