Logo design is, perhaps, one of the more difficult fields of design. It takes a special touch to create a symbol for a company that tells their story and also represents what they do. Any designer can create a logo, but the real question is, can they master every aspect of logo design? Do they have the talent to create the perfect concept that displays everything that needs to be told about the company?
Although it may seem impossible to give your client the perfect logo on your first try, we’re here to give you a few tips on how to get it as close to perfect as possible. In this article, we’ll cover the basics (which you may already know, just not in such detail) as well as a few of the less well-known tips to help guide you through logo design.
Know The History
Every good logo has a history. It has a story and, most importantly, a meaning behind its existence. As a designer, it’s important that you’re able to convey this through the logo design in a way that not only represents the company and what they do but also the meaning behind the logo.
Start by asking your client the right questions, and you’ll have better chances of getting it right the first time and avoiding questions or revisions later. Questions like, ‘what do you do’, ‘how do you see your company’, and ‘what’s your role in the company’, can help get the design in the right direction.
These questions will help steer the conversation towards more important questions about the company. Usually, the first concept of a logo is the strongest. Start with a strong concept and chances are that you’ll end with an even better one.
Start Out With Black And White
By starting with black and white, instead of attempting to work on color straight away, will give you more time to focus on the design. With more time to focus on the design, you’ll end up with more creative ideas and your attention focused on the design as a whole instead of the color palette.
Remember, it’s easier to fix a color that doesn’t look right then it is to completely redesign a logo. Nearly any color will be perfect to accompany a great design, but fitting a design to a color palette isn’t always as easy.
Start with black and white, and devoting all your time on the actual design of the logo, and incorporate color later. You’ll save time, eliminate revisions, and end up with a high-quality design in the end.
Stand Out
Your clients want to be different than their competitors, every company does. And, in a world full of millions of designers, it came to seem next to impossible to come up with something that hasn’t already been used in some form.
But here’s the thing; it’s okay to gather inspiration from past works. It’s even encouraged. Just don’t follow the latest trends. Designs tend to go in waves of trends, meaning that right now the business realm may be in a current trend where every designer out there seems to be using the same typography.
This means to stand out and give your client something that will stand out, you have to be willing to come out with something that’s not the same as what the current trend is. Don’t copy the trend that every designer and their cousin is doing right now, bring an old trend back or, even better, start a completely new one.
Be Funny
Not only will you get a good laugh from including a little humor in your work, but you’ll also have your clients laughing. It’s important to note that, when it comes to including humor into logos, it isn’t always appropriate. For some businesses, the logo may need a professional look.
However, keep in mind that it’s your decision which clients you work with. If you choose to design logos with a more witty concept, that’s totally up to you. Or, perhaps you choose to work with more professional businesses and help them to stand out by giving them a humorous touch and something that their competitors may not have.
Your Sketchpad Is Your New Bestie
As a designer, your life is mainly dominated by a computer or tablet screen. Sometimes it’s a relaxing and needed break to be able to rest your eyes for a bit. It can also be easier to work through ideas and get the initial idea down on paper. And, if you’re the type to go to bed with a project on your mind, you might have ideas when you first wake up or in the middle of the night.
Keeping a sketchpad and pencil by your bed is quicker, easier, and simply more practical than rushing to your computer every hour. With a sketchpad, you’ll have more freedom to sort through your ideas and they’ll be better recorded. We weren’t kidding; your sketchpad is your new bestie.
