Clark Odom
creative director/designer
Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked as both a designer and creative director for businesses–ranging from start-ups to international brands. No matter the size or how well–established, they all face many of the same challenges. Using my very limited understanding of words and punctuation, and my vast knowledge of creative jargon and music–I’ll offer insight into those challenges.
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Insperation
Indifference, by Pearl Jam
Album: Vs.
1993
Self Branding
A Designer’s Personal Hell
By Clark Odom
August 2019
I will hold the candle, till it burns up my arm
I’ll keep takin’ punches, until their will grows tired
Oh I will stare the sun down, until my eyes go blind
Hey I won’t change direction, and I won’t change my mind
how much difference does it make…
Well, that was a super dark intro. I understand if your mouse is hovering on the back arrow. As I copied and pasted that lyric, I lost a little of my soul. But give me a second. I’ll get back to self-deprecating fun in a second. I want to get something off my chest before you look at my work and start losing your mind over my amazing talents.
Take a look at the logo above. Pretty good. I played baseball. Baseball players love to write their names on baseballs. It works.
Now look at the logo in the top left of the navigation. You’re probably thinking, “did he even try?” The answer is yes! These are two of an insane amount of personal logos I’ve created. A lot of them really good, but none of them, in my mind, ever good enough to reperesent what I do. I’m guessing every creative goes through this, but I don’t really know. Creatives are the worst and I try to avoid them.
All this being said, I have a theory and I’m pretty sure it will help when you’re deciding on your next creative hire.
If a designer has an amazing personal logo…
Most likely, they’ve worked on that logo since school and don’t actually have clients or care about money. Your creative may win awards, but will never meet a deadline or put money in your pocket.
Less likely, they’re an amazing designer. A one-percenter. Hire them before they realize it or be prepared to pay for greatness.
If a creative has a terrible personal logo…
They suck. Avoid contact. They have hundreds of different versions, and this is their best. Don’t give them another opportunity to make the world any uglier. They could have just used a clean sans serif font and gotten away with it, but they’re too terrible to know better. And don’t be tempted by their decent portfolio. They didn’t do any of the actual design.
OK. Hope this helps. I feel better.
And because you’re probably already thinking it–yes, I’m obviously a one-percenter that’s too busy making clients money to remember what hard drive his personal stuff is on.
And somehow, you found me.
And you got to read this.
You lucky dog.
Self Branding
A Designer’s Personal Hell
By Clark Odom
August 2019
I will hold the candle, till it burns up my arm
I’ll keep takin’ punches, until their will grows tired
Oh I will stare the sun down, until my eyes go blind
Hey I won’t change direction, and I won’t change my mind
how much difference does it make…
Well, that was a super dark intro. I understand if your mouse is hovering on the back arrow. As I copied and pasted that lyric, I lost a little of my soul. But give me a second. I’ll get back to self-deprecating fun in a second. I want to get something off my chest before you look at my work and start losing your mind over my amazing talents.
Take a look at the logo above. Pretty good. I played baseball. Baseball players love to write their names on baseballs. It works.
Now look at the logo in the top left of the navigation. You’re probably thinking, “did he even try?” The answer is yes! These are two of an insane amount of personal logos I’ve created. A lot of them really good, but none of them, in my mind, ever good enough to reperesent what I do. I’m guessing every creative goes through this, but I don’t really know. Creatives are the worst and I try to avoid them.
All this being said, I have a theory and I’m pretty sure it will help when you’re deciding on your next creative hire.
If a designer has an amazing personal logo…
Most likely, they’ve worked on that logo since school and don’t actually have clients or care about money. Your creative may win awards, but will never meet a deadline or put money in your pocket.
Less likely, they’re an amazing designer. A one-percenter. Hire them before they realize it or be prepared to pay for greatness.
If a creative has a terrible personal logo…
They suck. Avoid contact. They have hundreds of different versions, and this is their best. Don’t give them another opportunity to make the world any uglier. They could have just used a clean sans serif font and gotten away with it, but they’re too terrible to know better. And don’t be tempted by their decent portfolio. They didn’t do any of the actual design.
OK. Hope this helps. I feel better.
And because you’re probably already thinking it–yes, I’m obviously a one-percenter that’s too busy making clients money to remember what hard drive his personal stuff is on.
And somehow, you found me.
And you got to read this.
You lucky dog.
Clark Odom
creative director/designer
Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked as both a designer and creative director for businesses–ranging from start-ups to international brands. No matter the size or how well–established, they all face many of the same challenges. Using my very limited understanding of words and punctuation, and my vast knowledge of creative jargon and music–I’ll offer insight into those challenges.
Insperation
Indifference, by Pearl Jam
Album: Vs.
1993
