Imagine just for a second that you weren’t a logo designer. No need to get scared folks…just visualize yourself for a minute as someone who knows nothing about the field of logo design. What would you have been then? I’m sure that many of you can’t even think of being anything other than a logo/graphics designer. This also applies to the people belonging to other professions.

Being completely honest, everyone would agree that professions are driven by the need to earn. But equally strong is the passion for the work. A person’s occupational destiny is motivated by either money or passion. Today I wish to list few absurd but probable suggestions that you could have ended up if you hadn’t been what you are right now.

1. Professional Footballer:
	Yes, this is one of the several vague possibilities that you could have become. Imagine yourself playing with the likes of Cristiana Ronaldo, Kaka and David Beckham. Instead of designing logos on the PC, you would be designing play moves and tactics on the field. You might even make it to the FIFA World Cup 2014. But the question is…would you really want that over being a logo designer?

2. Rocket Scientist:
Now this is one place a nerdy designer could have ended up easily. Picture yourself as a rocket scientist, instead of learning the history and future of logo design, you would be studying about aeronautical engineering and the laws of aerodynamics. Notwithstanding the fact that it is one of the coolest jobs to do, but you have to ask this from yourself…are you really built for it?

3. Actor / Model:

So…you dream of starring in a movie? Or maybe desire appearing in a popular brand commercial as a model. What would your world be like had you chosen to be an actor/model and not a logo designer? While I know that the logo design world might not have much of the glitz and glamour, but it’s not always the fame and money that drive a person’s ambitions. Would you have preferred being an actor or a model over being a graphic or logo designer?

4. Frustrated Dad/Husband:
This is one place nobody would want to wind up in. This is the worst case scenario that you can think of ending up in. This is the frustrated and unemployed person who is constantly struggling to make a living and at the same time face the taunts of his wife and kids. Wouldn’t want to end up there would you? This is where you must be glad that at least you’re a logo designer.

5. Psychic Doctor:
	This one tops the charts. Imagine you weren’t a logo designer and you also couldn’t find another profession to work in. You might probably end up becoming a psychic doctor. Now wouldn’t that be perfect? Far away from the logo designing mistakes, you are dealing with mental patients all day long. Talk about dealing with clients who don’t pay.

A few months back, I discussed whether a successful logo designer is talented or taught. We came to a conclusion that it is a blend of both qualities because creating a logo design requires both knowledge and creativity. The learning process complements the inner talent of a designer. The eminence of being human is that we constantly learn from one another. Right from the cradle to the grave, we continually learn from our surroundings. And it really doesn’t hurt to learn from someone who is considered to be relegated in society.

Rich habits that logo designers can learn from the beggars!

Yes…the impecunious and shelter less people roaming on the streets, commonly known as beggars are a great source of motivation and inspiration for logo designers. Sounds funny doesn’t it? But let us look at how it is helpful for logo designers.

Street beggars are found in almost every country. Although you might not get to learn about logo design trends from beggars, or they may not have terrific logo design ideas, but it is the one shrewd group who knows to make the most of every situation.

1. Explore new opportunities:

The biggest trait about street beggars is that they explore each and every possible opportunity to make their ends meet. You might be familiar of the sight of a shabby old man scavenging through a pile of garbage, looking for something to satisfy his appetite with. Logo designers must also explore different areas and must employ new ways to find more clients. One must always remember, things don’t always arrive on a silver plate. One has to make efforts to discover what he desires.

2. Confident about your skills:

3. Nothing is useless:

One of the best of habits that we can adopt from beggars is that they make use of everything and anything. You might have observed some alm seekers on custom-made wheelchairs or props that they make entirely out of nothing. They use anything they can find from the junkyard to devise their object of comfort. Logo designers should learn from this habit that “nothing is useless” in the field of logo designing. One must consider all possible measures while creating a logo design.

4. Put in all your energy:

5. Never quit easily:

You might have come across beggars who persistently ask for alms until you don’t give them. That is the thing with beggars…they never give up. This reminds me of the oscar winning movie “Slumdog Millionaire”, portraing a nice message of trying until you don’t succeed. Logo designers must also refrain from saying NO to any challeneg they encounter. Many a times they are faced with clients that are difficult to convince. The key here is persuasion. In order to convince your clients on your viewpoint, incessant persuasion is needed.

6. Be happy about what you do:

Although little, but beggars remain content with whatever they get. Even if they receive a dime, they are grateful for it. Now don’t get me wrong here. I do not mean in any way to settle for whatever the client is offering. But the satisfaction should be dependent on the quality of work rather than the money attached to it. This doesn’t imply that you work pro-bono, but the on-job satisfaction is more important than the remuneration.

Below is the 2009 Inaugural Patch for their new stadium.

Sure it’s clean and not overly flashy, but we have grown accustomed to certain basic elements in a design for this purpose. For instance, if you showed this logo to an unknowing bystander, what would their response be? First, it is very difficult to determine what the logo is for. It really could represent any sport, for any gender, in any city. The only thing we truly know is that in 2009, there is a first season being played for some team, somewhere.

Other teams have taken alternative routes. The Yankees for example:

Now here is the curve ball. The Mets weren’t so different not too long ago. Take a look back just to last year.

The Shea Stadium commemorative logo is similar to the Yankees. You know exactly what is going on. I am a fan of the observer having to do a little thinking, but the new logo seems more like a puzzle than a logo.

Either way, we’re in for a great season of baseball. While the uniforms, patches, and color schemes make little difference in the score, I hope these players perform better for the Mets than their logo did. Thanks to a federal bailout, it looks like we all have a stake in Citi Field.