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- Continuity0
In that case, that adds a new dimension to your (potential) re-branding, in that you have to take into account the fact that, down the track, when you do add those couple of more people, they need to feel like they're part of that brand.
I know it sounds horribly clichéd, but it's ultimately true.
The thing with 'Metagramme' is the relative neutrality. I say relative to mean that it's not associated with you, the person, especially to those who don't know you personally. Thus, it would be easier for future staff to hook into that brand.
I'm not saying using your name is a bad idea, if you plan to expand. More than anything, I think that using one's name for a proper shop is more a question of how well-known you are in the market in which you operate, more than any other factor.
Also, using one's name for a business seems conservative to me. Consider:
- McCann Erickson
- Leo Burnett
- OgilyOld-school advertising powerhouse that are more like lumbering dinosaurs, now.
identity was spot-on when he suggested you look into your process for inspiration, if you absolutely want to change your name; becuase, in your process, in what you do and how you do it, ultimately lies your brand. From that, a moniker should flow out nicely.
- gramme0
Meta: denoting change of position or condition, e.g. metamorphosis, metathesis. Conversely, also means something of a higher or secondary order, e.g. metalanguage, metadata.
gram(me): from Greek, "thing written, letter of the alphabet,’ from graphein ‘write.’
- If type design (not what I do) is a micro function, then brand identity (what I do) is macro, or meta.gramme
- i had assumed your name was Gram.Douglas
- Gram? That isn't a name. Graham, Graeme, yes. Gram: unit of measurement, or suffix.gramme
- ah yes, i knew i was spelling it wrong, or that it had different spellings.Douglas
- Hombre_Lobo0
studio steel sounds like a gay nightclub.
metagramme is cool, but reminds me of pentagram and being reminded of a top design firm like that, with crazy good work might be bad, people may sub consciously compare..
nice site dude. btw FLASH IS DEAD!!!!
- blogger0
fail and fail
- callitropsis0
metasteel
- bigtrick0
Metagramme sounds good. I wouldn't change it - Studio Steel is a bit more generic, and definitely harder to own the whole identity for. Right now, "Metagramme" is only Matt Steel's studio, whereas Studio Steel... just imagine someone googling "Steel" trying to find you.
- There's a country musician from Nashville with the same name.gramme
- OSFA0
But I love your site.... :(
- dbloc0
STUDIO STEAL
- set0
iSteel Designs.
- set0
Metagramme is ok, studio steel is fucking gay though.
- +1spraycanII
- hah, nice played. set.akrok
- +2 steel is also too close to stealThelonious_Funk
- dddoouuu! sorry, just saw its your last nameThelonious_Funk
- dasmeteor0
I like metagramme
- PonyBoy0
I see the newbs don't know Matt...
... and that should answer your question, Sir. :)You're known for your work... ... not your name.
As for your choices - I don't mind your original name at all... ... but your new name is borderline porno... ... which may be a good thing?
- borderline gay porno maybe... maybe not a good thing..hehePonyBoy
- zenmasterfoo0
steelygramme
studiogrammebleeeaaargh!
- Hombre_Lobo0
bummertronic is a cool studio name. you should totally use that.
dont you guys agree??
- identity0
hey bud,
I might consider looking into your proccess for your answer. Your work is very process and research heavy. There might be some possible name buried in that somewhere. What is it that you do better than anyone else - that could be a good starting place too
- gramme0
NBH, you're right that I am currently about as "boutique" as a design firm can possibly be. But I see so many other small shops who position themselves only as micro image-builders, rather than macro brand-builders. The way I want to position myself is as the latter. So yeah, I'm not ashamed of being small. In fact, I don't ever want to get bigger in terms of staff than a Sagmeister-sized shop (with a max of two or three staffers). But I don't want to be lumped in with the small offices/freelancers who only do wedding invitations and nonprofit brochures, rather than comprehensive branding campaigns.
So as I said above, Metagramme could be a name for a company of any size or scope, which is good. It's not limiting or evocative of something either small or large. This, among other things, is why I've decided to stick with the status quo.
@ melq, I don't see the harm in thinking out loud. It's not like I've invested anything in a new brand yet.
- juhls0
FYI: his actual last name is "Steel"
- lukus_W0
I like Metagramme.
I strongly dislike Studio Steel - I think it sounds a bit tacky, and 'steel' sounds a bit too similar to 'steal' for comfort.
- Rand0
just list offices in other countries, you're golden