Sunday, September 20, 2009

For The Love of Red Trucks

There’s something about an old red truck. Charm, strength, friendliness, character, history, and hardworking. For me, the love of the red truck came one day in the early 90s when I was in perusing a boutique fabric store in Tahoe, California. This particular store had antiques peppered throughout as displays and a few for sale. The one that caught my eye, and is embedded forever in my mind, was a 1940s, red pressed-steel toy stake-bed truck that held a crawling ivy plant displayed above the bolts of fabric. At that very moment, it became my obsession to find a truck just like that that I could afford. I scoured ebay and antique fairs and eventually found my share of like trucks, some I kept, some I sold during my days as an antique dealer. Eventually, I became obsessed with actually owning one.

When I decided to narrow my graphic design projects to logo design, I figured what better icon for my own logo than the truck I love. I chose to model my truck as an early 50s generic style, no specific model. Since then, I have found that many other businesses chose a red truck as their identity. You know what they say about great minds. A few actually own an old red truck and a have their own story to tell.(1) Red Truck Wines (2) Red Truck Entertainment (3) Red Truck Beer (4) Red Truck Renovations (5) Red Truck Publishing (6) Step-Side Shorty Band (7) Red Truck Fly Fishing

Last week I was asked to design a new logo for a family rose nursery in Fillmore, California in need of a new look. They were planning to place the new logo on their father’s recently restored 1960 Ford F350 stake-bed truck.I suggested using the truck in their logo, as clearly, I think red trucks rock. They agreed and here are their new logotypes.

Please visit Otto & Son’s website HERE.

22 comments:

Elise said...

Oh, Cathe. Your work leaves me speechless... Mumbling and stumbling. You are a MASTER! I so adore your vision and process and PRODUCTION! I am astounded by all that you do! THANK YOU SO MUCH for directing me to this blog! I am a Fine Artist by trade and education, but missed the graphic art ability by MILES! Your work is SO inspirational: I'm literally twitching! FANTASTIC! I'll be sure to check by this blog more often! You are a ONE WOMAN SHOW with seats sold out for years! I love it! Have a great day, dear!

Christa said...

Otto and sons logo is excellent!! lov it ;)

Hyla said...

Love it!

Christie Cottage said...

Lovin' the old trucks!

http://christiecottage.blogspot.com

Angie Mae said...

I love the old trucks. It reminds me so much of my dad. It's funny to see you talk about Fillmore as I am from that area (Ventura)and now live in the Ozarks and I know you have mentioned you lived in the Ozarks and now live in CA. I miss CA but love where I am now!

Love your blogs too! You give so much inspiration.

300 North Jackson said...

I love the contrast of the pink and the blue against the red of the truck. The subtle femininity of your design gives off a vintage-warm-cozy feel that makes me want to drink warm cider and pick out baskets of mums....or maybe that's the fall weather? Either way, I love it.

Karen The Graphics Fairy said...

Fabulous Cathe!!! You always do such amazing work!
Bummer about the jury duty thing though, I hope it goes quickly for you.
Karen

Linda K. said...

Cathe,
These red trucks are very cool! And what can I say about your logos? Well, your work speaks for itself. It truly is the very best out there in my opinion. You have a gift for this line of work. I certainly admire you and your designs.
Linda

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

FABULOUS, Rock Star! You know, I have a couple of old red trucks that I adore too. Red, being my favorite color, and 'old', being one of my favorite adjectives - what could be better, right? Love this logo!

emily said...

Love love your red trucks! Reminds me of my dad's various old farm trucks. And I love reading about your work in Petaluma and Cloverdale a couple of towns my hubby and I lived in back in the old days before kids!

FILIGREE MOON said...

Cathe, love your talent. Such clean, crisp and easily identifiable logos! Amazing designer, beautiful designs! Thanks for sharing the journey! ~ Angela

Erin Glee said...

I am sure Otto & Son's will be very happy with their logo's for many, many years to come~it's wonderful, as is ALL you do!
I don't remember the exact Christmas, but I think it was was my second, in 1962, that Santa brought a beautiful, shiney red Tonka truck with white stakes on the bed. I still have that truck (but not all of the stakes). When I had an apartment in a divided up victorian house in Santa Rosa, that truck was "parked" on my porch with a plant in it!
Yes... great minds...

Kathryn said...

Yes, I am a graphic designer who vists JSIM (for the hands on aspect) and I do come here from time to time to admire your logo work. I find your work quite diverse and can see that it's about the client and not your own style. I think that takes a lot of maturity as a designer.

Becky Brocato said...

Love, love, love all your work! Thank you for sharing this blog. I'll be checking it frequently also!

BellaColle' said...

Wow! you are truley a talented soul.. the logo turned out amazing!! I love blogging..visiting and learning so much from folks...some blogs you visit are caos..but yours {JSIM} and this one are so calming and inspirational! Thanks so much.
XO
~Christine

Splendid Little Stars said...

awesome!

DonnaMo said...

Hi Cathe,

I am excited to be here too. I subscribe to your craft blog, which I ADORE. Now, I've got another site to LOVE and faithfully follow. Your work is incredible! Your designs are so clever, beautifully executed, and strike just the right mood. Every one I look at makes me smile because of how beautifully suited it is to the client or purpose. I am inspired. You may also be interested to know that I just sent this link to my 15 1/2 old daughter. She's an aspiring graphic artist and fell in love with your designs instantly.

Warmly,
Donna from Maryland

Kathy-Catnip Studio said...

Gorgeous work, and I love your blogs!

suzi54241 said...

Here's another red truck for you. I follow your blog and maybe some day we could do a trade. I love your initials. What could I do for you?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzi54241/3743213385/in/set-72157614077417934/

Carl Fox said...

& here's my red truck!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlfoxiv/3653844771/in/set-72157619848799970/

digger derrick trucks said...

Is there any color rather than red? But, anyway your post is great and very interesting.

LKP said...

Can I just say, Cathe, that you are my design HERO!!! Thanks for being amazing and inspiring for folks like me who are newer to the industry. ::hugs::