I wanted to share a few steps I use to help create a better logo. This is part 1 of 3.
- Logo design and branding
There can be a lot of confusion around what “branding” is. Some people tend to think of it as a range of visual collateral that has the same look and feel. That’s a visual identity, and that’s a part of the brand, but the brand is something bigger.
In a nutshell, the brand is who others understand you to be.
And your logo is only a small facet of that. But understanding who you are, and what your brand is before you take the plunge to design (or redesign) your logo, is of paramount importance.
One great resource on branding would be the books ZAG and THE BRAND GAP:
- Logo design research
The are a few helpful areas to research before designing a logo. Here are the two I find most helpful:
Competitors Logos
You need to spend time analysing the competition. A great tool to use for this is pinterest. You can set up pinterest boards that you can share with a designer later on. It’s good to ask a few questions such as:
- What works and what do I like in a logo design
- What does not work and what do I dislike in a logo design
- Do I want to look similar to, or completely different from others in my industry or profession
Great Logo examples
Again, using pinterest can really help as you scour the depths of the internet for good examples of design. As yourself questions like:
- What style of logo do I think suits my brand
- What style of logo does NOT suit my brand
- Think in terms of colour, form, typeface, shape and overall feeling
The idea behind research is to help you carve a niche and be authentic, not to duplicate an existing great idea.