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What
is a Logo? Creating
Your Logo Design What
is a Corporate System? What
type of logo design am I looking for?
Just
Starting Your Business, Why Do You need a logo design?
Submitting
the right information for our designers.
Do
I Really Need a Professional Designer?
Your
logo design should be simple |
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A logo is a graphic representation of your company's
identity. It is composed of a symbol, illustration,
and / or typography (sometimes called a "logotype").
A logo should:
1. Attract attention, and then leave an impression
2. Create a look that is unique and distinguishable
3. Reflect the overall "feel" of the company
it represents
4. Promote a feeling of authenticity and professionalism
In working with the designer who is to develop your
logo, research is again an important starting point.
Begin by noting and collecting samples of identities
you like and don't like. Articulate your vision and
share this vision with your designer. "You
can't rely on your designer to know everything,"
Osborne says. "You have to do your homework.
Decide what the company or product will stand for
and let your designer know. Also tell your designer
how you plan to use the logo. Will it appear on uniforms
and trucks? Is most of your advertising done in the
Yellow Pages? If so, the logo must be flexible enough
to be effective in both large and small spaces. Get
your objectives and strategy clear up front. If you
aren't sure about logo applications, ask your designer
for help."
Find a designer with whom you can communicate, someone
who understands and really listens to you. Then open
your mind to many possibilities and let your designer
do what you hired him or her to do. back
to top
In designers' terms, a corporate identity is a defined
system of graphic elements that represents your company.
In layman's terms, it's how you create your company's
"image." The unique look of your logo should
be integrated throughout all the elements of your
business materials: business cards, stationery, packaging,
signage, sales kits, media advertising, promotions,
ect. An identity system lays out guidelines to ensure
consistency. It should include, color and paper selections
for printing, layout and design of stationery and
promotional materials, secondary logos or icons for
websites and packaging ... back
to top
Once a company name is selected, the next process
to consider is how you will present it to the world.
A logo represents your company's or product's identity
and not only does your logo and slogan provide the
first impression of your company and a recognizable
look to ads and products, your logo will be advertising
for your company all the time. Your logo and identity
are always working for you, make sure they are projecting
the right image.
Surveys have shown that corporate image materials
such as letterhead, envelopes, business cards, web
site, and promotional items are more important to
conveying a company's prestige than how long your
company has been in business, the location of your
headquarters, charitable activities, or the number
of employees. Only a company's annual report conveys
more prestige.
Symbol like Nike's swoosh is very often accompanied
by the company or product name in a signature typeface,
also known as the logotype. In other instances, the
logotype alone serves as the firm's identity; professional
service providers such as physicians and attorneys
often use only a logotype. Further enforcing the brand
recognition are the signature colors. Colors are usually
chosen because of their emotional impact and/or relevance
to the specific commodity being offered.
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Businesses eager to open often give little thought
to their identity. With so much to get done, designing
an appropriate logo hardly seems like a top priority.
However, this oversight can prove to be a costly error
in the long run.
- A new business must compete with established companies.
A quality logo is one of the easiest ways to gain
credibility and professionalism right from the start,
when you need it most.
- A new business usually has to attract customers
away from competitors. A distinctive logo stands out
in peoples minds, and is much easier to remember than
a name alone.
- A logo adds visual appeal to any document or website,
and increases the impact of your promotional materials.
- Eventually, the time will come when the need for
a professional logo is evident. Having already begun
to establish the presence of your company, you now
risk diminishing your existing brand equity. Additional
money will have to be spent to promote the change
or introduction of your logo, in order to avoid loss
of business due to confusion. back
to top
In working with the designer who is to develop your
logo Design, research is again an important starting
point. Begin by noting and collecting samples of identities
you like and don't like. Articulate your vision and
share this vision with your logo designers.
You can't rely on your logo designers to know everything
about your service or product, you have to do some
homework. Decide what the company or product will
stand for and let your designer know. Also tell your
designer how you plan to use the logo. Will it appear
on uniforms and trucks? Is most of your advertising
done in the Yellow Pages? If so, the logo must be
flexible enough to be effective in both large and
small spaces.
Get your objectives and strategy clear up front. If
you aren't sure about logo applications, ask your
designer for help. Look for a design company that
has a toll free number, this is usually a sign that
they want to talk to you and have made it simple and
free for you to contact them. This doesn't mean that
is they don't have a toll free number the are useless,
but when creating a logo design communication is an
integral part of the design process, so daily communication
is usually a must. This can also get expensive for
you, and we all know that when starting a company
you are on a very tight budget.
We understand this, this is why we have developed
our logo design package at such a competitive price
and have set up a toll free and technical support
to make the design of your new logo easy. We understand
that you have hundreds of things to worry about in
a day and worrying about your logo is the last thing
you want on your mind. You will find that dealing
with our logo designers will be a pleasant experience.
back to top
Everyone wants to save money. You are probably thinking
you could design a suitable logo yourself, after all,
it's your company. Maybe you know someone who is into
art, or should have an employee competition. True,
these alternatives may save you a few hundred dollars
now, but how much are you damaging your company's
potential for success in the long run?
A professionally designed logo is a one time expense
that will benefits for the life of your business.
Think of the money you will spend promoting your company.
If your logo does not truly represent your company,
you are spending money to project the wrong image,
and you know image is important. That's why you are
already spending a significant amount of money each
month on office space, receptionists, advertising,
business attire, presentations, lunches, etc. - all
to make sure you project the right image. Designing
your logo is no place to drop the ball.
Not only does your logo provide the first impression
of your company and a recognizable look to ads and
products, your logo will be advertising for your company
all the time. Everyplace it exists, people will see
it--from signage to the bank teller who handles a
company check. Your logo and identity are always working
for you, make sure they are saying the right thing.
Surveys have shown that corporate image materials
such as letterhead, envelopes, and business cards
are more important to conveying a company's prestige
than how long your company has been in business, the
location of your headquarters, charitable activities,
or the number of employees. Only a company's annual
report conveys more prestige back
to top
One reason your logo should be simple is that people
process an image in their mind more readily than words
alone. The other reason that your logo should be "simple"
is that the simpler your logo is, the easier it will
be for your graphic designer to resize and recolor
it for various design purposes. You should have various
logo sizes (small, medium, and large), a web version
and a print version of your logo, and a black-and-white
and color version. Always plan beyond your initial
design purposes for your logo since the ultimate goal
of your business is to expand.
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