Although the recently adopted logo for the U.S Department of Defense’s Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has earned massive critique from bloggers for its peculiar logo design, but today I bring you a new aspect of this squabble.

The logo design controversy that marred the MDA is that it features similarities with the “Barack Obama’s logo” and the “crescent moon and star” used on flags of Islamic countries. Well folks, now comes a new twist to the tale. A striking resemblance has also been observed between the new MDA logo and the Iranian Space Agency logo.

Clarification by MDA:

However, Rick Lehner, Washington spokesman for Missile Defense Agency, defended by saying "I think it’s just people who are just…different."
Talking about the contentious logo design, he said it was intended for recruitment purpose and designed three years ago, suggesting that it was planned way before the Obama Campaign.

According to Rick, the official Missile Defense Agency logo design is different and is still featured in the lower left corner of the website.

Remember the all-time famous “Adidas” logo design? Ever wondered what it symbolizes? The three-parallel-striped designed in the shape of a mountain demonstrates the goals and challenges that Adidas strives to accomplish. It is a true sign of progress.

Showing motion in sequential steps is one of the many logo design trends that prevail in the industry. The logo designs displaying movement help defining the concept of growth and continuous progress of a company. The sign of movement in a logo design signifies that your business is versatile and capable of performing dynamically.

Following are some of the most brilliant logo designs that have used the sequential design bearing a sign of progress and development.

Starting a logo design project without proper planning and theory is a futile attempt. You should know your targets before commencing a logo design project. The best thing is to list the logo design ideas and queries coming to your mind and then try solving them one by one. This will help you have a clear picture of your logo and save you from making serious logo design mistakes.

Some designers call this exercise a creative brief while others describe it as brainstorming. Irrespective of what you call this process, you should follow it before starting a logo design project. What this step will do is clear you mind of all the confusions prior to designing a logo. It is always better to answer questions beforehand, after all prevention is better than cure isn’t it?

Following is a list of questions which I always ask myself before starting a design project. It will surely help you make your logo design process faster, easier and more effective.

Let’s find out if your logo design displays answers to these imperative queries:

1. What is the purpose of your business?
2. What products and services are you offering to your customers?
3. What target audience you will be catering?
4. Who are your present and potential competitors?
5. What differentiates you from your competitors? (Universal Selling Point- USP)
6. Will you be following logo design trends or come up with an innovative logo design concept?
7. What tagline best describes your business?
8. How much are you willing to spend on logo design?
9. How much time can you dedicate to logo designing?
10. What fonts and colors will you employ in your logo design?
11. Where will you be using your logo design? (Letterheads, online, banners…)
12. What do you want your logo to tell about your company?
13. What symbol best portrays your business? (products and services)
14. Where do you see your company in the future?
15. Will you consider redesigning your logo in the coming years?

With the “Valentine Fever” taking all over, I decided to showcase 30 heart logo designs to rejoice the Valentine Day. This heartwarming festival is celebrated by loved ones all over the world. Flowers, confectionaries and expressive greeting cards have remained a constant fervor among dear couples. “Heart shaped” symbols are excessively used on this festival to express love and care for our dear ones. Hence, graphical use of hearts in logo designing is a great means of communicating your love and enthusiasm to your customers.

Besides the heart shape, several other love related logo designs are existent. Some of these logo designs include an apple, cupid, rose, love knot and love birds. But there is one intriguing aspect of the heart logo designs. Every symbol in logo design has a significant meaning… similarly heart logos can convey your message of sincerity and trust to your special “customers”.

While there have been numerous heated debates on this topic of “logo design contests” or famously branded as “spec-work” I wish to propose a different viewpoint today. Firstly, let me make it clear that I am neither speaking in support nor against spec-work in logo designing. It is you who will take a better option for yourself. What I intend to achieve through this post is to elucidate the topic from a different perspective.

Before coming to my topic, let us be a little realistic about a logo design contest. A logo design contest requires participation and nobody can be forced to participate. Those who believe they have the mettle to outclass other logo designers voluntarily participate. Your participation shows your support and interest in being part of that game and your absence clearly states that you are not interested. In short, if you do not approve of logo design contests and claim it to be unethical, simply don’t participate. However, your disapproval does not grant you the privilege to mortify the contests and the logo designers who participate. My words may sound a little harsh for some logo designers but guys “Live and let live” is the dictum we should follow.

Let me remind you that I am discussing exclusively about spec-work in logo designing. Like every business, spec-work has its share of pros and cons. Let us look at some of the merits and demerits of logo design contests.

How is spec-work in logo design a Boon?

• Provides opportunity for in-experienced logo designers to show their talent.
• Logo design contests serve as a wonderful inspiration spot for other designers.
• It provides a level playing field for logo designers who are not in developed countries.
• An amiable cure in recessionary periods for both clients and unemployed logo designers.
• A chance for logo designers to gain experience through trial and error.
• A platform to display your logo design portfolio and gain recognition in the design world.
• An easy way for logo designers to test their design skills.
• A chance to get acquainted with other logo designers.

How spec-work may become a Bane?

• In some cases, spec-work in logo designing may provide no guarantee of any reward money.
• Spec-work poses legal risks for both parties. Intellectual property, trademark and copyright infringement of logo designs are the major issues.
• It devalues the logo design industry and undermines the well-established logo designers.
• The logo design contests are judged only by the client’s personal liking.
• It can be time consuming and without compensation can be frustrating for logo designers.
• Clients trying to obtain low cost solution are compromising on quality of logo designs, as spec-work may involve little time, energy and thought for research.