boundingbox.com

[Playing off your name:]

Bolt Action Creative

[Minimal, address-related:]

Studio 11

[Playing off your city name:]

Valour Design

Simple Steps or Simple Steps Design (simplestepsdesign.com is available, btw) and yeah, I know SimpleBits and all...but it is kinda your brand.

flushstudio.com

(typography term i geuss)

Boulton Like Micheal Creative

Playing of what someone else mentioned about bolt action - gun - and your love of typography, hows about point12.

Play on words really…

Also the .co.uk is available :)

Design thinking

Simplest Design

Simply Pixels

Mark Design

Play on your name..

No Boul(or Bull) Creative (but im not sure how to pronounce your name, is it “Bull”?)

first thing that came to my mind… I’ll have more.

Boult-On Design
reMark Design

emB Design (or Creative)

play on the “em” using your initials

The Boult

MB ;-)

boulted design
boulting design

seems like boundingbox.co.uk is availabe. I like the emB Design that Brian suggested too.

Sorry couldn’t resist :-) No more snappy names, but why not find a name that reflects your philosophy or sense of design?

designmarkup

both .com and .co.uk are still available…

Kram Notloub Design

Maybe something related to your book…

5 Steps Creative
5ss Design
5ss Creative
Simple Steps Creative
Simple Steps Design
5SS Studio

Mark,
You already own fivesimplesteps.co.uk
why not name your company that? Instead of the web 2.0 process of 1,2,3 you could up those web 2.0 nerds and be like schick razors, go for five. Skip web 3.0 & 4.0, start a new trend web 5.0 the mark boulton way. My vote is name your company five simple steps.

colourBus

BType [Design] - btype.co.uk

siteweaver

I recommend you keep Mark Boulton Design as your company name.

The name recognition/brand you have built is priceless.  Why start all over building a new brand?

If you are nervous about our name being associated with the business, maybe you should reconsider your business plans.

If you cannot trust those you have hired to produce high quality work, let them go.

Micheal

MARK ON

MRKBLTN

SMPL

I hope you suceed, nice idea to put the contest online :)

I meant to say in my post:

“If you are nervous about *your*...”.

I read somewhere that businesses named after the founder fail significantly more often than businesses that are not.  It could just be a coincidence but I’d wager that the types of folks that would name a business after themselves usually have an ego that makes doing business difficult.  I’d recommend against a company named after yourself in any way (initials, pun, mash up, ...) mostly because I think it is silly, but there is anecdotal data to back it up (I just can’t seem to be able to find it right now).

Josh Read: cool name idea, dumb reasoning.  Web 2.0 is a concept, not a thing so “web 5.0” doesn’t make any sense.

-- Michael

I’ve been trying to think of a name that sums up Mark’s design philosophy. It’s tricky though. One of the names I came up with - ‘Harmony’, Mark said sounded more like a lingerie shop.

Then, I started thinking about the Golden Section and the Divine Proportion in nature as I think it sums up how Mark approaches design. The company name needs to be something that says ‘clean, simple and elegant’ but I still haven’t found the right combination of words… some of my suggestions are…

Design philosophy
White orchid design
Em dash
Perfect leaf
Leaf design
Design harmony
Harmony design
Perfect proportion
Snowflake
Design union
Design symmetry
Harmony
222.5 degrees
Fibonacci spiral
1.6 or one point six
Counterpoint
Design resonance
Interval
Divine proportion

Some are very lame...I’m not after an ipod by the way - I got one for my birthday.

Mindvest
CreateNext
Studio Train

Good luck,
Dimitry

boultems.com

Here are some simple, slightly abstract names that I tried to relate to UI and Design.  (But maybe you shouldn’t listen to me, I came up with a name, bought a domain, started designing it, and then changed it.)

Click Design
Approach Design
Organized Design

bostudio (for “boulton”, co.uk avail)
cogibo (after “design thinking”, avail)
sectio (after latin for golden ratio, co.uk avail)

Serif Design

http://www.serifdesign.co.uk seems to be unused

Nice, Chuck.
Dig the last two.

High Marks Design

Boulter Communications

i love the name Nasty Monkey but not match to your
requirement. Maybe something like
Boulton Interactive

Mark Boulton

Clean, multipurpose, symoblic. Reminds me of Leo Burnett. It’d serve to embody who and what you are, not just what you do (like Mark Boulton Design would).

Boulton UI
Boutlon UI Design
UI Designs
UI Web Designs

All very literal I know but hey “Snakes on planes”

Boulton Group,
Boulton Associates,
boulton bloc,
Boulton Guild

Productive Use

John Hicks has hicksdesign(dotcodotuk), Peter Gill has petergill(dotcom), Jeffrey Zeldman has zeldman(dotcom)so personally I think you should retain your brand and keep it markboulton(dotcodotuk)

However, on stationery etc you still could call the company something like

Mark Boulton design
Mark Boulton and associates
Mark Boulton creative
Mark Boulton design thinking

or how about:
design-thinking(dotcodotuk)

markboultondesign(dotcodotuk) would be my other choice though. I see you quite rightly have bought it more than likely with the knowledge that having a good name helps search endgine rankings anyway

I think that’s an iPod Shuffle to me then :)

MRK-BLTN Design

I agree with the comments that say keep it simple and keep it with your name.
You already have your reputation. And if you have so much trouble finding a name, it’s not intuitive and it will not feel right. (maybe. maybe I’m wrong.)
I think you should stay with Mark Boulton Design.

Mark The Maker, Inc.

markthemaker.com

I think you should just drop your first name and use…

Boulton Designs.

That way the name change isn’t massive and it won’t confuse your existing clients. It removes the one man branding but still remains you.

some tips for when i went through this fun process..

Brainstorm some words/concepts around that sum up what you do and where you want to be (ideally with your other business partners if they are keen on the name change)

Find words around these concepts, even if they are seemingly unrelated. Simple, more abstract words tend to be more effective than descriptive words (i.e. Think Left, Clear Thinking). Say the words aloud, if they flow well that’s a big help.

I.e “Happy Cog” (Zeldman’s company): Cog = interactive, Happy just sounds nice together

Finally writea list of possibilities and check these against available domain names / and at Companies House.

If you get stuck on domains remember a Ltd company is entitled to register the .ltd.uk domain name as long as its the same as their registered company name.

Don’t rush the process. Once you start a business you’ll be stuck with the name for a while. So make sure you’re happy with it.

good luck

1) The Kerning Room Floor

Okay, you love typography. The name is all about ‘The Cutting Room Floor’, where in the movie industry film is edited, you do the same with type. Perhaps also Ligature Room Floor.... so on, so on, think of any typographical term, and pick the one that’s the strongest, sounds the coolest, and that means the most to you.

2) Your name! “Mark Boulton” (I’m sure you’re familiar with it :)

So many great design companies keep the name of the guy/girl heading them. Why not do the same? Has infinite class, you look like a real designer rather than a bunch of web monkeys, which some names can portray.

3) Semantic Creative

Also, perhaps Semantic Design, depending upon your preference. People who don’t know what Semantic means will think ‘cool!’ and people who do will think ‘cool!’. You can’t lose. Also perhaps Accessible Creative, Typo Creative, whichever direction you feel is most important for your company.

Okay, thats my $0.35. Good luck with naming your company!

designmarkup
design:focus
designremark
mark-able

Boulton Wonderers

<not serious>
<the thought made me laugh though>

Studio MB

nuts and boults
typnosis/typenosis

one more:
text-transform.com/.co.uk

Set up a Ltd business with a couple of mates a few months ago, and we spent AGES coming up with a name.

One that I liked was Spark’d, which was obviously inspired by Cord’k, but I liked it as it was to do with spark of inspiration/creativity, it was short, easy to remember…

Spark Creative
Spark Design
Spark Media

etc etc…

But I don’t envy you: it’s one of the toughest decisions to make!! All the very best with it!

Boulton inc.

Mark Boulton & Associates

MB Vision

All are available as .com

Designs Eleven
Grids Eleven
Grids 11 Design
Eleven Grids Design

The “eleven?” From your street address.

Good luck!

Boah, its really cool, 2.0 design!

I’m experiencing the same atm. I need to find a catchy name for my business ánd my band..

heh poor me.

I agree with Mark Otto. What works for Ralph Lauren, should work for you too.

Don’t use a name that’s got ‘design’ in it, it makes you sound amateurish IMO. Like those 14 year olds like to call their ‘design company with corny names. Things like Dragon Design and such.

Otherwise go with something that relates to your (and mine, you started my type-fetishism) love for type. 2em or something, just because it sounds nice.

/ignore spelling

Aurora Boultealis

boulondesign.co.uk

Moulton?
Moulton Design(s)
Moulton Creations
Moulton Type!

Boy, I could go on---but I think you get the idea!

Perhaps a play on the obvious:

Mark 5?
Mach 5?

I’d come up with more creative ones, but I couldn’t quite be bothered reading what’s been done in the 60+ comments above!

I agree with the people who suggest you stick with your own name - it’s been working for you thus far, why change it?

It’s difficult for readers here to come up with a good name (though many of the suggestions above are pretty good), since we only know what you post about, rather than what your business is about. Still, the idea that popped into my head when I read your post was “Gridworks”, so I’ll throw that into the ring even though I think you should use your name instead.

"Sexual Chocolate”

Bolt On Design

(I’m seeing images of nuts and bolts, somehow integrated into design, art…

Bolting on the Design aspect of a company business.

And a kind of play on your name.

Brett

Chris Hunt: You just want that iPod, dont you? ;)

Hell yeah, ;-)

Whatever you choose, ensure it’s easy to say and understand, especially on the ‘phone. That goes for the domain name too.

The spelling should be unambiguous too.

Although I like emB (Design), you’d soon tire of saying E, M ...for mother… B, all one word etc.

How about “Ascending Creative” ?

I’m offering either “Boulton Design”
or
“Mark Boulton Studio”
Because:
* your philosophy (as I read it) is about straightforward, direct design that doesn’t do clever-clever for the sake of it, hence a direct name; and
* the names pick up on your existing name recognition; and
* both are ambiguous enough about the number of people in the company (1? 2? 200?) they can serve you no matter what you decide to do re growth.

artbo

Cue from the Wife; Harmony Studios

The Design Type

Studio Type

The Exposed Type

Explicit Type

[db] Boulton Design

Boulton & Boulton
:)

Umm BOLT ON design, doesn;t that sound the same as Boulton Design?

;-)

I came up with that first..

Now where’s my iPod?

How about:

markymarkandthefunkybunch
remarkabledesign
markupdesign

or on a serious note base it on a typographic term
http://www.adobe.com/uk/type/topics/glossary.html

baseline design
emdash design
ellipsis design
white space design

wibble

Clear Path Design
Crucial Pixel Design

ArcheType Design - http://www.archetype.com is available
MarkType Design - http://www.marktype.com is available

Web Devilry (Design Thinking)

Lucidio Design

First Thought
ARK as in m-ARK – (ark of the covenant – Its primary function was to give detailed instructions about what was good and what was forbidden)given your love of divine proportion. I’m not suggesting you have a God complex.

Second Thunk
Anagram – Rank Bum Tool, surprisingly the URL is still available!

I vote for Five Simple Steps. It’s straightforward, helpful, clean and also something you’re known for already.

You may be interested in an article on how to name your company that’s just appeared on Vitamin.

http://www.thinkvitamin.com/features/biz/how-to-name-your-company

bark
dandy
belly
finger

Boulton Communications
boultoncommunications.com

Says exactly what it does on the tin, but also has a little play on words (bolt-on) if you’re into that kind of thing.

Mark,

Forget the subtle design related names and web 2 influenced rubbish and keep it clear and concise. And whoever said “businesses named after the founder fail significantly more often than businesses that are not” should be poked in the eye with a very rusty nail.

Just a few of the greatest eponymous businesses in recent history:
- Ogilvy Mather
- Young Rubicam
- BBH
- M&S
- Ericsson
- Ford
- Porsche
- adidas
- John Deere
- The list could go on forever…

I totally understand your dilemma as I’m there right now myself, but as clients and anyone worth their salt will tell you – it’s much less about the name you have and much more about the benefits and quality of work you provide.

Keep it strong and established over the latest trend, every time.

Mark’s Crop Designs

Mark’s Registration Designs.

Some sort of play on Printer’s marks (I’d probably avoid bleed marks, though).

And I didn’t do the research I could have, but I know that markscrop com and co uk are open.

Unfortunately, it’s a bit print-centric. However, there could be some fun logo play (esp. with registration marks).

JA

Switch Communications
switchcomdotcom
switchcom.co.uk

Sorry, just discovered that switch is not original to the UK

Just hit me, why not remove the 5 and have:

simplesteps
simple-steps
simplestepscreative
simplestepsdesign

or

problem-solving
problem-solved
problem-solvers

or

i-may-have-a-manc-accent-but-deep-down-im-a-lovely-chap.com

Wavelength Creative
Prism Graphics
Optic Nerve Designs

Visual Jazz

Kernel

Kernel(ing) – from which kerning is derived
Kernel – the central or most important part of anything
Kernel – is the central component of most computer operating systems
Kernel – the centre of a nut (a half open walnut looking like a brain) hmmm

Spiceberg Lettuce

lime
ember
bute
barry island

Mark,
A useful article if you haven’t spotted it already ;)

http://www.thinkvitamin.com/features/biz/how-to-name-your-company

Of your work that I’ve seen, everything is well thought out and simple. So:

Think Simple
Simple Thought
Lucid Thought

I think the last one is a winner, but I have a vested interest in the outcome.