I’m excited to welcome Vlad Polchaninoff to the blog today. You’ve seen a lot of his photography on this site recently here, here, and here. So I thought it was time to introduce the man behind the lens. I’ve known Vlad since my equestrian days, and it has been a pleasure getting to collaborate with him.
This post will be comprised of two parts. Today the logo for Living in Steil will be unveiled, and Vlad will be talking about how the logo concept came about from start to finish. And on Friday I will be sharing a post that includes the logo and a giveaway. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it!
Photographer’s Phocus: Genesis of a Logo
By: Vlad Polchaninoff
Vanessa and I are both very proud of how this logo turned out, and she invited me to write the story of its creation.
I’ve been a commercial photographer for over twenty years. I’ve worked with some brilliant artists and art directors, collaborating on a broad spectrum of projects in advertising, editorial fashion, packaging, annual reports and most importantly – branding – how to make a concept or entity into a recognizable, marketable, and memorable product.
Since I started working with Living in Steil I saw great potential in Vanessa’s work and in looking at the blog, realized that one thing was missing – a logo!
Nothing screams “brand identity” more than a strong and meaningful graphic – it has to be simple, yet bold. It defines the brand. Where would Nike be without the little check mark?
I didn’t set out to create the logo, but rather to get Vanessa thinking along those lines. Here was an opportunity to put everything I’ve ever learned about the “Creative Process” to work, so I decided to pitch her some ideas.
It all started in the aftermath of our Neely Bag project. One image stuck in my head, as defining her bold, confident and ofttimes snarky attitude. In my mind, her edgy “sass” combined with a “brooch style” profile image would produce something both classic and contemporary.
In a fit of inspiration, I grabbed the ball and ran with it. Job #1 was to pull that bold and confident head off of her shoulders to get the concept rolling. That involved a lot of Photoshop tools — magic wands, lassos, marquees, erasers and clones. I also tipped the angle of her head, so the eye is looking straight ahead. I’ll say this very often — “it’s all in the details!” Now — a floating head might be disturbing, especially in color. So I made the decision to go black and white. Slowly, a photograph became a “graphic.” Then it was all about brightness, contrast, and shading. I think that what made this into a memorable logo was the decision to lose the “edges,” something a photographer never wants to do.
I thought about the Billy Idol song, “Eyes Without a Face” and found my direction. At this point, it became a lengthy back-and-forth with Vanessa, exchanging opinions on tweaks and other edit options. Every revision made the fledgling logo that much closer to a keeper. Note the subtle changes, once it morphed into a “graphic” – the choices of shading and definition, and Vanessa’s idea of “a splash of color,” which became her red lips. We agonized over every detail but in the end – we both think it’s a winner!
And it’s still a work in progress, as we incorporate it into new applications.
But that’s what the “Creative Process” is all about.
Thanks, Vlad! Be sure to visit Vlad’s website and follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Loving how the lips pop in the logo! I was a graphic designer design major for part od my college career, so I’m always interested in how other people’s thought processes work!
Annessa
http://www.seekingsunshine.com
Thanks Annessa! I love the logo, and I think the red lips really make it pop. If I could go back to college now, I would minor in graphic design. I think it’s such a fun field!
I love the black and white, but then there is the red lips 🙂 <3
Thank you! I’m so glad you like what we’ve created.
I love the new logo! It turned out fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing the process of how it was created. I loved reading about the whole thought process. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Kathy
http://www.glamsimplified.com
Thanks, Kathy! I’m glad you like the logo as much as I do. I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving, too.
Congratulations on this logo! It’s so interesting to learn about the creation process of the logo. I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving!
Danielle
http://www.spring2spring.com
Thanks, Danielle! I’m glad you enjoyed reading about how the logo came about. I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving, too!
BEAUTIFUl
natalieoffduty.com
Natalie Off Duty
Thanks, Natalie! I’m glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for visiting Living in Steil!
The logo turned out so great!
xo, Jill
http://www.BornFancy.com
Thanks, Jill. I couldn’t agree with you more!
Such a great logo! Thank you for walking us through the creative process! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
http://www.laurenfarrellny.com/blog
Thanks, Lauren! I’m glad you enjoyed reading about the creative process behind the logo. I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving!
Great logo. I love seeing the progression.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Thanks, Amy! I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Love the new logo! So pretty & love the pop of red!
xMC
http://mc2squared.blogspot.com
Thanks! I love the pop of red, too.
wow it looks great! how exciting!
XO JNESS
jenessasheffield
Thanks, Jenessa! I’m so glad you like it.
This turned out beautifully!
Wishes & Reality
Thanks, Heidi! I love how it turned out.
You are so talented, love how it looks!
http://www.mintnotion.com
Thank you! All of the design credits go to Vlad. He created this logo and I couldn’t be happier with it. I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
That’s a great logo, Vanessa! I enjoyed the getting the phocus of the creative process from Mr. Vlad.
Thanks, Claudia! Vlad did a phabulous job with the post…and the logo.
Very interesting articles, agree about the lips pop of color – looks wonderful!
Thanks, Tanya! I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Congratulation, beauty, on the new logo! How exciting!!! It looks great and I love the whole concept of it 🙂 It was neat how Vlad showed the progression and explanation of the process!
I hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving, beautiful, and I am thankful for having met you via blogging 🙂
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
Thanks, Jalisa! I’m so glad you like the logo and Vlad’s post. He did a great job with both. I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving and I’m thrilled we have met “virtually” through the blogging world. I am very thankful for your continued support and friendship!
Wow!! Super awesome! xo
http://publiclivessecretrecipes.com/2015/11/diy-ombre-utensils.html
Thanks, Caitlin!
I’m most grateful to Vanessa for her thoughtful invitation to write this piece. I truly enjoyed sharing my “Creative Process” with all of you and I’m so appreciative of all the wonderful comments!
Thanks, Vlad! You have done a wonderful job with the logo and this post. Thank you for coming onto the blog and sharing your creative process with all of us!
Love your new logo! Great creation!
Xoxo,
Love from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}
Thanks, Trang!