Designing a logo for a business is both fun and daunting…you have the power to create something that really speaks to both the vision of your venture and of you, whilst also, hopefully, communicating something powerful to your clientele. On the other hand, you have to create something that really speaks to both your vision and to you whilst communicating articulately to your clientele! It’s like naming your child!
When I set about the early phase of logo design; I asked some people in my life if they had any ideas; these creatives and non-creatives are all people I trust and respect. Many of the replies I received included the theme of birds. I hadn’t thought of birds until then, but was immediately drawn to the idea. I think birds conjure, for many of us, thoughts of freedom, beauty, and nature (and with ‘nature’ the more inclusive thought of connectedness).
I began to investigate which bird might best communicate my vision…some of the birds suggested by friends and family were perfect in many ways (the strength and stoicism of the Eagle, the beauty and fragility of the Hummingbird (which happens to be my favourite bird, so much so that I have a tattoo of one), the good tidings associated with the Blue Bird) but I wanted something different, I wanted something unique. Enter the Flamingo.
Last fall I had begun sketching out ideas for Bella Forza, including key words that I thought defined the vision: STRENGTH – GRACE – BEAUTY – BALANCE. In February, while researching logo ideas with a focus on using a bird, I discovered that the flamingo symbolizes: strength, beauty, grace, and balance! Wow, SHE WAS PERFECT!
One of my favourite colours (and stones) has always been turquoise. In fact it is the accent colour in my studio (if you’ve seen shots of the Bella Faccia studio you may have noticed my awesome turquoise Buddha!). Enter turquoise.
I was convinced I wanted to use turquoise in the logo but also knew it would be wise to Google it first (you can love something and think it’s lovely but if it has a different/negative connotation to others it’s good to know that upfront while you are still able to change things!) When you Google turquoise you will find entries like: encourages inner healing; associated with flexibility, serenity, tranquility, wholeness, and openness; “you only have to focus on this colour and you will feel instant calm and gentle invigoration.” Hooray, I could feel my ideas coalescing. Enter Julie.
Julie Bough is a graphic designer in town, whom I found through our mutual friend (and extraordinary person & photographer), Kyla Gibson. Julie helped me design Bella Faccia’s logo back in 2010 and I was hopeful she’d help me again. To Julie’s credit and professionalism, I don’t think working on a logo design with a ‘creative type’ is simple, she said yes! I have likened designing a logo to hiring someone to buy jeans for you (speaking to women on this one!): you think you want a deep wash, you think you want mid-rise, you think you want boot cut, and you think you know your size. Well, if only logo design (and jean shopping!) were so simple…truth is that there is plenty of back and forth: I like this, I don’t love that, could we try it this way, hmmm, better go back to the other way, and on, and on, and on. Through it all Julie was supportive, helpful, professional, and an ally in me getting to my perfect logo…
I love everything about what Julie and I have created…and I hope that all that she, my Flamingo, represents will help communicate what Bella Forza is about. I also hope that the fact that she is, ummm, unique, will also resonate with people – nothing wrong with a little quirkiness and levity in life, especially when you might be fighting for yours.
Strength.Beauty.Grace.
Lori
Bella Forza Portraits 