Have you ever connected with someone who within the briefest of exchanges grasps precisely what you are trying to create? I expect it is a fairly rare happening, not because there isn’t anyone out there on the same wavelength as yourself but because it sometimes relies on a chance meeting. This is exactly why being a member of an organisation can be the most effective way of increasing your chances of finding that design soul mate. Luckily for me I am a member of Colour Group GB which in turn is a member of Association of International Colour (AIC) who’s President is Berit Bergström introduced me to Hosanna Yau an eminent logo designer based in Hong Kong – have a look at her logos, they are quite exceptional.
As you know, logo designers have the skill to distil information, pull out the vital parts and simplify the important elements in order to convey the ethos of a company while displaying it in a design that works over different mediums and scales. Sound easy? Try coming up with a few logos and you will soon discover it is a very specific skill, and it is certainly not one that I have. So, when I added a small range of products to my existing colour consulting company, I branded them with the same name, unifiedspace. Hosanna immediately saw that while unifiedspace was a good name for the consulting side of my business, it was not the right name for a range of individually designed products. Correct. I already knew this but didn’t know how to move forward. So within a week, Hosanna absorbed the fairly random information I gave her and quite unnervingly, seemed to understand me better than I did myself! When she showed me the first logo I knew as soon as I saw it that it was perfect and was exactly what I wanted. So armed with a new logo and a brand name for my homewares I set about making the changes – (new website here) and quickly discovered having the right logo has been like finding a key to open the design flood gates. I literally cannot stop designing and now have loads of new work ready to print onto various textiles. I’ve literally been chained to my desk, scared to stop incase the wave of inspiration slows down.
I’ve also been doing a lot of reading on human behaviour and neuropsychological responses to colour which I defy anyone not to be totally gripped by. A riveting subject (wish I could do another degree…) and an area that is becoming increasingly important as it has been shown in numerous studies that colour does dictate our behaviour in the most dramatic ways so I hope to get down to posting a blog on about this soon.
Meanwhile, I hope you like my new ‘niki’ logo at the top of my page (Hosanna has hidden two smiling faces in it, some positive energy and several references to nature, perfect!)
Have you ever connected with someone who has been a catalyst for moving your work forward? What did they do for you?
I wish I could describe my feeling in words. Thank you Niki, this is really my honor and pleasure to meet you and how lucky I am to meet someone like you that really treasure my works. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
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Thank you! It’s been the perfect working relationship, and I had no idea what impact the correct logo would have in clearing my vision for the way forward, absolutely brilliant. Thank you!
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When you and I looked at Hosanna’s work I was so in awe, and it is beyond fantastic that she was able to do something so encompassing of you and your energy. I now feel silly for telling you earlier that I would have a go with this’ logo designing thing’ for myself. The look you gave me was priceless! I only wish I could have a Hosanna too 😀 And I can’t wait to see the fruits of your creative surge x
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Oops, Was I that obvious! Heehee our convo had great timing, I knew you hadn’t read my new post yet! Mind you, knowing you, you will probs come up with a perfect logo design anyway – the idea you mentioned to me sounds amazing. Go for it!
Looking forward to some noodles when you get back from the States. x
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Love the new logo Niki! Good job Hosanna 🙂
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That’s great to hear, thank you!
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It’s just perfect, Niki, and Hosanna’s work is sublime! Who would have thought a “mere” logo could unleash the floodgates of creativity!
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Hi Betsy, yes, Hosannas work is very very clever. She is a very sensitive and intuitive person. And yes, its amazing what effect its having on me, it just feels like its all slotting together whereas my old logo, just didn’t feel right and I tried to ignore it but it kept bugging me so happy days with my new one!
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lovely products niki, very good logo i think, perhaps ill order some t towels for my new house im building in my yard at the workshop…….best wishes…….alasdair
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Thanks Alasdair, with you being a perfectionist and all that, I am delighted to get your positive comment, thank you!
Wow, building a house, that sounds very interesting, look forward to seeing some pics. Are you blogging about its progress?
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well yes i should do something online about the house progress, its so difficult finding time though, every day seems to be a longer list of things to do and achieve, the house project is a wee bit interesting i hope, its essentially a completely modular house, put it together, take it apart, move it to spain!! (i wish), timber framed, scottish douglas fir, all bolted together with off the shelf galvanized bolts and purpose made aluminium cross dowels, lots of glass infill, white walls internally for hanging artworks and books etc, two large boxes over two storeys at right angles to each other, top box cantilevering over bottom box to provide shelter at door, kitchen suspended off the floor, very simple stair to top box, the entire structure raised off the ground 60 cms on douglas fir cubes, rubber roof, wood burning stove, 90 square metres total and at the moment pursuing a design criteria that i can make all the manufactured components except the double glazed panels by myself in my workshop and assemble the entire structure by myself in ten days. it also has to be fully compliant with scottish building legislation and exceed current energy standards. because it is completely modular, there are no wet trades, no bricks and cement, no plaster, no paint, structure dry jointed with special neoprene rubber seals. a doddle eh!
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Oh my gosh, Alasdair, I am actually drooling over the description. Sounds absolutely a m a z i n g! I understand you wont have time to blog about it but make sure you take loads of photos of the progress as it will probably pass in a bit of a blur otherwise. I like the image of you putting in a giant ruck sack and walking over to Spain…you could always write a book about the journey of taking your house abroad…
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Interesting – I can’t wait to hear more about color & behavior – something many of us have intuited for years. I’m glad you have the new logo and more work!
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Yes, I have been blown away by the recent research especially when it comes to increasing creativity so I hope to write about it v soon.
Nice to hear from you and be in touch.
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I love the logo Niki, so simple but so effective. The website is looking good too, easy to navigate and a lovely minimal look.
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Thank you so much Sandra, I am really chuffed to hear this from you because I really, really value your sense of style and design. It’s been a good change for me so now I just need to get some things into production. I’ve been rather inward looking lately so I must pop over and see what you are up to. Be in touch. x
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Niki, Congratulations to you! This new logo is really happy and fresh, and I love hearing your story of growth and transformation! Wishing you all the very best! ~Patricia
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That’s very kind thank you Patricia. I agree, I love the happiness it portrays 🙂
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Your new logo is perfect! And it’s awesome that the logo has had such an impact on your creativity 🙂 Creating logos and coming up with business names is definitely a job for someone with experience in the field. I’ve been wanting a proper logo for my decorating business for a few years, but I just don’t know where to start. I really should hire a professional!
Unfortunately, I haven’t met someone who has been a catalyst for moving my work forward. Maybe one day!
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Thank you Kelly! I know, I was so unbelievably lucky to connect with Hosanna, she was an absolute mind reader 🙂
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