Frequently Asked Questions About Our Design Services

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.