maryfranwiley.com » Start-up

Building an identity

maryfran — Thu, 28 May 2009 02:45:09 +0000

I have been working late into the night working on my new web design venture and have come up with a smashing logo design. It was a bit of a process, and admittedly it was a bit rushed, but sometimes things just feel right, and this was one of those times. I knew I wanted purple (it would have been really confusing to have a logo that was yellow) and I knew I wanted something retro-ish but I was afraid of getting grunge or old-fashioned on accident.

I wanted a simple logo that was easily recognizable and that was reminicent of something of my childhood (and the company’s name), so it is a crayon label!

Purple Crayon Web Studio

This is exactly what I was going for! It makes sense on a crayon, looks mighty spiffy off the crayon and is pretty much awesome.

Logo as a crayon label

What next? Business cards! But, I am a designer, so I can’t have just any business cards. I am also on a budget, so I can’t have anything too crazy or weird. The business cards are going to be 2″ squares. Perfect to still fit in a business card case, different enough to warrant a second look. And it is that second look that is oh-so-important!

Purple Crayon Business Card - Back

Purple Crayon Business Card - Front

I think that the brand is on it’s way to the look and feel that I am going for. As soon as I have a bit more time I will add some of the finished pieces to the portfolio section.

Hello, Thursday!

maryfran — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:14:31 +0000

Today is a fantastic day! I have purchased my domain, started a trademark application as well as the application for a business name here in good ‘ol Illinois! I have started thinking about logos, the site design and all that fun stuff too, but that has to take a back seat to getting the work that I currently have done. Even with the sun and the mid-80 degree weather outside, I am going to be focused!

I went to a fantastic networking event in Rosemont last night and actually enjoyed it. Normally I do not like talking to professionals, as I do not usually feel grown up enough or accomplished enough to speak to other professionals as equals. But, I did it, and it was really great. I will probably keep going to them because, other than the most expensive diet coke I have purchased, it was great to actually have conversations with people, rather than just e-mail them or twitter them.

I am actually quite excited about getting started (can you tell, this post is a little ramle-y)! But I also have some other projects on the table…A blog at AndThenIwasLike and the e-commerce at RubberOrGlueTees.com I will also be building a blog at Ed Wiley & Associates. Not to mention the super-secret (?) coding I am doing for a firm in the foreign land of Kansas. Whew.

Alright. Time to go get a twitter for the new venture.

Naming a venture.

maryfran — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:14:39 +0000

This is a dilemma faced by many entrepreneurs : you know your idea/service/product us great. In fact it is so awesome that you name it something off the wall thinking that it won’t matter or that everyone will get your quirky sense of humor.

Well, let me tell you I am facing this very dilemma. I want to start my own web design venture, because frankly, it is a tough world out there. Permanent jobs are hard to come by and unless they are with a design firm, the options for creativity are limited. I mean really, how many different ways can you display a park bench when the boss insists on the same style that has been used for the past 15 years? So, I am going out on my own, at least to supplement my income for the time being. I have the skills. I have heard from several people that I can do this, so here goes.

But, I need a name. One that is cool sounding. One that has meaning to me. One that I can create an identity around. Mary Fran Wiley is a Darn Good Web Designer, great for a personal portfolio site, not so great for nabbing the big fish on my own. I want to sound important, because I am going to look important and be important.

I was thinking Purple Crayon Web Studio, because I, like I am sure many other people, was influenced by the book Harold and the Purple Crayon. I want to let the world (or at least my future clients) know that it all starts with a sketchbook. Is it hokey? Perhaps.

So, I spent some time on domain name generators to come up with a name. And that was hard work. Most of the choices were just plain weird, but I came up with a few worth considering: Purpleurbia, Purplique or Bluedeo.

Decisions, decisions. But this is one I need to get done this week!