Flip Creative.
Sounds energetic, compared to the other choices. And you could have so much fun playing with this logo. Flip "Flip" upside down in press releases for example...
On the flip of a coin...
Catch you on the flip side; or Caught on the flip side.
At the logo stage, replace the "i" in Flip with an upside down explanation mark to reiterate the Flip and energy of the people running this business.

and so on and so on and so on!

Good luck with your choice. It's hard. Had trouble with mine too. The logo I eventually created was even more of a challenge.

ttfn!
3dogmama

Thanks for your comments. Flip is my favorite as well, and I have already thought of the endless things I could do the logo. Simple. Smart. Type.... my favorite.

However, should i be worried that there are already a few shops out there with that name?

Firm out of Austraila:
http://www.flipcreative.com.au/

Firm out of India:
http://www.flipdesign.in/home.html

Shop in Illinos: (they seem small)
http://www.flipdesignstudio.com/

Firm in Utah:
http://www.flipdesign.com/

studio shanda

Digging the logo on the indian site.

How about 'Switched On'? I'm not enamored with the 'Creative' names.

Congrats on the business, Shanda! And great idea not using your last name for the business name. You want something timeless and not attached to your name should anything untoward happen on a legal front (god forbid!)

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Powerpoint is not a design application
My latest web design work

I think you should look for something more unique. Make sure the .com domain is still available for your name. It's much more elegant to own your name as .com for your future site and emails. Also, when people will search for you they will find you easily. With names you listed you can be easily confused with other businesses. You may avoid a lot of confusion by choosing a truly unique name. I just started my own business and I called it 7field. There is a reason for the name, but above all this was available as .com. Good luck and do spend a lot of time on choosing your right name.

Last time I had to work out a company name I had a partner. Made things easier. We decided the name of our design agency on the flip of a coin (no...really).

But Ivan's right. Having a reason for the name is good advice. That's how I landed on the one that I called my new business this year. Take the time and be happy with the right one.

ttfn!
3dogmama

Shanda, I'm excited for you! Best wishes. You're a talented woman, focused and well-organized. I know you'll be successful.

I'm afraid none of the possibles you've listed does anything for me at all. "Flip Creative" comes across to me as too flippant. It also carries a sense of the arbitrary ("flip a coin"). Neither of these strikes me as strong placement.

I'd like to encourage you to reconsider going with some variation on your name.

Mara

I am excited as well. I had no idea this name thing would be so hard. I have asked a few creative's in my area, and they all like SALT. But all of your comments do lead me to believe that I need to keep searching.

I will admit I am getting antsy since this name has been holding me back for months and months. I keep over-thinking it and going in circles. I do wonder at which point I need to say enough is enough.

studio shanda

working with my current name, I am just trying to rid of it. Thanks for the link, I have been looking for that!

Also, I thought I could use a business name as long as it is not registered in MY state. Am I wrong?

studio shanda

Check this article out:

http://deliberately-different.blogspot.com/2006/02/how-they-named-companies.html

Interesting read to see how these companies arrived at their names. Maybe the article can twig something in you.

Of special note, is how HP arrived at their name. ;)

ttfn!
3dogmama

I have made a list a mile long the last few days, trying explore every verb I can think of. Then I realized that I should name my business after my strength and passion: Typography.

I really like:

Flush Left Creative

I can own this name across the board, web domain included.

I am also now considering Em Dash Creative, but there are a couple with this name.

Thoughts?

Not sure you want 'Flush' in your name... :)

How about Left Justified Creative or just Justified Creative? Or even go deeper on the real printing angle and pull some terms from using an old printing press for inspiration...

Check out some

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Powerpoint is not a design application
My latest web design work

Agree. Don't use flush. Although there is the obvious typographical definition of, there's also the porcelain version.

Try exploring other languages. Sometimes the meaning of a phrase or word in translation sounds trés cool:
Mon Créatif

For example, english to french site: http://www.wordreference.com/
Also reference Spanish, German, etc.

ttfn!
3dogmama

What do you all think about Flint Creative?

"Spark something new"

Shanda, I can tell you've done a lot of marketing and it's affecting your creativity. :) Try just searching for as many words as you can that describe your partnership with your biz partner. What style do you both come up with? What clients do you want?

You want to speak to them with your brand and logo. What do you want to say to them? This will be your answer. Flint seems too simplistic imo for what I've seen of your work which is much more dynamic, sensitive and clean to be categorized with the creation of fire. :)

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Powerpoint is not a design application
flikWORLD Design

Can you tell that I am driving myself crazy with this?

studio shanda

Have you tried making an anagram from your name(s) to keep it personal?

ttfn!
3dogmama

Pixel Pie Creative

There is a Pixel Pie.com... but it is web hosting and domain name company (who looks a little shanty to me), and I don't think I should worry about it. What do you think? That is the ONLY thing I found.

We also loved Pixel Soup, but there are a few shops around the globe that pop up on google.

I really like this one! Thoughts before I take the plunge?

studio shanda

pixel seems to imply web.

I do print work almost exclusively, and I don't think in terms of pixels at all, even though roughly 60% of what I do involves Photoshop (pixel city). "Pixel Pie" is a cute name, but it says Web-only to me, for whatever that's worth.

Also, Shanda, as far as I know, most of your work isn't really in the "cute" category. Do you think that could be a problem down the line? And how would it come across to major corporate and government clients? I'm really just asking that, because I have no idea how that kind of thing plays out on your coast. Here, it could make you look too kiddish.

Mara

However, here in Seattle, things like that are more liberal.

One of the most well known and successful AD/design firms here in Seattle is called "Wexley School for Girls."

studio shanda

However, here in Seattle, things like that are more liberal.

One of the most well known and successful AD/design firms here in Seattle is called "Wexley School for Girls."

studio shanda

Creative Pie?

studio shanda

Shanda,

I'd recommend doing this brainstorming on your own and then post the top three here for us to discuss. Might speed up the process.

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Powerpoint is not a design application
flikWORLD Design