Logo Design Blog » Logo Design Resources

12 Most Exciting Logo Mergers of the Corporate World!!

Nora Reed — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:48:08 +0000

A logo design is a reflection of a company’s corporate identity. That is why when companies merge, on several occasions their logo designs undergo similar treatment. When two or more corporate brands decide to unite, either through a merger or an acquisition, it often gives birth to a new corporate logo.

But logo design merger of two corporate brands is not an easy activity to execute. The companies involved must ensure that the logo merger can successfully elucidate what is different about the newly created brand.

Have a look at 12 of the most impressive logo mergers of corporate brands:

1. Commerzbank Merger with Dresdner Bank:

Commerzbank, Germany’s second largest financial institution, merged with Dresdner Bank. The logo design of the combined corporate entity encompasses the name “Commerzbank” along with Dresdner Bank’s “triangle shaped ribbon” logotype in yellow.

2. Citigroup:

Citigroup is an American financial services company. Citigroup was formed by the merger of Citicorp and Travelers Group in 1998.

3. Regions-Union Planters:

Corporate merger between Regions Financial Corp and Union Planters Corp gave way for a new logo design holding the brand legacies of both the companies. It includes the Regions trademark green color and name with Union Planters three-leaf delta device.

4. Unnim

Unnim was formed as a merger between four small Spanish banks Caixa Terrassa, Caixa Girona, Caixa Sabadell and Caixa Manlleu.

5. ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil, an American oil and gas corporation was instituted on November 30, 1999, by the merger of Exxon and Mobil.

6. Glaxo Smithkline:

Glaxo Smithkline, popularly known as GSK, was formed in 2000 by the merger of GlaxoWellcome and SmithKline Beecham.

7. Century Link:

Century Link is the merger between two telecommunication companies, CenturyTel and Embarq. The merged logo design has cleverly included aspects of both the previous company logos.

8. J P Morgan Chase:

J.P Morgan was formed in 2000 when Chase Manhattan Corporation merged with J.P. Morgan & Co.

9. HBOS

HBOS was set up in 2001 following the merger between Halifax and the Bank of Scotland. The HBOS logo design incorporates features of both its merging company logos.

10. Chevron

Chevron Corporation is an energy company formed by the merger of Standard Oil of California and Gulf Oil in 1984. The Chevron logo design includes a logotype similar to Standard Oil of California but with a change of colors.

11. Towers Watson

Towers Watson is the result of merger between Watson Wyatt Worldwide and Towers Perrin. Interbrand was given the project to create the new logo merger.

12. Tata Docomo

India’s most successful corporate giant "Tata Group" partnered with Japanese telecom company "NTT DOCOMO" to create a new cellular service in India, "Tata DOCOMO".

After witnessing these logo mergers, do you think that a logo merger is necessary for corporate fusion?

Spec-work in Logo Design – Boon or Bane?

Nora Reed — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:39:47 +0000

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.

In conclusion, I would recommend that logo designers and clients should be aware of all accompanying risks before entering into speculative work. As it is useless crying over spilled milk… isn’t it? My message for aspiring designers…big logo design companies claim to hate spec-work but then discovered to be owners of contest sites. Therefore, it is you who has to decide, don’t come to conclusions according to others perspectives and experiences. And for all the self-esteemed logo designers out there… Chill!!!

10 Terrific Logo Design Ideas to stir your creative senses!!

Nora Reed — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:48:53 +0000

Have you ever wanted to come up with a new logo design but just could not tap that creative part of your mind? Or do you curse yourself for not coming up with a creative logo design ideas, when required the most? Think again!

Logo design is an imperative tool which builds trust, recognition and respect for a company. A logo design idea surfaces when your thoughts are organized and mind you, there are simply no creative bounds when we talk about logo designing. So briefly, designing an ultimate logo design can be an extensive practice.

Today, I would like to provide you with 10 pointers that can help you strike up a terrific logo design idea:

1. Pour out your thoughts on paper:

An effective method of coming up with a logo design idea is to bring your thoughts on to a paper. While putting pen on paper, decide how you want to portray your company in front of your customers. No matter how weird or uncanny your thoughts are, just spill them out and revise them afterwards. Even a little spark of creative thought can lead you to a fascinating logo design idea. So note them down before you forget them.

2. Consultation and discussion:

Never hesitate in discussing about logo design with your friends and family. You never know what ideas they might have in store for you. Never decline a viewer’s notion even if it is from your little son or daughter. Consulting before finalizing a logo design can help you clear your thoughts and give you more bits and pieces to work on. You also might want to consult professional logo designers for guidance.

3. Evaluate of your business:

The logo is used to display the rationale of your existence in the industry. Successful logo designs echo what your business is about, how it performs and what goods and services you provide. Every area of business requires an identity to be recognized with. Each needs a logo design but of totally distinct structure. Hence it is all so important to understand each industry’s basic theme in order to come up with an idea for logo design.

4. Bulls eye on the target:

Studying your target market can lead you to a unique logo design idea. The age factor, gender issues, spending power, education level and a complete study of demographics can lure you to a fine notion. Think of a soft spot of your audience that you can exploit and then design your logo.

5. Slogan echoes your logo:

A company slogan echoes your intention and the level of motivation to do business. Normally the slogan is accompanied with the logo. This creates a factor to be associated with your logo design. Many customers link the catchy slogan to remember your company.

6. Think differently:

While conjuring up logo design ideas, always study your competitors’ logos. This will give you an idea of how to distinguish your logo design from theirs. But remember not to wander away from the general theme of the industry. How do you expect your customers to recognize you if your logo design is no different than others? Therefore clearly make a distinction from your opponents.

7. Think of associations:

When trying to think of a logo design idea, it is an effective way to think of associations. Link your business with stuff around you. Associating your business with colors, places and other objects can lead you to a fascinating logo design idea.

8. The Twist game:

Another way of coming up with a logo design idea is to twist the letters of your company name. What you do is take the name of your business and try out different type faces. Twisting a letter into a design that is relevant to your business is a great way to create logo designs. This can lend a hand in striking up a distinctive logo design.

9. A little Inspiration can do the trick:

It never hurts looking and admiring the works of others. Sometimes a little inspiration is all you need to light up a logo design idea. There are innumerable logo designs inspirations available on the web that you can get inspiration from. In addition to that, keep your senses open to logos around you. You never know which one may inspire you to an idea.

10. Think future:

The logo design has to be flexible so that it can be tailored according to all forms of business. It should be adaptable so that you can promote your products and services across cultures. Adopt an idea for a logo that is successful in the future. It should be robust and resilient. Even though it is impossible to predict the future, it can be of useful to keep in your mind where you picture your business in the coming years.

So keep striving for a logo design idea till it you finally conceive one. Remember, in logo design it’s not a matter of do or die, it’s a matter of how much you try.

20 Valuable Logo Design Blogs

Nora Reed — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:36:34 +0000

Short listing these logo design resources from the extensive results provided by Google, was not an easy job. I have to confess that all the names on this list cannot be claimed as “logo design blogs” but certainly are such brilliant resources that I couldn’t stop myself from adding them.

To become a successful and prominent part of this ever-changing world of logo designing, we need to be updated and have a vast collection of resources.

Therefore, to express my appreciation and respect for the creative souls who bring amazing logo designing stuff for us, I have linked them with their logos.

SO, let’s not waste time and start opening these blogs to see what new they have to share about logo designing.

Logo Design Works

Method to the Mayhem

Logo Design Blog

SpyreStudios

Just Creative Design

Six Revisions

Logo Log

Creative NERDS

SpeckyBoy

The Design Cubicle

Brand New

GraphicDesignBlog.co.uk

Fuel Your Creativity

Joshua Davis

Logo Design Love

Brian Yerkes

Smashing Magazine

WebDesigner Depot

20 Famous and Not-so-famous Logo Design Galleries!!

Nora Reed — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:56:14 +0000

Colorful thoughts by pushOK-12

Whenever, we have to get a logo design, we simply access some of the top logo design galleries which we have on our finger tips. Undoubtedly, these famous logo design galleries deserve to be on top as they display unlimited creative logos but it makes us overlook other qualitative resources. Internet provides us various compilations of top logo design galleries but have you ever come across a list of underrated but inspiring logo design galleries.

This is why today I decided to assemble a big dose of inspiration for you all. Below I have listed the renowned logo design galleries which prove to be of big help while designing a logo. However, to help you expand your resource list, I have also compiled some not-so-famous logo design galleries. It should be a company’s utmost priority to get a professional logo to be successful and memorable….just a reminder