A Guide to Logo Designing
Are you starting a business and in need of a logo? Maybe you just want to update your current logo and re-brand your entire business.
One of the most common misconceptions is that creating a logo is as easy as finding some fancy font, drawing a pretty picture and clicking send to ship it to the print shop. Sure, you can get inspired by binge watching your favorite show on Netflix but here’s the thing: Logo Designing is one of the most complicated things to do. This is your entire brand’s visual identity, so you should put some care into coming up with not only a design you’ll love but one that’ll get the attention you deserve.
Motivation
Besides Facebook and Instagram use your phone to search up some nice inspirational ideas for your logo. Some good sites are Pinterest and Adobe Behance to see examples of how the most modern logos several companies have. Take a look around during your daily commute or when you’re out shopping to get inspiration. Anything can spark an idea.
2.What makes a Logo?
A logo can be anything but the most important thing it could be is YOU. Think of it as a representation of yourself. You are unique, delivering a visual message to those around you without saying much and eye catching. A well designed logo should be able to represent these ideals to its fullest extent. So make sure to put in enough care when coming up with yours.
3. Research your Audience
Who do you want to market toward? What is your business? Creating a logo that resembles what your business is, is very important. If you are a ranching business, have a horse or animal incorporated into the design. Boutique? Make a dress form out of the name. DJ? Add some color.
4. Pen and Paper
You don’t have to be a great artist to sketch up a design. Usually putting your ideas onto paper helps you get a clearer idea of what you’re thinking. Get those saved images and pictures you might have taken for inspiration and try to see what concepts you come up with. If you don’t feel confidante enough you can always look up a graphic designer, someone who’s career is making logo designs. Going this route is a lot easier and stress free on your end.
5.Support the Artists
If you do decide to go this route, everything that you’ve looked up and wrote down should be given to the designer so they could see what direction you’re heading towards. We are here to help you and give you the best of our services we have to offer so usually some designers will give you a few concepts either digitally or sketched. Depending on the designer they might offer several edits free of charge once you approve of one design. If you want a complicated logo or are unsure of what you want as a final vision don’t expect a design to be completed in a day. Rome wasn’t built in a day you know. Keep in contact with your designer, let them know about any and all changes you wish to see and don’t get frustrated with them if what you envision and what they create doesn’t match. Have clear and open communication.
6. Make it Versatile
Can you put your logo on a poster without it being too busy already? Is it readable on business cards? Can you put it on promotional items? Try to think of this while also designing your logo.
7. Colors, fonts and space oh my!
All print media when sent to a print shop or online store should be in CMYK so think of some color schemes that you’d like to have. Choose an easy to read font but also one that has some character! If you wish to have a tag line aside from your name or main line, then remember to only select two fonts that complement each other. Another thing to have in mind is space. Think of the space around your logo. This is called an exclusion zone. It’s an area around the logo that isn’t meant to be filled by anything else to give your logo some integrity and cleanliness.
8. Copy. Paste.
A good rule of thumb is to make sure your logo doesn’t look or have any elements that looks like a design that is already in use. Most companies protect their logos and intellectual property so to be in the clear of any trouble make sure your design is new and completely yours.
9. Keep up with the trends.
Keep in mind that new ideas happen and the times are always changing. Don’t be afraid to try something new, look at the new trends – make your own!
10. Go forth.
A completed design that you are proud of should be shared with the world. Share your business cards, share those flyers and design your website using your new logo. Show your brand off and build a name around your logo.
