Every business has a story behind its name and logo, and for StandOut Design, the journey to creating our identity was anything but simple. Looking back 10 years, I smile at the frustration, determination, and happy accidents that led to something that has become a symbol of who we are and what we stand for.
The Name That Almost Wasn’t
Deciding on a name for my business was one of the most stressful and frustrating challenges I faced in those early days. I knew I wanted a name that was different—something that didn’t blend in or feel generic. I definitely didn’t want to use my last name (no offense to the family business traditions) or something trendy at the time like “on-fleek designs” (thank goodness for that decision!).
But every time I thought of a name, it was either already taken, or the domain wasn’t available. I can’t even count how many late nights I spent scribbling down ideas, searching domain registries, and hitting dead ends. I started to feel like maybe I was overthinking it.
Then one day, while scrolling through social media, I stumbled upon a video of an entrepreneur talking about stress and decision-making. His advice was simple: stop stressing over the big picture and focus on what’s right in front of you. It was one of those “aha” moments. I thought to myself, What’s the most important thing I want my business to provide for clients? And the answer was clear: I wanted to create designs and services that help my clients’ products and businesses truly stand out from their competition.
That was it. StandOut Design was born. It felt perfect—bold, timeless, and exactly what I wanted to represent. For the first time in weeks, I felt a wave of relief and excitement.
The Happy Accident That Became the Logo
Once I had the name, I was ready to tackle the next step: the logo. Little did I know, designing the logo would take just as long as coming up with the name. I wish I still had those early sketches and renderings to look back on. It would be fun to see how far they’ve come, but I remember the process vividly.
I spent days experimenting with fonts, colors, and layouts. Nothing was clicking. Then, one afternoon, the magic happened—completely by accident. I was moving some fonts around on the artboard, dragging letters here and there, when I accidentally placed the “S” over the “O.” I stared at it for a moment, tilted my head, and thought, Wait a second, I think I might have something here.
I cocked the “S” slightly to the side and started deleting some negative space. That’s when it hit me—I wasn’t just seeing two letters anymore. I saw a face. A big, smirking face with sunglasses, and it immediately brought back memories of my childhood. It reminded me of the Kool-Aid Man, bursting through walls with a confident “Oh Yeah!” It made me smile. It felt bold, playful, and full of personality—everything I wanted StandOut Design to embody.
The two “>>” arrows in the logo were a later addition, but they added even more meaning. Depending on how you interpret them, they represent motion, like a fast-forward icon, symbolizing progress and moving businesses forward quickly. They also resemble two “greater-than” symbols side by side, which I found poetic. I think of it as a reminder that standing is always greater than being out, but together, they create something truly spectacular.
A Timeless Identity
The StandOut Design logo hasn’t changed much over the years, and that’s something I’m proud of. It’s simple, timeless, and packed with meaning. Every time I see it, I’m reminded of that moment of accidental creativity, of the determination it took to find the right name, and of the journey that has brought us to where we are today.
It’s funny how something as small as a logo can carry so much history and emotion. For me, it’s not just a mark on a business card or a website—it’s a symbol of resilience, creativity, and the belief that even the most frustrating challenges can lead to something truly extraordinary.
Here’s to the next 10 years of helping businesses StandOut, and to the stories—big and small—that make this journey so meaningful.
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