Designing a logo is an exciting challenge for a graphic designer. A logo is a visual representation of your business – who you are and what you have to offer. So where do you start?
When a client wants to hire me for their new logo, I am filled with excitement, anticipation and a little apprehension. How will I be able to design that perfect logo, something fresh and original? But once I begin the design process one idea flows into the next and we’re on our way!
To help this process get started, I give an assignment to my clients. If you do your homework before you meet with your logo designer, I guarantee you'll end up with a better logo.
Research your competition. The Internet is a great research tool, whether you're looking for information or images. Start your research by searching for similar businesses to your own (your competition), looking at their websites, and noting their logos, and colors. Also pay attention to your reaction to these things. Does it appeal to you? Is it appropriate? Do you like the font used? Do you like the color schematic? Make a list of these website to pass along to me noting the ones that resonate with you and those that don’t. Magazines can also help in the process. Tear out pages with logos or brands that make you do a double take.
Research your competition. The Internet is a great research tool, whether you're looking for information or images. Start your research by searching for similar businesses to your own (your competition), looking at their websites, and noting their logos, and colors. Also pay attention to your reaction to these things. Does it appeal to you? Is it appropriate? Do you like the font used? Do you like the color schematic? Make a list of these website to pass along to me noting the ones that resonate with you and those that don’t. Magazines can also help in the process. Tear out pages with logos or brands that make you do a double take.
Brainstorm. What colors fit your business? What kinds of symbols or graphic elements suit what you do? Is there an idea you've always had for what your logo should look like? In your marketplace, are there symbols that are continually overused? If so, steer clear.
Less is more in a logo. A logo needs to be visible in both large and small print. Your complicated logo illustration might look great when it's used large, but what happens when it has to be reduced to a 1” x 1” square, in black and white, or printed on a lousy inkjet printer?
First impressions count. Your professionally designed logo will go a long way toward positively branding your business.
First impressions count. Your professionally designed logo will go a long way toward positively branding your business.
No comments:
Post a Comment