A final pass at a new brand image.
As I shared here there’s power in being an iterative blogger – one who understands that it’s about the process of tweaking and taking the small steps to get closer to the goal rather than the big (and sometimes blind) leaps.
We call it progress and progress can be very slow at times, just like when you build your brand as a blogger. As I mentioned previously, I specifically chose to use a caricature model for one part of my visual identity and brand and I’m continuing to refine it as time progresses.
These more “comic-esque” type of images is simply one more step closer to how I really want to present myself to the general public. Here are some candid thoughts:
- Even though I’ve spent some time and money on developing this brand image my suggestion is that you don’t spend too much time on stuff like this. It’s not as important as many people believe, this thing called visual brand, namely because it’s really outside of your control on the online space! I’ll use it it when I want and the “brand” will speak for itself.
- When you get to know me personally you learn that I’m 90% silly and 10% serious. The 10% serious part is not even that serious either. These are a bit closer to that idea.
- The first caricatures were neat but were a bit too polished, if you know what I mean. I’m not a polished person, from pretty much every angle imaginable. I like being a “work in progress” and these images look a bit closer to that (without being completely undone).
- I love comics and comic books, graphic novels, and the like.
Wes has done a fantastic job so far and I can’t wait to work with him some more to get some poses and such. Love to hear your thoughts on these so far as well as some ideas for “poses”!
Hit me up with some ideas!
Update: Here They Are!
Here are the designs that we came up with! Check it out:
And of course I had one of me standing to the right and juggling all my favorite devices and my favorite shirt ever:
Love Spiderman!
Good stuff!
I like it dude, it has a bit of a “clark kent” esque to it..
haha! i like that….
It looks awesome.
I’m going to have to reach out to Wes for some work when the time comes.
I was thinking the same thing!
he’s pretty sweet.
I have a love-hate relationship with your avatars.
On the one hand, I love the creativity and originality of them and they really speak volumes about your personality.
On the other hand, the biggest drawback from social media for me is not being able to see people in person.
80% of human communication is non-verbal – as in voice inflection, body language and facial expressions.
To not even be able to actually see a photo of the person who is communicating something to me is a little disconcerting because I can’t even read anything from their face.
But as I’ve said before… I’m weird!
Peter, are you on the left or the right in your avatar?
Yes!
Dude, you got my mind to mutating on the statement you made:
“I can’t even read anything from their face.”
Not only that, but sometimes it is hard to read the implied tone or inflection of a written sentence.
I think it would be cool if you could make a small image, like an avatar, of every expression on your face. Then at the end of your comment you can attach it to let people know the feeling you had behind that comment.
Sure we can do it with smiley faces, but your own face would be cool.
I think I will write a post about that.
I play poker on my iphone at times (not for real money) and I find my attitude toward other players based on their avatar interesting.
People who look like they’re devious players, I’ll call the bluff of more often than the people who look trustworthy and innocent.
I know it’s just an avatar taken a long way out of the context of the game but it has a real effect on me!
that’s why i have the about page….. but the new design will have this more prominent.
I actually love your about page. I think it’s one of the best pages on the site.
Sweet! Can you provide the website or contact info for Wes? I’d like to have him do something for me.
My apologies, John. Guess I should pay more attention.
Love it!
thanks dustin!
Seriously rocks, captures you to the T!
thanks ben!
John, would you dare post all the avatars and do a pole to see which of them people like the most?
…… you mean of me?
Yes, all those Wes has done of you.
hmm.
This style is more appropriate than what Von did, and I have to admit a little confusion when I initially saw the unveiling of the old avatars.
But a cartoon/illustrated avatar immediately limits your personality. You are human, and can express emotion in infinite ways, but when we see the illustrated image of you, we have no way of knowing what it will look like happy, sad, angry, surprised, etc. The opposite happens when we see a photo; we develop a story, we can relate to you because you are human.
Like I said, this style fits a little better, but unless you want to be known for illustration, I would ditch this direction entirely.
I agree, although I think the illustrated avatar gives him a bit of uniqueness.
I was also surprised to learn in this article that he doesn’t do the illustrations himself.
That changed my opinion on them a little. I thought it was a good way for him to show off his drawing skills!
ah man, i stink at drawing!
i do wireframes and designs much better. not an artist in that way!
but, i think it does give some uniqueness since it shows i care about my presentation and all that jazz.
i think this is a really well-stated comment and i know the limitations that a digital avatar has. that’s why i’m working on a lot of different looks and poses. sure, still limitations, but if you’ve been around here enough you’ve seen my face more than a few times.!
Love it. I would love to eventually get some done. They are so awesome looking.
Man, I wish DTS could have one of these
hahah.
LOVE this caricature – especially the sideways smile, so fun!
have really appreciated your posts about branding lately too, its making me wonder how I’m branded (because you are right, whether we like it or not, the minute we have a public presence, we get a brand).
wes did a really great job of capturing me. love it!
Dig it John! It was a sweet evening when Wes shared his passion for drawing at one of our Digital Disciples gatherings here in Columbus a few months back.
The man sure is talented, and I’d agree that this caricature is a better choice than the previous, more polished ones. I enjoy seeing more friends converting to a “digital / caricature avatar”.
Thrilled you and Wes are working together, and that you’re shooting for a brand. I can see a customized Standard Theme to fit your new avatar in the near future.
that’s for sure..!
I love it! It’s a good mix of Gorillaz & Black Eyed Peas
hah.
Aye, pretty sweet.
I love the cartoons vs the original caricature which was a wee bit creepy. They really add a unique flavor to your blog. Now change your gravatar dude!
ah, thanks mike!
Hey John,
Love the work Wes has done for you. It’s fun, and uplifting and I think there is a connection to the consistency of it. . . oh, right that would be branding. Great job.
Appreciate your site, have used it extensively over the past few months (and Standard Theme) in the process of going live this week. thanks for all you do!
Will be calling Wes to replace the picture on our site. Thanks again.
neato! glad i could help you out!