For this client they wanted the works – a logo design, wordpress design with custom header, and a twitter background.

These are some of the requests and ideas from the client:

• Wants design to tie together with 2 of her other sites (use of green)
• Likes fresh and clean (use of white) and possibly gray
• Incorporate a pop of color
• Doesn’t want dark colors
• Wants design to be consistent (discussed re-branding)
• Incorporate Headshot

I also asked the client about herself and her business to get an idea about what would best represent her and her brand.  She shared that she is “professional (but SO not corporate), funny and pretty sarcastic, direct – with my clients, and in life, optimistic, motivating/inspiring, great at the big ideas/possibilities, goofy/silly, savvy, genuine, authentic, a go-getter.”  She also shared that her business focuses on:  coaching and consulting, offers business/personal branding services, targets women entrepreneurs, includes coaching, consulting, programs, products etc…

She also included site designs that she liked and what elements she wanted to incorporate from them.  All of the above information  really helped me to visualize her ideas and then take it from there.

I always start with the logo design since everything will pretty much revolve around that.  Because the client was very focused on the topic of branding the first thing I did was take a look at her other websites.

The main theme on the sites is the color green and the dragonfly, so I thought it would be appropriate to carry the same theme into the design I would be working on.  The only reason that I would suggest  starting with a new design would be if the client was going to be changing their other sites as well.  But the client was not planning on doing that.  And since she was very concerned with her branding and being consistent – I let my client know that it would be best to just use the dragonfly logo design that she was already using.  The only problem was that she did not have access to the original image files or the designer who had created it.

So I had to start from scratch and re-create the dragonfly.

It looked nice, but there was something missing – a POP of color.  So I decided to add some. 

Much better!  I then added the title and tag line and here is the final logo design:

The next step was to work on  the WordPress site design.  My client was using the Headway WordPress theme which is one of my favorites because of the ease and simplicity of use.  You really do not need any knowledge of CSS to make color and layout changes – it is great.

Anyway, I proceeded to create the header design.  I knew I wanted to incorporate the logo, her headshot and possibly some elements from the the header on her other site.  This is what I came up with first, but there was still something missing.

Much better!  Love the swirl and flower design

The header is really the starting place for a website design.  I like to install the header first before I start my WordPress customizations.  I then grab the colors and tie them into the overall design.

The colors flow nicely.  I brought the green into the navigation.  I even used the gray / taupe color from the flowers and swirls and used that for the background color.  Now you can see that there is definitely a uniformity between all of her sites.  And the dragonfly design will represent her brand throughout all of her websites.

Lastly, I created her Twitter background which was a no-brainer.  I just took everything from the logo, header, and website and brought it together.

Another happy client!  Yay!

What do you think of the design?  I always love to hear feedback!

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.

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.

Contact us today!