Reviewed & Fact-checkedSo you’re a seasoned design professional with years of valuable experience and the right tools to start your graphic design business, but you’ve hit a wall in the creative process. You don’t have a solid graphic design business name.
And although you’ve got great experience creating top-level designs for businesses, there’s still an innate worry that the name you’re chewing on isn’t enough to set your business apart from its bloodthirsty competitors.
Recognizing the fact that having an excellent graphic design business name is something that’ll help your business stand out even better, is a step in the right direction.
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Graphic design has played important roles in the success of businesses all over the world.
For one, businesses that encourage design creativity achieve an increase of 219% in market share than those who don’t, and that’s why it doesn’t surprise us that 67% of small businesses believe that the benefits they attract with graphic designs would more than double in five years.
Now, for your graphic design business to stand out, and be successful, it needs a name that captures your very essence, and we’ve assembled the ultimate guide to help you build the perfect design name.
Check it out.
Here’s Why You Need Strong Graphic Design Business Names
Usually, your family and friends know that when it comes to graphic designs, you’re like a well-trained design ninja. They’ve seen you create amazing concepts from thin air, breathe life into lifeless ideas, and perform several graphic design miracles.
They know you’ve got what it takes to be the next big thing, but you know who doesn’t? The customer. And this is why you need a creative name for your graphic design business. A name that’ll not only catch their attention but make them want to work with you.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a freelance graphic designer, a team of designers, or even a design studio. You need a name that’ll make a great first impression in the minds of customers because people buy out of emotion and justify it with logic.
And trust us; you need a creative graphic design business name to give your business that fighting chance in an already flooded market.
Companies With Great Graphic Design Business Names
Have it in mind that getting a strong name isn’t impossible. We’ve gathered some successful graphic design businesses that set the stage for their success by using powerful names that not only connect to their customer’s emotions but sets them apart in the international design industry.
Take a look at some of them.
- Meta Design
- Happy Cog
- Pearlfisher
- Charlie Smith Design
- Saffron Brand Consulting
- Fireart Studio
Still wondering how they got it right? First, these names sound nice, they have a pleasant rhythm, they’re easy to remember because they do an excellent job of suggesting the possibilities available to customers.
Each of these names stands out in their own way, but somehow manages to easily fit into the design industry.
But it doesn’t end there. Take another look at these names, and you’ll realize that one thing they have in common is the fact that customers can easily visualize them. And these are essential things your graphic design business name must capture.
Clever Graphic Design Business Names To Inspire You
Yes, naming a business can be one of the trickiest parts of starting a business, and that’s why we’ve taken the time to select some graphic design business names from naming experts to inspire you.
Feast your eyes.
- Night Studios
- Aqua Designs
- Sweet Pixels
- Wicked Duck
- Kinetic Hype
- Color Lane
- Angle Spark
- Meld Lab
- Scarlet Arc
- Design Ring
These names are fun, easy to spell and remember, and also capture the very essence of design; taking something bland and making something amazing out of it.
Also, these names are guaranteed to catch your customer’s attention and lure them to your business by giving them an immediate perception of your brand’s value and purpose.
They’d literally take customers down the Color Lane, through Design Rings, and into your studio.
How to Choose Perfect Graphic Design Business Names
Now that you know what creative names for graphic design businesses look like, and what makes them work, let’s get into how you can generate one for business without falling into the ever-present naming black hole.
Brainstorm
Brainstorming remains the most effective way of getting amazing names for your graphic design business.
But before pulling out those notepads, thesauruses, and dictionaries, you need to understand the elements of your graphic design business, because this would go a long way in simplifying your brainstorming session.
Before starting your brainstorming session, take the time to write out these elements because they’ll also serve as the naming criteria of your design business.
Ask yourself, what are your…
- Big Ideas: What values define your brand, its creativity, and its role in the market?
- Value: What makes your brand special?
- Brand Story: How did your business begin? How has it grown?
- Target Audience: What type of customers do you intend to appeal to? In essence, what’s your design niche?
- Benefits: How can your design services help your customers?
- Feelings: What emotions do you want to stir in your customers?
- Value Proposition: What should customers expect from your designs?
Now that you know what the elements of your design business are, whip out those dictionaries and notepads because it’s time to get that graphic design business name you wanted.
First: Assemble Your Team
In brainstorming, two minds are better than one. So, get your teammates involved, discuss your brand’s elements, so everyone knows the exact kinds of graphic design business names needed.
And if you’re a one-person army, then there’s nothing to worry about, just start brainstorming.
Second: Brainstorm
Now it’s time to put on your thinking cap and start writing as many names as you can come up with. The goal here is to get as many graphic design business names as possible.
Scour through your dictionaries and thesauruses, and look for words that match the value you want your business to communicate, and write them down.
Make sure your list contains as many names as you can find. And yes, write down the good, the bad, and the ugly names. Who knows, you might find gold there.
Brainstorming a befitting name for your graphic design business might take a while, but keep at it because the right name is definitely worth it.
One more thing, don’t take yourself too seriously. Always remember to have fun.
Third: Filter
Now that you’ve got a list of names that match the values of your business, it’s time to filter.
Take the time to consider each name on your list. Do a thorough online search with any search engine, or through the UPTO’s site, and filter out names that have either been taken, or sound too familiar to a competitor’s name. You don’t want to mislead potential customers.
If over six names survive the filtering process, then ask yourself if these names would be memorable to customers, if it communicates the right emotions, and if it’ll let your graphic design business scale when the time comes.
Check Web Availability
The online presence of a graphic design business, in today’s world, is its lifeblood, so make sure that whatever name you choose for your business has an available domain name, preferably a .com domain, and active social media handles.
Your website would deliver a huge chunk of exposure, so it’s crucial that it’s easy to spell and easy to find.
And yes, you must’ve figured it out by now, but only pick business names with available domains.
Use Your Name, or Don’t
Yep. This is one major naming black-hole entrepreneurs face when trying to select suitable graphic design business names.
A lot of designers get bogged down trying to decide if they should get a business name, or just use their name.
Although no rule says a graphic design business must use a design-ish name, it’s important to know that the name of your graphic design business goes a long way in influencing its success.
It can affect the kind of jobs you get, how much you’re paid, and how memorable your business is in the minds of its customers.
Take your time to decide which direction you want to go, but whatever you do, steer clear from names like ‘Average Joe’s Designs’. You don’t need us to tell you that they can hurt, rather than help your design business.
Sometimes, using your name, as the name of your business leads to a weak trademark.
You’ve Got to Love the Name
Whether you used your name, or you generated one from a brainstorming session, don’t make the mistake of picking a name that you, or your fellow teammates, aren’t proud of.
For one, you’d have to say your business name in front of your customers, teammates, employees, and even investors. Believe it or not, everyone can tell when you’re not passionate about your business name. And this is something that can hurt your ROI.
Pick a business name, and if you and your employees love it, then your customers would love it too.
Stuck? Confused? Get Professional Help
Finding solid graphic design business names isn’t a walk in the park. Naming, more often than not, turns into an emotional roller-coaster of hope and disappointments.
And just like we mentioned earlier, getting perfect graphic design business names can take a lot of time. Not to mention that it gets worse if you’re a perfectionist.
Most designers, caught in an endless cycle of brainstorming, end up wasting valuable time, time that could’ve been spent putting a smile on a client’s face. And this is where it becomes necessary to engage with business naming professionals.
Let naming professionals generate solid graphic design business names for you, while you focus on creating brilliant typographies and making your customers happy.
Audience Testing, Communication Is Key
Phew! Finally, you’ve found the perfect name for your graphic design business. But before you start creating that logo you’ve been itching to build, make sure your business name has been tested with an audience.
Why? Remember Nokia Lumia? Yes, Lumia translates as a prostitute in Spanish. Yikes! It’s going to be difficult for Spanish people to take Nokia’s Lumia seriously. Obviously, you don’t want something like that happening to your design business.
So make sure you test that name, and you can easily do that by simply having your graphic design business name undergo a crowded bar test, and the C.A.R.E checklist to confirm if your business name is Contextual, Appealing, Remarkable, and Evocative.
Secure Your Business Name with Trademarks
As strange as it sounds, words are no longer easy to come by. Millions of businesses are registered yearly, and this means that a lot of words you could’ve used have already been claimed by other businesses, maybe even your competitor.
Research your graphic design business name extensively. Find out if any competitor has chosen it already, if they haven’t, then go ahead and get your business name trademarked.
If it’s already taken, then it’s best you avoid the name entirely and choose another one.
The last thing you want is to drag your design business through countless legal issues that’ll do a complete job of damaging your reputation, and your finances. Something your business may never recover from.
How To Register Graphic Design Business Names
Once you’ve confirmed that your graphic design business name hasn’t been taken, it’s time to proceed with the trademarks and make your business official.
Steps To Registering Your Business
But before trademarking graphic design business names, or any name in general, you’d need to have already started using the business name. This way you have visual and social proof that the business name you’re about to register is already connected to your business.
Know Your Business’s Legal Configuration
The legal configuration of your business is important. Each type of configuration you choose for your business, whether LLC or Partnership, all come with different legal implications.
Your business’s configuration, legally, would also determine if they’d be additional registration requirements. You won’t need to register your business at the state level if you set it up as a sole proprietorship,
If you are a freelance graphic designer, then you can register your business as a sole proprietorship at first, and as your business grows, you can change it to a limited liability company (LLC).
Get Registered
Fictitious Names, Doing Business As (DBA), or Assumed Names, are all terms that refer to the name your business would take during the registration process.
As an entrepreneur, by default, your business name is going to be your full name. For a partnership, it’s the name stated in the partnership agreement. For LLCs and corporations, the business name is the name registered with the state government.
The beautiful part about registering your design business is its simplicity. Make sure you use your business name during the registration.
You can easily register your graphic design business names online by:
- Visiting the United States Patent Office.
- Click on Trademark
- Click on Apply for a trademark.
- Click on Initial Application Form
- Fill out the application.
- Submit the form.
Voila! You’ve completed the first part of registering your business.
But it doesn’t end here because after submitting the form, you’d have to exercise a lot of patience since the entire process takes about six to nine months.
And within this time you’d be receiving a bunch of spam emails asking you to pay extra fees to keep your application active, but keep your eyes open for emails from the USPTO because that’s what you’re looking for.
Graphic Design Is More Than Just Business
To a graphic designer, design is more than just business. It’s a thing of love and passion, so getting suitable graphic design business names is a priority. How else would the world know how special your business is?
Again, Millo readers, good design is good business, so avoid namer’s remorse, and remember to always protect your business name.
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Using your name as part of your brand/business name is all good and well for some. Having a name like mine (Sam Smith) doesn’t give me any inspiration to use it. When I’ve asked for ideas I typically get things like ‘DezignWorx’ or ‘Smith’s Design’. I feel banging my head on a brick wall would work better.
I’m a Designer that has a broad skillset: Website design, video editing and post processing, animation and print design. How do I sum that up in a name?
Love the name!
Sounds like you know who you are, and that´s core.
I´m struggling with my name too right now.
I was thinking of “Rocket brothers” (my favorite song)
Then I moved to Rocket Garage.
What do you think, genius out of the lamp?
Hai,
my name is Akhil C B and am a graphic designer and Photographer form india (kerala). Am planning to start a designing and photography company in my town, but am not able to put a name for my company. Please help me out…
Please suggest some names for freelancing business. I have team of experts and want to make a design company but i donèt have name.
Please suggest some good names. We are developers and designers
I have been a graphic designer for a while but struggle naming my studio, website. So far it was website/katpal, but I don’t like it. My name is very long: Katerina Paleckova and also unrelatable to US clients, even though I have lived here for 20 years. I am jealous of people with short and zingy names like Alex, Miller, Adam or Ed. I call myself Kat to shorten in, but Kat as a business name is not enough. I am also wildlife photographer interested in conservation design so things like Fox design or Soaring Albatross Studio(too long?) are tempting and meaningful to me. Kat P, sounds like Cat pee, so that’s out…I would like a name that is catchy, memorable, convey design, and also the fact that I like earth conservation design, so nature somehow. Any input welcome.
Hello!! I am struggling to come up with a name for two graphic design businesses that focus on:
Custom t-shirts
Custom obituaries
Any ideas? I’m stuck.
Oh I love that name! It really represent you, and you have the name for it. It is personal and just perfect. It fits your personality. I think the “outstanding” part is really filled up! It talks to me and that is what come into my mind when I hear your brandname. Something intelligent and outstanding.
Sadly, on my side, I can’t really use my name (which is way too complicated to use as a brand name, and the first name is way too simple and used by business like hairdressers and lawyers). I have really no idea what I could invent that represents me (I will probably also grow as a tiny freelancer coop with time, but not before a very long time).
My previous business name was “Nazrinn Web Development”. Nazrinn is my nickname on the Internet and I used it on a lot of previous eork, but I’m not sure if it’s easy to recall, and, even if Web development (both back and front end) is my main service, I highly like designing stuff (print and digital + UX) make 2D animations, illustrations, audio and video montages, DVD and Blu Rays, copywriting/edithing etc.
My three main words are:
– Authentic
– Trustworthy/Reliable
– Skillful (because I provide a lot of services. This one is probably the most important. I’m an all in one for business.)
Also, I even have trouble defining my job title! The program I followed in college was called “multimedia integration”, but the program really shifted from what it was meant for and what it was originally for (just integrating media into stuff like DVDs or websites… boring!). For now I just call myself a multimedia conceptor and hand in there with a hard-to-recall and long name, because I really want something that will fit me for the rest of my life!
So please April, help me find inspiration for my name! Your help is the most welcome. Haha!
I am wanting to start my own freelance graphic design business. I am trying to think of a creative christian name. Any help would be wonderful. Thanks and God bless.
I know it’s been a long time since you wrote this original post April. Hoping you still check in here occasionally.
I specifically found it by searching “is my business name too cocky”!!
I think Greer Genius is a brilliant name and I’m sure someone who worries about if their name is too cool, is not an arrogant/cocky person themselves and that will show in the wording on the site, the interactions and relationships you have with people.
Which brings me to my business name. It’s registered, the logo is designed, the website is nearly there, the biz cards are printed. But still I’m holding back because I’m worried about my name being too cocky.
My business name is Brilliantly Marketing and Design.
My reasoning behind the name, I know that people want brilliant work and I always strive to provide this. I am most definitely not a cocky person, hence my stressing about this name choice.
The way I’m writing my website is around “helping make your brand shine brilliantly”. So it’s about the client and not about me. And feedback about me and my work has always been “brilliant”.
Would love to get your thoughts and some tips on bravely communicating to the world.
I have been looking for a free online tool where i can test out my ideas for a business name and got nowhere! Doesnt such a thing exist in this advancing digital age we are in. Greer Genius is ok in my opinion but it doesnt tell me what you do. Maybe you can add Greer Genius designs.? Just my opinion, I have a small start up business where I custom make homemade all organic products to suit your particular needs, (ex: psoriasis, acne,itching and bug bites. The name I have in mind is: “FOSTER Nature’s Gift”, “FOSTER Nature’s Answer” or “FOSTER’n Nature’s Gift” “FOSTER’n Nature’s Answer”. My name is Foster and I feel it fits with using all natural ingredients to address skin care. I would love some feedback. Thanks.
April, I think this blog is great and the coming up of your name. I am having difficulties coming up with a business name. I will be doing photography and graphic design. I always use the phrase, You are a miracle, b/c Im still alvie after being diagnosed with cancer some years ago. So people I have asked think I should incorporate the word Miracle but I don’t want the name to be too long. So heres what I thought of…Hand Prints, Teleion(The complete thing), Media Effect Designs. I just don’t know..HELP
I LOVE GREER GENIUS. Very clever. I’m so stuck, I have been doing branded items for business and so far I haven’t come up with much. I want to use the word “wicked” and to let people know we are a promotional product, branding and graphic company without using all them words.
It sounds good. I think it has a good balance of being unique without sounding arrogant. I am also trying to figure out a business name. My objective is to do photo and video for local small businesses to help them promote themselves. On the other hand, my first ever paid job was a museum exhibit video, and my second may well become some real estate photos. Am I even at the right point to choose a name? Thanks all.
Jorp. I design websites so it should reflect that
I love the name Greer Genius. Coming up with a name can be exhausting. I’m a freelancer just starting out. I just got my first client I’d love to come up with my own business name in the near future. But I don’t even know where to start. I initially wanted it to include my name but my name is so commonly boring, idk.
hello April, for the name I think it’s quite awesome, geer genius, who don’t want to deal with a company with a name such as this cool one, trust me, it’s a cool one…
My business name is: KESIN which means precision in Turkish, what do you think amiga?
Hi,
I was quite inspired by your thought train on naming your firm.
I am starting off on my own and i also work as an infographic specialist. I am majorly into print design working coffee table books, DMs, brochure, Magazine design. I intend to name my firm as a Inqcircle (inkcircle). What do you think of it? Waiting for your suggestions/ advice on this.
Please help me design my company name. Thanks!
I need a new firm name for interior designer
April, I love the commentary you have going on this post! I’m re-branding too of course. I’m a graphic designer for web and print, been going about 12+ years. Curent biz name is Pixel Ranch Studio. I liked it when I re-started 4 years ago, but now I realize that the horse industry is not who I want as a target market, AND I had branded as a “we” and I am not a WE, I’m me ~ and I want businesses that need a re-brand to feel comfortable with me, my process, and confident that it will be a fun to work with me. I have freckles and curly hair, and am optimistic and encouraging to name a few. I’m not in love with my personal name – Vicki, but will use it if I can find something awesome to go with it. I also dont want to pin myself in to just design as I continue to grow and change.
My daughter suggested the word muse (inspiring), freckled muse? freckled peach (for fun)? Pixels by Vicki?
my personal email is [email protected] – I wonder about using itsmeVicki as a business site… but thought it sounded weird to introduce myself at a networking meeting “Hi I’m Vicki from itsmeVicki.com” hummmm
Thoughts greatly appreciated!!!
I think Greer Genius is awesome! I am currently having this dilemma. I literally have the same criteria as you for my business name. I’d love to incorporate my last name of Reed but have hit a wall. I thought about RēDesign, but like you I would prefer to not include Design in the title.
Hi Apri,
I think it’s a great name! I’m in a dilemma for a name as well. I’ve had a marketing company for quite a while and I am also an interior designer. I am certified in social media and use three different names. I’ve now decided to use my social media skills, my PR & marketing skills and my design experience to create an agency that does social media and PR for the interior design industry. Problem? The company name! I’m paying a consultant that seems to think the name has to clearly reflect to designers that I do social media for designers. Long names, some taken and all too long for social media accounts. I’m at a loss. SocialMediaforInteriorDesigners.com is taken but not being used-it’s really the only one that says it all and it’s so long. Would love any thoughts from anyone. Great job on your company name!
Hi April
I am running a new busisness focus in publi agency.
Can you give some name options for this kind of busisness.
Best Regards
Javier
I’m thinking of using “Magic Wand Creations” for my design business name.
This is why….
#1. I love to create. Everything. With just about every type of media. I’m also a very creative person.
#2. I used to be thought of as having a “magic wand” because I could make things happen that no one else could. In everything I do…sewing, theatre, design. I used to say “I have a magic wand” when people would ask how I did it (so quickly, right the first time, with only a picture, and on and on).
Thoughts?
hae april,i,m happy to hear about you ,i,m starting an interior fabric design &making business i make curtains ,cushions,duvets,comforters etc,i want a name that will be all inclusive of this &it doesnt have to have my name so long as makes sense to my clients i dnt mind,kindly assist.thanks.
April, Greer Genius is a very good name for your business, but why not Great Genius..
My business name is Geebrand and I’m into graphics, signage and printing, I need a touch in my business name
I live in Nigeria federal capital Abuja
I agree and like Greer Genius as the name.
I think it is overdone to have Brilliant as a word on the byline.
This is my honest reaction.
Hi April,
I love your blog.
Im trying to name my business at the moment, its the only thing holding me back sharing all my creations.
I love calligraphy, and playing around with font design and home made gifts (25th anniversary, silver wedding my most recent design)
I have been asked to do a wall mural at a local school also, but still need help with a name….
My baby cousin has been named Kali
and I love that the origin of calligraphy is kali (greek) for beauty
I also would like a sub business name, something that rounds up what i do but also to make it sound awesome.
Im thinking along the lines of,…
Kali: Illustrations that STIR emotions.
But i LOVED….. ‘license to Quill’ however after looking into this its a book, and a calligraphers website… gutted…..
I would love to hear what you think.
Kind Regards
Hannah Mead
I have my business name: Permafrost Photography & Design… Must say I kinda like the name you have for your business
Hi, April, i love love your story. I am a fashion stylist that sews clothes, so basically a designer and also does crochet. I am very good with my hands. I didnt go to school for this gift that i have. I am so troubled in finding a name for my business page and its like nothing creative enough is coming to mind for my logo, but let me have to design something, it hits me in the face like bammmmm. Iwas so eager on getting my page up on instagram to start of with that i just name it KFF Fashion which is the initials of my name which is Kecha Felicia Forde.
I am so in need of a name change, please use your expertise and help me out. Suggestions are welcome from anyone..
Thanks guys
I need help with a name…
I want some suggestions for a designer brand starting with letters G/R/V/K
I have enjoyed reading this post & all the comments. I like all the names everyone came up with for their personal businesses.
Coming up with a name for my own business is not easy because it is not centeralized on one or two things. I am a very creative person & I find inspiration in many things out side the normal ream of what & item may be ment for. My business is centered around one of a kind items or custom items such as hand embroidery items, silk floral arrangements, custom card making, beading, sewing a number of different items, machine embroidery, & quilting. Yes it sounds as though I am all over the page with no focus but in truth I am focused & depending what I need for a clint at the time I do work very well creating one of a kind items from all the above skills. Now if only I could figure out how to create a business name for all that I do. Yes there are other creative skills like painting. wood working, & uphoserty that I am very skilled at too that I incorperate in some of my works. If you can susjest any names please do.
I think it works wonderfully! It can stand alone in the marketplace, and gives you a direct expectation of quality work, yet includes personal touches, specific to you. A wink, you could say!
I am in a similar situation, trying to FINALLY establish myself as a designer. I don’t want to use my direct name, (although, Im okay with using COLE, a portion of it) but I too want to include that personal touch, or wink! I’ve yet to select a specific focus in my work (and I likely won’t as I love variety) but work with branding, design, illustration and animation.
I would love to include the idea of “penny lane” a very inspiration character to me that represents inspiration, wonder, freedom, and expression. As its a rather common phrase I do not want to use it directly; therefore was thinking something like PENNY + ME.
Would love feedback, or ideas, or inspiration!
Hi April,
I love your company name. I love how it uses your last name, but it’s still abstract and creative, which fits perfectly with your brand,
I stumbled across your article as I’m trying to come up with a business name. My husband and I are in the process of starting a web design/development company; I’m the designer, he’s the developer. Our last name is Goodman, so I thought about incorporating that, but nothing sounds good. We really wanted to come up with a good name before we pay for a domain name and get the website going. I’ll just keep brainstorming over the next few days.
Thanks in advance for any input and good luck in your business!
We Design
Thanks for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts and I will be
waiting for your further post thanks once again.
I love it! Using the same letter in both words makes it easier to remember, also correlates with sheer genius like Bree commented below (so its witty and rememberable), and it doesn’t adhere you to any one style or market (so you can expand to change your business at your leisure!).
I’m having some difficulties with by name. I want to call my business “pooka (something)” there’s already a designer that goes by pooka. Im pretty set on it, but I need something to add to make it more me. I’m considering adding the word “dearadh” which is Irish Gaelic for Design (goes along with the Pooka fairy that has irish origins). But I’m afraid people are going to assume that’s my name, not be able to pronounce it, or be confused by it.
Can anyone help? Should I change “dearadh”? should I keep it? ……….help.
Im going to start a business painting trpoical scenes on wine glasses and shaped glass to hang or frame. My name is Sherrie, sont know if I should add that into the name of the business. any ideas on what to name it?
How about, “A Glass of Sherrie” as a play on the drink and what you do as a craft?
Hey i am starting a design studio i am looking fr a creative name please help
I am working on setting up a design company that makes invitations and wall prints. I am targeting women age 18-40 primarily that are looking to decorate their homes or get invitations for baby showers, birthday parties or the like. I have also done some work designing a few shirts for a local animal rescue. I have a daughter we call “bug”. I would love to incorporate that. I want a fun festive name that clarifies I do design work but without using the work designs.
Some ideas:
Ladybug Lane Designs
Little Bug Creative
Darling Dandelion Designs
Little Hello Designs
Keywords: bug, ladybug, dandelion, hello, mint
My first and last name are often mispronounced so I want to avoid those
Suggestions?
i am going to start a graphic designing company
it just works with all kinds of designs and kind of stuff.
so can anybody suggest me a name for the company….
am not specific to any names.. all ideas welcome…
pls do help me out
I,
I am creating a Luxury Furniture Brand, that the main concepts are, trandition/ craftsmanship, contemporary design and irreverence/opulence like mixing design with art and tradition.
I already check for so many names but i after look at them twice i realize that I can do better.
Can you give me any suggestions?
The names that I look for are
>Opulux
>Mahzhur Design
>Majeure Design
>PomPosh Design
>>DeLuxive
>>Fancyfussy design
>>MobArt
>FurnArt
>Mobjestic
>>Furnfull
>>Luxurist design
>>>Minutia Design
>>>Punctilio Design
>>>Cliquish design
Fancifurn
trenditional studio
AvantgArt
PeculiArt
NeoMob
2hip
VanguART
ForeFurn
PionnArt
Variform
FurniForm
InnArt
Artinnate
PoshUpon studio
Passionart
Lfurn (Luis Fernando)
Knowow studio
Furnfetch
Gatsby
Thks
Hii, i am into graphic designing & video editing. I want to name my business on my moms name Ranjan. As its a very common name & dont sound good can u please suggest with some good name.Its ok if only R initial comes in my business name.
Hi April. Great, article and I like your business name. I have been at it for days trying to come up with a name for a new range that I’m working on (or new business name). I design personalised stationery (invitations and other), personalised wall art (subway/metro art, baby status), first year infographics and also the occasional (more and more), logos, business cards and other marketing materials for other small businesses (entrepreneurs). Mainly custom orders, and I sell at the occasional creators fair, and Expat Christmas markets etc. I started this as a hobby years ago, and it turned into a small business. my name is Adéle and I decided to call my little venture DelDesigns. Del is my nickname. I am now branching out and currently working on a range of homeware (scatter cushions, tea towels, floor cushions etc.) Hopefully later will expand further to include bags etc. I am in two minds… I have been wondering if I should take this opportunity and re-brand and come up with another name for my design business (I want to set up a website in the near future) that I can then use on the labels of the cushions etc. Or do I come up with a name for the homeware/decore/other products…. “NAME by DelDesigns”?. Some thoughts I have is that perhaps I am not a designer, but rather a creator? Now wouldn’t it be cool if you can really HELP ME NAME MY BUSINESS” just like that. I figured I’ll put it out there and see what comes back. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time, Adele
Hi April…My name is pranavi and i am from chennai in india… Great article… when i was reading it, i felt like oh my god someone else wrote what is going on in my mind…anyways am an MBA graduate who finally realised i like design and always have..so studying and doing freelance side by side…I want to start my company.. my name has a very beautiful meaning in sanskrit(it means om)…so want to use that but not completely as am not comfy using my name everywhere…so i came up with “Praana” which essentially means “breath” and its a part of my name tooo!!!. Even though i easily figured this out, am stuck with the second part… I dont want the name to sound completely indian coz i dont do indian designs much… Praana design studio sounds good but i am not satisfied as i always try to be unique and this is very common in india… so here i am back to square one!!!…Praana creative is alright but not sure how good it sounds….any pointers on what i can do???
Hi Pranavi. You have a beautiful name just like you. I am a Graphic Designer. I think “Praana” will be quit typical name. I guess “Afflatus or impulse” will make the exact impression. If you have any query please feel free to contact me on [email protected].
Hi April, Not sure if you’re still replying to this, Love your business name, genius!! 🙂
So I’m Helen Kyriacou and have had heaps of trouble coming up with a COOL name, with my uncool name! lol
I trade as HK graphic design – which is boring! The HK lives on its own alot of the time, What do you think? what can I replace the graphic designer with? HK studios? HK agency? Im soo stuck!
Hi April,
Great article, which I stumbled upon because I am in a similar situation.
I feel torn between naming the business around me or a ‘brand’ in its own right. My surname is Frost, I wonder what you think of the name ‘The Frost Effect’…?
All the best!
Matt
Hey ,I’m an A level student who’s slowly getting into graphic design and want to start up a social media account to post some off my work . I’ve settled for A.M Ehich are my initials and feel this would be suitable for now. However I mainly enjoy collage based work especial with photos I’ve taken my self. So guess you could say you could say im a graphic designer / collage artist. So long story short I wanted to add something to A.M these are what I’ve got :
– photography
– Designs
– studios
Any help would be highly appreciated and appolgise for spelling errors
April, I am going through an identity crisis myself and your article popped up on another related Millo article by Dave Clark and it such perfect timing to get all this fantastic info ans see that I am not alone in this issue.
I am a graphic designer with a marketing background and putting up a new portfolio site and thinking of abandoning my old creative collective site www.updnstrategy.com (hate the name now and doesnt make sense for what I am trying to do)
Who am i? Am i a company or a freelancer? Well, I want to be both. But my current branding problem is my name.
My name is Robert but was given the nickname “Bobby Fresh” from my days working with vitaminwater and it has stuck in some circles so I thought I would roll with it for my personal freelancing portfolio and blog.
So i bought www.BobbyIsFresh.com and have started to put up some of my work but now through a focus group of peers and friends been told it sounds juvenile and my logo is “stocky” (which i agree) and that BOBBY sounds like your drunk ucle who borrows tools and doest return them and ROBERT is trustworthy, clean and returns your drill..
Soooo thinking of dropping the FRESH and cleaning up the look to something simplier…. but I still like BOBBY, I feel like its fun, personable and could evolve into a company name where using ROBERT NORTON as you noted does not fly when teaming up with [email protected].
Now, I own www.BobbyIsCreative.com which I think is a compromise by losing the FRESH and still plays into my personal identity but has room to grow.
But still getting push back on the name BOBBY CREATIVE CO.
I would love some “Greer Genius” insight. Thanks so much for the article even if you cannot get back to me.
Best,
Robert (or Bobby) lol
I love this article. I seem to keep coming back to it when I’m feeling a bit blah about my business name. I’ve been working under Pink Pixel Creative for a while but I’m a little unsure of it as I think it’s sorta hard to say sometimes. Especially on the phone… Hello, Pink Pixel Creative, Jen speaking….
Unfortunately, since I’ve been feeling blah about the name I have been procrastinating about getting my website designed (BAD since I’m mostly a web designer) and setting up social media which I think is holding my business back in a big way!
I’ve been thinking of other names too…
Jennifer Kathy Creative (Incorporating my first and middle names – will always be relevant)
Kathy Creative (Middle name)
JK Design & Marketing
JK Designs
Genius Jen (not very modest…)
I would love some advice or opinions on my names? I’m a bit stuck until I find my perfect name I think 🙁 Any help would be much appreciated.
Hmmm, it sounds like none of these really light a fire in you, so gotta keep searching. What part(s) of your business are your favorite? Which projects do you wake up excited to work on? Where do you want to see your business in 5 years? Answer questions about WHO you/your business are and what makes you special to your clients. You’ll start to gain feeling and reason behind the names you pick (rather than just trying different combinations to see what delights you).
Have you ever considered using Mulligan? The word itself meaning “redo” or “second chance”. Something like “Mulligan Media: A second chance to market yourself right” might work really well.
Personally, with jk being shorthand for just kidding, I’d be careful unless you want to address it in your tagline or other marketing.
Keep me posted on your progress!
April
Thank you so much for your reply April. I agree… I need to get back to my roots and ask those fundamental questions and go from a place of purpose instead.
I didn’t even connect with the whole JK = just kidding thing. Wow! It’s amazing what you don’t actually see until someone else brings it up! I see where you are coming from with ‘Mulligan Media’. I really do like the concept but I have also found that a lot of people don’t actually know what ‘Mulligan’ means. (I live in Australia and I don’t think the term is as widely used here compared with the US) But, at the same time I suppose people don’t really have to get the reference all the time either.
Thank you again for the reply. I really appreciate the suggestions and direction. I will endeavor to keep you posted on my progress. 🙂
Hi April,
We are a partnership firm & we are thinking of starting a graphic design development work. How do we impress our new clients by keeping a good name for our business. I & my partner thought of a few names however we do not like each others name. We are struggling for a good name. Please assist.
Great article and lots of great feedback that seems to still be ongoing which is nice to see!
I, like some of you, was recently laid off after 14 years. I’ve done a lot of web and print design, social media graphics at work. Don’t have a portfolio online as yet. In order for me to freelance at work right now I need to set myself up as an llc so I too need a name and am struggling a bit.
My name is Jeffrey A Carson, my first thought was
Carson Creative Concepts
I’d kind of like to use my name as I’d like it to be personable and a lot of people know me where I live etc.
Any thoughts?
Jeff,
Alliteration (using the same first letter repeatedly) is a strong marketing tactic that helps make your name “sticky” in the minds of your potential clients.
It already works nicely as an abbreviation, too, as you can use 3C as part of your logo, or as a secondary mark when you need something short and sweet.
I definitely think that if you’ve already got some name recognition, you should build on it.
Other ideas might be JCreative (using your initials), or JCC (Jeffrey Carson Creative), or – and this is kind of cheesy, but you get the idea – Carsonite, with the tagline “Rock solid design.” or “Rock solid creative concepts.”
Keep us posted on your progress!
April
Thanks for the tips and suggestions! I’ll continue to follow this blog, good source of info all around!
Hi April,
I love the name Greer Genius, it’s very memorable. I have been tossing around the idea of naming my business the first names of the two people who are they reason I discovered my creative abilities. The name is Geneva Simone Creative. I wasn’t sure if it would be confusing for my clients though, that the name of my business is not my name. I’ve tried to come up with other names but this one really speaks to me. What are your thoughts.
Hi Lashan,
There’s no reason your business name has to include your name. In fact, it might be a talking point when people see your business card/branding, so be sure to have a great response you can quickly relay. (Also be sure to make it clear you’re the owner, or people may think you work for someone else.)
What’s more important is that you can sell that name day-in and day-out, that you’re excited about it and will continue to want to work for this name 5 years from now.
Happy naming!
April
Hi April, and everyone!
I stumbled upon your website while doing research on naming a design business and I found it SO helpful and interesting that I read the ENTIRE feed in one sitting! I love your new name Greer Genius! I have a fellow design friend whose last name is Grimm and she named her business Grimm and Proper. It reminded me of yours. I love how clever that is, however, I don’t think it would work well for me. I’d like to keep my last name out of it for flexibility if I ever change it, and for some reason I think having Rebekah in it would sound too cutesy. But I’m open to comment on that.
I’m just starting a full-time branding, design, and consulting business. I know I don’t need a business name right away, but I’d like to come up with one soon. I’ve had some ideas and I’d really love to get your input on them. The potential skills I’ll be offering clients may vary and expand over the years, so I’d prefer not to have my name specify just one. I may do branding, brand strategy, graphic design, photography, consulting, and even travel planning. But it seems difficult to get a name without adding a word that indicates one of these. I know I can always add sub names later, but I want an overarching umbrella one now.
I tried to think of something that says something about me and my style of work, so the client can get a glimpse of what they’re getting. I’ve run through a ton of random words, but one is sticking with me lately. I went to a design conference years back and for the ice breaker at the beginning we had a name tag that said “Hi, I’m ___ and I’m good at ___.” There’s so many things that could fill that second blank when talking to a designer, but my instant response was “Hi, I’m Rebekah and I’m good at the details.”
I love the little details of things and I’ve been told I’m very good at them. My design is very clean and organized and I feel that having all the little details in place really makes it successful. I also find enjoyment in the little details of things in life. Anyway, sorry for the long monologue but I wanted to give you background on me.
My name ideas are based on available urls as I’d rather not add some random word in it to make it a free url. Which I already feel I’ve had to do because the beginning of most of these words are already taken. 🙁
The Details
In the Details
(only available ending in one of these) Creative / Creative Design / Consulting / Company / Design & Consulting / Creative Consulting / Creative Agency / Agency / Creative Studio / Studio
Details
(only available ending in one of these) Creative Design / Design & Consulting / Creative Design & Consulting / Agency / Creative Agency / Studio / Creative Studio / Company / Creative Company
Design Detail
Create Detail / Details
Detailed Designs
(All of these above are available on their own, as well as adding any other word from above to it)
Creative Details Company / Design / Consulting / Design & Consulting / Agency / Studio
Detailed Simplicity Design / Consulting / Creative Consulting / Design & Consulting
Simply Detailed Design / Consulting / Creative Consulting / Design & Consulting
I think all of these are available ending in Creative Consulting (or even cc for a shorter url) but does that say I never do hands-on work? Design & Consulting could be dc for the url too. Also, I’m not sure if one person working from home constitutes as a company, agency, or studio.
Sorry for the lengthy entry! I appreciate all suggestions! Other random words that describe me are: organized, order, purpose, visual, structured, world, travel, language, experiences, life, capture, sky, coast, ocean (i live in SoCal). Experiences Creative? (singular is taken)
I’m going crazy!
Thank you all,
Rebekah
Hi Rebekah,
I love where you’re going with “the details.” It’s you, and I can tell you’re excited about it. Have you thought about making “the details” part of your tagline instead of your name?
Something like: Rebekah: Taking the devil out of the details. (Rebekah – just Rebekah – being your umbrella brand. Like you’re an entity. Feels very modern.) Or you could do something like “the dotted i” or “dotted i design & consulting” with that same tagline, from the saying “Don’t forget to dot your Is and cross your Ts.”
Just a few (more creative) ideas to get you past the same ‘ol verbiage that the entire rest of the world uses. 🙂
Good luck! Would love to hear when you’ve narrowed it down some more.
April
Thanks so much for your input April! I really appreciate it. Something like “the dotted i” would have never crossed my mind! I love how clever it is! It’s opened up another way of thinking for me. Thanks!
I’ve still been tossing around those ideas, but I also just came up with another one. I was thinking about your idea of me using my first name as the umbrella brand. I like that and may do it. I like the unique spelling of my name and that gave me the idea of calling my business “With A K”. With A K Design is already taken by someone, but With A K Creative seems to be available. Do you think it is weird to spell creative with a “C” if the name is “With A K”? I feel like it may be odd and confusing to people either way. Any idea of how to finish off the “With A K…”?
Thanks!
Hi Rebekah!
Glad to see your creative (kreative?) juices flowing!
I don’t think it’s weird at all to use “With a K Creative” — imagine the url: withakcreative.com. Way easier than 2 Ks in a row! And there’s so much you can do with a logo to highlight that K.
Even if you do go with Rebekah, with color or font weight you can have a lot of fun emphasizing that K.
Or you can do something like K-Inspired or Creativity with a K.
Happy naming and keep me posted on your progress!
April
Hello April –
I was doing some research online about naming my freelance business, and stumbled upon your site. Quite informative/insightful!
I have a quick ? for you. I’ve been in the field of print design for 5+ years. I’m really wanting to start focusing on building my freelance business. So, considering I’m fairly new to the freelance game, should I just do business under my name until I’m somewhat established/recognized? Or is it practical/a best practice to create a business name/DBA and operate under that name from the get go?
Thank you!!!!
Hi Matt,
Until I really made a push to go 100% freelance, I just worked under my own name. And even then, until I found the name that I could see my business using (and me selling day-in and day-out) for the next 10 years, I plugged along with simply my name.
Too many negatives in creating a temporary design just to get something out there, so I waited until I found something I loved.
Does that help?
Good luck!
April
Hi April,
I got about halfway through reading all of the comments on this particular conversation before I decided to post. Nice portfolio (and name)!
Same as everyone else: freelancer (for years, but just starting to ‘put myself out there’) in need of a name. My name doesn’t yield itself well (first or last – and no middle) to much that I can come up with, so I brainstormed for a while and came up with a few ideas based on stuff that is ‘me.’
About me: I do painting and drawing of all types of media (except oil – I’m allergic), computer graphics (bitmap with a preference and skill more set to vector), screenprinter (on the computer and at the press), vinyl designer/cutter/printer/installer, logo design (etc.), and electronics building: I make clocks and lamps and am well-versed in military electronics production (I have two resumes – art and electronics).
My focus keeps falling back to none of those skills, but to things I like or things that are more …well… me. Like my collections of broken glass, X-rays, bones and that random brick I carry around with me in my car (which I like to work on myself).
So I boiled down to: Shattered Glass (taken), Gearhead Graphics (taken), Polytropic (too hard to spell or people don’t know the meaning), Spare Brick Designs (I know…the ‘design’ part…), and Everything Else Graphics.
Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree here, but I’m just shooting in the dark and hoping for some direction.
Thanks! Chandra
Hi Chandra,
What about something like Pixels & Gears? Or Fine Tuned (Media)? Clockwork Designs?
Just a few thoughts that pertain to a variety of what you do but aren’t boring.
Let me know what you come up with!
April
Hi April! I think the name you chose for design business, Greer Genius, is something different and refreshing. Although, I honestly think it needs a slogan that briefly explains Greer Genius’s main focus. Something short and direct. That’s all. Everything else is great, including this article! Now, I clearly understand you. I have a graphic design business for quite some time and since I’m not good naming things, I just decided to name it after myself Zuleyra Pérez Graphic Designs. But it doesn’t convince me. So I’m thinking of changing it. Here are some ideas:
1. Media Graphix
2. Media ideas
3. Star Graphix
The slogan is on hold.
New ideas are welcomed too! Thanks
Zuleyra,
I use “Brilliant graphic & web design” as my tagline. 🙂
I think you are smart to look for something with a bit more interest, but I think your initial ideas are probably already taken because they’re very common. It’ll be hard to separate yourself from the crowd because tons of businesses use these terms.
You have a very unique name, at least to my ears — have you considered using the letter Z in your new name? You could shorten your name (ZP Media Graphix), or especially if your middle name starts with an i, you could do Zip Graphix. (You could do it anyway!)
ZiPR Graphics? That combines both your name and Puerto Rico…kind of fun…you could use some snappy tagline about zipping.
My Spanish is rudimentary, but you could also look into incorporating a Spanish word in for art, design, etc. Example: my doctor’s office (before I moved) was called Vida Family Medicine in honor of the owner’s Latina roots.
Good luck! Let me know what you come up with.
April
PS – Congrats on winning the 2014 FRIENDS campaign design contest!!!
Awesome ideas April! After reading this, I wish my middle name would’ve start with an i lol. It starts was an M, as in Marie. Maybe I could do something with it!
Thank you April!
And thank you for the congrads!
Will let you know what I decide.
PS: Love your Greer Genious facebook page! Good job.
HELLO MADAM,MY NAME IS DIPITH, I WANT START DESIGN, 3D AND WEB PLEASE SUGGEST GOOD NAME FOR MY COMPANY ANY 5 SIMPLE NAME
Dipith,
I can’t find a name for you because it’s not my business and I don’t know what your business foundation is. If you put some thought into it and share ideas from the brainstorming you’ve done, I can help you refine your name from there.
Look forward to hearing from you when you’ve done your homework!
April
I admit I didn’t “get” the name at first, but once I did I think it’s great. Your portfolio certainly lives up to it!
I’m sorry for asking this on such an old article, but I was hoping for some advice?
I came up with a name for my design business that I adore and that represents my business perfectly…but it’s a fairly common phrase and of course, someone is already using it. Three different someones, actually, who are in some design related field. (Followed by things like Studio, Designs, etc.) Now I could follow it up with another word related to the industry, which would make it technically different, but obviously it’s still basically the same name the other businesses are using. I feel like it’s “bad” to use a name that isn’t completely unique, but I love it so much that I’m having a hard time convincing myself to not just go with it anyway. Thoughts?
Andreas,
Thanks for the kind words!
You’re in a delicate spot. If you’re really loving a popular name, you have some considerations before jumping in.
1) You could be legally forced to change it. I know several companies who received legal letters about the closeness of their name to another business who already has rights to it. I’m not a lawyer, so I can’t tell you what the exact degrees of closeness are, but it’s something you need to be aware of.
2) Also, consider the three others who are using this name. Are they geographically close to you? Are they doing a good job of SEO and online marketing? What size are they? What does their branding look like? Do some research on them, because that’s going to tell you how hard you need to work to outshine these similarly-named businesses. You’ll want your business identity to be completely different (and I mean COMPLETELY) because you’re already at very high risk of being mistaken for someone else (3 someones else), and creating a similar identity will lead you straight into #1.
3) Is there any way to use your beloved name more creatively? For example, instead of just tacking an industry-related word on the end, can you do something more creative with it to stand out from the crowd?
Good luck, Andreas – let us know what you decide!
April
Great name and process. Surprisingly, after reading through everything and all of the comments, I’m still finding myself stumped.
I’m a recent web design grad who will be focusing on building custom HTML5/CSS3/JS sites geared toward small businesses and individuals. My approach is minimalistic and clean. Functional, optimized, and responsive portfolio sites showcasing photographers, models, actors, etc. is the niche I appear to be falling into now. I’m not a graphic designer, but I have layout and functionality down 🙂 I’d say I’m more of a web developer than a designer.
For my final project in school I choice the domain Ross Creative Design (ross is my surname), but have let that go because I just wasn’t feeling it. I have considered just Ross Creative/Creations, or HR Design/Designs/Designz, or Ross Web Studio/Ross Creative Studio, but they seem a little dull. I like the idea of maybe incorporating some meaningful family names like Ruby or McKenzie. I’ve also considered Craze Studio/Designs/Creations, and Vibrant Designs. A friend suggested RossEnginz which I think looks cool, but I don’t think that really fits.
So, for someone who develops sleek, clean, minimal designs, who is bold, full of energy, passionate about coding (and life in general), and needs a little help collecting her thoughts, any suggestions? I’d like to try and keep the name as relevant to web design/development as possible.
Many thanks for any help.
Heather
Heather,
Girl coders unite! I got my degree in Computer Science but have morphed into graphic designer / web designer / web developer.
I agree that all of the names you posted just aren’t quite the right fit. From what you’ve described, I think the “Z” instead of “S” feels a bit out of place. (Sometimes it works, but it can feel cheesy.) Let’s see – RubyDev, RubyCSS, RossCSS, Function & Form (Studio or Design can be tacked on), Showcase Web Studio, In the Spotlight Web Services, Limelight Web Design, Ascension Web Studio.
These might not be your final choice, but hopefully they get the gears turning to your new business name.
Good luck, and let us know what you choose!
April
April,
I love your process. You’ve obviously thought long and hard about how to work through a naming process comprised of multiple steps. And as a designer, you’re great at producing new ideas and concepts on demand.
From a customer’s perspective (not yours) Sheer Genius is a weak name because it doesn’t echo:
1. Any outcome/result that the customer gets
2. Your field of work – in a way that’s clear, self-evident, understandable and 100% obvious
One formula for a great name is this 2 step process:
Outcome/result + field of work
Let’s break this formula down into 2 steps:
Step 1: Outcome/result
Step 2: field of work
We’ll begin with step 1.
Let’s start with 3 words or concepts that echo the outcome/result. In your case, that would be a stunning identity or brand or logo that can increase sales.
People want the outcome of an identity that’s:
Sharp
Stunning
Distinct
Now, let’s combine the outcome/result from step 1 with your field of work in step 2… in the ways that customers perceive it, or search for it.
* Sharp Logo Design Inc. ———SharpLogoDesign.co (15 characters, social media ready, .com taken, .co available, no conflicting US trademarks or servicemarks)
* The Sharp Business Card Company Inc. ———SharpCard.co (NOT social media ready, .com taken)
( D ) The Distinct Logo Company ———-DistinctLogo.co (social media ready)
The Distinct Branding & Logo Company —– distinctbranding.co (.co available, social media ready)
You really have 5 ‘names’, and not 1:
1. Long form company name – e.g. The Distinct Branding & Logo Company
2. Short form domain name – distinctlogo.co (or dot com if available)
3. 15 character social media account name – @distinctlogo and /DistinctLogo
4. Your business or corporate entity – Distinct Branding & Logo Design Company Incorporated
5. Your ‘doing business as’ or DBA – Distinct Branding & Logo Co. (or, minus the co part)
The final comparison:
DistinctLogo.co vs. GreerGenius
DistinctBranding.co vs. GreerGenius
SharpCard.co vs. GreerGenius
Which ones are catchy, memorable, and obvious right away… for people who don’t know who or what Greer is (100% of your prospects who don’t know you yet), or what Greer might mean, or what genius means?
If you’re only making a name for the people who already know you (friends, family, peers, existing or past clients) then Greer Genius will work.
These are just 3 free sample ideas and concepts. If we did our full Business Name Pro 3 step naming process and 30 minute idea generation workshop there might be 20-100 name ideas and concepts that would come out of the session. Just like you, we pick the top 3 names, research them some more, and then select 1 to be the final winner.
Would love to hear your response and ideas about our response to your article April.
Again, I love your process.
I think you could really benefit from a stronger name that’s focused on the outcome/result the customer gets, plus a self-evident and obvious reference to what you do to make it catchy, memorable, clear and understandable.
Email me – [email protected], and let’s connect to discuss more ideas and concepts!
Thanks for an insightful and well written article April!
Joe
P.S. Business Name Pro also offers a unique naming workshop experience that’s fun, high energy and full of creative exercises and brainstorming. Let me know if you’re interested in going through this unique, fun and educational experience!
The other reason to include step 2 – the ‘field of work’ part is to do with advertising, keywords and targeting.
If you want to run Google Adwords campaigns (and you should consider doing this to have an ongoing automated campaign running 24/7/365 to increase repetition of your marketing messages) you would be well advised to include some type of keyword in your name.
Yes, it’s a bit more generic, and I get that. But, customers are buying the experience THEY get plus the end result, outcome, feeling and emotion THEY get, not your name, and most small business owners can use any marketing boost they can get.
There’s something called “Quality Score” in Google Adwords, and the keyword relevance of your ad copy, plus your URL and landing page is critical to increasing QS, thereby lowering your pay-per-click advertising costs on Adwords
Since having the lowest advertising cost in your niche or local area can be a serious competitive advantage (you can out-advertise) it’s worth considering a keyword somewhere in your brand name and website/blog URL.
A so-so name with a stunning customer experience comprised of distinct steps and experiential elements is the winning formula.
Name matters, but using your creativity and brainstorming skills to design each step and element of the customer experience is what creates the feelings and emotions customers desire from you (and that’s what they’re buying, by the way – not your products or services).
Hello again, Joe:
I appreciate all of your input on advertising and marketing, as I’m sure the Millo community does as well. It’s very insightful, and I agree that the customer is buying an experience as much as they’re buying a service (see one of my newer posts on being invaluable: http://www.graphicdesignblender.com/what-designers-with-endless-clients-and-referrals-do-but-you-dont-yet).
Personally, I don’t think pay-per-click advertising is an effective form of marketing for freelance designers. Anyone searching for a designer isn’t going to click on their email ads, isn’t looking on Facebook, and 99% of the search terms that people use when Googling to find a freelancer are used by millions of businesses. The chance that mine is going to land up there is slim to none. I use a more targeted, personal approach to attracting clientele, as I’ve found the shotgun method wastes bullets and brings in the crow when I’d prefer the quail.
Maybe others have had more success; I’d love to hear tactics and success stories from other designers if pay-per-click advertising is effective for them.
Thanks for sharing!
April
Joe,
Thanks for your very complete and thorough dissection of naming a business. I’m sure this thought process will help other readers look at naming their business from another perspective.
Let me discuss your points, if I may, so perhaps you can understand how I derived my name and why I feel it’s effective based on my marketing plan:
Step 1: For my business, it’s not about what they’re getting; it’s about WHO. I want a prospective client to hire me over another equally-talented designer because of the ME that I bring to the table. If any ol’ freelancer will do, I really don’t want to work with them anyway.
Step 2: My fields of work are: graphic designer, web designer, web developer, custom programmer, brand developer, project manager, author, and creative director, to name a few. I don’t specialize in a field of work; I specialize in a style of doing business and in simplifying data for the average human. I need a flexible name that encompasses all of my areas of expertise. (And if you check out my logo – www.greergenius.com – you can see the tagline that’s always attached, clarifying things a bit.)
I really appreciate the offer, but Greer Genius has been a total hit for me. I’ve had multiple clients say something to the effect of, “wow, you really are a genius!” and those ongoing, long-term relationships are my bread and butter. As for finding new clientele, I’ve been very fortunate to find new clients via my portfolio, referrals, and other designer-based job postings.
Thanks again for sharing!
April
One thing I’ve been struggling with naming mine is do I go the conventional, traditional route or go all out crazy or weird with the name to it’ll actually be remembered. I wonder if a weird name would deter clients from wanting to work with you, even if it might show some creativity. I guess it depends on what kind of clients you want to work with…but when you’re first starting out, I would think you would want to almost take any work you can get.
Hi Joe,
When you’re first starting out, it’s true that you’ll take pretty much anything that comes your way, but it’s also true that if you start defining your niche early, you can more effectively market yourself to people who you want to work with AND who want to work with you.
Surely, a ‘weird’ name will turn some people off, but think again, there’s no reason to market to people who you’re not going to like working with, especially if you yourself are a bit ‘weird.’ (What’s normal anyway?)
What’s a weird name to you? What’s conventional? Do you want to work with nightclubs and music venues or suits and ties? It’s hard to appeal to both (or another group entirely), so pick which target market interests you and go for it!
Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to hearing and update.
April
I am a graphic designer and I graduated last year. I want to promote myself as a designer and I have been struggling to name my business for months, it seems every name I came up with that I liked has already been taken. I took your advice and did a brainstorming session but it didn’t help. I need to come up with a unique name, I was thinking of maybe using my name in it because not many people have my name. Any suggestions?
Hi Ghazal,
Without some idea of what you are interested in, what type of design you do, or a portfolio to look at, it’s really difficult for me to steer you in the right direction or come up with good starter ideas.
Using your name, here are a few ideas: Modesign (Mod from your last name), Moda Design, RESolution (like resolution or solution), or GraphiZal (from Ghazal).
Good luck, and check back in with us when you have an update!
April
Hi April,
while searching just read our blog, haah the same issue has caught me too. Trying a new work but name is still under “thinking”.. help me out. My work relates with I.T consultancy.
Hey!
Great job, I really like Greer Genius!
I dnd my naming exercise a year ago, when I started a full time job with a friend as a frealancers, we did a brain storming and we name our company “wepix”, it comes from “we pixel”, we make pixel, images… something of that.
Now I’m lonely without job, and I’m starting a full-job freelance, but don’t know what name use, maybe the same as “wepix” should be an option, but I prefer to use my name. I want to concentrate in “I” and not in “we”.
What do you think about?
Thanks a lot and have a good week!
Hi Alee,
Sorry to hear you’re without a job…hopefully that’s changed or is changing soon!
I bet iPixel is either taken or under Apple’s copyright. What about Pixalee or Pixalee Perfect? Or Graphicalee (sounds like graphically)?
You didn’t post your last name so I can’t work with that…let me know if that gets the gears turning!
Best,
April
I really like Greer Genius! its clever, fresh and as you said “NOT Design/Studio/Graphics” is needed. Sometimes it looks great but its not your case, you dont need that! Im glad you didnt used that.
I really like your infographics! You have a clean style. Im a freelancer too and Im looking for a studio name… thats hoy I got here (everyone, I guess).
Thanks for the tips, Im gonna keep sketching and brainstorming for now,
Hugs from México!
Thanks for the nice comments, Hector!
Love to see your work – do post a portfolio link if you have one.
Let us know when you find the name you’re looking for,
April
Hello everyone I too am at a total lost when it comes to my business name as well I am going to be selling authentic designer products and for some reason I love the names couture and royal and luxe I really liked the name royaluxe and thought that it was original, however, it was taken and so was royal fashions…and so was a long list of other names. My mind is spinning out of control with names …
April if you have any ideas please help!!!
Bernie.
Oh so sorry I post my question into the wrong blog…your is for designer businesses.
I need help with name for design studio,I;m working with my frined…our goal will be to make 3d photorealistic interiors and CAD drawings…but we are looking for name for our studio and we dont want “design” or “interiors” to be part of our name….we want some unique name , meybe some geometric form or I dont know…i need help.
If u have ideas , plese tell us
Marko and Stefan
Thank you , and sorry for my english…
Stefan,
No worries – your English is quite good.
You must be very talented – I’ve found that sort of work to be quite challenging and a little too tedious for me. 🙂
Some good geometric words: pyramid, parabola, helix, torus. Oooh, I like Helix. Helix 3D. Envision 3D. Torus Imagination. Helix Conceptions.
Lots of good terms relating to geometry, envisioning or seeing something not yet built, and 3D environments.
Let me know what you decide – good luck!
April
PS – I’d love to see your portfolio. Do share a link!
Hi April!
I stumbled across this web page and am in need of help for a name for my freelance company.
At the moment my website / name is just katie. however i have been building my design contacts/ jobs and now am needing more of a business name , rather than just personal folio based.
I am currently setting up my own business a Graphic Design outfit based in Melbourne,Australia including: Branding, Graphic Design and web design!
My name is Katie Beckert Berger, but all my clients know me as Katie Beckert, as a lot of the time people tend to misspell it so i just went with Katie Beckert.
I am both German and Australian so i was thinking of incorporating this somehow….. was thinking Kreative Knights (but knight’s doesn’t really make sense), Klever Kreativ (Kreativ german spelling for Creative), Kreativ Graphics, Kreativ Designs, Kreativ Pixels.
Was also looking at Studio KB2 (the 2 being for the double BB last name – Beckert Berger) or KB2 Kreativ
I’ve been told that I’m really good with details and putting in the extra yard to get the project across the line, so I thought about also possibly incorporating that into a new name.. i liked in one of the comments above You-nique..
……help please! Anything would be appreciated 🙂
Thanks!
Hi Katie,
When you say German and Australian, I think of a kangaroo in lederhosen. 😀 No disrespect meant…and I’m sure when you think of American you can find plenty to giggle about!
From the ones you’ve mentioned, I like Kreativ Pixels or Studio KB2 the most. Studio KB2 sounds very hip and in-the-moment. Do you think the Aussie crowd would get the German connection with Kreativ, or would it just be a creative spelling to them?
Here are some more ideas: Beckert Branding & Design (can go BB with this, too), Klever Katie, Kreativ Branding (also your initials), The One-Stop Design Shop, Good to the Last Pixel, or The Design Girl.
One word of caution, in the US, KKK stands for a white supremacy group, so I would advise against anything with three Ks. You’ve only listed two, but in case the urge to add another arose…
I look forward to hearing about your next step!
April
I loved your thought process. I am a freelance industrial designer and now diversified into lighting design. I couldn’t think of anything else but including my name in it. I am thinking of using the first two letters of my name RAjan VErnekar i.e RAVE and add the term design to make it RAVEDESIGN. Does it sound too immature and frivolous?
RV,
RAVEDESIGN sounds like you do work for the downtown scene – clubs, parties, music venues, etc.
What about RAVE Lighting? RAVE Environments? The Perfect Glow? Look into adjectives surrounding your work and see if you can’t find something creative with your specialized industry.
Good luck! Let me know what you decide.
April
Hello everyone! I am also stumped…I currently have a business where I do interior decorating, as well as event design/event planning. My name now is Luxe Decor and Design, but EVERYONE in the Houston area is using Luxe nowadays, so I fear I don’t stand out anymore. Also, when I began the business, I was only doing interior decor; had no plans on event planning/design. But things have evolved beautifully! I’ve been told that I’m really good with details, so I thought about incorporating that into a new name…help please! 🙂
Ashley,
From your current name, it sounds like you do upscale decorating/events. If that’s true, you’ll want to keep a sophisticated, modern name.
Here are a few suggestions: Every Little Detail (Decorating & Events). The Finer Points. Spectacular Evenings and Environments.
Good luck! Let me know what you decide to do.
April
i want to deal in catering, decoration, designing and hair dressing
Roselyn,
That’s a wide variety of talents! You’ll need to find words that are more generalized so you can encompass such a large spectrum.
You also might think about separating your talents into multiple businesses with names for each or having multiple logos that are related so that you mark isn’t too vague.
Good luck!
April
Greer gear
Hi April, I can relate to naming my future graphic design business. I also need help!
I think I have a twist on your name and business name. How about:
April Fresh Designs – the logo can make all the difference.
Thoughts? Darrell
Darrell,
Thanks for your input! I’m pretty happy (still!) with Greer Genius, so I’m sticking with that for now. I’d be glad to help you with yours, though!
April
i design logos/graphics and products. sometimes i help a friend with her wedding planning service making placement cards, invitations etc. i also make jewelry. so where do i start in making my business name?
Keshna,
I would advise you to follow what I did in this blog post and if you can, purchase From Passion to Profit (see the link at the bottom of this page).
That’s how I found my name.
Good luck!
i was scratching my head for the last month to come up with a new name for my business, and i think This is one of the most great writings ever about that topic, i like they way you write it’s really inspiring.
and April …Greer Genius is GENIUS 😉 i remember the 1st project i saw at Behance was yours “Junior Trainers Camp T-Shirtand” its just a brilliant clean catching idea for the project.
i think what you did to the i ” the logo” gives me that polish, smooth Spangle feeling.
Wish you all the best April 🙂
Thanks, Mostafa! You made my day!!!
April
This design is very easy and its helps to understand it.
Hi there – I am a year two Interactive multimedia design student at university of ulster, Jordanstown.
I have started working from home on different web sites and logo designs YET I cannot think of a good name for myself – never mind design a logo!
I love your portfolio and have fallen in love with your name! WELL DONE!!
please help – im getting annoyed 🙁
I love the name! I’m currently trying to use my name, Kimberly Long, in a fun way as well. It’s so important to find one that feels right and makes you feel proud to say it. Looks as if you found the right one for you! Your story was inspiring, Thank you for sharing. Good luck and cheers!
I’d go for a tool to help me: http://www.globalnaming.com is quite nice and does a lot of good stuff! You can analyze an existing name as well, so make sure to run your name through their verification before you make your final decision!
Hey April,
i love the name , it great.
I’m also struggling with coming up with my business name. I came up with two names i.e Nixxy Creations and monico Designs. i wanted something with a personal touch to it and not so tech at the same time, a name clients would relate to. I preferred nixxy creations though a friend said it sounds to personal, so im still trying to find a name that will stand out.
Monica,
I like Nixxy. It’s fun, a little flirtatious, sassy, and edgy. Does that match your style?
April
April,
I think it’s super catchy! Plus I like that it uses your name, but doesn’t scream it yanno? I think it will be super easy to remember.
I am currently super struggling with the same problem. I know pretty much 100% I don’t want to use my name. For some reason, I’ve always hated Malory. My last name is super long and people wouldn’t spell it correctly. The only thing I’ve toyed with is using my middle name (Jane) because that is simple, easy to remember, and easy to spell. But I also live by a lake, so I’ve been trying to think of something creative to use that. I’ve started a notepad of a bunch of words to try and see if something will stand out to me.
I’m definitely considering buying that book you keep talking about. I think that would help a lot. But yeah I’ve been mulling over this for a few weeks now and nothing is standing out!
Malory,
What about Not So Plain Jane Graphics? Do you happen to like airplanes? Plane Jane Design. Lake Jane Creations. Clearwater Creative. Skinny Dippin’ Designs.
Does that get you started? Love to hear where you go from here.
how do you know who is replying to what comment please?
Hi Tara,
When you click the orange “reply” button in the corner of a comment, you are responding directly to them and you’ll see that designated by indentation.
Happy commenting!
I think it’s cool, unconventional and the right amount of cocky for your business image, I started working freelance a couple of months ago and your article helps a bunch. I struggled with finding the appropriate name to represent me.
I tried my name then my initials but that was short lived thus back to thinking, my second attempt was design assassin (but the thought of a hit squad designer isn’t that appealing to potential clients), that has now changed to design ninja just the right amount of subtle to talk about my expertise and not too abstract.
Victor,
Design Ninja is super – I love it. Thanks for your kind word, and thanks for sharing!
April
I think its great… really wish I could think of a name like that… I have “Ellestree Designs” and I dont love it. It was a street I lived on, but doesn’t really stand out and sounds kinda girly which I really dislike, I want something powerful…. I want a name that says ia kind of help with branding or help starting your business. I was thinking of reborn like names, or new era new beginnings…heck i dunno!
I also do photography and websites in the future…plus i wanna eventually do carwraps (I’m a signwriter at the moment)
anyone like Eclectic Scarlett Designs?
Hayley,
Powerful names…Bang! Graphics. Savvy Solutions (or just Savvy). Clever. Designwise.
Does that start you off on the right foot? Let me know where you go from here.
Hi there, I have stumled across this link by chance, and am hooked already!!! Really really empowering comments left and such a joy to read. I am just about to launch a very niche market interior design company, for the housewife at first with room to grow into corporate level design. My name is Tara, my daughters name is Scarlett (no, I did not realise the “Gone with the wind” connection) and we live in a lovely old fishing village on the Thames Estuary, Leigh on Sea……Any suggestions?????? I like Scarlett Haus and having a red logo type house in top left corner of stationary, but, feels its too safe and a little boring? Thanks for any advice, cannot wai to read suggestions!!!!! Tara x
Hi Tara,
Scarlett Haus is a great start. I like that it has meaning for you, and that you can envision the logo. That’s a big part of finding the right name…seeing it in use in your head!
I don’t think Scarlett Haus is too boring/safe. It’s all in the details, depending on the use of font and styling in the logo. It can be rustic, comfy, sleek, artsy, etc…whatever you think fits you best.
Sometimes, you just need some time to say it, think it, and feel a name. You might mull it over and see what you think for the next few weeks and see if you really like it.
Good luck – let me know what you decide!
I love how you came up with yours! It really is Greer Genius!
Well, my name is Lissita and I have been playing around with TLC (tender loving care) and I want to put “Lissita” in the middle and perhaps “Creations” of “Co.” for the care, because that’s all I can think of and unfortuneately I cannot think of a ‘T’ word other than “The”.
Any recommendations?
Although… Looking at domains if I were to have “thelissitaco.com” it would look like The Lissi Taco….
Yes, it does – definitely need something else! 🙂
Hi Lissita, and thanks for your kind words!
TLC is a great start – I really like it! That’s exactly what you want your clients to think of you.
Let’s see if we can’t find some good T words: Truly, Terrific, Thoughtful, Trendy, Twisted, Totally.
How’s that for a start?
Wholly smacks! What a bounty of comments! April I think Greer Genius is a suitable name for you. I really think you hit pay-dirt with that one. I produce print, web and video design. My name is Benj which audibly sounds like binge, I wanted to incorporate my name into my business name. What would you all think of Design Benj? But I really want something that incorporates every dimension of my work.
Benj,
Thanks for your kind words.
Design Benj is kinda neat. You could also do Benj Creative, Media Benj or Pixelbenj.
Thanks April for this post. I need to re-brand myself. First thing I need is a new name that is dear to me. Your name criteria really helps. A business name should have as much thought put into it as a tattoo, IMO. My only gripe is that “Greer” is pretty hard to say.
Ron,
I agree on the tattoo bit! Greer can be tough to say, but alas, if at present, I were to marry, it’d be Michael Genius…doesn’t have quite the same ring, does it?
April, you’re such a genius.. Greer Genius really suits you.. I always find your comments helpful.. Feel proud to be a part of Millo
While the same problem persist me as well.. Basically I own a firm which designs/print business cards, covers, banners for the organization. I don’t want design/studios to be a part of my name
Seeking for some sort of creative name.. Under the theme ” on demand, neat, precise”
I thought for dexterous but cant figure it out
Help would be highly appreciated
Regards
Hi Mohammed,
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Creative Precision, Design Perfection, Pixel Precision, Graphic Gold, Imaginations, Perfect Prints, Perfect Pixels, Creatif, Pixelmaster, Design Masters.
Let me know if you get any closer to a name.
Thanks for your kind suggestion, But unfortunately I couldn’t find any proper domain for those 😐 : A Bit change of mood , I am now searching for some about 4-5 letter quirky words : Unique, Easy to remember/Pronounce, The one never used before, Words other than pixels/ graphics/ designs Like apple, Lacoste etc.
I hope you’ll help me out with this too..
Regards,
It’s harder for me to help out when you’re looking for a name that has meaning to you (and not necessarily related to design), but here are a few more ideas:
Spot On, Hassan, Printed, You-nique, Right Hand, Solutions.
Good luck!
I am an Indonesian graphic and web designer and I did encounter this problem years ago. I carefully made a list and brainstorm anything possible to combine between names and designs. I had to find a name that easy to remember by both Indonesian and English speaking clients. Finally I made a name of “mustbuzz” that has a double meaning in pronunciation.
1. MustBuzz is easy to remember by english speaking clients.
2. Mustbuzz is pronounced Mas Bas, Mas’ (sir or brother) is a friendly term for contemporary males, and Bas is my nickname.
Soon I register http://www.mustbuzz.net to become one of my marketing tools.
Basuki,
Great job – memorable in both English and Indonesian! Took a look at your website – very nice. You might consider working with a native English-speaker on a few tweaks to polish your copy, but you’ve done a nice job. I love the outer-space imagery at the top!
Boy am I glad I stumbled across this post (and the blog itself!)
I also just got laid off, and I am still in the entry-level category. My portfolio is weak, and everything I did in the last year at my recent job–I am unsure it is legal to use in my portfolio.
1. I am pregnant with my first child (thus finding a new job is going to be preettyy darn tricky)
2. I was going to stay home with our baby for about a year and leave my most current job anyway
3. I have over 5 yrs experience running another small business which is doing nicely
Therefore…
it’s time to get to freelancin’!!
Aside from beefing up my portfolio, I am working on some branding/business cards.
My last name is Litvak. Initially, I just immediately decided on “litvak creative”. I still like it. But—I can see it being a bit boring.
Then I thought about my nick name at home, that my husband and his family call me: “Misa” pronounced “Mee-sah”. Then I thought of:
misa media
But then ( I know I keep saying “then”) I did a google search, and found this:
http://www.classicsonline.com/MISA_Media/
I cannot find any other info on this company. The are not a design firm, so that is good.
I nixed “Misaesthetic” (Misa + Aesthetic) because it sounded like a medicine or new prescription drug. The spelling is just not visually pleasing to me. Another nix was “Litvak Workshop” because workshop reminded me of Pinnochio for some reason.
I still like “Misa Media” because it is personal and sounds fun and quirky (like my personality), and I don’t think “media” is just for sound and tv, it can apply to print media. However there’s that issue of the mysterious company I found online (link above).
Any thoughts on this? Headed in a good or bad direction? Should I keep brainstorming?
Thanks April for sharing your story (which I can relate to) and for everyone’s help.
MJL,
I really like Misa Media, too. Really like it – it flows nicely off the tongue and has a nice ring to it. 🙂
Doing a quick search on Google, I would look into if anyone has trademarked it, or doing so yourself so that you don’t have a war over the name later.
Good luck! Let me know how it goes.
I love how you created the name thanks for sharing with everyone
Hi April,
I think your names is very clever and achieves your criteria, except for saying what you do. However, I am of the train of thought that the name does not necessarily have to spell out exactly what you do as long as it is interesting enough to catch someone’s eye and peak their interest to explore what you do further.
I’ve owned my own graphic design business since 1988 and waaaay back then I started with the the name Diamondesign because it represented to me aspects of my business which were brilliance, beauty, simplicity and clarity. I used that name until July of 2012.
In January of 2012 I felt that I needed to make a change and shake things up in my business by reinventing myself and my business. Plus I was sick of getting calls from people that wanted me to reset their ring or fix their jewelry! When I first started using the name I didn’t take that into consideration (I was young and didn’t know better I guess!), but put up with it and just dealt with the people. Anyways, it took me until May of 2012 to come up with a new name. I didn’t want to use something like Flynn Design, I wanted a unique name that had a nice sound to it and also reflected another love of mine besides design which is nature illustration. I put together hundreds of name combinations, used multiple name generator websites to flush out something that would work, but nothing resonated with me. Until I was talking with a friend of mine who is a copywriter and he pointed out an important aspect of my business which was how quickly I turn around projects for my clients and that I offer my clients a new twist on their creative.
So, what word works with both of those aspects…Spin. So I tied that into the idea of nature and that my design helps my clients business grow and came up with a symbol of a leaf to represent nature and growth. Plus in some cultures, the leaf means success.
Thus my new business name was born…Spinleaf Design! I will eventually lose the “Design” portion of the name within the next 2-3 years, but I felt it needed to be there in the names’ infancy to benefit my current and future clients. After a while, I believe most people will be referring to me as “Jim from Spinleaf”, and when that starts to happen that’s when I drop the design portion of the name. I’m pretty excited for the potential the name has for self promotion materials as well as marketing and possible merchandising, especially with the logo I designed.
One or two of my clients did not seem thrilled with my decision and a couple of family members as well, but I think it’s more because those people are not the type to accept change freely. On the other hand, I’ve had a lot of positive feedback and have not lost any business because of the name/branding change.
So I guess the moral of the story is like you said, embrace in what you believe and make sure you love the name you decide on so you can promote it to others and hopefully generate more business!
Sorry for the long story, but I just had to share it!
Take care, J.
James,
Great story, and great name! Thanks for sharing!
You’re ALWAYS going to have people who think your name could be better, or who liked the previous one, or who don’t like change. That’s life…and that’s art – we know it so well already, don’t we? My family wasn’t thrilled with my new name, either, but after seeing the logo and the website and the business cards…well, I won them over.
You will too!
Hi April, thanks for your good work you are doing. I want to set up a Graphic Design firm.I will appreciate it if you give me a helping hand relating to the name for the firm.
Awemba Darling
Awemba,
I need some more direction to help you get started. Can you tell me a little bit more about your business, your likes, what sort of services you intend to offer, etc.?
Hi
I Like the name Greer Genius. I am also trying to come up with a name for my new company that i want to form. I attend to offer Creative Concepts not just do design and web but offer more than that. I was born in 1982 so below were some of the names i came up with not in order of choice though
1. Born82 – (Smart Insights) as the tagline or byline
2. 82Media Cafe
3. EightyTwo – (Media Solutions)
Help !
Chengeh,
Hey, I was born in 1982, too (right at the end).
Of the three you’ve listed, I like #3 best, but I like the phrase smart insights. What types of services are “more than that?” I think once you start narrowing down your focus and intentions for your company, you’ll be able to find a great name.
Let me know how it goes!
I have been doing interior design and decorating but usually for friends and bartered with others. You sheetrock my garage and I will design a new kitchen kind of deal. Now …..it has exploded and I am including furniture and cool things but I don’t know what to call it. I am going to specialize in rustic, ranchy and western design because that is my passion…however, I would consider other design as well. What do I call myself. I love rocks!! I love wood, leather, creeks, cabins. et …. I like Greer Genius!!
Bobbi,
Sorry for being MIA – life’s been a bit hectic.
Rustic, ranchy, and western, eh? What if you made your name (and logo) similar to a cattle brand? K Bar Designs, Rockin’ K Interiors, BK Decorating, etc.
What do you think?
Finally after reading this article and others from this site, I gave the big jump to freelancing… I have my brand now, and on the first week signed my first contract… that is cool. But I must say, thank you April, thank you Preston for this great blog. I’ll continue reading and learning from all design blender posts.
Barney – glad to help! Welcome to the Millo family.
If you have any questions that our archives don’t answer, feel free to ask and we’ll see if we can help. You’re likely not the only designer who has needed the answer.
April
Hi April, wow, great article and so many answers/comments! You could become a consultant in naming your business! Your story was fun to read, and what a cool name you came up with. It must be serving you well.
I am about to create my site, and need to decide on a name for my business. I do graphic design and illustration, and I’ve narrowed them down to:
– Auden Creative, which takes my first name and last name’s initial, I kind of like the sound of it, and it’s easy.
– Aude Nevius Design, I don’t have an issue with something as simple as that, and I don’t have to worry about that name being taken, but it’s three words, long.
– Lazuli Creative, because I love the stone and hue, and it’s simple, easy to say.
– Lazuli Design, as I like the zzz sound it makes.
I’m curious to get your comments, although ultimately it will be up to me, yet asking for reactions from various people doesn’t hurt!
Thanks ahead.
Aude
Aude,
You know, I’ve considered consulting, but I’ve decided to mentor instead for a couple of reasons:
1) People trying to name their businesses generally can’t afford paid help.
2) It’s a personal choice, and not one that I think many people can make for you. I can help get the creative juices flowing, but ultimately I think the owner needs to find it.
3) It’s harder to sell a service where I provide a starting point and tell them to do all the work.
Onto your naming!
I like Lazuli. It’s just fun to say and sounds creative. Personally, I think Creative goes best with it and it allows you to expand if you want. But Design certainly isn’t bad; it, too, has a nice ring to it.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi April,..
Long time!! i dont knw if u remember me. but i was the one struggling with my Freelance biz name.
Well i have finally named my business, PIXELSKETCH!
And i launched it on 12th February this year!
I am very happy.. and have a couple of projects on hand!
Do check my website if you get the time,
its http://www.pixelsketch.biz
Thanks again!!
Love
Amina Ansari
Amina!
So glad you found a name and decided to share! I visited your website and I really like your new look – very friendly and inviting. The butterfly and it’s meaning are super-cool.
So proud of you! Congratulations and well done!
April
Hi april,
I want to start my small printing bizness(mug,plate,cap,t-shirt,bag printing). Please suggest name
Vicky,
I need some more information – can you answer some of these questions?
– Who is your audience?
– What pricing do you plan on having (economy? luxury?)
– What 3 adjectives do you want people to describe your business as?
Talk soon!
April
It’s nice April, however, it seems to me more like a tagline…
Just like Apple … Think Different
It can be like BrandName … Greer Genius
Thanks for sharing your story, Am in the the situation now, finding a name for my multimedia production company (graphic design, printing and advertising)
for the past 5-6 months i have been thinking of HD STUDIOS.
I need help. thank you. Desmond
Desmond,
HD Studios sounds more like video-based solutions. Trifecta Studios/Solutions. Triple Threat Creative. Message Studios.
Can you share some more information about what types of clients you’re looking for and how you want them to perceive your business?
I loved your article as I found myself in the exact same boat about 8 years ago. It took me forever to come up with a name.
I was a graphic designer, just starting out in web design. I had been away from the field for 10 years and my life and “environment” had changed drastically. All good! I needed to choose a name that was emotionally where I was at as a now older business owner.
I came up with “Dark Horse Solutions”
DARK HORSE: A Symbol of something ordinary that “comes from behind” , but comes out a winner. (Targeted to small business owners who think they are not large enough to have/afford great design solutins.)
SOLUTIONS: The process of identifing and solving a problem.
I didn’t want to limit my services back then to just design. Little did I know how design and web and marketing etc. would evolve! ~ patty
Patty,
I’m in the same boat you are – I didn’t want to limit myself to just design. (Great minds think alike!)
I’m also thrilled with how you created an identity around your name. Your marketing plan is great.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi April,
Thanks for your story, I’m inspired!
I’ve always loved art, but art wasn’t encouraged in my family as my parents believed only the very good can make a living out of it. But through the years, due to interest and a bit of talent, I’ve been helping out with little design jobs for friends and now I’m getting serious, I’ve actually enrolled in a design course! YAY! I’m planning to take up freelancing as well, partly to gain experience and partly to build up my portfolio. It would be even greater if I could make a career out of it. The name I’ve used in the past is Smiling Face Productions, as I used to draw a smiling face at the back of the cards I made, but it kind of can’t be taken seriously. So, I’ve just come out with this idea – playing with my last name – Landwoman Artisserie with the ‘wo’ superscripted with ^ like how we add missing words to a sentence. It doesn’t sound that impressive, but it should look pretty fun, not as immature as smiling face but doesn’t sound that expensive either. Artisserie is a play of art + patisserie, to cook up some nice artwork, I hope. Now the challenge is to create a logo to match. 🙂 Wish me luck!
Grace,
Artisserie – so creative! 🙂 Very cool.
I can’t wait to see the logo – please do share when you’ve nailed it!
Great site and useful information. I hope that you would be able to help me…
I’ve recently left the UK (London) and have moved back to South Africa (Durban). I’ve always gone the permanent way in terms of jobs, but now I have the opportunity to freelance as a DTP/Designer.
Now the problem I’m facing is naming myself. I was going along the lines of being personal: KS Designs, but like all the names/ideas I’ve had, have already been taken.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Kirsten,
I’m just going to throw some names out to help you brainstorm. Kirsten Kreative/Creative. Kreative Solutions/Studio (KS initials). Schlebusch Solutions (kind of a mouthful).
Do you specialize in anything in particular? I feel like we need something to spice it up.
Let me know and I’ll help you with your search.
Hi April,
Thanks for sharing your story and journey. It’s inspiring and helps me as I am in the beginnings of a small start up as well. Again, the issue of the name is such a challenge!
I am from Northern Ireland and as a design project I have set out to brand one landmark or location in NI, each day for a year. I’ve taken this inspiration from http://www.branding10000lakes.com/index .
I promote this blog through my personal social media sites, but as I hope to get work through this 365 Day Challenge I’d like to host and promote through a name, or a ‘face’ which isn’t my personal one.
What’s your opinion on using your own personal name as the sole brand ‘Ben Connolly Design’ for example, or ‘BC Design’. Or would you encourage a name with a word?
Ben,
The choice is up to you, and you might choose one or the other for a variety of reasons. Here’s a great post that might help you choose:
http://www.graphicdesignblender.com/your-own-name-vs-business-name
For me, I wanted something personal that gave me a professional feel (rather than mom & pop). But it’s up to you and your goals for your business what you want to do.
Good luck! Keep me posted on your journey.
Hello Greer, I have enjoyed reading your blog and all the comments. I also love your name and the confidence it implies. 🙂 I have been searching for a business name for myself for a long time. I provide both graphic design and marketing services. Years ago I had a company where marketing was the focus and called it Creative Carrots, now I am wanting a more grown up name with design being the primary focus. As I also have an event planning background I want a name that can possibly encompass many different service offerings in the future. I have thought of using a play on words with my last name, though am cautious about using the full last name as it is almost always misspelled, liston and lipton usually. Creative Lift would have been great, but is used. Lift Off Creative? My childrens’ initials are both FL, which would have personal meaning. Create Lift? Uplift Designs? A Lift On Creative? For Lift Designs? Studio Lift? Most of my clients are women and I don’t mind a more feminine name, currently I am using the name wildplum creative which was random, but happy to me. I am stumped and would like to move on, funny how hard it is to make decisions for your own projects at times. Any suggestions would be welcomed and appreciated. Thank you!!
Andrea,
Your last name works really well for creating interesting names. From the names you listed, I like Studio Lift and Uplift Designs. But if they don’t speak to you, keep looking!
I really like your “happy” theme. Very bubbly, optimistic. What about Positive Lift or Positive Lift Designs/Creative? Or, in a new direction, Great Impressions.
Good luck! Let me know how when you’ve narrowed it down further.
I do alot of designs for local companies…just did one for a guys recording label….but have no idea how to begin to name my company…any ideas
Chasity,
I recommend using the same techniques I’ve tried to start your name search. Once you’ve got some rough ideas, post them here and I’ll take a look!
Great article and the follow-up discussion just makes it better! I’ve been freelancing for 5 years – very part time but hope to ramp it up a bit in the next couple of years now that my babies are a little older and my time is easier to schedule! My business name is Crazy Dog Creative and we usually just go with “Crazy Dog” my tag line is “Graphic Design & Marketing” my clients love the name, I like it, like my logo and it works for me! The other bonus – it’s easy to remember and easy to spell!
Jenn,
As a dog lover, I seriously considered a dog-related name.
Thanks for sharing, and glad it’s working out so well for you!
A good name should be short and memorable. I started as Gregory Richard Design, then Gregory Richard Media when web got hot in late 90s, then added a dba pelhamprint.com because there were no print or copy shops in our area. Then when printers started closing left and right I couldn’t shed the word ‘print’ fast enough. At this point in time with so many different media streams, very few of us are just digital and/or offset printers or designers or web developers. So I came up with OnPoint Image & Design to emphasize that we build and sell image (another word for marketing and/or advertising, if you will). Our tagline is On Time. On Budget. On Point. I started 30 years ago in print pre-press, then typesetting, then print design. These days we’re all marketing firms now. Among the services I provide that I didn’t as recently as a year ago is setting up social media for clients. A typical package 3 years ago would have been a logo, bc, website and perhaps a brochure or palm card. Now it’s often a logo, website, linked in, facebook and twitter pages. Caveat: Twitter for most of my clients is a complete waste because they rarely tweet. Especially people older folks (40 – 60). I don’t even design as many sites as I used to. I’ll set up a template site with GoDaddy and then train the client how to upgrade it themselves. I charge a consultant fee slightly below a website fee but the client is saving money over time because they’re not paying me every month to edit their site. Win-win.
otherwise something to do with my eyes.. i have blue eyes and did an assignment at uni called “Behind blue eyes” which was cool.. but i’m just not sure!
What a response you have had April! Congrats on finding a name you love 🙂
I am in the process of finding one myself.. I’m a freelance designer currently working under my name – Samantha Freeman. My logo consists of an SF monogram which is black and white.. needs a revamp!
So i am trying to come up with a business name which is clever, or representative of me.
I am thinking “Samantik” or “Samantiq” meaning “semantics” which are meanings..
“Samantik” with a biline “design with meaning” but I’m wondering if it’s too much? if i need to condense it down a bit…?
The other path was something to do with me being a shorty… I’m a mere 5 ft 😛 I liked something like “little fish” designs, but i think its taken or something similar is anyway!
any ideas?
Samantha,
Samantic is pretty cool – and I love (LOVE!) the tagline “design with meaning.” I can see how it’s a little hard to spell, but it’s unique and has deeper meaning.
To go with “short” names, here are a few ideas. 5foot Design. Petite Pixels. (But really, I like your first idea better.)
Let me know what you you decide!
Samantic is awesome! I love it! I know if I were a potential patron I would be sold just by the cleverness of the wordplay in combination with the subtitle 🙂
April,
I must say that your article is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your story and experiences allowing us to see your progression. I’m going through the exact same situation right now (when it comes to naming my graphic/web design business). I feel that I have such a boring name and well, I live a pretty laid back life (aside from being a husband and a father). I’m still starting from the very bottom though so I still have a lot more work to do. Greer Genius is such a catchy name! I’m so glad to see other graphic artist thriving in the market. Again, thank you for sharing your story. I’m working on having one of my own one day. 🙂
-Gary
Gary,
I’m glad to be a source of inspiration – thanks for your kind words.
Think about what defines you as a designer. What adjectives do you want clients to associate with you? Maybe those would make good names.
Good luck! I’d love to hear more when you have some concrete ideas!
So I just read your post because I’m currently, in this exact moment, going through the same issue. I totally got Sheer Genius when I read Greer Genius and I’m jealous of your last name to lend you the ability to do that play on words. It’s great. I’m a “recent” grad and I’m sick of labeling all my individual freelance works and feel it would look better, and make myself feel better, if I clump them up my own design company. I’m a little “out-of-the-box” with my personality. I little large, a little bit of a morbid humor and I like to laugh. Christina Kennedy Designs sounds boring to me and my nickname Stina doesn’t lend much either. I recently came up with Brainchild Schemes (since it’s kind of totally me) but I know schemes is a questionable choice to words. I do love Brainchild though. Any ideas?
Christina,
Thanks for the kind words!
Brainchild Schemes is really unique, and I’m a bit drawn to it. A little quirky. It’s definitely not “safe,” and it has to match your personality and style, but I think you could build a brand around it. You’ll need a tagline to help people understand what you do.
Other names…Stina Brainchild. Brainchild Solutions. Brainstorms. Kennedy Brainchild. Pixel Brainstorms. Brainchild Creative.
Let me know what you decide!
Since I’ve had my artist name about 10 years, then I didn’t really want to drop it and leave it behind. There were a lot of reasons why I chose that name. It’s totally me.
Mathu Matic + Graphic Design = Mathugraphics (Ideas With a Twist).
Logo gave me a lot of inspiration (also for the slogan).
It’s a twisted pencil with a shape of letter M.
Madis,
Wonderful! I love it!
Thanks for sharing.
Hi April! Love the business name! How is it going these days? I have recently been thinking about starting a freelancing business and am stuck with the same problem!
Firstly, it makes me feel loads better knowing I am not the only one with this struggle!
So far, I have had a few suggestions to use my last name ‘Wright’ in the title but I also don’t want to go for the obvious – after something a little more creative, don’t you think? My Mum has suggested calling it ‘Creative, To a T’, which does fit my name in a less obvious way, but I don’t think I’m completely convinced on that one. I am very interested in the e-book you mentioned and am considering the purchase because I have NO idea what to call myself! If you OR ANYONT have any ideas that would be much appreciated!
Tania,
Wright Right Design. Left Wright Design. Wright Mind Creative. Oh So Wright. The Wright Pixel. Pixeltania. Illustania. Designeriffic.
Let me know if these help you get started!
Hi April,
I love your business name. I like the alliteration and the fact that it is a take on “sheer genius.” Quite creative.
Just as with,most people who have commented, your story mirrors mine in many ways. I was lead designer for an international company for 10 years. Then they let me go due to an illness I was suffering from. However, I was 62 y/o! Who is going to hire an old designer? I kept getting told I was “over qualified.” Right…
My specialty had been print design (which I still prefer) but everybody wants web presence. So, I went back to school and took classes in social media marketing, SEO and Website design. Then I lucked into 1 steady client. He has been very supportive of my new business efforts. But, what to call myself?
I had been using A. Shuman Design on freelance projects for several years. But that was just a sideline. Now it’s a business – MY business. I wanted something different, fresh and catchy. Well, I live and work in an eccentric little home that is covered by a 2nd giant roof over the whole thing. I have 2 dogs and 3 cats. Something crazy is always happening around here. I started referring to my house as “Abi’s Big Top” right after moving in. So I decided to name the business after it’s unique location. I call it Big Top Design Studio. I know you don’t like having the words “design” or “studio” in a business name, but I felt it necessary to clarify what I am offering. And, lucky for me, the domain “bigtopdesign.com” was available.
So, that is my naming story. What do you think?
Abi,
I really like Big Top Design Studio. It’s personalized and creative. Have you created your logo yet? I think I see a roof in it! 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Oh gosh i’ve just stumbled across your website when I need it most! So i’m searching for a business name. It is causing me so much grief! I am not very creative. I am opening a fitness studio that will specialise in pilates and group fitness. Target audience is mums and pregnant women for group fitness (I already own a franchise specialising in this) but my studio will also do pilates for children, pregnant and elderly. (So much going on!). I fell into my fitness career almost by accident. My passion is my children (2 boys named Will and Max) and also assisting people in both health and fitness. We’ve travelled alot to hawaii recently and I love the colour pink so I though of calling it Akala Active (akala is hawaiian for pink) I know this isn’t really in the scope of your business or even this forum but i really need help. I also considered Core Philosophy with tag line fitness for life. A big of a play on the term core relating to pilates. HELP if you can!
Virginia,
I’m glad to help regardless of your business type. Core Philosophy is very clever, but I’m not sure if it’s clear enough.
Let’s take a look at some other options. Family Fitness. Active Fam. Core Fitness. Core Care. Slimmer. SlimCore Family Fitness.
Good luck and let me know when you narrow it down!
i need help with a name that doesn’t limit me to what i do, just in case a new opportunity comes up. My focus is oing parties. My last name isnt catchy in any way and i am looking for something trendy now but could still be cool later. I was thinking Urban Events but its so plain. Or Pure Passion but that sounds sexual. Please help!
Tiffany,
A party-throwing business…let’s see. Good Times Party Co. Unforgettable Evenings. Picture Perfect Parties. Nights (or Events) to Remember.
I hope these get you started! Good luck, and keep me posted!
Hi guys,
I am a Polish graphic designer with 6 years experience. I live in Australia. I am about to start my own freelance business and I am stuck with the trading name. My last name used to be Jachimowska, so people at work call me “PJ”. Since I got married I am now Whipp, however my middle names starts with J so “PJ” is still a nickname. I was thinking about something like “PJ Kreations” or “MadeByPJ” or something with Polish and Aussie in it.
Please help!
Hi guys,
I am a Polish graphic designer with 6 years experience. I live in Australia. I am about to start my own freelance business and I am stuck with the trading name. My last name used to be Jachimowska, so people at work call me “PJ”. Since I got married I am now Whipp, however my middle names starts with J so “PJ” is still a nickname. I was thinking about something like “PJ Kreations” or “MadeByPJ” or something with Polish and Aussie in it. Please help!
Patrycja,
PJ is a great start…and from your initial ideas, I like Made by PJ. Let’s look at some other options. PJ Down Under. PJ’s Possibilities. PJ’s Down Under Designs. Pixels by PJ. Pixel Jamboree.
Good luck! Keep me posted.
PS – I’ve got a Polish heritage. My mom’s maiden name is Rogucki, and there are lots of “ski”s in my ancestry.
UPDATE: Ok, here are a few I came up with, but still thinking!
Kenyon Kreative
Norwood Graphic (the street I live on)
Designities
Designify
Graphical
Divine Design
Laura,
Designify is my favorite. 🙂 Sorry it took me so long to respond – the past two months have been a whirlwind for me!
April
I love the thought process of coming up with names. I indeed was stuck until I thought about how to associate my company name with me and what I really love to do. My name is Chuck and I love to design. So it came to me rather quick that my company should be named “Chuck Of The Draw” And I see from this site, I am not the only one in the business that can be punny as heck… when they want to be. Happy Drawing everyone!
Chuck,
Great pun, and entertaining! Thanks for sharing!
Hello April,
I’ve read many of the comments, but not all, and I haven’t found anyone that has taken you to task on your choice. That is unfortunate because the comments lack balance and do not provide gris for the wheel.
I think your name choice is a good one, in a way, and also a little “been-there-done-that.” I’ll get to that in a minute.
But first, I want to mention that when Steve Jobs took over ownership of Pixar he conducted weekly meetings in which people were expected to offer critquing for any new ideas. This was not in the nature of “Brainstorming” which is always polite and careful not to offend, but rather an open criticism to stimulate the best ideas. It was also considered important to “plus” the original idea, but to not hold back on what could be improved upon.
In that same spirit I offer you a little critiquing that is simply my humble opinion and not a hard line “I-know-better” approach.
My first thought, after I decided the name Greer Genius was a cute play on your name was… This name has a playful feel to it and may not be taken seriously, or at least not at first glance.
My next thought was that I have seen this before in names like Tayor where the business is called Taylor Made. Same kind of fun tone, cute but not fully mature. Mind you, being mature is not all it’s cracked up to be. Still, maturity counts big in business.
I get what you mean about a business name not having to say what it does, but this hasn’t hurt IBM or 3M (which used to be Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing). I wouldn’t know what Greer Genius was all about unless the name was explained. A lot of the explaining would follow naturally and maybe a tagline would help in this way. Still, just hearing the name doesn’t put a picture in my head.
And finally, there is always something a little narcistic about using a family name, but it is also common practice.
As much as I like the simplicity of Greer Genius I would ad a single word to provide insight into the industry. A literation of say… Greer Genius Graphics could be the formal business name and the common usage could be shortened to your preference. A triple “G” logo may not be easy to do.
As your portfolio states right up front that presenting information is at the top of your list then a business name could be Greer Info Genius. GIG for short, but the acronym was not intentional.
My objective was to give you something different to think about. I hope this has been accomplished.
Edward,
Thanks for your critique. I’m open-minded and always willing to hear out others’ suggestions, comments, and thoughts.
I specifically did not designate an industry in my name because I want the flexibility to expand into other avenues such as public speaking and/or marketing.
Hi Laura,
It sounds like you’ve explored a lot of different areas, which is an excellent start to naming your business. Often getting those “ho-hum” ideas out of the way paves the road for the really good ones.
I’m just going to throw out some names based on your post – maybe some of these will get you pointed in the right direction.
Feline Design. Laurink Graphics. The Design Lady. Inkpressions. Original 13 Designs. Design Damsel. 2LExpressions (probably will be read by most as 2L Expressions). Whiskers Creative. Purrfect Design/Graphics/Solutions. It’s Purrfect! The Creative Colony. Doodles.
Let me know when you narrow it down.
April
I stumbled across this looking for a way to determine how to name my business. I’m in a similar situation with the layoff… mine is partial and hopefully temporary, but I still want to cover my bases and go ahead with a business license. If I go back full time, great! I can still handle freelance in the evenings and weekends. I was thinking of using my last name, but it’s too hard to pronounce and doesn’t have a “ring” to me. It’s Tuele. Pronounced 2-L-E. I was even thinking of using the 2LE but I think people would be like “huh?”. Then I was thinking of something that had to do with the area. I’m in New England (Connecticut), so was thinking of simply New England Graphics or New England Design, but that’s kinda ho-hum. Then I’m thinking something with “Yankee” in it… hmmmm. Probably overused in this neck of the woods. I’m tossing around using my birth last name of Kenyon. Kenyon Kreative? Maybe…
The graphics field I specialize in is print graphics, but I do design logos, collateral, branding, ads, even billboards. I always wanted to learn web design but never had the time, with a full-time job. I have a friend in Albuquerque, where I lived for 18 years, that started a print brokering business years ago and named it “Ms Print”. I think that’s AWESOME!
Passions? I really can’t think of anything that I’m truly passionate about except for graphics! I used to draw a lot, but I’m so rusty now… I also was a tattoo apprentice years ago, so tattoos is a “passion” I guess you could say. (I’m seriously thinking of breaking out that tattoo equipment and brushing up – it’s another option). I love cats, and had thought of Phat Kat Graphics at one point, but “Phat” is kind of passe now.
Any thoughts?
You are a true genius!
Hi April!
Great name and WONDERFUL blog!! I’m so excited to have stumbled upon it as I am just starting my business- Love Life Creative. I’d love feedback on the name. I chose it because my love for life inspired me to quit my job and start my own business. I live in a mountain town and was working 9-5 for much less than I’m worth, staring at the beautiful mountains I wanted to be hiking or skiing and realized… I can do all this at night or whenever I want and live the life I love!! Hence came Love Life Creative. I’ve already designed my logo and am working on my site. Most of the feedback I’ve gotten is from friends (who love it) or my parents (who don’t… get it… and think it sounds like a creative dating service). Anyways– I’d love feedback of like-minded folks, good or bad!!
Shannon,
I love it, and if you love it as much as you sound like you do, go for it! Most of my friends and family weren’t sold until they saw my logo and tagline. It was only then that they started to come around.
Thanks for sharing!
PS – Wherever you live sounds lovely!
I like it April. Simple, concise, to the point. In fact, we graphic desginers have to deliver communication solutions, don´t we?
Congratulations, Genius!!! 😉
Ignacio,
Thanks for sharing – you make a great point. Our job is to communicate clearly, concisely, and perfectly…and I hope I do that with my name!
April
I am justarting to freelance. I have have only designed a few logos, updated a few websites, and designed a few tshirts for others business owners. I was sitting in traffic one day thinking about what I do and thought of using the name Willistrations.
Michael,
Awesome! I love Willistrations. Very clever and ties in perfectly to your name. Go for it! Share with us when you have a logo and website.
April
Hi April et al,
I have a similar story as a lot of you here. I retired from the Army and got a fantastic job in advertising but was permanently laid off in 2009. I had already been freelancing in my spare time so I did some soul searching and came up with SPLASHPAGE. I use the tagline Web & Graphic Design. As I’m sure you all know what the splash page is I won’t go in to it. I liked it and it has served me well over the past few years.
I just found this today and thought I would join in the fun. I like a lot of the names I have read here. For those of you still struggling just stick to what April said about having the name connect with your passion. Good luck to you all!
Seth,
Great words of wisdom for those still hunting for a name. I think a lot of freelancers (myself included) got caught up in the rush of finding a name…and then the creative block hit. Once I relaxed and became patient with the process of finding the perfect name, it was smooth sailing!
Thanks for sharing!
April
PS – Splash Page is a great name – share your website when you get it up and running! Love to see your work.
Hi there! Great article – I really like the name you came up with. Very clever and catchy! I think mine needs to be something with the word Sassy, or maybe just Sassy… not sure. Any ideas? Thanks!
Alexandra,
Hmmm, Brainstorming here: Sassy! Design with a kick. Sassy Scribbles / Sassy Sketches. Classy ‘n Sassy. Sassy Pixels. Sassy Solutions. Reckless Art. Sassy Creativity.
What types of design do you do?
April
Hi April,
This was my first time reading the back-story on how you came up with the name for your company. Very clever and its the perfect extension of you.
Phil,
Thanks! I’m pretty fond of it.
April
Late to the party, but thank you for posting this. I’m trying to put together some sort of design/photography freelancing business for myself (and writing… and web coding… and whatever anyone will pay me to do that will get me out of cubicle hell…), and I’ve been wandering around the web looking for inspiration/motiviation/etc.
I loved reading this, because the whole name/branding thing is being a particularly knotty problem for me. I registered Vitoriadesigns.com last year, as a play on my middle name of Victoria, but now I’m not loving it so much 🙁
I keep feeling like I could do something catchy with my first name, Regina, playing on the fact that it means “queen,” but… I don’t know, I have a long history of not loving my first name so it’s hard to find anything. But your post has given me home (and if anybody has any ideas, feel free to share… :p)
By the way, I really like the name you came up with. Greer has a different association for me so it sounded weird at first, but the pun is cute and has a nice, playful vibe. Glad you found something that fits for you!
Regina,
if you’re not a big fan of your first name, I’d not use it. It’ll just make marketing yourself that much harder. That doesn’t mean you can’t go with the “queen” theme, though.
Regal Design & Photography. The Red Carpet – fit for royalty. Red Carpet Creativity. Crown Art & Design. Using Victoria: VictoriArt (a bit hard to spell, though). Flashes of Brilliance. Pics and Pixels. Sketches & Shots.
Good luck! Let me know if any of these help you narrow it down.
April
Interesting article, really of much help… I have been trying to define myself and I came up with my two nicknames from the hood, I decided for the nicknames because I don´t like to sound too formal (I don´t like to dress formal :P). But one of the points you remark on the article helped me to decide even better on wich name I should go… can´t say it cause nobody has it right now, and I don´t want to spoil that… when I get the domain and register the name I´ll share it with you guys.
Thanks April.
Barney,
Glad to point you in the right direction – looking forward to hearing it!!!
April
Greer Genius,
Simple. Clever. Brilliant. I also work as a graphic designer in my profession and I also do freelance design/illustration work. I read this article at the perfect time. My freelance work is really starting to pick up, I just redesigned my business cards, and I have been really needing to come up with an official company name for my freelance business. I enjoyed reading your article and I am now inspired to come up with a name for my company. Thanks for the tips and the great read. Well wishes with your company’s success!!
Julius
Thanks for your kind words, Julius!
Let me know what you decide!
I have designed my identity as a designer and to use it at the same time for my blog.
The name is COLA W CALSET (cola and socks.) It is a mix between Arabic and English since I am Lebanese and my work includes both Arabic and Latin design.
The name clicked when I first heard it from someone who read it posted on a small banner on the window of a small local shop.
I designed the name and icon to match the name and to reflect the bilingual work.
The whole story is posted here on my blog
http://hishamad.wordpress.com/about/
I would love to know your opinion (April and fellow readers) about it
Hisham,
Your story is interesting and your name has a touch of humor in it…I like that it’s fun. The most important thing is that you embrace your identity and it shows.
Your English is also very good – occasionally you have a few typos in your verb conjugation or phrases that sound “funny” to native ears, but I’m very impressed.
Thanks for sharing!
PS – Read your post about your grandma. I, too, miss a family member…my dad (died suddenly Oct 20, 2011).
thank you April, I appreciate your words, and I am too sorry for your loss.
I will work more on my English (and learn to proof-read my posts before posting them)
Thanks a lot 🙂
My Name is Vinayak, Nick name is Vinay, Vinu.. i need my name with suitable title.. or nick name with suitable title like vincenza, suggest me like this type of words..
Thank u..
Vinayak,
Who is your target audience? What language do they speak? This will have a big impact on what name you choose.
For example, Vinayak is very difficult for English-speakers to say and remember because it’s unusual in our culture. So you might just use the letter “V” instead of your full name.
Also you need to determine (and share with me if you’d like my help) how you want your clients to perceive your business. Are you grunge, modern, classic, hip, funky, professional? That will shape your business name as well.
I look forward to hearing your answers!
Primoz,
Great infographic! I love the addition of very little complaining – it adds humor professionally. Might I mention that your headings Who I am? and What I do? should either not use question marks – Who I am and What I do – or to make questions, should be – Who am I? and What do I do? Personally, I’d just drop the question marks.
Prime Design is very clean and simple with a connection to your name. I like it. You might make it Prime Plans & Design to include your architect planning. Or maybe you separate the two and have Prime Plans and Prime Design, depending on who you’re working with.
Thanks for sharing and good luck! Let me know what you decide!
Hey there please assist me with the Name above,,I want the Name look attractive and have a good Colors on it.
It sounds like you’re looking for a logo, not a name. That’s something most of the community here at Millo doesn’t give out for free…but I’d be willing to talk with you about your needs if you’d like. Visit www.greergenius.com to view my website.
Best!
April
Hi April! I found this and thought maybe you could give me some feedback. I currently have started a business called Stacie Danielle Event Design. I focus primarily on children’s events, showers, and some events for adults. I do not want to do weddings or high-end corporate events. My niche is children’s events, but I of course don’t want to limit myself to just that. I want to change the name, but am also unsure about doing so, as I feel that Stacie Danielle Event Designs sounds professional. Here are my other choices. I’d love to hear your feedback! Thanks so much!
Party Party Please
FireFly Festivties
or do I keep the name that has my name in it already?Any other suggestions? Thanks!
Stacie,
Professional is good, but I don’t think it relates to kids’ events well. I like Firefly Festivities best – it has a more playful and fun approach. You want your audience – the parents – to associate your name with entertainment.
A professionally-designed logo, business collateral, and website will promote your business seriously and professionally for you – and if you’re in need of a great designer…I happen to know one. 🙂 Think Crayola – professionally fun, right?
Good luck, and thanks for sharing! Let me know what you decide.
Hi April.
I think you came up with a great name. I have struggled with naming my bridal and formal design business for years. It is now time to get really serious and I am just lost. I really think Divinely Decadent would be good, what do you and others think? I design somewhat over the top gowns.
Shawn,
Do you have a website or is that coming with your new name (PS – I know a great web designer. :))
Divinely Decadent uses great adjectives. You’ll need a great tagline to go with that name, too. It has a lot of syllables, which might be a downside.
Some other names that might help spark creativity or seal the deal for your name: Elegance Formal Wear. To the Nines. Lavish Brides. Divine Dresses & Formal Wear.
Good luck, and let me know what you decide upon!
Great article April. I’ve always used my own name but when trying to decide on a website name, all the decent domain versions of my name were gone, so instead I thought of hellogriff, which turn became my logo, now a lot of clients have my as that on their accounts etc. Just about to become a limited company and I’m thinking the name has a good ring to it, so why not make it official!
Paul,
If you like it and your clients know you by it, there’s no reason you can’t use Hellogriff as your business name (cool logo btw). You may want to develop a tagline that describes your services.
Good luck, and thanks for sharing!
Thanks April, just filling in the paper work now, and trying to decide whether to add the word ‘design’ or ‘creative’ etc to the end of my business name. Notice a lot of people do but then also noticed that even with it there on official company accounts they don’t use it on the logo.
Heh, it’s kind of like Ford. Ford’s full name is Ford Motor Corporation, but they never spell that out except in legalese. So if you want to add a descriptor you’re welcome to, but you don’t have to use it all the time.
For example, I just use Greer Genius with the tagline “Brilliant graphic and web design” Then I don’t need to add “design” or “creative” to the end of Greer Genius.
Thanks for the article!
I use to have go under the name ‘Miss Nomie’ when doing my childlike illustrations. It worked okay back then, but now I want to expand into design and I’m about to be married (I won’t be a ‘Miss’ anymore). I’m struggling to find a name that covers both my child like illustrations and my mature design work. I think I outgrew Miss Nomie a long time ago but I just haven’t found the perfect new trading name.
Naomi,
It’s tough to both combine and make distinct two separate parts of your business! Keep in mind that you don’t have to tell the world what you do with your name, but your name should reflect adjectives of how you want your customers to describe your business.
Have you come up with any ideas, even ones that aren’t yet perfect but you think are a step in the right direction?
Here are a few names to help you get the creativity flowing: Sketches Illustration and Design. Outside the Lines Designs. Imaginations. Crayons & Pixels.
Good luck, and let me know when you narrow it down to a few choices or pick that perfect name!
hi april and rest gdb readers,
its been a pleasure reading through all the comments relating to your original post, and has given a lot of positive motivation to carry on searching for the “one” name which will explode into a “apple” “sony” or even “samsung”. all of these names don’t say what they do but are embedded into everyones heads, i too am in the same situation as many before me in this discussion hopefully will stumble across something soon.
good luck all with your work!!!
R-faan,
Good luck! Let us know what you decide upon when you find your name.
Hi April, this is great support you giving for your commentators. you writes full of hands that’s helpful for many’s.this attitude gives you grate success in your life.
Thanks!
I love this article. anyone have any suggestions. My current name is annie Kuhn Designs but I was thinking of using Design is Everything. Changing my name etc. I should be working on getting business and not names but I’m wondering what name would get more hits in searches.
Annie,
Find a name that suits you and then you can sell it and worry about search hits.
Keep in mind that while “Design is Everything” might be searched for more often, there are a LOT of sites with that phrase on them, so you have a lot of competition for the top spots. Going with something more unique will be less searched for, but when it is, they’ll be much more likely to find you.
As for what you should be doing – you should always schedule time for both your clients as well as your business. It’s important to work for yourself at all times, whether it’s naming, updating your website, creating business cards, or creating a marketing plan.
Kuhn Kreations? Annie’s Art and Design?
Do some brainstorming about how you want the world to perceive you. Let me know how your progress goes!
Hello April,
i have loved every little bit of your personal experience in coming up with a business name and from the firm i have come while reading your replies to a thousand post on this blog, i could certainly see a genius in you. i have a business which i called INSPIRED DESIGNERS, its a boutique with a wide range of accessories. i picked up this name because i have been a very big source of inspiration to so many in all aspects of life. i saw an inspirational personality in me and in whatever i laid my hands on to and yet i had a good test when it comes to picking and matching accessories. the business am doing is not what i studied but is what i had passion at. all i do is employ a couple of professional designers to do the rest.
Isaiah,
Thanks for your kind words.
I must admit, Inspired was a word I heavily considered in my own name! It sounds like you picked a good one and that you have a good reason behind it.
Thanks for sharing!
Such a wonderful post and very inspiring!
I have always named my work after my name and added ‘designs’ to the end as I thought it’d sum up that I’m a designer. However I purchased the domain vencole.com years ago as the ven is the last part of my family name Ruthven, and the Cole from Nicole. However I didn’t feel vencole looks or sounds like anything at all since it’s not a word, especially relating to graphic design. Adding anything extra to it just seems like too long of a name so I gave up with it. I don’t feel that branding myself with my own name has gotten me anywhere recently. Here is my portfolio to see my sort of style, although it needs updating it’s step for me I guess. http://www.behance.net/SabrinaNicole
Today I have been brainstorming for a new business name but it keeps popping back into my head, maybe it’s meant to be?
Hope you can help 🙂
Nicole,
Remember, your name doesn’t have to explain what you do. You can use a great tagline in your logo to explain your business services.
I find it a bit confusing that sometimes you go by Sabrina and other times you go by Nicole – stick with one for consistency, or you clients might get confused.
Vencole Designs – Bringing your vision to life. From your portfolio, you seem to gravitate toward hot pink and black/grey. Seems very punk, neon, nightlife, edgy, lots of movement and lots of energy, to me, so you’ll want a name that exemplifies that (if that’s how you want to be perceived). Maybe Vibrant! – Designs that excite.
Ultimately, if you feel like Vencole is a part of you – go for it! It doesn’t need to be a real word, and it’s pretty easy to spell/say.
Let me know how your progress goes!
I need help also my name right.now is Jess Design and I don’treally like it… You create it I Jess Design it was my catch phrase … Can u help Wit a better name …
Hi Jessica,
I need more information! What are YOU about? Why should someone hire you? How do you want your clients to perceive you and your business?
Send some details and I’ll be happy to help.
I mostly .. Design club flyers business cards take pics album covers etc. I’m a college student… And I have to come up with a brand identity …
Better to find the right identity than rush through the process and have to redefine yourself later. As a student, you’re still defining yourself, your niche, and your abilities.
I think you’d be best off designing under your own name while you discover your name because your focus and your client pool is most definitely going to morph as you exit college and become a design professional.
OJA,
Welcome to the conversation!
First, so I read NITLIFE (pronouncing it “knit life”) until you mentioned nightclubs/nightlife. I wasn’t sure if NIT was supposed to be an acronym or just “nit” (rhyming with knit).
I think you can come up with something more interesting than “A Sound Design,” too. Have you thought about using Audiovisual in your name, since you do both?
Audio & Visual
Boom Sticks & Clicks
AV Master
A Clear Message – Sound + Design
Talking Pixels – An audio and visual design co.
Sensory Overload – Making eyes and ears happy
Good luck! Take these names and run…your perfect name is out there for the taking…put some ideas on paper and make it happen!
Let me know what you come up with!
April,
I stumbled across this website/page and I am soooo glad that I have. I have read all of the feedback & comments and I am in a very similar position. I am gearing up my own business as well, although my offerings are a bit different. I love graphic work, but I am also doing studio Voice-Over work, so trying to come up with a proper name that encompasses both aspects is difficult. I have a LLC already set up that I had in the past (NITLIFE Designs) but my wife feels like no one is going to understand it. I have been involved in the nightclub/nightlife business most of my life and am now trying to break away from that work schedule, so the Nitlife name is part of my past & who I am. The spelling actually comes from my license plate on my vehicle. I know the ‘design’ part is boring, but I had put the LLC together quickly, without thinking that I ultimately use it for a Freelance business. The other name that I came up with is: “A Sound Design”
I feel like it really encompasses both aspects of my offerings, but it just doesn’t hold much personal meaning to me. Would love to read or hear some other insight, from non-biased people…..Any takers??
Hi April;
Thanks for the great article~you are just what I need! My husband Bill is a graphic designer and I’m a mural artist. We set up an S corp years ago in Florida but we had such a hard time coming up with a name for our company! I thought MY ideas were very clever but we couldn’t agree on anything, ending up with BC Art & Design. Boring, huh? Well, we have decided to move to Utah and so we have the perfect opportunity to change the name of our business! But to what? We would like something “catchier” but I think we should keep the Art & Design on the end to reflect both of our fields. Any ideas? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
Cathy
Cathy,
What about Pixels & Ink? Or Brushstrokes Art & Design?
Brainstorm some words that are common to both of your jobs as well as those that are unique to each of them. Mix & match those words to create duality for your name, or find one that works for both and see how it sounds in front of Art & Design.
Good luck! Let me know how it goes!
Hi April
Thanks for you inspiring post. I think you met all your criteria.
I am close to retirement and want to create a business selling mobile designed web sites to LOCAL Business. I have several programs and templates and ready to start.
I chose http://DynamicMobileSolutions.us which will highlight my services: SEO, G+ Registration and Optimization, hosting,domain name registration, competative research, Market Samurai Reports etc.
I had a logo developed as 3 Smartphones overlapping..
I want the word mobile because of the mobile websites, Solutions as opposed to designer to show I offer more services, and dynamic to show things are changing rapidly.
The .com version was registered to non US company. I just found out it is for sale so i will see how much they want. Also I have backordered the dynamicmobilesolutions.mobi
Thanks for your comments
Joe
Thanks for your input.
Hi Joe,
It sounds like you’ve met all your criteria! Sometimes a direct name is exactly what you need, and it sounds like it’ll be easy for you to market that name without having to explain it to people.
Great job!
hi
i am a designer and want to launch my own brand .. i run my mind across, ask my friends and family but no one can gave me any good name .. what i need is short and meaning full name with uniqueness … i really appreciate if u can help me
regards
Nauman,
I need more information than that! What are YOU about? Why should someone hire you? How do you want your clients to perceive you and your business?
Love to help when you can answer those questions!
Hi everyone! I am an interior designer and I ve decided to start my own corporation with painting and designing! Any name ideas? I am sooooo tired cause I filled up a 4 subject notebook with names,brainstorming words and still nothing……. I agree that you don’t have to say design if you are a designer e.t.c. But still nothing! Heeeeeeeelp!
Ellizay,
Painful, isn’t it, when you know the perfect name is out there but right now it’s just beyond your reach? Sorry to hear of your frustrations.
Just going to throw some ideas out – sometimes hearing something from someone else sounds so much better than the ideas in your own brain! Feel free to run with them if they have potential. PS – Ellizay is a GREAT name. 🙂
E Interiors. Ellizay Today. Polished. Refined Interiors. Angles by Ellizay. Chroma.
I used your website for inspiration. You seem to use a lot of modern, sleek, square designs, so I tended to go for modern-sounding names.
Note on your website – what entices people to hire a particular designer? Images! Make your designs the heavy focus of your website. Big, bold, beautiful pictures with minimal background. Check out the Hatch wordpress theme – http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/hatch or something similar. Even TwentyEleven provides a nice big picture element.
Good luck! Keep me posted on your progress!
I agree with your statement: ‘A name is SO much more than what you do. It’s who you are and how you intend to help your target audience. Define yourself, and then you can start to find a good names.’
How my name, Cornerstone Graphics came about is in my first blog.
Lorna,
Great story for a great name! Thanks for sharing!
Ever consider a “brandable” domain name? These are company names that are made up and don’t have and specific meaning. You could also play with the word design or look at foreign translations as well.
Thanks for the post.
I think the more meaning a brand name has to the owner, the better fit it is. This attaches the owner to the brand emotionally and helps them sell their business because they believe in it.
Hi April,
I’ve been reading all the comments from people and love how you are guiding everyone based on your on your own experiences. I love the name Greer Genius, you really are a Genius.
I was wondering if you can help me, I am stating my own freelancing business. I am a graphic designer and I specialise in creating logos, photo edits, leaflets, album covers for music artists, and I have also started making funny comic/sketch cartoons. I need help with a name that is unique and not so boring. I’m currently using MG Designs as a temporary name but I’m not comfortable with it now. I tried merging my first and last name and also rearrange letters from my surname but had no luck. I don’t want to have ‘graphic designer’ at the end but something like ‘creations’ or ‘visuals’ would be great.
Any ideas April?
Thanks in advance.
I think you came up with a great idea “Greer Genius.” Just make sure that you can get the exact match .com domain name. In your case you might be able to use Greer Genius Designs but the shorter the name the better. Nice job on the naming though.
Already done. Thanks, though!
Greer Genius is a great name. Like you said, your customers will know exactly who they’re dealing with and there is a great sense of whimsy and creativity that comes with the name. Since you are in a creative field make sure your name is equally creative.
Thanks for sharing!
Hai to all i just wanna give you an idea even if its too late! 🙂
Paper n Folds Designs
Vishnu,
Thanks for contributing! The discussion here never ends!
Ladies and gentlemen, please help me.
I need a name for a brand new business. We will be providing graphic design, web development for our clients. I though of so many name but its all taken abd domain is not available. Please give me some ideas……… I really need help!
Kay,
A name is SO much more than what you do. It’s who you are and how you intend to help your target audience. Define yourself, and then you can start to find a good names. Once you have some names, brainstorm how to say those differently.
I’d love to help once you give me some direction!
Hi,
April, I think Greer Genuis is a really cool name! This post is very helpful. I would love some advice.
I used to run my own design business in an area that was populated with a lot of Indians. I called my company ‘Roop Designs” as it is my nickname means, appearance/beauty. I have since moved away from the Indian population and I am now thinking of freelancing. Do you think I should keep the same name?
My full name is Manroop, which means Man = Mind and Roop= Beauty, so was thinking maybe Beautiful Mind Media? Really can’t make up my mind. Roopstar Design, ??
Roop
Scotland
Roop,
Thanks – I’m glad you like it!
Your name’s unique, fun, and easy to spell. What about just going with Roop? Your tagline can specify what you do. Or Roop Media?
Think about what you want your customers to think when they hear/see your name, because Roop gives off a much edgier vibe than Beautiful Mind Media. How do you want your target audience to view you?
Let me know what you decide. Thanks for sharing!
Hi April,
Thanks so much for the great advice!
I decided to stick with Roop Designs. Short and simple.
Roop 🙂
Thanks for checking back in, and glad to help!
Good luck, Roop!
Hi Again,
Just spoke with my Mum and she doesn’t like the word Ombre… it doesn’t grab her, and now that I think about it I do agree. Aaah this is so hard..
Kate,
Glad to hear From Passion to Profit has been so useful for you, too!
I agree with your mum, and Ombre (at least near Spanish-speakers) will be confused with Hombre.
It’s kinda corny, but it’s a start – A-OKate. Or Great by Kate. Aussimaginations. Maybe you want to generalize a bit more – start with Perfect Solutions or Pure Magic and brainstorm on different ways to say this.
Your name also might reflect your niche, or what you’re best at…and you may still be learning what that is.
The great thing about 1-word things is that they don’t have to start out that way. They can be longer, and then be abbreviated purposely. For example, Ford Motor Company is just called Ford.
Overall, remember to take your time – you don’t need a name instantly, especially since you’re still in school. Better to do it right the first time then rebrand once people know you. When you find a name you like, think it over for a while. You don’t have to know instantly, but you might just keep coming back to it.
Good luck! Keep me posted on your progress!
PS – Sorry for the delay in response. Summer is crazy on top of some health issues my family has had.
Hi April,
Thanks for such a great article and I love your name, also liked the article about your logo ideas.. I went on & purchased from Passion to Profit and it has so many good ideas, also it is really easy to read. I am studying Graphic Design and hope to one day freelance or own my own design business. My Mum would like to go into partnership with me also. I am also stuck on the name.. as my name is Kate I really liked CMYKate but it is taken. I also like the design technique Ombre, so was thinking of calling it that. I like the idea of just 1 words. My concern is that it may not be easy enough to spell or pronounce and will get confused with hombre.. I am only in the very early days of graphic design so really have no idea thought..
Really looking forward to your feedback & have a lovely day 🙂
Kate, Cairns Australia
I am planning on re-starting my graphic design business. For the most part, I have done printing projects for small businesses as well as a few billboards. I have used the name precision graphics. I like the name because it speaks to my desire to give each client “precisely” what they need. There are times that I think the name is too long. What are your thoughts?
Hi Lawrence,
Precision Graphics isn’t too long, in my opinion. Precision is a well-known word, and it’s not a mouthful to say. Adjectives like sharp, clean, crisp, professional, straight, and precise (duh) come to mind when I hear it. So if your work tends to be soft or flowing, precision is too hard a word. I like it though. Your tagline “Precisely what you need” can definitely help soften precision into the way you think of it.
I would brainstorm words similar to precision and the idea of providing exactly what your clients need, because you don’t sound sold on the name yet. But keep it around, say it out loud, and write it down – if it’s hard to part with, you might have found your match. 🙂
Good luck, and let me know what you decide!
Hello My name is Jenna,
im currently a student in graphic art and design.
I am already taking orders for simple things i know how to do and i need to name my business, get a bank account for it, and a website. I thought about Black Water Dragon Designs since my son was born in that year and it can be abbreviated to BWDD for short i just was not sure if it was too long or possibly was taken as a name for another company already. Any help or advice that i can get would be awesome as i need to get this done ASAP. Thank You!!
Hi Jenna,
First of all, slow down! There’s no rush. I did business just as myself until I knew I found the perfect business name. Sure, there’s a lot of work to be done, but you have plenty of time.
You definitely need a bank account – go to your bank of choice and open a second checking account in your name. Don’t tell them it’s a business account or they’ll charge you the business account fees. Just use it for business only.
If you’re in love with Black Water Dragon Designs, that’s great. You need a name you’re going to be able to sell day in and day out. If you don’t love it, it’ll be hard to sell yourself. BWDD is rather long, so you’ll definitely want to get a web domain that’s shorter if you go with this name.
As far as choosing a name goes, determine how you want the world to recognize you and think of you. What feeling do you want them to get? What associations do you want them to make? What do you want your name to say about you? If Black Water Dragon Designs fulfills these questions (and you love it), it’s the name for you. If it’s just okay, keep thinking up new names!
To find out if your name is already taken, check the copyrights and the trademarks (google it).
Good luck! Let me know what you decide!
This was such a great article and very informative, April. I am a graphic design major at The Art Institute and I am trying to put together a creative group made up of freelance creative students. The name I came up with for my creative group is Generation88. As a design student, I know how difficult it can be breaking into freelancing, getting jobs, and building experience. Generation88 brings some talented students together to work on various projects for local businesses. I’ll mainly be focused on aspects of company branding, such as logo design, print design, web design, photography, video, and marketing. I came up with the name, Generation88, because well, 1988 was the year I was born and I’ve met so many young individuals that are extremely talented in the creative field they chose.
Aaron,
Thanks for your kind words.
I think you’ve got a great idea going – why not get a group of talented specialists to deliver the best possible solution.
I also think your name is pretty great, especially if your freelancers are in that same age group.
Thanks for sharing, and keep us posted on your progress!
Hi April!
I am currently a student designer trying to start myself up as freelance and my goal for this summer is to start a website showcasing my portfolio, but I don’t feel that it’s right to do that without coming up with a proper business title. So far, I’ve been able to come up with one thing – Wednesday Designs. Want the backstory? Here it is – friends in my program are always asking me why I am so good at what I do and thinking back on it, they always seemed to say that on a Wednesday when we had our Design classes in the wood shop, the drafting lab, and the wardrobe. So when they would say ” Erica, you’re just too good at everything.”, I would answer ” Only on Wednesdays.” Do you think this is a good name for me?
Erica,
Great story – I think Wednesday Designs works very well! You’ll have a much easier time promoting yourself if you love your name, logo, and business identity. In your about section would be a great place to explain your name to those who are curious.
I’m so glad to hear you’ve got goals! Already you’re ahead of so many who keep saying “tomorrow…” and “someday…”
Good luck, Erica, and keep coming back to Millo as we have a TON of material to help you achieve your freelance dreams.
i need to name my export company. but i cant find out a good name. pls help me to find
Kiruba,
I need more information than that to go on! Spend some time defining your business and your naming desires, and then I can help you.
I love your name! I would love to come up with something with similar creativity and personalization. I design stationary for weddings. I like that you pointed out not to use Design in my business name but that’s the only thing I can think of…I like alliteration too, which is good, but has been throwing me off as the only thing that’s been popping in my head is Doncheree’s Designs. Which I don’t like, too boring.
Any ideas?
Doncheree,
Thanks – glad you like it!
Brainstorm on synonyms for wedding stationery and design. Don’t restrict yourself to D or F words, just let all of them flow. Also think about the feel you want for your name – are you going for elegant, fancy, opulent, delicate, quirky, fun, modern?
Also remember that your name could be something like Delicate Designs by Doncheree. (Still has ‘design,’ I know.) Or The Fancy Flow, which needs a great tagline, but it can be done. 🙂
Does this help get you started? Good luck, and let me know when you’ve got some new ideas to share!
Yes that definitely helps! What do you think of Creative Fryedeas? This is what I came up with before I saw your reply. I think I want it to be kind of quirky and modern but still somewhat elegant because it’s for weddings.
PS. You’re so awesome for helping all of us out! It helps to bounce ideas off others!
Doncheree,
Love it! Very creative, and with a great logo and tagline, you can give it the feeling you’re going for.
And you’re quite welcome – Millo truly is a community to help designers, and this type of give and take embraces the community philosophy.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi April,
I am bit confused on name .. I am looking into starting business on Trading and services side.. Trading in industrial side parts/equipment requirements we have locally. Name decided earlier was Trade2Serv which means anything Trading too Servies, Just wanted to keep domain open incase I have to move to different industrial segment 😀 but it looks odd in introducing urself to some one 🙂 then i thought of Techroll or TecWelder since these domains are not available with Tech… Sugesstions please..
Hi Saeed,
I’m not quite sure from you description what exactly it is you sell and what you’re expecting in return. I get that you sell parts/equipment, but for what industry (construction, technology, etc.)? But you want to generalize a bit as you’re not sure where this will lead. Are you actually trading product for services? Are you just using the term trading for monetary transactions?
If you can give me a bit more information, I might be able to point you in the right direction.
Hi April,
I’m a creative UI/UX designer from Sri Lanka, and I need your help/suggestion on renaming my previous brand name “MadebySaji” because I feel its a bit off and common. I love “me” on my brand name and I agree with your points on naming myself/brand..
I would really appreciate your help on this.. thanks in advance…
Cheers,
Saji
Hi Saji,
Made by Saji is a bit, well, non-descriptive. What about Saji Interactive? Or Saji GUI? Haha – a bit of a rhyme. Saji Web Solutions?
Don’t be afraid to use a thesaurus to find more interesting, descriptive words for “user input”, “interactivity”, etc.
Good luck, and let me know where it takes you!
Here is something i have been playing around with.. I thought of clear as a theme for my company and so i looked up the greek word, which is delo, so now am thinking of delo creative, delo illustrations, delo … i dont know how to make it clear and eye catching to the customer.. help me pliz
Mtabazi,
Delo – I like that. I can imagine someone asking who designed that great logo and the response being, “I worked with Delo.” I really like names with some thought behind them. Maybe it’s just Delo, with a tagline like “clearly creative design” or something with clear in it. Delo Imagination? Simon Delo? – Simon being much simpler to pronounce (for me anyway) than Mtabazi.
Clear makes me think of water, a starry night, a bubble, and a mirror. Perhaps you can use some sort of imagery (maybe the o is a droplet of water?) to convey a concept of clear. But that also may make it look like you’re in the water business.
Does that help you get started? Keep brainstorming and let me know what you come up with!
Wow, am soo pleased with your help and surely, this is a nice kickstart for my studio. I dont know if its more advisable for a freelance designer to have his/her name in the name of the studio.. do you think thats necessary? simon delo… is somewhat no good sounding for me.. but on the other hand, it has my name in it.. delo imaginations is perfect but doesnt have my name in it,,,.. and mtabazi is hard to pronouse and i dont think i should put it in my logo.. and .. for the start i have this personal blog and i dont know what your advise is.. about being just a mtabazis designer or a more company name.. like delo imagination designer..
A freelancer does not have to have their name in the business name – see the other comments! There are many great names here that don’t include the name of the designer.
If Delo Imaginations is perfect for you, go for it. My criteria aren’t the end-all to all naming criteria; they were simply what I wanted in my business name. I like Delo Imaginations, and if that’s where your heart lies, then run with it. You have to love your name, because you’re going to be selling it every day.
Thanks for keeping me updated!
Thanks alot. I love DeloImaginations and i am taking it. Thanks alot for your contribution and i am realy gratefull. I am going to update my blog and also register it as a business.
Hey Apri, i am really amused by the way you solved this problem. I am a student doing computer engineering in a university here in Tanzania and i want to also start a freelance designing company. And i was looking at your story adn you know what? if i had a company and i was looking through company lists, the genius would get my attention. Speaking of easy to spell out and pronouse, Greer is kind of hard for me… lol April Genious would not be good coz it might mean seasonal genius.. lol but Greer Genius, is a good name. Thanks, i am looking at making my own name too.. but i dont know where to start.. help me out..
Mtabazi,
Wow – We’ve reached Tanzania! 🙂 Very cool, and thanks for commenting!
I can imagine for some non-native English speakers, Greer isn’t easy – even for native English speakers it can be difficult over the phone in particular.
Help me! My name is Diamond. I’ve been rolling with “Art of A Diamond” for a while now, as the name of my company, but I feel as if something is missing or that its too long. HELP!
Hi Diamond,
I think you’ve got a great theme going with diamond, but I definitely agree you can hone your business name. You have to be careful not to make yourself sound like a gem dealer nor a tool company, but I think you can still think up something great!
Let’s get the creativity flowing with a few diamond adjectives…sparkling, crystal clear, brilliant, rich, beautiful. Hmmm – Diamond Art, Diamond Creativity, Brilliant Diamond Designs, Diamond in the Rough. You can also use a diamond as your mark and use a name that suggests diamonds but doesn’t directly use the word.
Good luck and let us know what you come up with!
Hi April
I am going into the final year of my degree in graphic design and I’m beginning to put together my portfolio website, however I’m having trouble with the name. I’d quite like to use my surname – Trevelyan, as it’s quite unusual. However, I’m not sure if it’s memorable/easy to pronounce and spell. Any ideas surrounding it?
Many Thanks
Mia
Hi Mia,
Trevelyan is certainly unique and has a nice ring to it, but you could easily run into pronunciation/spelling problems. That doesn’t mean you can’t use part of it, try to make an anagram of your last name that would be simpler, or use it in its’ entirety but make your URL simpler to remember.
I encourage you to do some brainstorming on what to put with your last name (unless you want it to be stand-alone). Examples to get your creativity flowing are Trevelyan Art, Blue Trevelyans (illustrate unique blue flowers and incorporate in your theme), or I Am Revel (anagramming Mia and using just part of your last name + the I am legend style).
Good Luck and thanks for sharing! I’d love to see your portfolio when you’re ready.
I am a student in SCAD and I am majoring in Graphic Design and Minoring in Photography. I need help coming up with a name for my designs. My artwork is inspire by asian culture.
Hi Perla,
If you intend to do freelancing after college, Preston’s From Passion to Profit would be an excellent start for you. From there you can work through the exact same process I used to create my business in the “naming your business” chapter, as well as learn how to get your finances, marketing, and frame of mind set for the world as a professional rather than a student.
Reread my post here and follow the same structure I did. Brainstorm words that remind you of you, of Asian culture, of what you want others to think of when they read your business name. Think about the criteria you have for your business name. Work at it, but have fun too!
After you’ve done some brainstorming, let us know what names you’ve come up with and we can help you narrow them down or take your creativity to a new level.
Good luck!
Again a great post April, I have to agree with John that yours is a story I can relate to… I am 5yrs out of University wishing & wanting to freelance but no portfolio as such to show, thanks for sharing your experience… It make me feel more positive that I can get there with my freelance career!
As for a freelance name… I have always gone with tenpens creative… On initial look I think people may think it is a bit silly and not really understand it, but there are actually a couple of reasons to the name…
1) it is a daft nickname I had for a brief period at university, when the ‘Daddy Cool’ song was doing the rounds on a car advert… My song was Heather, Heather tenpens… Heather she has tenpens… Relating to me often holding up in my room completing my design course work.
2) Also this is an anagram of my surname Penten
3) I wasn’t sure people would understand what I was about simple with tenpens, so creative is there to reflect my interest, passion and skill in various creative pursuits such as handprinting, sketching, photography as well as graphic design as a whole!
I would love some feedback as I often swing between loving it then thinking it isn’t suitable!
Hi Heather, and thanks for commenting!
There’s nothing wrong with exploring more options even though you have a name you’re waffling on. In fact, I highly recommend it! Challenge yourself to find something even better, and if you can’t, well, you already have a name you think you like.
I find that Tenpens Creative could be suitable – it’s certainly not unsuitable, but you have to ask yourself if you can sell that name day in and day out and really get behind it.
Good Luck, and check back in with us after you’ve done some brainstorming to let us know what you’re thinking!
I like the name “Greer Genius”. I would hire you for that name :). I love your story I can relate very well. Most of all I love the tips that you have developed from that wonderful adventure you had of finding a good name.
“I realized I had almost nothing to show for 5 years of my career. My portfolio sucked. I had more work from college than I did from my previous company.”
Me for 10 years and now just starting to do some freelance jobs. Before I quit my job more than a year ago, I thought of “themissingsquare” but now I don’t feel liking it anymore. You can see my site is missing the design theme that’s because I can’t think of a good name for it. My focus would be for motion graphics and animated videos.
John,
I am for hire, if you find yourself or someone you know in need! 🙂 Thanks for your kind words – it’s great to be part of a community that can relate, and I hope my story helps others realize there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
A few names to get your brain churning: The Missing Pixel. The Finishing Touch. Motion Redefined. Guinto Animations.
Let us know when you narrow it down!
April,
If you love the name, work with it!! (as your doing lol). After reading this post and looking at your portfolio, i think it suites you!! I need help with my name!! I bought the domain name marievisualmedia.com, nothing is on it and hasnt been for almost a year now because im getting old of the name! I am a 25 y o art student graduating next year with a bachelors in fine arts (major web design and interactive media) and I do freelance graphic/web work as a side hustle. Marie is my middle name… but im so lost for company names! As you said, what you do doesnt HAVE to fit into the title, and I definitely agree with you, but i keep finding myself attaching the words “studio/visual/media/art/graphics” to the end of my ‘oh so creative’ names! Help please!
Hi Tee,
Thanks – I’m glad you like “Greer Genius.”
You are in serious need of a brainstorming session! Start writing down adjectives and words that describe you, your business, your passion, your personality, everything that relates to you. Then start piecing them together.
I highly recommend you get a copy of Preston’s From Passion to Profit if you’re serious about freelance design as a for-profit business. He’s got a TON of useful and simple exercises to get you started, and the book’s a quick read, so it’s perfect for a busy life!
Good luck, and give us some names once you’ve done some thinking! (Some starter names to get the creativity flowing…Epiphany Web Solutions, The Creative Mind, Kaleidoscope Media.)
April,
Thanks hun! I am purchasing the e-book RIGHT NOW!!!
Tee,
I hope you find it as useful as I do – even now that I’m profiting, I still find words of wisdom and useful tips in there, especially regarding creative marketing. I’ve done that chapter exercise more than once.
My business is called StileSyles : Stiles (me) Styles (my art)
Cassandra,
Great last name for design work! StileStyles…just brainstorming a bit here: 2Styles, Stile’s Styles, Double Styles.
PS – You’ve misspelled your business name in your comment. This is the most important thing never to do that with! Always double-check your business name and contact information are correct whenever you’re typing or writing them.
Hello, ad thanks so much for posting this. I keep coming back to it because I’m having a hard time finding a name for my business. I’m in Alaska but most Alaskan names sound too cutesy or trite. My original idea was Blue Moose Design (can’t seem to get away from that “design”), but apparently there are a few grills and bars named that. I also liked Pet Moose Productions (with a great silhouette idea of a man petting a huge bull moose), but am afraid Productions sounds too much like TV and movies.
My last idea was mostly based off your post but no one seems to like it but me (have asked around for some opinions, so far none are favorable to:) Mull Holland, or Mull Holland Designs. I like it, it makes me smile. My last name is Holland (and we already have a Holland Development in the family, a contracting business), so Holland Design(s) was always an option. I kinda like my last name a little too much and am not opposed to using it. But I know there’s a surname “Mulholland” out there, and I am the type of person to mull things over, so it says something about me. And… I don’t know, what do you think?
I really liked your business name, and I also saw your logo design post and think that turned out wonderfully! Thanks again for such a great post. This site is pretty awesome.
Have a great day!
Haley
Hi Haley,
First, thanks for your praise and kind words!
Being from Alaska you have a lot of interesting choices without being cutesy. From glaciers to moose to gold, the possibilities are endless!
A few names to get you started – The Gold Mine, Gold Mine Designs, Glacier Creations, Moose Holland Designs, Holland Gold.
Ultimately you have to love your name so that you can sell it every day. But it’s nice if others – including family, friends, and clients – love it, too. Mull Holland is a bit of a mouthful – maybe difficult to pronounce? It does have a certain ring to it.
Let us know how your name search goes!
This seems like a very popular post, I hope you have success in your business.
Rahat – Thanks! Best of luck to you in yours, too!
Hi April,
Thanks for your suggestions, some of which I’ve thought about but had to dismiss. I, too am a fan of Roget (my copy is falling apart from constant use), and found it helpful for alternative words. After numerous attempts and swapping words back and forth, I have come up with Simplicity – Home Staging and Decluttering Services. For me, it conjures up a feeling of calm, which is what staging and decluttering is all about. Thank you for your advice on how to go about it, it’s helped a lot!
I am an American living in England and the concept of home staging is (hopefully) growing, so with any luck it will become a viable business.
Thanks again for replying.
Peggy:
Simplicity – I love it! You’ve got so much meaning packed into one word – it’s perfect.
Congratulations! Onto the logo and business cards? (I happen to know a great designer if you need…*wink* heheh) Check out my post on designing my own logo for inspiration and process – http://www.graphicdesignblender.com/designing-my-own-logo.
The best of luck to you! You have a GREAT start! Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi April,
Thanks for your suggestions, some of which I’ve thought about but had to dismiss. I, too am a fan of Roget (my copy is falling apart from constant use), and found it helpful for alternative words. After numerious attempts at
Hi April,
I’ve just googled company names and your GBD came up. It was very interesting to read your story, as I, too, am in the process of going out on my own and trying to find a suitable name. It’s a home staging/decluttering business and I’m wracking my brain to try and come up with something that stands out from the crowd. I started off with my name “Robertson’s Home Design” but it just doesn’t sound right. My original thought is to use the word “home” in it somewhere but with any of my suggestions, someone else has already used it! I’ve also considered Beautifully Organized, but again just doesn’t seem to incorporate the home staging side of the business. Any ideas? Or should I just go out and buy the book!
Peggy,
Wow – I’m thrilled that a google search brought up my post! 🙂
Let’s see – home staging/decluttering. Organization. Neat. Welcoming. Inviting. Captivating. Enchanting. Appealing. (Just brainstorming here.)
What about Curb Appeal (maybe too outdoor-related)? Perfect Harmony? Houses to Homes? Neat Spaces (dual-meaning with the word neat)?
There’s a start – keep going and let us know what you decide!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi April, and everyone else!
I’ve had the same dilemma here, as you all have, in deciding a business name. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Doing a freelance projects here and there using my real name is one thing, but is that what I want my business to go by? “Dave Garcia Designs”, just “DaveGarcia”, etc? It just sounds boring to me… partially because my first and last names are two of the more common ones out there! So there are plenty of other ‘Daves’, ‘Davids’, and ‘Garcias’ out there that do design work.
My other idea, would be to stick to the online alias I’ve used everywhere for the last 15years or so: “galtdave”. That’s the name of the small CA town I grew up in; Galt. So the name was simple, always available (unlike my real name), and I thought it sounded catchy.
But I no longer live there, and wouldn’t want to potentially turn away ‘big-city’ clients with my ‘small-town’ background, so I’m just not sure. I still like the nickname, and prefer the slight anonymity it provides, but am not sure how professional, others would see it. But hey, that Leornardo da Vinci guy did the same thing with his name, right?
Thank you for any input you can give, and good luck to you all!
Dave Garcia / (galtdave)
Hi Dave,
I agree – there are thousands of Daves and Garcias out there, so I think you might be served better by a nickname or separate business name altogether.
If you really like galtdave, there’s no reason you can’t use it. Galt is not a well-known town, so I don’t think many of your potential clients would even understand the reference. It is a bit stilted, so maybe smooth it out into Galdave?
My online alias has always been “Titan AG” and for a long time I assumed I would use Titan in my business name, but there is already a “Titan Design” and I wound up with something different entirely that I love even more.
Don’t be afraid to use a thesaurus once you’ve come up with adjectives and words that describe what you want your clients to think of when they read your business name. I’m a huge fan of Roget. 🙂
Does this give you a start and some direction? Please feel free to post your progress or share ideas with us, and if you have more questions, just ask!
Thanks for sharing!
Great story April. Thanks for sharing. I’ve been having the same issues on my end. A friend and I are creating a business together. He’s your jack of all trades, cooks/caters, paints, can build pretty much anything including furniture. We’re working on a recipe book and were also working on selling some of his items on etsy and a few other sites. We just cant figure out a great and catchy name to stand out. Were trying to avoid our initials and names. I feel like this is the hardest thing ever. Any ideas would be truly appreciated.
Thanks a bunch
Natalie,
Hmmm, business naming isn’t easy, that’s for sure, even when your focus is quite narrow. Naming such a diverse business proves even more of a challenge.
Let’s ask Roget, one of my very best friends. Diverse, numerous, copious, abundant, zillion. Jack of all trades, catch-all, factotum (ooh isn’t that a fun word?). Create, draft, design, blueprint, production.
Since there are two of you, possibly a Jack ‘n Jill (or other duo) name? I’m drawn toward the word zillion, as well, as there seem to be many things your business is capable of. Maybe just Zillion(s) with a tagline? Design Factory (possibly taken)? Catch-all Creations?
These are just a few to get you started – let us know if we get you off on the right foot, and update us with your progress!
Thanks for your comment!
Hey April,
Thank you for your help! Thought you might like to know that I went for the personal connection in the end too!
My surname is Sargent and I went for ‘Centurion Designs’ Centurion having the same meaning (roughly translated) as Sargent.
It is also the name my father has for his Theatre Company.
Your blog really helped me think of something personal and I enjoyed the journey it took to get here! Thank you and I look forward to reading more of your blog, despite our different sectors!
Good luck xx
Katy-Ann,
Centurion Designs – I like it! I love that you found a personal connection, and isn’t the journey great?! I found that at the time I was a little frustrated, but the challenge and the personal pride as I neared the destination really made it a fun project.
Good luck to you too, and I hope to see you around Millo again!
Hi April,
Im a freelancer since 3 years now, I wont deny saying this that I think of giving a identity to my work daily. But I often think that should I really include my name there, or keep it a reflection of my work skills.
You article has encouraged me and the best thing is that once i finished reading it, loads of name popped up in my mind, so im sure giving it a sincere thought will give me “a good company name”
Sheer genius skills will be required to come up with a unique name.
Thanks
A Gaur
Hi Ankita,
Thank you for your kind words! I’m glad to have helped.
Please do share when you determine your company name – I’d love to hear it!
Best,
April
Hey April,
Greer Genious, is great! It made me chuckle but I love the confidence it exudes and your work backs it up! If you have confidence in you then so will your clients! Definitely a keeper!!
I am really struggling to find a name too at the moment. I am starting an Interior and Event design company. I am still in the baby steps with only 3 weddings and two interiors projects under my belt, but feel I need an identity. I really want the name to embody, elegance and style with individual creativity. I want to deliver affordable oppulance to events or interior space, corporate or personal. I liked ‘Timeless Designs’ but was told its a bit flat! My friend suggested ‘Swank’ but for obvious reasons has been rejected!!
Please help, it’s so much harder when it’s your own!
Good luck with your ‘genius’ and happy blogging xxx
Katy-Ann,
Interior and Event design – sounds like a LOT of fun! I designed the place settings for a friend’s wedding and really enjoyed it, and I also was responsible for designing every aspect of the memorial celebration for my dad, and while the topic was difficult, getting to “design” the experience was neat.
Let’s start with the word timeless and my best friend, Roget. Endless, eternal, divine are all great synonyms. I think “designs” isn’t elegant enough for your business adjectives. Timeless Nights? Elegant Spaces? Simply Divine?
Remember, your name doesn’t have to tell people what you do – I chose to pair my name with a tagline in the logo so that I could have the name Greer Genius without having to specifically state I’m a designer – my tagline is “Brilliant graphic & web design.”
How is that for a start? Let us know what you come up with!
Thanks for sharing!
Ok!!!! I am all impressed with you ppls creativity in findin names for your business!! Cheers!
Now I would be glad if I can get some smart advice from you all for naming my graphic design biz!
I wanna incorporate my name ‘amina’ in it!! Or both names amina ansari !!!
I was thinkin aminas art or Artistic amina or art by amina !!!??!!? I don know!! 🙁
Amina,
It sounds like you really like having the word “art” in your name – try to brainstorm like I did on that word. You’ve got a nice alliteration with “Amina,” “Ansari,” and “art.” You may want to play on that.
Amina Ansari Art? Ansartistry? Just a couple to help get the creative juices flowing. Think about what you want your potential clients to think of when they read your name. What feelings do you want to invoke?
Good luck, and feel free to share when you’ve got some solid concepts (and reasons for them)!
Hi April,
I loved your blog! I’m currently re-branding my image online and while I’m not a graphic designer, I work in the field of Social Media and Web Design. My husband and I are going to have a joint business, but do totally different things (I do Media, he does Music). It makes sense for our LLC to be one, since he just freelances on top of having a regular job (tax benefits!).
What I name the business will need to reflect ME and HIM, but have a more neutral tone. Any thoughts to this? I’d love any feedback from your readers as well!
Thank you
Lisa
Lisa,
Thanks! (This isn’t my blog, but I post here weekly.) It’s got TONS of great articles for beginners and advanced freelancers, and while they’re mostly geared toward designers, they translate well into your fields.
Hmm, a name…maybe something with the word “harmony” to reflect his music as well as the two of you working together? It could also work well with your web/social media being in harmony with more traditional methods of marketing. Perfect harmony is an obvious one – but I’m sure with some brainstorming you’ll find something great.
Let us know when you’ve got some good ones to share – I’d love to hear them!
April
Autumn,
Thanks – that’s my only reservation about my name. I prefer to think of it as self-confidence, but I’m certain to some it’ll come off as cocky.
I encourage you to brainstorm like I did – spend about 1/2 hour writing down words that associate with your business, even if they seem silly at the time. Then start putting them together.
The common perception is that some people “have it” (creativity for naming) and others don’t, and that it’s a simple art that just “comes” to people. In reality, most people have to work at naming their business well, even the ones with good names!
A lot of people are using the word “Creations” or “Creative” in their names – see Hibiscus Creative above – that sounds very classy. Perhaps brainstorm on synonyms of “creative” (you can use a thesaurus!) and see what you come up with.
Autumn Gifts – Perfect for any season? (A little cliche, but a start)
Good luck, and remember, the really creative and unique names start flowing once you’ve gotten all the mediocre ones out!
Hi April,
I like your name, it is a little cocky but well earned :).
I am having an extremely hard time figuring out a name for my soon to be business. I’m not a design person, I’m more of a craft person.. I make journals, cards and a few fabric/yarn crafts as well. They are all decorative but I don’t want a “cute” name. I think I want my first name – Autumn- in there somewhere, but I don’t know what other word I could put with it, or even something that really fits the genre. I’m kind of stuck, any advice would be amazing! I’m stuck in “crafty corner” or that type of name, and I’d really like something more classy. (My last name is Mak, so I thought I might be able to use it as a play on words… Making?) I don’t really like any ideas I’ve come up with though.
Thanks!
Farah,
Thanks for sharing your story – and congratulations on finding yourself with some good clients and on the cover of magazines! Very neat!
I certainly don’t subscribe to the “a designer must use their name for their business name” theory – it works for some and not for others. I toyed with things I like rather than my name, but in the end I decided I wanted my name in the business name.
I’m working on my website, too! It’s about 85% done at the moment.
Good luck on your logo – I also wrote a post about designing my logo: http://www.graphicdesignblender.com/designing-my-own-logo
Hope it helps!
Hi April,
I have been a freelance designer for a couple of years…and after moving back home (to a completely different continent) suddenly I seem to have struck lucky and got my work on the cover of magazines in my field of design…Also, with work ethics in this country being extremely slow and backward projects seem to take time, but i seem to have a good few clients that want me to do regular work for them along with clients now!!! These 3 together have made me kind of made me “pull my finger out” and get started with OFFICIALLY calling myself a design studio/company…”Licious Designs” is what I have decided to call it…
Iv nver really been a fan of having my name incorporated into the name of companys…it works for some things…and doesnt for others…but Iv seen quite a few freelance designers naming companys after themselves…but the work does not quite seem very “there”, I mean we would ALL love to be Saatchi & Saatchi or Giugiaro Design or Seymour Powell but sometimes it doesnt quite have the same “feel” or “emotion”…this completely put me off wanting to name my design firm/studio/company after myself and I thought “Hell…Make yourself you own sales pitch, make yourself your own brand”…and so Licious Designs came about…well…my friends used to call me Farah-Ri-Licious…”Licious” ofcourse doesnt have a meaning…or rather i dont think it does its not on dictionary.com…
My website has gone up…but I still have to put something up on the “under construction page”…Im at the tricky bit of what my logo should be…and have decided on not making it sooo “wtfs going on” and a bit more how i feel about design…simple, classy, elegant, sophisticated etc…
All the best April…Im sure you will pick a great name…
So I came up with my site name without even really thinking about it. I was creating a piece for a design class when I FIRST started in the design-direction and I just made a quick little logo, and called it Design Glo. I didn’t think twice about it nor did I even think it could end up being mine. Later, showing my dad some off my stuff, he suggested I buy the domain name. I did and within about a year, I had a little site up. My portfolio is pretty limited at this point and I’m still trying to build and get more experience, but having something up with at least some of my work is better than nothing.
To this day, I’m still not 100% sure I love it. I tend to spend weeks trying to decide on verbiage. And before deciding on something, I do exactly what you did, write down words that speak to me, pair them up, move them around, sit and stew, move them around more, so on and so forth. This wasn’t the way it happened so I sometimes wonder if I should go through my usual process. But then I think about what I already have. It’s pretty original. It’s not stuffy and boring like gloria stovall design. It’s personal being that glo is a long standing nickname. And really, there aren’t any other design glo’s out there.
Anyway, I’ve never looked for any feedback on it. I love Greer Genius. I think it’s witty and memorable, and honestly makes me wish I had a name that rhymed with anything. 😉 Would love any feedback or ideas!
Gloria,
So, small world. I worked with your parents at Highland Laboratories (the company that laid me off at the beginning of the story). Your mom hired me and I took over for her when she left HL as the supervisor of the graphics department. I own your old black VW bug. I think we may have met once or twice. Crazy, eh?
Anyway, now that you’re reeling, back on topic! I like that Design Glo has a personal connection to you in your nickname, and it has a nice ring to it. It feels very warm, inviting, and soft to me, like that soft focus in photography that makes skin look velvety smooth and blemish-free.
That you’re not certain you love it is reason enough to explore more names using the methods we both embrace, even if you realize after all of that work that your favorite is still Design Glo. Sometimes the best names are the ones that just occur!
Good luck, Gloria – you have some really nice photography shots there (I really like the railroad tracks from overhead, as well as the mashed candy hearts). I hope the Millo posts and archives can help you find more business and prevent common (and not so common) mistakes!
Hi April!
I loved your post because I felt that naming my business was the bane of my existence. I went through the same trials you did trying to come up with a name. I love the name of your business by the way. Based on what you wrote it seems to fit you to a T!
I’m a veteran retail manager/owner having been in the retail industry for over 25 years! Yikes! LOL. I earned my degree in Merchandising and I love most aspects about retailing but the hours are horrible when you have a family to take care of. After I had my daughter I started a hair bow and ribbon business that allowed me to stay home for a while with her. I started to spruce up my product images with typography and then realized that I wanted to pursue a freelance career in graphic and web design.
Now I must mention that I’m a master procrastinator and in this situation grade A chicken Sh!t. So I never launched my business. I always felt like people wouldn’t take me seriously (not sure why)because I’m a former retail employee. I know I’m my own worst enemy. Anyway not to drone on, I was laid off last December and I thought this was my big break! Mind you I hadn’t done anything to get my name out there. So I started my blog “Shop Girl Speaks” which was my insight into owning and managing a retail business. I thought I would segway into e-comm/graphic/web design. So that is where I am now. Seven years after having the desire to start my freelance business I’ve finally taken the plunge. I chose to keep SGS as the name of my business…it sums up who I am and what I do plus it keeps things simple for me at the moment. Depending on how my business grows I may branch into a second site.
Here’s to your continued success!
Shop Girl
Shop Girl,
Thanks for sharing your story, and let me tell you – where you come from is often a testament to how awesome you are, not a detriment! A lot of people who start in retail stay there forever (not that that’s necessarily bad), but to start in humble roots and strive for (and achieve!) more is laudable! Good for you!!!
You have some great content in your blog – I particularly like your topic about putting things in an order that people are used to. I don’t like shopping much, so I want to get in, find it, try it on, and be done! Knowing that things are where I think they will be makes the process much less painful for me. It also translates to web design – where do people normally look for links, for example? Makes sense to keep them there so they aren’t discouraged and leave.
One thing I’d love to see on your website – more color and pictures! You mention that your workspace is beige, beige, and beige…and your website is white and black! I think adding some color will bring some vibrancy and life to your site.
Here’s to OUR continued success!
Hey April,
Your post are very entertaining and inspiring. Especially since I too have been looking for a job for months and have yet to land a job. Have had a couple of interviews, but no results so far. Luckily, while I was in college, I decided to start my own “freelance” company to make a little extra income while in school. I also had trouble coming up with a witty name.
It started as just J. Ashley Design, but then it later transformed to Blue Fox Creative (because foxes are fast, witty, and clever and that’s how I wanted my company to be portrayed… quick clever designs). I decided that Blue Fox Creative was kind of childish, so then I came up with Collateral Perspective. That stuck for a few weeks, but then I decided I didn’t like that either. Then, I decided to take something I loved… mountains… and then something that represents mountains… Blu (because I’m from Blue Ridge, but my dog’s name is Blu)… and then what I wanted to do…. Expressions…. that’s when Blu Mountain Expressions was born. I think it’s quite catchy and has a great meaning. Plus it doesn’t have the word Design or Creative in it which I love because it’s not like every other design company in the world.
After the perfect name was born, I then registered it to become Blu Mountain Expressions, LLC. So far, my company name and logo have served me well and have brought me over 20 clients within the past year strictly through referrals! I’ve almost decided that I can make a decent living focusing on my clients rather than spending all of my time searching for a job.
Anyways, excellent post! Well done.
J. Ashley,
I’m glad you’re enjoying my writing! You made my day (the premiere of Game of Thrones is a close 2nd). 🙂
Thanks for sharing your story with us. It sounds like Blu Mountain Expressions is working out great, and I really like that it has meaning for you (it’s my favorite of the ones you listed).
As you read above, I realized I didn’t have time for a “real job” either, and work has continued to arrive on my doorstep! Hooray! I’m always working to promote my business, as if you stop you’ll soon find that you have plenty of time to do so!
Good luck and best wishes with your freelancing, job, or your happy medium of both!
Thankyou April,
Here is the link to my portfolio : http://www.behance.net/xeneblotia
You’re welcome, Zainab! And good luck on your business identity. You have a very cool and unusual (in English) name, so perhaps you can find something that works well with it!
Hey April, I think I have the same story as yours…I am not sure if my portfolio is good or not..I am searching for some freelance work too….
Please pray that I get as lucky as you and find some work soon…
And as soon as I get some good amount of work..than i shall be thinking of my company’s name..
Zainab,
Post a link to your portfolio here so everyone can take a look. (I saw yours on Behance, and I think your infographic pop-ups are really neat!)
It’s important to get your business identity together because if you don’t have one, it’s hard to sell yourself.
Some really great tips to finding freelance work and other forms of income are posted right here on Millo. Do some searching around and you’ll find some great methods!
I feel I may have found this at the right time. While I’m not exactly starting a business, I am starting to post my work for the world to see and I’d rather not just use “Name Design” or something bland. It’s more difficult than it might seem especially the “not-already-taken” factor. I’ve been piecing together some things, but can’t come to a conclusion.
I want to sound youthful (I’m only 15) and sleek but not immature at the same time. I’ve found that most things I think of, are taken.
I would like some more input from someone who has been in this position before.
Thanks
Hi Vaikne,
It’s certainly not easy to find a good, timeless name for the same reason I don’t have a tattoo – I haven’t found something I know I’ll still love in 50 years. Luckily I brainstormed mine.
What are your passions? What things make your eyes light up or have a soft spot in your heart? What defines you as a person? (As a 15 year-old boy, there are some humorous responses here, and really, you’re still defining yourself, but soul-searching is a good start.)
Have you read all of the comments here? Our Millo community has a ton of wonderful, talented people who have shared their stories, trials, and tribulations in response to my post. Take some time to read through them.
Good luck and best wishes!
Thinking about using ‘Kinexxis Creative’ – the idea is to suggest a nexus between kinetic movement and design.
Steve,
Very interesting. I like the movement. My only caution is to beware of words your clients can’t spell! Makes it harder for them to remember the name (hopefully for a referral!), the web address, etc.
Definitely not saying that counts it out…just something to think about.
Aprix Solutions
Oafy,
Thanks for the suggestions. I think you’re only one of 3 or 4 people I’ve shared with who have given me alternatives.
I keep finding cohesion with Greer Genius and my life, and I really dig it, so that’s what I’m sticking with.
Thanks, though!
Greer Lancer
Hi Phill,
I’m glad you like my thought process and business name. It sounds like you did much the same thing as I for your own.
My advice to you is find a name you love. If you feel like you can’t get behind “the might buck” anymore, like it just doesn’t *fit* anymore, then maybe now is a good time to make a change. I spent a lot of time with various names in that “well, I’m just not sure” stage. Ultimately, I kept feeling them out until something else came along that I liked a little bit better, sortof…and then I used Preston’s From Passion to Profit to really nail it. I still can’t believe that his exercise worked as well as it did.
I took a look at your portfolio, and I think you’ve got a great start for an ebook about photography. I’d buy it. Seriously, I’m an amateur photographer who doesn’t want to read the manual (if I knew where it was) on all the bells and whistles. I want a simple. straightforward explanation and some tips from someone who knows what they’re doing. So I go on with my cheap-ish camera taking decent photos, but who knows? I might be just a few settings away from amazing photos, especially at night time.
As for your wax logo, I get where you’re going but I think you should add some simple shading to give your logo some dimension. With logos it is often the simpler the better, but it’s totally flat right now. With some shading/darker red in the right spots, it could really come to life.
Good luck, Phill! Thanks for posting, and stay tuned for more posts here at Millo that help you realize your freelance business!
Hello April! I enjoyed reading your story. The name of my business/ministry is Filled With Encouragement. I started off doing graphic designs and quickly became discouraged by the lack of business I was receiving and how hard I had to grind to get customers. Then, Jesus, helped me grow into my talent and created a GREATER niche for my design/crafts. Now, I create one-of-a kind gift baskets and publications to encourage others, to not only, pursue their passion but embrace the greater that is within them. May you continue to be blessed and a blessing. Dawnese
Dawnese,
What an inspirational name! I love that it hints at faith and religion but it doesn’t smack you over the head with it. It’s also really great to hear about you finding your niche – I love the idea and the name really compliments your work.
Do you have a website? I’d love to see it.
Oh a business name… I think you did a fantastic job in choosing a name. It’ll be great to see your new logo that corresponds with this name of yours. 😉 THAT will be fun.
Everyone I know (almost) has their business name as “Last Name + Designs/Studio.” So boring, and tells nothing about their personality or what they do. And alas, I lump myself in with that vast majority as a “throw my hands up” result of long hours brainstorming, sketching, and trying to be creative with words. I’ve decided words just aren’t my strong point. 😉 I took up this domain name “melody graphic design” in a panic that for sure someone was going to steal it as I pondered over something more clever. So that’s where I have pathetically settled for now. I, much like you, have very mediocre work to show from my last and current job. I’m the most creative when I freelance, or dig up those old projects from college (which I’m currently showcasing neither!). I hope I come up with a half decent name at least by the time I get my behance portfolio up and running. Thanks for the inspiration and thoughts-
Melody (and the rest of Millo readers):
I can’t wait to show you the new logo! (Of course, that means I’ve got to get to work!) Thanks for your interest!
Melody is a great name – think of it in reference to songs – “Make your design sing!” Okay, a little corny? Maybe, but something like that could work really well for you. You’ve got to get all the bad and mediocre ideas out so that the good ones really shine.
As for getting some great new portfolio pieces, see if you can partner with a non-profit organization in your area or take a CE (continuing education) course that provides portfolio pieces. See Preston’s post about how to improve your success rate on cold calls/emails/mail with a published ebook/book/pamphlet/brochure about why they need your business. I’m definitely going to employ that trick!
Melodesign! (Just a thought…) 😉
I like that! Depending on how you say it, it’s got melo(w) in there, which feels peaceful. Good one Traci!
I guess I’m going to be the only one with negative feedback. Sorry, I’m the mom and I can do that. I think it’s catchy but if I were looking for a designer I wouldn’t know that’s what you did. Now you must remember that I’m totally technically non-saavy. I guess the school teacher in me leans towards something creative but informative! If one of my students wrote that I’d have to say “Genius at what???”
Well sheesh, Mom, you of all people should know…genius at EVERYTHING! 🙂 Just kidding. Love you anyway.
You aren’t the only one who has said that my business name should reflect what I do, otherwise it’s unknown. I am thinking of a tagline that might describe my genius. Also realize that Greer Genius would also rarely be stand-alone. Most of the time, like on a business card, “April Greer, Graphic/Web Designer” would accompany it, or my portfolio on a website, or some sort of aforementioned tagline in a business directory — online or printed.
PS – Aunt Linda likes it.
April,
While I am always nervous to argue with mothers (ha), I agree with you.
I think the name is excellent and shows that you really put some thought into it.
But to your mom’s point, you will always need to include a tagline or something to clarify. Good thinking, April’s mom. And thanks for commenting! I think that’s a first: having a writer’s mom contribute. 🙂
Preston,
Thanks for the vote of confidence, even if it does mean slightly disagreeing with my mom. 🙂 She’s a pretty busy lady so she probably won’t have time to give you the steely “mom look,” at least until summer when school lets out.
Don’t forget about SEO! Even if your business name isn’t literal, if someone is searching for a graphic designer, key words on your website will still lead them right to you! 🙂
I agree April, your new name rocks, I’d love to see your website and more of your work….do you have a site up yet?
Suddenly I feel so ordinary thought! I just went with Theresa Sheridan Designs, mostly because if I used my full name I wasn’t required to do the whole fictitious business name statement process, which was more money than I had at the time. So, it was the practical route for me, not the creative and now I’m stuck with it. Heck, it IS me after all, so I guess it works.
Theresa,
Thanks – I can’t wait to see my website, either! 🙂 Ha ha. Truthfully, I reasoned that without a name I couldn’t create a brand, and so I have only my Behance portfolio – www.be.net/agreer – not that that’s bad. I have a great idea for business cards in the works, though.
Ordinary is not bad! Practical is often a great solution, and impractical is definitely the wrong way to go. Cost-effective is also a great attribute, especially for starting up.
I love the name, and I think it absolutely meets your criteria. It rolls off the tongue really well too, and I instantly get the connection to “sheer genius” when I say it out loud. It also radiates self confidence without being too cocky.
I had my own naming issues as well. When I first started out freelancing about 8 years ago, I used “Jennae Signature Design” for years, and I HATED it. I knew in my gut that it didn’t feel right, but I couldn’t come up with anything better. Then like Traci, my new name came to me in a split second one day, and I just went for it.
I chose “Hibiscus Creative” first and foremost because I love my hometown: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, where hibiscus flowers are abundant. I wanted something that referred to a personal connection without being as obvious as my name. Second, the hibiscus to me represented growth and blossoming, which is what I like to think I’m helping my clients do. And lastly, I didn’t want to use “design, studio or graphics” either. “Creative” describes everything that I do, and I love the way the phrase rolls off the tongue. My mother and sisters insisted that I should use “graphic design” or something else, because “creative just doesn’t make sense.” I’ve been using my new name for three years now, and I’ve never had a client complain or say they didn’t “get it.” So I think I chose pretty well 🙂
Jennae:
Just from your photo and your thought process, I think Hibiscus Creative is a perfect match for you. It’s beautiful, classy, and creative. You did a great job.
I am in the same boat you were – everyone here has raved about my name – but (read below) my mom and two of my good business-y friends (in the baby boomer age) have told me the exact same thing. Meh. I really like it, and I can promote it because I love it and want to live up to the name. Hopefully they’ll come around when the business cards and the website are unveiled!
Wow, Millo readers! You are an amazing bunch! I can’t believe the outpouring of support I’ve received. When Preston and I talked about this post, I was nervous about putting myself at your mercy and hoped my skin was thick enough, but wow. My cup runneth over.
Thank you all so much for your positive comments, thoughts, kudos, and interest! Keep them coming!
April, your story is so familiar except I was laid off in Dec. of 2010 after 10+ years at the same company. I applied for jobs, even worked for 3 months before the new store I was working for ran out of money. I had no idea what to do with myself until my Dad said to start my own biz. I went with a name that worked but later I was served with a cease and desist letter from a 110 million dollar company that didn’t like my name showing up before their’s on Google. So, I thought and thought and just couldn’t come up with a name until an epiphany hit me like a ton of bricks – Traci with an Eye (Graphic Design, LLC). Everyone seems to really react to it and like it. I’m very happy with it, too!
I love Greer Genius – the play on words really speaks to people and makes them remember you. Good job!
Traci,
Very cool how you incorporated your name (and spelling) into your business name! So creative!
It’s crazy we share such the same story – my dad also encouraged me to be my own boss and become an entrepreneur.
hey show your resume 🙂
Hi Gustavo,
I’d be happy to show you my resume – if you visit my LinkedIn profile (April Greer in Salem, Oregon), you can send me a note with your email address in it. I’d be happy to email you the PDF.
Alternatively if you go to my portfolio – http://www.be.net/agreer and view my work experience, that’s got the same information as my resume does.
I love it! My business name is Duosista. Means nothing and is completely made up, but I could get the URL, twitter and anything else I wanted with it. I also like to give myself a fun title instead of Graphic Designer so I went with “Fun-lovin’, easy going multi-talented genius!” Maybe that would suit you too with your new business name and all!
Good luck!
Kylie,
Duosista sounds like a great name for your attitude! Very fun, funky, creative, outside the box! I’ll have to think about a more creative name for myself.
Good luck to you too!
I think it is good – and like the sheer genius rhyme link too 😉
I previously had a partnership with another designer and we were called ‘marching ants’ (to those in the know the dots that march around a selection in image editing/layout software and to those not in the know it was something quite memorable and cool). The partnership didn’t work out so we finished the business and both did our own thing and had to bury the great name. I was sad to let go of the marching ants name but then wanted something that was about me and my ethos as a creative designer and came up with ‘One Bright Spark’.
I too was a little apprehensive in my business name (and don’t do cocky/big headed so was a little worried but hoped it would focus on the ideas side of things rather than me biggin’ myself up!). I have been in business for about four years as one bright spark – first part time and then in October 2011 I plucked up the courage to quit the corporate day job (of 22 years) and am now realising my dream too.
Everybody loves the name, especially when they get a spark plug keyring with a business card tag, which ensures I get remembered at least.
Keep up the great work and thanks for an inspiring post that proves we are in charge of our own destiny and get out what we put in.
Jason,
Yay, someone gets the rhyme! I’m glad I’ve inspired you (and hopefully others).
Losing “Marching Ants” must’ve been rough – that’s a great connection to your work! Glad you found yet another in One Bright Spark and that your name is part of your marketing scheme – excellent two-fer! 🙂 I love that you went above and beyond with the keyring to make something memorable!
Great article April! I am having the same problem with coming up with a name for what I do. I think your name Greer Genius is great. I agree that it meets your criteria. I have two names that I may want to use for my business. The first one is Quarles Creations and the second one is Fresh Focus Studio. I like the first one but I think some people might have a hard time pronouncing my last name. I also like the second one except for the studio part. I am just having a hard time choosing which one I like better. Thank you for your post. It has given me a lot of things to think about towards my own business name.
Thanks, Keisha!
What if you dropped Studio and used Fresh Focus? It might make some think of photography, but if that’s something you’re good at it might work well. Q can also be a fun letter to play with – perhaps not your entire last name? Q Creations? Hmmm.
Think about what you want your potential clients to think of when they read your business name (or see your logo). Fresh Focus sounds light, rejuvenating, Spring-y, etc. Quarles Creations has less attached to it as far as adjectives go, but creations often feels comfortable, homemade, cozy…like baked goods. See if you can come up with your own criteria to help you decide!
Or Keisha Creations?
Just a thought
I came up with Trikreations. The Tri works with the three things I am interested in doing such as design, photography, and videography. Kreations uses the K for my name Keisha and creations for what I like to do which is create. It has its own slogan which says try Keisha Creations.
Cool!
Have you thought about adding a hyphen to help with pronunciation? Tri-kreations.
Thanks for following up with us.
Yes I have added the hyphen to Tri-kreations. I really think that I have found my name for my business. I shared the name with my brother and he really liked it. Next is to design my logo. Thanks so much for the feedback.
I like the name. It shows character and confidence. I’m tinkering with a business name called Digital Modshop which I want to use for a Photo Editing & Design business.
Brian,
Awesome – character and confidence are two great adjectives I’d love to have associated with my business!
Digital Modshop sounds very tech-y and modern. Sleek. Professional. Are those the adjectives you’re going for? Good luck, and let us know what you fall in love with!
I like it. It is part you (last name, characteristic), simple/short, professional and pretty cool.
I would do business as this name and it does not come across as cocky to me. As long as your website/portfolio is polished, great content, easy to navigate and on point, then you’ve hit success. I too will have to face the name game soon. Right now I’m going off part of my name. I wish you well and thank you for this post.
Thanks, Nina!
(I think it’s pretty cool, too.) As you get going, check back in with us so we can see your progress! Millo has a lot to offer entrepreneurial designers, so we’d love to follow your success while you learn and share with the Millo community!
Great article April. I took a similar approach in naming my freelance business; Definition Designs. Came from an old project that I did in art class, was our culminating for that year. We we’re to define ourselves in an art piece – I carved a hand and engraved the base with “What you create defines you.” Always thought it was somehow really profound, and related well to what I think graphic design is – visually defining our world.
Greer Genius – it’s got itself a nice feel to it.
Davin,
Thanks for the kudos!
As I was saying to Hilmi (just above your comment), if you don’t love your name, it’s going to be hard to wake up every day and use it. I love that you found a name that’s meaningful to you.
The best thing is your name when start with, because if not that name you don’t arrival this level of bloging.
My name my be 3 weeks graphic design.
Hilmi,
Why is 3 weeks graphic design special to you? What makes you choose that name? It’s a long name, but you can certainly use the “nickname” 3 weeks if you so choose.
You have to love the name. It has to feel right. You’re going to live and breathe it for the foreseeable future. I’d love to hear how your name does that for you.
Hi Hilmi,
Why did you choose 3 weeks graphic design as your business name? If it speaks to you great! My only concern would be is that potential clients may think that you will deliver their custom request within 3 weeks and maybe they have a project that may last longer.
Good luck!
Shop Girl
This was such a helpful post! I just started full time freelancing a few months ago and with the holidays and some busy deadlines, haven’t even taken time to think through the whole naming issue for my new business. I know I need to get there though because I have been putting off a website until I land on the right name. Thanks for sharing your story!
Kim,
I’m glad to help! You’re quite welcome!
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that your own business needs TLC, too. (Not just everyone else’s.) I made a goal to spend time each week working on my business – social media, marketing, naming, making connections, etc.
I said this to Savyra too, but I have to say Preston’s book, “From Passion to Profit” truly helped me find my name. (He’s not paying me to say this.) The “naming exercise” really worked. I had been feeling this pressure to come up with a great name and when I got to his chapter, I thought “there is no way that in an hour I’m going to find my business name.” Getting all of my thoughts – even terrible ones – out on paper made connections in my brain that I hadn’t seen before.
I highly suggest you set aside some time for yourself and your business to find your business name. I think you’ll find it surprisingly rewarding and fun (I did – and I was surprised that it was fun and not as daunting as I made it out to be) when I got to make all of the decisions instead of a client!
Hi April – I’m so jealous – you’ve solved the identical problem I have, so elegantly. It’s brilliant! And your work lives up to it.
I’m struggling with Savyra.com or Picture-Kitchen.com…. the one has my name, the other says that I make pictures.
Any ideas, guys? I’m thinking of going back to Savyra.com because my name is unusual so I can trade on that. I also see that people put Savyra or Savyra Meyer into the search string before they end up on my blog or on my site. Picture-Kitchen is not all that strong or memorable and now someone else has called themselves Picture Kitchen Studios….
Any help gratefully received.
Savyra,
Thank you for your kind words! Elegant and brilliant…truly, I appreciate it!
I have to say Preston’s book, “From Passion to Profit” truly helped me find my name. (He’s not paying me to say this, btw.) But the “naming exercise” really worked. I had been feeling this pressure to come up with a great name and when I got to his chapter, I thought (I really did) “there is no way that in an hour I’m going to find my business name.” Getting all of my thoughts – even terrible ones – out on paper made connections in my brain that I hadn’t seen before.
100% serious, I started “feeling out” Greer Genius on that plane ride (that was in November), and I’m finally satisfied enough with it to ask the world what it thinks. It felt like me, and that was one of the most important parts…if I didn’t love the name, I couldn’t embrace it and use it every day.
I’d avoid “kitchen” in your name. It could confuse folk with kitchen design. Savyra is good on its own, or could be used as a pun with the word savvy. Although puns aren’t such a big deal; they’re a bit of a one liner and, as such, could get very stale for repeat customers.
I think April’s biz name is awesome. If you wanted do something similar, maybe “Meyer Good”? (sounds like My, you’re good!)?
Thanks for bending your mind towards my problem Sean! And apologies for not replying sooner. I have a thought now, which this discussion has triggered.
Savyra,
Your name is very unique. Based on your post, I gather you are a photographer.
Have you tried something like SavyrAperture, , It incorporates your name, and indicates photography more subtly by using a camera feature as opposed to obvious words like “picture” or “photo”. Another cool thing about it, is that at quick glance it reads “Saavy Aperture” which could speak to your skill as a photographer. Bonus points..I’m pretty sure your name is unique enough that the url is probably free! What do you think? (Sorry if it is cheesy I came up with it in the few seconds it took me to read your post).
Hi Martha – big thanks to you as well for taking the time to write. I do have savyra.com and may well get back to it, but you have inspired me to do more with it. I need to first research if one may use a ‘+’ sign in a website.
Apologies to you too for my silence. Saw this only now because I didn’t click to receive updates…Thanks for the inspiration!!
April, I think it’s “sheer genius”! I like the personal touch to it and how you related it to phrases you often use in your everyday life, as well as incorporating your name. Now you have me second guessing my own business name, Design4Sign. But then again I do design logos and websites for mostly small businesses that use American Sign Language. That works, right?
Bree,
First, thanks for your opinion!
Second, let me say how cool it is that you design for ASL businesses! How did you find that niche? Do you know sign language? Do you find that these businesses have different needs than hearing businesses? Design4Sign is a great name tailored to what your niche is. If you decide you are going to branch out and do other things, you can take “Design4Sign” and make it a tagline when you design specifically for ASL.
I just started a new language to learn spanish, and the guys at www.namella.com helped me with it.
HA! my name is Bree too, I never see anyone w/ my name