Essential Elements for a Custom Logo Design
December 31, 2009
Your logo is something that can be used on web sites, banners, and printed materials such as letterhead, business cards, flyers, and more. However in having a custom logo created for you, there are a few essential elements you need to consider. Following the tips provided will help you to create a memorable brand.
Keep It Simple – Keep your logo design simple. That does not mean it has to be boring but it really should’nt be too busy. Having too much in the logo design can cause confusion and may turn a person off causing them to utilize another company instead of yours. The key here is to remember that simple logos are identifiable, making them easy to remember. Think about the Golden Arches (McDonald’s) and you will get the picture. A person should be able to identify your logo. That is how simple it should be.
Your logo should also look great in color and in black and white.
Color It Correctly – Color is another essential element for your custom designed logo. Make sure that you are using colors that help to identify your brand. The colors you choose will also be used on all elements for your visual identity. This includes things like your custom website banner or header, button ads, promotional materials, media kits, and every facet of your branding efforts. Your colors must be cohesive and they have to be pleasing to the eye as well. When you choose your colors, choose wisely and correctly. A graphic designer can help you through the process of choosing colors that work well together and will help you promote your business and brand effectively.
Images & Text – Many logo designs include both images and text. It is almost imperative for your brand that you include some sort of image, especially at the beginning of getting your brand out there. However with the right font, you can create a powerful logo that will be memorable and recognizable. One question to ask yourself in choosing an image is if people will be able to identify and remember the logo as it relates to your specific brand.
Make Your Logo Flexible – Your logo design should be flexible in several respects. Your logo should be able to reproduce in both color and black and white. While color is vital due to branding, the shape and form of the logo is pertinent. The bottom line is that if it will not work in black and white, it will not work in color either.
You also want your custom logo to be scalable enough so that it looks equally good in many different sizes, whether it is on a small business card or on a giant IMAX cinema screen.
In conclusion, remember that your logo design will tell your customers who you are, so make sure that you send them the right message. This can only be ensured when you follow the essential elements and tips shared in this article.
Click here to see examples of our logo design work.
Graphics and Branding
October 31, 2009
WHAT IS BRANDING?
I found a really awesome definition of branding on www.whatis.techtarget.com which explains exactly what a brand consists of.
“A brand is a product, service, or concept that is publicly distinguished from other products, services, or concepts so that it can be easily communicated and marketed.”
So, in other words, a brand makes a company Recognizable. It gives it its own individual identity. This goes for small businesses, corporations, or even bloggers.
So, when clients come to me asking for graphics, I always ask if they already have a logo image to use. Your name, logo, and colors should always be incorporated into whatever graphic is produced, whether it be a header, button ad, Ecover, printed materials, or anything else.
I found a really cool example that www.brandidentityguru.com used to explain branding. They related it to a piece of pie.
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“The cherry is a brand’s promise. The ice cream represents all your products and services. The apples are the corporation itself—the corporate environment. The crust is the structure of your company—not the building (although how it looks is still a part of branding). Of course the cherry gets the most attention. It’s your name in neon lights, your fancy new logo, and your overall visual appeal. If a prospect buys a slice of your pie just for the cherry then you’ve done well!“
Wasn’t that great? It really helps put things in perspective and actually shows us that often times, people do respond more to the Visual Aspect of your brand through your logo and design. So, it is even more important that you come up with a logo design that will carry on your visual identity.
If you start from scratch with every graphic that you have made, people will not recognize you. Everything should tie together so that if one of your clients sees your affiliate ad on another site somewhere – they will automatically remember who you are and what your site represents. This goes for bloggers as well. Your button ad should match your blog header and site design.
Here are a few examples of work that I have done for one of my clients which includes a good representation of consistant branding throughout:
Header for Website:
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125×125 Button Ad:
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Box Graphic:
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CD Design:
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Overall Site Design:
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As you can see, each graphic includes her logo, her picture, and the colors from her website header and overall site design. The titles can easily be changed to include other subjects, but the design should stay the same.
So, if you have not created your own individual brand, then be sure to get on it ASAP! DPK Graphic Design is here to help! We would be happy to discuss your graphic design needs and come up with a logo design that will represent your company and brand in the best way possible. We want to create an identity for you, your website, your blog, your company… that will stay fresh in people’s minds.
