Without Your Own Logo, You’re Faceless

A logo is not simply about creating great symbols; it is the keystone to your identity. You can’t walk around without a face and your brand can’t survive without a logo. It should be very personalized, very you, but follow a few guidelines to make it last the test of time.

The logo itself will live in many different areas and forms. It must have an easily identifiable mark. A mark is a symbol that you use to represent your logo. It can be an interpretation or abstract of what you do or it can be as simple as a unique typographical treatment of your company name. Either way, make it yours and make sure you aren’t too closely replicating another logo especially in a related field. This could end you up in trouble.

Your logo should be able to interpret into different collateral forms and sizes. It should be able to be printed in black and white, 2 color, and full color. Preferably it should be flat (not 2D or 3D). If so, it’s not a ‘logo’ instead they are called ‘icons’. Icons are symbols that are used in a computer environment, to launch applications or assist in navigation. While your logo is fun to look at in 3D, in certain applications like web and email your logo could be mistaken for an icon. There is nothing more frustrating than a click that goes nowhere and does nothing.

Thinking One Dimension Isn’t Bad

Thinking one dimensionally isn’t a bad thing here. You can add shading and dimension to your logo without making it look like an icon. Remember, there will be times when you want an understated logo. For instance when you partner with a client or sponsor work for a charity. Materials with multiple logos are tricky to design and even trickier when one logo is jumping off of the page screaming for attention. If your logo is strong it won’t need to do that.

Leave icons to the computer applications. The sleeker and more streamlined your logo looks, the more professional you will appear.

The Fundamental Difference

Keeping an open mind as a Designer is a lesson you need to learn early on. There is a fundamental difference between Artists and Designers. Artists create art for the sake of art. Designers create art for the sake of a client. You utilize your talents and gifts to interpret and communicate for your client. Your role is that of a problem solver.

A lot of really talented people out there that will not survive as Designers because they don’t realize the key importance of this role.

This doesn’t make what you do any less important; if anything, it makes it more important. A client has invested in their company, wants to communicate, give it life, a personality, and make it succeed. YOU are key to that. YOU create the personality.

It’s the “Brand” talking

Remember this when you feel hurt because the client doesn’t like the PMS color you chose for the logo. Realize that it is not a criticism of your work. It is their “brand” talking.

Always be willing to learn from someone else. Having an open mind will allow you to learn and see things you never would have experienced with out it.

You must be open and receptive to the opinions of those who matter. It may not be exactly the style you like or utilize the techniques you prefer. Take this as a personal challenge and a growth opportunity.

When you find yourself rebelling at the suggestions of a client (or their secretary, or wife) follow these steps:

1. Put yourself in the place of the client
2. Put yourself in the place of the customer
3. Don’t take it personally
4. Voice your opinion only if it is non-objective
5. Save the ego for personal art projects

Be Prepared to Learn

Remember this: sometimes when you are feeling the most threatened as an “Artist” you are about to learn something as a “Designer”.

It’s hard to admit that someone else has it right. Allow yourself to let go in these moments and give in to collaboration. It’s not as terrible as it seems.

Thank you for reading our post, “The Open-Minded Graphic Designer.” Please, stay tuned by subscribing to our blog: Click HERE. Also, please use the social icons below to tell your friends about us.

We wish you the best of success!

ThePerfectDesign.com Team

…but, to a designer, we feel it means about a million things more because designers can get so emotionally involved in a project to give it, and make it, their very best…to ultimately help the client be successful. Designers see it from the business side as well as from a design side.

We’d like to compile a list of over a thousand things that a logo design “is,” to show the importance of a quality, relevant, logo design; and we need your help. Here’s what we need:

We need you to answer to the question “Logo design is what?” in your own words and experience. You can give us as many answers as you want and we encourage you to give us all your answers by posting a comment below. The format should be as follows:

“Logo design is… art” or “Logo design is symbolic” or “Logo design is nature” or better yet, get more detailed, “Logo design is the fulfillment of a need that a business has; to give ‘guts’ to the establishment of the company brand in order to create awareness of the company and its services.”

You can say it however you want… but, we love longer answers that include more thought and information , so tell us what logo design is to you.

Here’s how you’ll benefit…

• You’ll be helping fellow designers, or business owners, and that makes everyone feel good to know they’ve helped someone else

• We will do a spotlight of everyone that participates in answering the question, “Logo design is what?”
  • After you’ve given us a response, we will send an e-mail to you asking you some questions about yourself

  • Then, you’ll be able to send us your answers, along with a picture of yourself, and a link to your website or portfolio, or both (It’s okay if you don’t have site. You can still participate)…
• You can then put a link to your spotlight on your website to show off your spotlight

We’re looking forward to the creative answers we’ll be receiving. Once we receive over a thousand answers to what logo design “is”, we hope to compile a list that even Santa would be proud of and post them in a separate blog post to showcase the answers.

All the best!

ThePerfectDesign.com Team

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