Iconic Logos

I came across a great website today. It’s a side project of David Airey, a very talented and prolific designer. He has a certain Love for Logo Design (I can TOTALLY relate) and has created a website to celebrate ICONIC LOGO DESIGNERS.

As I perused through the various designers and their most famous logos, I made a few observations about their work:

1. They Were Simple.
   In fact, the most memorable logos are the simplest logos. Think Cisco, Nike, Xerox. There’s something to be said for simplicity.
2. They Were The Obvious Solution.
   When you look at the logo, it just makes sense. It perfectly conveys what the company is about. It goes beyond being “cool” or “eye-catching” and truly becomes an IDENTITY. And, once created, you couldn’t imagine the logo being anything else.
3. They Were Smart
   When looking through this little “History of Logo Design” Mr. Airey has compiled, I felt like bowing down “Wayne’s World” style and proclaiming “I’m Not Worthy! I’m Not Worthy!”  These guys knew their stuff. An untrained eye looks at the United Airlines, FedEx, or AT&T Logo and thinks “I could have done that!”. And yes, probably you have the skill to create that logo on paper or in your design software – but could you have arrived at it? These men didn’t just sit down at the drawing table and sketch this out. The Nike logo, for example, probably went through hundreds of revisions, each one refining and distilling it down to the icon it has become today

When you start considering (or re-considering) your corporate identity, it’s important to reject the inclination to “busy” the design with extraneous information, and it’s even more important to reject ideas and elements whose sole purpose is to “look cool”. If any part of a logo element doesn’t convey something about your identity as a company, then it doesn’t need to be there. Take the time to put sufficient thought and consideration into your logo, and you just might become an icon!

Why Your Logo Should Cost More Than Your Lunch.

I’m a student of marketing and design. I love to read and learn about how to be not only a better designer, but a better marketer. I want to provide my customers with not just a catchy logo, but information and resources on how to implement that logo into a comprehensive marketing plan.

Why? For several reasons. First, it simply makes me more valuable as a designer. Second, it makes my customers more viable as a company. It is more important than ever to have effective, targeted, and creative marketing plan to promote your goods or services. The more successful my clients are, the more likely they are to use my services. It’s quite the symbiotic relationship!

When it comes to logos, it’s critical to have a logo that is creative, clear, and memorable. Many companys “skimp” when it comes to their logo. They don’t understand that their logo is the first (and maybe last) impression that potential customer or client may have of their company.

Which brings me to this post’s title. I recently came across this blog post from one of my favorite design websites. It does a great job illustrating the importance of a quality logo.

WHY SHOULD A LOGO COST MORE THAN YOUR LUNCH.

1. Your Logo Is The First Impression People Get Of Your Company.
   Before a potential client even walks through your door, your logo is representative of your company. It can make your company appear large, small (whether it is or not), fun, serious, or professional.  And remember: PERCEPTION IS REALITY
2. Your Logo Needs Longevity
   Once a logo is designed, it will represent your company for many years.
3. Your Logo Needs To Be Original.
   A logo should be designed specifically for your company. A cheap, “generic” logo may not represent your companies values. A cheap logo may also use clip art, which can be used by other companies.
4. Your Logo Should Look Professional
   You wouldn’t take a new potential client to lunch at McDonalds; yet this is the impression they get with a cheap logo. Your logo should give your company a unique, professional image.
5. Your Logo Should Reflect The Time & Effort Put Into It.
   One problem is that people don’t realize how much work and effort goes into a professionally designed logo.
   • The Research. Even if the budget is small, the designer will, at the least, research the competition and how they represent themselves.
   • The Brainstorming of Ideas
   • The Rough Sketches
   • The 4-5 Logo Options Worked  Up On The Computer
   • The amends, tweaking, and further amends.
6. A Logo Is The Starting Point of Your Whole Corporate Image
   The Colors, Typography, and style of a logo will often dictate the corporate look of the rest of the company’s literature.

For More Exceptional Reading, Check Out THIS Article.