Got
a question about our graphic design or internet
marketing services? Here are some of the most
frequent questions we are asked from our customers.
If you have a question we missed be sure to
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What
Makes a Great Logo
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Designing a logo may seem like a simple process
to many businesses and the mandate is usually pretty simple. Create
us something that "looks cool" or "looks professional"
and that should basically be it right? Well those are hardly incorrect
instructions but beyond that what is a logo actually suppose to
do for a business....or better yet what does it have the power to
do.
Ten Tips To Creating A Good Logo In 2014
Size & Scalability: The first
major mistake people will make with logos is not factoring in how
it will look in a variety of sizes. You may require a logo that
is big enough for a billboard or company vehicle or small enough
for someone to view it on a business card or blackberry. Be sure
to test early and often how a logo looks when you heavily zoom in
or out. If your logo doesn't get a passing grade in all sizes it
probably means tweaking is in order.
Keep It Simple: This has been
said to the point of nausim but is still one of the key rules to
logos or even most marketing material. It is certainly possible
for a more complicated or fancy logo to look great but the best
logos in the world still value simplicity first. Keeping things
simple usually mean it's easier to size the logo for different formats
or change the colour fairly easily. It also means it won't be a
strain on the eyes for first time customers who want to know what
your about quickly and easily.
Do Your Research: If you really
want to swing for the fences with any logo it's important to understand
what standard has been set in your industry already. Do a Google
search for any companies in the same business as you either local
and beyond and identify which logos are the best and why? Once you
identify this you don't just want to be a clone of what's out there
already. Instead your will be able to develop a solid gameplan of
what will allow you to stand out in the crowd and cut through the
clutter.
Audience Appropriate: This is
another big one as designers will fixate on making a logo look cool
or unique to the point where they forget what it's actually for.
Clearly identify who will be looking at your logo most and whether
or not your logo succeeds with your key demographic in mind. Does
the imagery, style or font suit the audience who will be viewing
it on a regular basis?
Focussed Purpose: If you are a
business your goal it what? What do you want your logo to say or
do that will pique people's interest when thinking about your product
or service. Your logo is not a competition to compare who employed
the best artist it's what logo achieves it's end goal the most.
Does your logo help build trust, curiosity or inspiration from buyers
who are checking out your brand? Make a checklist of what you want
your logo to achieve and make sure your logo follows your own rules.
Colour Is Crucial: It's amazing
how an average logo can look great with the right colour choice
or how a great logo can look dull or just plain awful with the wrong
colour choice. Take your pick of many sports jerseys around the
world who have top notch logos that still look bleh because of the
colours that are forced on them. When designing a logo start the
colour test right away and find out what shades or gradients make
your logo look alive or eye catching. Picture a ferarri in lime
green if you need a better example of what colour will or will not
do for any logo.
Think Long Term Not Trendy
Don't Do It Yourself: Of course
this always comes off as a pitch like "hey hire me to do your
logo you you can't possible do it yourself". It's not impossible
for someone to create their own logo and do a good job in the process.
That being said if you currently take your car to a mechanic or
don't do your own dental work why would you do this with your own
marketing material? Then what's worse say "advertising"
doesn't work. I don't think I have to tell you what's wrong with
this picture.
In Motion Or In Action: Have you
ever noticed the apple logo has a bite out of it? I'm sure you have
and although a subtle thing sometimes it can be an important thing.
Having something happening in your logo so it's less static or robotic
can increase people's interest and attention span when viewing it.
If you have a logo with a bird having its wings out flying may work
better than it just sitting there. If your logo is a sports team
having your mascot actually throwing the football or shooting the
puck may work better than it standing there dumfounded like a statue.
Just to clarify not all logos will fall under this banner but if
you have the chance take it.
Know What It Is: This may sound
stupid so even more reason for me to point it out a second time
since people tend to overlook the obvious. With a logo someone shouldn't
ever has to say "what is it" or not know instantly what
they are looking at. If in an effort to be abstract or creative
people aren't sure what you are going for it's a red flag that maybe
your trying to be a little "too different". A barn should
look like a barn, and apple should look like and apple and most
importantly any letter in your logo should not take any effort to
decipher.
Typography: Fonts may not seem like a big deal to some but they
are one of the most critical factors the separates professional
advertising material from amateur. This not only pertains to logos
but websites, flyers, magazine ads and more. The best fonts for
logos usually aren't available just in the default fonts you have
installed already on your computer. You may have to visit a font
speciality website or even shell out a few dollars for the right
fit but don't cheap out on one of the most important aspects of
your brand.
Know Your Industry & Your Audience:
Sometimes it's tempting to make for designers to make a logo that
looks cool or flashy with not a lot of thought given to the actual
subject matter. This creates a batch of logos that may look great
but maybe don't always do their clients justice when it comes to
create an effective logo for their business.
If you are designing a logo for a computer or tech
company the imagery and font should comply with this look. If you
are creating a logo for a flower shop or landscaping business what
about your logo makes this clear instantly? Picture your logo as
an ad in a newspaper where you were allowed to post it only but
no text or follow up article. Could a person who'd never heard of
you before still get the information they need from your logo? If
not it's probably a sign it could use some tweaking.
Stand Out Like A Sore Thumb: A
good logo isn't always just what looks good in a cosmetic sense.
A strong logo has the power to go a step beyond that creating a
sense of intrigue, curiosity or inspiration from its audience. What
about your logo makes sometime do a double take if they are walking
by it or investigate it further if it's something that may be of
interest.
Create interest, intruqe, curiosity
Keep It Simple: Is a non-simple
logo actually bad? In many cases no and at times they can be very
impressive if done by a skilled designer. With that being said however
a simple logo will offer several advantages its more complicated
countertop will not. A simple logo will likely be very easier to
switch colours, whether you feel like red one day or maybe a dark
green or another. A simple logo stands a much better chance if looking
good in all mediums big or small.
Size & Scalability Matters:
Creating a logo that looks good in all sizes has never been more
important than it is today. A logo should be able to look good and
clear to read weather it is on a giant billboard or a tiny business
card.
Usually graphic designers trying to get too fancy will skip this
step and learn their logo may look great in the size they designed
it in but blurry, hard to read or identify and other situations.
Or a logo may look okay small but it's flaws become apparent the
bigger it gets.
Remember in today's electronic world many who view
your logo on a website or through your email footer may be looking
at it through and ipad or even small iphone device. Your logo needs
to be visible and impactful even in these situations to give it
full value.
good colours:
size friendly
Advance Creative
is your one stop shop for your graphic design & internet marketing
needs. We specialize in logo design, business cards, flyers, posters,
brochures, web development, powerpoint presentations, business
proposals and more. Call 403-547-5443
for more information.