Portfolio, no print work as of yet

[larsson]

I am just getting started in logo design and have been doing some spec work, but haven't really done any print work to speak of. I am thinking for my portfolio that I would take some of my spec work and change the company names to something generic that the logo was made for. For example, I'd use something like LightingCompany or something like, rather than the actual company name that I created it for to avoid any copyright issues.

Does anyone have any advice regarding the above and a starting portfolio in general for someone who has not done any print work as of yet?

Thank you

[~V~]

I shouldn't run into any copyright issues if you're using the company names to design for self promotion. You just can't try to make a profit from it, like trying to sell the names, or mass produce the design and posts them everywhere.

Students use coporations names all the time for projects, and it's OK because its for education. I recently graduated so I still have work in my portfolio from school, which has designs I created for the Four Seasons, Greenpeace, and Benjamin Moore. As, far as I know its OK.

[larsson]

I didn't think about it from that angle. BTW, I checked out your livejournal and just wanted to comment that you do nice work!

[bluecherrygfx]

You should make sure you reserve the right to display the work in your portfolio.

That being said, sometimes I do change company names on my designs that don't get selected. Not because I'm worried about copyright issues, but because some of my potential clients might know the company and know it's not the logo they're using now.

[TommyGun96]

You should not get any warnings for that. The same would apply to graphic humor... the sometimes use brands and stuff and its not intended to steal rights or something... just in the right context and with the right explanation of what the artwork whas made for it should be OK. As teachers always say ... "You can not use the same graphic to another brand name, because the original one was designed to work for this one" ... Its not the same the visual appearence of a brand with 5 letters than with 7 and so one ... it's not the same original idea.

But if you're paranoic ... change the name for another one! ;-)

[bluecherrygfx]

If you're referring to the intellectual property rules regarding satire, they do not apply to the situation he's referring to. At least in the US.

If you've reserved the right to display the work in your portfolio, you're OK; otherwise, just use a fictitious name.

[JonnyHoy]

If you've created logos which make use of company names, but which are not for the companies themselves, then I would recommend that you use generic names for your portfolio - it just makes sense.

Besides any copyright issues, it's just misleading and improper to say the least.