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Elements of Effective Logo Design |
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Elements of Effective Logo Design
A logo is used to represent a brand, or a company. It is simply a visual symbol used to identify your company and make it memorable. Your logo should be unique and different, because your company is unique and different. This uniqueness is what sets you apart from your competitors. An outstanding logo can greatly affect your profits in a positive way.
Diva Design World ( http://www.divadesignworld.com ) knows how much weight a logo can carry for a business. We work with our clients to design just the right logo for their businesses. At DivaDesign World we know that there are many things to consider when designing a logo - from the actual artistic design to the psychological effects the logo has on consumers. We also work with client's existing logo's to freshen them up and modernize them without changing the logo so much that consumers won't recognize it.
When designing a new logo, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. Whether you are working with a designer or trying your hand at your own design (not recommended), you need to know the right way to go about creating an effective logo.
All logo design begins with the shape. Your logo should have a unique shape. It is important that you view the logos of your competitors, and make sure that your shape does not reflect theirs in anyway. You want your logo to stand out in the crowd. You want unique, you do not want complicated. This is important. The shape of your logo should be so simple that a person with absolutely no artistic ability can draw the outline shape of your logo on a piece of paper from memory. This is true, even if your logo is simply words written in a specific font or typeset. Think about the shapes of some logos that you easily recognize off the top of your head. How simple is the shape?
Next, have your logo done without color. A simple shape, done in black and white. If the colorless logo is appealing without the use of color, you are on the right track. If it is not appealing in black and white, start over. Once you have a logo that is appealing without color, add color to make it even more appealing. When using color, you must use caution. Colors have a great impact on people's emotions. Furthermore, you still need to keep it simple, and not use too many different colors in your color scheme. The color schemes should be simple enough that the non-artistic person who drew out your logo from memory can also add the colors from memory. Learn how different colors effect or evoke different emotions.
Don't clutter up your logo. Remember - simple is best. You want it to be clean. You don't have to fill up the whole shape of your logo. Free space is good. It makes the logo easier to view. If your logo includes words, don't make the mistake of using a font that is hard to read, or that has letters that may be hard to decipher.
Once your logo has been designed, it needs to be tested to make sure that it works on everything that you intend to use it on. Often, a logo that looks great on a letterhead, doesn't look good on a billboard. Think about everywhere that you intend to use the logo, and make sure that the logo that has been designed works. Don't leave anything out - television, video, websites, letterheads, stickers, tee-shirts, brochures....everything. Don't forget to make sure that the logo works in different sizes as well.
Finally, test your logo on people. Get together three or four designs, and ask your employees and customers to vote on the best one. Pay attention to the results, even if the majority chooses a logo different from the one you would have voted for. When you show the logo's to the "voter's" do it quickly. Don't give them time to stare at them for very long. When the logo is in "real" use, consumers won't stare at it for very long. The purpose is for consumers to literally see the logo for a few seconds, but to remember it for the rest of their lives.
If you want to create a winning logo that will not only be unique and memorable, but will also stand the test of time, contact DivaDesignWorld at http://www.divadesignworld.com for more information.
About the Author: Monique Danielle owns Portland Marketing Agency, DivaDesignWorld.com, a full service firm that offers web development, graphic design, consulting, and a wide variety of creative services. She is also the founder of divadirectories.com,a free online resource designed to promote the growth and development of women owned businesses throughout
Oregon
,
Washington
, and the Northwest.
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