If you want to know if your logo is a good one, you first need to realize why you need a company logo in the first place. Of all the things you do to create a brand image, creating you logo is one of the most important. Your logo is the key to building the identity of your company. That's not all it's for, though. It should also communicate a powerful, positive and enduring message to your current and future customers.
Imagine all the places you'd like to see your logo printed. If you're just starting to develop the identity of your business, your logo will go many places. It's not just for stationary and business cards. Nowadays, you have to think about the Internet, and there are also the classics of the newspaper classifieds and magazine print. The trick is remembering all these uses when working with your designers.
You know you have a successful logo when it conveys both the character and the nature of your business to the people who see it. How does one get all those ideas into one little graphic? Here are some tips: Be clear with your designers. When you order your company logo design, give them a clear picture of the tone you'd like your logo to have. Make sure they have a clear understanding of your business and your clients. But remember, you are the businessperson, and they are the designer. Take time to ask them what they think would be best.
Make sure you find an experienced firm to handle your logo design. They can tell you the best kind of logo for your business. Ask to see their market research about the kinds of logos used in your industry, and make sure they have an understanding of your competitors' logos and their effectiveness. From there, they should provide to you a set of logos from which to choose, and then they will customize your choice until you are satisfied.
To make sure your business stands out from the rest, don't go with cheap amateur designs. Just as in any other industry, the professionals know best, and spending that extra money can provide great results for the life of your business. These days, many design firms have packages for even the smallest of companies. So look into your options, and make sure you check out a company's portfolio and pricing before you commit. When you find the right firm for your logo needs, you can come up with the perfect design for a reasonable price.
Article courtesy the wonderful guys at www.logoorange.com
The making of company logo design 2
Believe it or not, the most important part of logo design happens before the designer even starts to sketch. The power of any logo comes from the original logo concept. This concept is the image you envision the logo representing for your business. First, think of a simple thing that relates to your industry. It may be a computer for a software company, or a vacuum for a cleaning service. Or it could be more abstract, like a blurred image for speedy service.
Don't just go with the "in" style of the day. Changing your logo in the future can be a costly expense, so try to imagine something that will look fresh in 10 years. You don't want to have to reprint all your stationary and business cards just because bubble letters went out of style.
Think about the style of your logo. There are several of these out there, which you've probably never thought of, so here's a primer:
Iconic logos: These are some of the most common you'll see out there. They're simple, usually just one graphic element, icon or design. They often include the company name on the bottom or to the side of the graphic element. When utilizing and iconic image, the best figures to go for are usually symmetrical geometrical shapes. That way, they can be placed anywhere and they'll still look balanced in the layout.
Logo types: These words are graphic in themselves. Think of Sony, Kellogg's, Coca-Cola and IBM. There are no drawings, per se, but these words express as much in their design as they do in their meaning.
Illustrative: You'll know an illustrative logo simply by its eye-catching design. This is probably the most impressive (and also expensive) kind of logo to create, as they are detailed and try to represent the company's business using just a graphic.
Integrated: This is the combination of illustrative and logo type. The words and pictures work together to create one solid logo. These are a rarity because they are the most expensive to create.
To wrap up, logo design is one of the most demanding areas of graphic design. Logos have a big job to do: they represent your company, convey your image, and greet customers on the face of your stationary and business cards. Choosing the right company logo design, and the right design firm, is one of the best things you can do to help your marketing efforts.
Article courtesy the wonderful guys at www.logoorange.com
Choosing the right colours for corporate logo design 3
What's in a color? More than you might think. Since you're more likely a businessman than an artist, we're here to give you some helpful tips on picking the right palette for your logo.
For your corporate logo, look for colors that:
Convey a positive message: Think about the colors of your industry. While black is great in sales, it's seen as a depressing color in much of the rest of society. Green is great for a lawn service, bad for a bakery. Choose the colors that represent the best of your work. Brainstorm by writing out the names of colors then writing beneath them the things they represent in your business. Choose from the best of those to create a positive feel for your corporate logo.
Convey the feel of your work: Think about the energy and emotions of your business and try to find a palette that reflects them. A high-energy business is most likely to go with bright or neon colors, while a more muted business, like a funeral home, might choose a softer look.
You enjoy: Go with your own style. You'll have to live and work with your logo the most, so it should please you first and foremost. These colors also reflect more about you than you realize, so you will be revealing the character of your business in the process and speak to potential customers about who you are.
You wear: Nothing says professional like a coordinated color palette. Think about uniforms and your own personal wardrobe, especially if you work one-on-one with customers often. If both your logo and your attire use colors that reflect the attitude of your business, they will work to reinforce each other and create a stronger impression on your potential and current customers.
Match or complement each other: Look around at what colors you put together in your home or in your outfits. Choosing a clashing color combination will reflect poorly on your business, while choosing coordinating colors will provide a more pleasant image for your customer. Don't put two bold colors together. That will make your logo too harsh on the eyes.
Contrast each other: Think about many popular color combinations: the Orange and Blue of the Florida Gators, the red and green of Christmas. These colors are complete opposites. When you use colors that contrast each other, you can create an attractive and clear logo while only using two colors.
Article courtesy the wonderful guys at www.logoorange.com
Building an E - presence with some help from your logo 4
All companies have their own value proposition - the unique reason for their existence - which is why customers should take their business there. While you?re busy running your business, you probably don?t have time to spell out what yours is. However, a company logo and marketing program aren?t enough. Your value proposition needs to be loud and clear.
Your company cannot stand on low prices or wide selection alone. It doesn?t matter if you have unique services or the best services. Your value proposition needs to be clear, as prominent as your logo.
After developing your company logo, your value proposition and your general corporate brand, you need to make sure all aspects of your business translate to all media, especially on the internet.
Going online doesn?t mean you need to water down your message. With proper planning, the integrity of your logo design, your brand and your value proposition can come across even stronger on the World Wide Web than on paper.
Just like opening a shop on the corner, opening a Web site for e-commerce doesn?t necessarily mean people will show up. A bricks-and-mortar business uses its geographical location along with recognition of their company logo as an advantage against their competitors. The benefit of the internet is that you don?t have to pay for expensive real estate. But you need to be at the major intersections of search engines and the popular interest. The way you do this is through your brand, value proposition and other factors.
Your e-presence depends on how people talk about you and return on a regular basis. Developing your e-presence is about more than good Web site design and a good-looking logo, although those are important aspects. Your credibility depends on company logo recognition and cultural recognition of your brand.
Once you have a strong logo design and an established brand, you need to think about added these elements to your site:
-Sophisticated, exciting design: Make sure your site looks professionally designed. It should include an easy-to-navigate layout, clean graphics and a consistent theme and look across all pages on your site. Think about how your site reflects the image you want to come across about your business. The aspects of logo design, colors and style should reflect your theme throughout.
-A company logo that represents your business: Make sure your site displays your logo prominently on all pages. Use the logo and other features to enhance the experience your user had.
-Easy navigation: Customers should have access to any page from one or two clicks from the home page. You can use menus, site maps and shortcuts to attain this.
Article courtesy the wonderful guys at www.logoorange.com
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