Help name a new Graphic Design studio!
November 20, 2006 4:18 PM Subscribe
Help name a new Graphic Design studio!
Surely all you budding hive designers have a stash of potential names somewhere? This has been killing me for the past week. Its such a struggle to come up with something creative, yet something that will be taken seriously, especially when its something so personal that you will have to live with for a potentially long time.
Existing names we love: A Practice for Everyday Life, Graphic Thought Facility, McSweeneys, The Alan Parsons Project . 'We've come for your daughters' has a certain ring to it, but just wouldn't sound right while answering the phone. Everything else has ended up sounding like a terrible 80's political punk band. Please help! We will bake you cookies.
Surely all you budding hive designers have a stash of potential names somewhere? This has been killing me for the past week. Its such a struggle to come up with something creative, yet something that will be taken seriously, especially when its something so personal that you will have to live with for a potentially long time.
Existing names we love: A Practice for Everyday Life, Graphic Thought Facility, McSweeneys, The Alan Parsons Project . 'We've come for your daughters' has a certain ring to it, but just wouldn't sound right while answering the phone. Everything else has ended up sounding like a terrible 80's political punk band. Please help! We will bake you cookies.
Tell us something about your studio. Who will your likely clients be? What's your background? Where do you live (country, city)? etc
posted by LobsterMitten at 4:43 PM on November 20, 2006
posted by LobsterMitten at 4:43 PM on November 20, 2006
Ultra Bodonis
Pica Poles Out
Logo-Rama
Ben Day Studios
Overclockers
Liveline Studio
Amberlithium
Two Men and an iMac
posted by hal9k at 4:52 PM on November 20, 2006
Pica Poles Out
Logo-Rama
Ben Day Studios
Overclockers
Liveline Studio
Amberlithium
Two Men and an iMac
posted by hal9k at 4:52 PM on November 20, 2006
Don't be clever. Don't be dated. Use a name that is easily remembered and fits you. Check on domain name availability before final decision.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 4:53 PM on November 20, 2006
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 4:53 PM on November 20, 2006
I love naming threads.
T2
Visual Wellness Partners
Serif
posted by infinitewindow at 4:58 PM on November 20, 2006
T2
Visual Wellness Partners
Serif
posted by infinitewindow at 4:58 PM on November 20, 2006
Tell it like it is:
Meretricious (showily attractive yet cheap and insincere)
posted by strawberryviagra at 5:01 PM on November 20, 2006 [1 favorite]
Meretricious (showily attractive yet cheap and insincere)
posted by strawberryviagra at 5:01 PM on November 20, 2006 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Pantufla- Why do you assume this is a joke?
Lobstermitten- The overall psychology and method of the studio is still being discussed, but without giving too much away, it will be more multi-disciplinary, experimental, and process focussed. Most likely we will be primarily concerned with Publication Design. The studio is based in Australia.
The trouble is that I feel most studio names are pretty disconnected from what they actually do. Really simple and straightforward names like 'Words and Pictures' which was something that I originally really liked, seem to be taken already by some pretty awful organisations. Other studio names, or agency names seemed to named after their founders or partners, which I find really disconcerting because I dont want any future employees to feel like they are just cogs in some cult of personality.
I personally dont have any trouble with just a good sounding name that meets the criteria I set above. But again, finding a balance here is so hard!
posted by LongDrive at 5:08 PM on November 20, 2006
Lobstermitten- The overall psychology and method of the studio is still being discussed, but without giving too much away, it will be more multi-disciplinary, experimental, and process focussed. Most likely we will be primarily concerned with Publication Design. The studio is based in Australia.
The trouble is that I feel most studio names are pretty disconnected from what they actually do. Really simple and straightforward names like 'Words and Pictures' which was something that I originally really liked, seem to be taken already by some pretty awful organisations. Other studio names, or agency names seemed to named after their founders or partners, which I find really disconcerting because I dont want any future employees to feel like they are just cogs in some cult of personality.
I personally dont have any trouble with just a good sounding name that meets the criteria I set above. But again, finding a balance here is so hard!
posted by LongDrive at 5:08 PM on November 20, 2006
My favorite design studio name is Mine.
"This website is Mine(tm)"
There's an idea behind it. It seems to carry through all the communication.
Show your brand savvy by coming up with what you want to stand for and naming from that.
posted by Gucky at 5:11 PM on November 20, 2006
"This website is Mine(tm)"
There's an idea behind it. It seems to carry through all the communication.
Show your brand savvy by coming up with what you want to stand for and naming from that.
posted by Gucky at 5:11 PM on November 20, 2006
Response by poster: Infinitewindow - I head someones email the other day which was TheSerifSheriff, which I just loved. T2 is great, but its a tea company here. Pretty good stuff.
Strawberry Viagra - That hurts. Im sensing some hostility in this thread...
Dread servants of the unspeakable is just amazing though...
posted by LongDrive at 5:16 PM on November 20, 2006
Strawberry Viagra - That hurts. Im sensing some hostility in this thread...
Dread servants of the unspeakable is just amazing though...
posted by LongDrive at 5:16 PM on November 20, 2006
Best answer: Big Bootie by Design
Hole in the Head Graphics
We Couldn't Think of A Name Studios
Homo Studio
On Your Wife We Have Designs
Dessert Topping & Floor Wax Graphics
Mad Marty and the Martians
Graphic D, the Rapper of Disaster.
Suckage Studio
Two Men and a Dildo Design
Creative Mess
Mars needs Designers
Uranus needs Designers
S'up yo?
Blaring Trumpets Design
Please help! We will bake you cookies
Remember this statement when a client wants "help".
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:26 PM on November 20, 2006
Hole in the Head Graphics
We Couldn't Think of A Name Studios
Homo Studio
On Your Wife We Have Designs
Dessert Topping & Floor Wax Graphics
Mad Marty and the Martians
Graphic D, the Rapper of Disaster.
Suckage Studio
Two Men and a Dildo Design
Creative Mess
Mars needs Designers
Uranus needs Designers
S'up yo?
Blaring Trumpets Design
Please help! We will bake you cookies
Remember this statement when a client wants "help".
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:26 PM on November 20, 2006
Best answer: For the love of all that is good and holy, pay a trademark attorney to make sure that you're in the clear with your name.
I ran a graphic design firm in the late 90s named "WAM!design." Turned out WAM!NET (now SAVVIS), of whom I'd never heard, was unhappy about that. We got a cease-and-desist ten months after launching the business. We spent thousands rebranding the business. It was a debacle.
We came up with lots and lots of name ideas before we came up with our final, Munk & Phyber, Inc. (And we paid $1,200 to make sure we were in the clear with that name.) The best name? "Pixelshim."
Go for it. I won't sue you.
posted by waldo at 5:30 PM on November 20, 2006
I ran a graphic design firm in the late 90s named "WAM!design." Turned out WAM!NET (now SAVVIS), of whom I'd never heard, was unhappy about that. We got a cease-and-desist ten months after launching the business. We spent thousands rebranding the business. It was a debacle.
We came up with lots and lots of name ideas before we came up with our final, Munk & Phyber, Inc. (And we paid $1,200 to make sure we were in the clear with that name.) The best name? "Pixelshim."
Go for it. I won't sue you.
posted by waldo at 5:30 PM on November 20, 2006
Response by poster: Brandon, I think you have a range of T-shirts in your future... My lawyers will be in touch with an offer.
posted by LongDrive at 5:32 PM on November 20, 2006
posted by LongDrive at 5:32 PM on November 20, 2006
Barone Waste Management, Graphic Design.
posted by cmfletcher at 5:56 PM on November 20, 2006
posted by cmfletcher at 5:56 PM on November 20, 2006
Best answer: Most likely we will be primarily concerned with Publication Design
I do publication design, hire me! Or at least fly me in for an interview, I'm in the States, it'll be not that expensive, right, RIGHT?
Anyway, just imagine these with Design or Graphics on the end.
Rock, Scissors, Paper
Blue Ink
Paper
Pubilicious
Rolling Press
Dead Tree
Magenta Trees
Burnt Wood
Ink Stained Fingers
Linotype (oh wait...)
Sans Servants
Sans Sense
Sans Talent
Moist Pudding (umm...)
Page Down
Cut, Copy, Paste
Command-P
Document Setup
Whole lotta Words
Herd of words (great logo possiblities)
26 Letters
Consant Vowels
The Bowels
Foglights
5 vowels
Blue Scarf
Sometimes Y
A, E, I, O, U
Lexicon
The Dictionary
Hot, Buttered Pancakes
Who's Your Daddy Design
County Morgue
Alphabet Sandwich
Toe Tag
Eye Chart
Creative Tongue
Sloopy Kiss
Sugar buzz
Upper Case P
All on 4
Don't Print
Boliva Marching Powder
Not Micro OR Soft Design
Chef Michael -- POW cooking up design for you!
I prefer chocolate chip cookies.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:14 PM on November 20, 2006
I do publication design, hire me! Or at least fly me in for an interview, I'm in the States, it'll be not that expensive, right, RIGHT?
Anyway, just imagine these with Design or Graphics on the end.
Rock, Scissors, Paper
Blue Ink
Paper
Pubilicious
Rolling Press
Dead Tree
Magenta Trees
Burnt Wood
Ink Stained Fingers
Linotype (oh wait...)
Sans Servants
Sans Sense
Sans Talent
Moist Pudding (umm...)
Page Down
Cut, Copy, Paste
Command-P
Document Setup
Whole lotta Words
Herd of words (great logo possiblities)
26 Letters
Consant Vowels
The Bowels
Foglights
5 vowels
Blue Scarf
Sometimes Y
A, E, I, O, U
Lexicon
The Dictionary
Hot, Buttered Pancakes
Who's Your Daddy Design
County Morgue
Alphabet Sandwich
Toe Tag
Eye Chart
Creative Tongue
Sloopy Kiss
Sugar buzz
Upper Case P
All on 4
Don't Print
Boliva Marching Powder
Not Micro OR Soft Design
Chef Michael -- POW cooking up design for you!
I prefer chocolate chip cookies.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:14 PM on November 20, 2006
Response by poster: Brandon- Is Pubilicious pronounced how I think?
posted by LongDrive at 6:22 PM on November 20, 2006
posted by LongDrive at 6:22 PM on November 20, 2006
Best answer: Can't stop, help me---
We hired the stingray
Pubsluts
Paul the Pub Paul
Wally the Word Worker
Don't Move To Iraq
72 points
Spineless Zombies
The Monsters of Publication
League of Super Designers
Designers Assemble!
Pretty Pubs
Monkey Shockers
The Language of Design
Open chest Design
Schlock the Monkey
Would you like to buy a vowel?
Red Letters
Printing Sucks
Manual Feed
Toner
Curly Quotes
Roo the day
Pubaroo
Kangaroo Kourt Kreative (dig those initials!)
Red mob
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:33 PM on November 20, 2006
We hired the stingray
Pubsluts
Paul the Pub Paul
Wally the Word Worker
Don't Move To Iraq
72 points
Spineless Zombies
The Monsters of Publication
League of Super Designers
Designers Assemble!
Pretty Pubs
Monkey Shockers
The Language of Design
Open chest Design
Schlock the Monkey
Would you like to buy a vowel?
Red Letters
Printing Sucks
Manual Feed
Toner
Curly Quotes
Roo the day
Pubaroo
Kangaroo Kourt Kreative (dig those initials!)
Red mob
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:33 PM on November 20, 2006
Far, Out & Associates
Unboxed
Antipodesign
C MYK Design (pronounced See Mike Design)
is not studio
posted by ab3 at 6:34 PM on November 20, 2006
Unboxed
Antipodesign
C MYK Design (pronounced See Mike Design)
is not studio
posted by ab3 at 6:34 PM on November 20, 2006
Brandon- Is Pubilicious pronounced how I think?
Maybe.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:35 PM on November 20, 2006
Maybe.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:35 PM on November 20, 2006
Best answer: Sweet Jesus, I'm sick--
Is not a pub
Red pen
Digital Kangaroo
Sweet Meat
is not a mess
I design for Jesus
Jesus Loves Me, Not You
Going to Hell
451
26 letters in a box
Random Glyphs
The Glyphinators
Kill the words
14 letters and a picture
1,000 words
Farm raised letters
Big Red Letters
Bright Yellow Pun
Nerds for Words
Word up you
Word to ya motha
Crazy Old Man Jones Mumbles
Sickness becomes us
Page Turner
Pet the Hairless Cat
Loquacious
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:46 PM on November 20, 2006
Is not a pub
Red pen
Digital Kangaroo
Sweet Meat
is not a mess
I design for Jesus
Jesus Loves Me, Not You
Going to Hell
451
26 letters in a box
Random Glyphs
The Glyphinators
Kill the words
14 letters and a picture
1,000 words
Farm raised letters
Big Red Letters
Bright Yellow Pun
Nerds for Words
Word up you
Word to ya motha
Crazy Old Man Jones Mumbles
Sickness becomes us
Page Turner
Pet the Hairless Cat
Loquacious
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:46 PM on November 20, 2006
Response by poster: Are you sure you are in the right line of work Brandon?
posted by LongDrive at 6:51 PM on November 20, 2006
posted by LongDrive at 6:51 PM on November 20, 2006
Are you sure you are in the right line of work?
Yes. When you're brainstorming, no idea is too stupid.
That and the high heels were killing my ankles, so no more stripping.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:56 PM on November 20, 2006
Yes. When you're brainstorming, no idea is too stupid.
That and the high heels were killing my ankles, so no more stripping.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:56 PM on November 20, 2006
(First principle: think of whomever your clients might be, and be sure the name you like wouldn't be embarrassing for them to have on their product/ to recommend to others!)
A few thoughts, though Brandon has put us all to shame:
Forward Tinkering
Kinetic Print
Play Pen
Pencil Machine
Staircase
Low Slung
Two by Two
Ablaze
Lab Coat
Monocle
Fat Fish
any of these, ...
+ Design Emporium
+ Design Collective
+ Design Studios
+ Designs
+ Studios
+ Labs (because, you're experimental, yes?)
posted by LobsterMitten at 7:38 PM on November 20, 2006
A few thoughts, though Brandon has put us all to shame:
Forward Tinkering
Kinetic Print
Play Pen
Pencil Machine
Staircase
Low Slung
Two by Two
Ablaze
Lab Coat
Monocle
Fat Fish
any of these, ...
+ Design Emporium
+ Design Collective
+ Design Studios
+ Designs
+ Studios
+ Labs (because, you're experimental, yes?)
posted by LobsterMitten at 7:38 PM on November 20, 2006
No hostility intended - but if you decide to set up in Australia or the UK, it may be teh bomb design studio name. I'd use a studio that didn't take itself so seriously over some of the more earnest options above and I'm constantly employing designers.
Hell, when I saw a hairdresser in London that called itself "Don't worry it will grow back" - I seriously considered getting a mullet mohawk (even though I'm bald with a hairy back and fingers).
posted by strawberryviagra at 7:55 PM on November 20, 2006
Hell, when I saw a hairdresser in London that called itself "Don't worry it will grow back" - I seriously considered getting a mullet mohawk (even though I'm bald with a hairy back and fingers).
posted by strawberryviagra at 7:55 PM on November 20, 2006
Joe's Designer?
posted by SampleSize at 8:34 PM on November 20, 2006
posted by SampleSize at 8:34 PM on November 20, 2006
Harold's Crayon
Purple Crayon Studios
Magic Mirror Designs
1000 Words
Lightswimmer Studios
posted by textilephile at 3:03 AM on November 21, 2006
Purple Crayon Studios
Magic Mirror Designs
1000 Words
Lightswimmer Studios
posted by textilephile at 3:03 AM on November 21, 2006
PerfectBound Media
Leading
Kern Studio
In-Position
posted by amberglow at 9:34 AM on November 21, 2006
Leading
Kern Studio
In-Position
posted by amberglow at 9:34 AM on November 21, 2006
Spec Media
also, altho i'm sure they're already copyrighted--
Amberlith
Rubylith
: >
posted by amberglow at 9:35 AM on November 21, 2006
also, altho i'm sure they're already copyrighted--
Amberlith
Rubylith
: >
posted by amberglow at 9:35 AM on November 21, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ardgedee at 4:35 PM on November 20, 2006