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Archive for the ‘Logo Design Tips’ Category

Street beggars and logo design – A source of success!

Categories: Logo Design Tips
Written By: Nora Reed

A few months back, I discussed whether a successful logo designer is talented or taught. We came to a conclusion that it is a blend of both qualities because creating a logo design requires both knowledge and creativity. The learning process complements the inner talent of a designer. The eminence of being human is that we constantly learn from one another. Right from the cradle to the grave, we continually learn from our surroundings. And it really doesn’t hurt to learn from someone who is considered to be relegated in society.

Rich habits that logo designers can learn from the beggars!

Yes…the impecunious and shelter less people roaming on the streets, commonly known as beggars are a great source of motivation and inspiration for logo designers. Sounds funny doesn’t it? But let us look at how it is helpful for logo designers.

Street beggars are found in almost every country. Although you might not get to learn about logo design trends from beggars, or they may not have terrific logo design ideas, but it is the one shrewd group who knows to make the most of every situation.

 

1. Explore new opportunities:

The biggest trait about street beggars is that they explore each and every possible opportunity to make their ends meet. You might be familiar of the sight of a shabby old man scavenging through a pile of garbage, looking for something to satisfy his appetite with. Logo designers must also explore different areas and must employ new ways to find more clients. One must always remember, things don’t always arrive on a silver plate. One has to make efforts to discover what he desires. 1.	Explore new opportunities
 

2. Confident about your skills:

1.	Explore new opportunities

You might notice that street beggars are an audacious lot. They don’t seem to have any embarrassment in beggary. On the contrary, they are confident with what they do. Moreover, you will see many beggars who show their extra-curricular skills by playing the guitar or drums. Now that is the key through which anyone can succeed. Logo designers need to be confident about their inner skills and must not hesitate in using them in practice. The thing that impresses clients the most is the level of confidence that a designer has in his work. So find that special skill and do not refrain in utilizing it as and when required.
 

3. Nothing is useless:

One of the best of habits that we can adopt from beggars is that they make use of everything and anything. You might have observed some alm seekers on custom-made wheelchairs or props that they make entirely out of nothing. They use anything they can find from the junkyard to devise their object of comfort. Logo designers should learn from this habit that “nothing is useless” in the field of logo designing. One must consider all possible measures while creating a logo design.

1.	Explore new opportunities
 

4. Put in all your energy:

1.	Explore new opportunities

Another quality to admire about beggars is the amount of hard work they put into their lives. It is a reality that pain is only realized in distress. A pauper is well versed with the pains and agonies of life, so they strive hard either to earn some dough or to collect alms. They roam around in the scorching heat to find whatever they can, making a quick buck scrubbing car windshields and other miscellaneous stuff. A recent study showed that an average beggar earns more than a bourgeoisie individual. Logo designers alike should always keep in mind that rewards are preceded by hard work.
 

5. Never quit easily:

You might have come across beggars who persistently ask for alms until you don’t give them. That is the thing with beggars…they never give up. This reminds me of the oscar winning movie “Slumdog Millionaire”, portraing a nice message of trying until you don’t succeed. Logo designers must also refrain from saying NO to any challeneg they encounter. Many a times they are faced with clients that are difficult to convince. The key here is persuasion. In order to convince your clients on your viewpoint, incessant persuasion is needed. 1.	Explore new opportunities
 

6. Be happy about what you do:

1.	Explore new opportunities Although little, but beggars remain content with whatever they get. Even if they receive a dime, they are grateful for it. Now don’t get me wrong here. I do not mean in any way to settle for whatever the client is offering. But the satisfaction should be dependent on the quality of work rather than the money attached to it. This doesn’t imply that you work pro-bono, but the on-job satisfaction is more important than the remuneration.
 
Logo designing is a growing field and for designers to penetrate into it requires leaving no stone unturned.
 
 

FIFA World Cup 2014 Logo revealed – The ‘Z’ controversy!

Categories: Logo Design Tips
Written By: Nora Reed
With the World Cup 2010 just days away from kick-off, the management of FIFA has unveiled the official logo for World Cup 2014. The logo design was informally revealed on July 1, 2010 and awaits official exposure on the final of World Cup 2010. After Brazil was voted as the host of the next edition of the coveted event, it was no surprise that the logo would attribute the features pertaining to the host nation.
 
  • The controversial change from ‘Z’ to ‘S’:

The logo contains a set of hands (yet another example of hand logos) that are meticulously shaped into the cup trophy. The yellow and green colors correspond to the national flag of Brazil. While the black and white version had the word “Brazil” written under the cup, it was excluded from the colored version of the logo due to strong censure from the general public.

In poll aired yesterday by Portal 2014, 68% of readers did not like the brand developed for the World Cup. The main reason for the dissent was the use of "z" instead of the traditional "s" in Brazil. Hence, in order to avert the controversy, the word "Brazil" was omitted in the colour version altoghether.

 
  • An absurd jury to choose the logo:

The winning logo was selected among seven choices, but the designer is yet to be revealed by the FIFA management. The most surprising part was the panel of judges who selected the logo. The jury included Ricardo Teixeira (President of CBF), Jerome Valcke (Secretary of FIFA), Oscar Niemeyer (Brazilian architect, designer of Brasilia), Paulo Coelho (international bestselling Brazilian writer), Gisele Bundchen (Brazilian model), Hans Donner (Brazilian, head visual designer of TV Globo) and Ivete Sangalo (Brazilian pop singer). I mean…what has a writer, a model and a pop singer got to do with logo designing?

 
  • What about “Brasil 2014”?

It was three years ago when Brazil was voted as the host of the FIFA World Cup 2014. At that time, the bidding was contested by Brazil using another logo. It featured the word “Brasil” followed by a vividly written “2014”. I don’t want to sound over critical but, the previous logo was far more sober than this juvenile effort.

 

What are your thoughts?
How exciting do you find this new World Cup 2014 logo? Do you think the previously used logo by Brazil was better? If I were asked, I would say that rather than adopting this new logo which omits the word "Brasil", FIFA should have gone with the previous "Brasil 2014" logo…what say?

 

6 clever ways to get more clients – Convince and win!

Categories: Logo Design Tips
Written By: Nora Reed

You might expect that the most grueling job for logo designers is to master the use of software programs. But believe me… learning a software is a piece of cake as compared to dealing with a client. Convincing them is the most arduous thing a designer has to put up with. The primary task is to persuade them to hire you in the first place. Explaining them that every designers’ approach to logo design trends is unique and diverse is a herculean task.

Here are some ways in which logo designers can convince their potential clients who are looking for a logo design”.

 

1. Keep the best in store:

Although it may sound eerie at first, but keeping the best in store for the last helps a lot. A technique that designers can employ is to exhibit their good and better design works initially and when the time is ripe, use their best designs to impress clients. The key here is to store your best weapons in the arsenal for the precise time and use.

 

2. Be a natural professional:

The first thing you need to build is “the image”. As the saying goes “The first impression is the last impression”, convincing clients is primarily based on the impression you make on them. By saying this, I do not necessarily mean dressing up in a formal tuxedo or using stylish wardrobe. The first impression as a logo designer is through the words you speak. The more professional you will sound, the more your chances of convincing the client. But sometimes, designers tend to overact and mess up the image. The key is to stay natural and poised in front of the potential client.

 

3. Simplify your contact process:

Let’s face it… not all clients are familiar with the online contact procedure. Neither are they comfortable in filling out lengthy and detailed “Contac Us” forms. So, if your contact us page is an epic one, you can be sure to lose most of your potential clients. One should keep the contact folio as simple as possible for the client.

 

4. Tell, Show and Do:

The best way to convince your client to hire you is by example. By explaining your client a previous assignment of yours, he would understand as to how and why you are different from the rest. You could start off by narrating your best client story and the way you solved his corporate identity issue. This way the client will get to know how you will be facilitating him in his design query.

 

5. Client Testimonials – The real ones!

When the previous point does not work in persuading the client, you can use this one instead. One of the common ways of showing off your talent and experience is through client testimonials. When you narrate your previous client success story and the potential client doesn’t seem to buy it, you can exhibit a client testimonial (an authentic one). Although this sounds like show-off, it does the trick in impressing the clients.

 

6. A little humor does no harm:

when all hope is lost and you simply cannot convince your client through any of the above tips, go for the lighter side of persuasion. Employ a light humor by ridiculing the clients’ silly notion of getting a logo designed by their neighbor. Make sure your humor is constructive and not demeaning. But make sure not to cross the line and keeping the humor to acceptable levels.

 
 
 
 
 

Designers’ approach to logo design trends – Action and Reaction!

Categories: Logo Design Tips
Written By: Nora Reed

Logo design trends are always hosted by a mixture of reactions. Not always met with a warm reception, they sometimes face fierce resistance from its critics. Irrespective of the field, trends are useful in analyzing the future course of events in the industry. Although the “origins, history and future of logo design” is a debatable subject, we can always make a rough assessment for future prospects.

Logo designs trends in 2009 were widely debated and questioned. The situation has been somewhat similar for logo design trends in 2010. Since newer trends emerge every now and then, it is vital for logo designers to comprehend them as fast as possible. This will help in coping with the rest of the industry players. A simple example of changing trends is In-game advertising, the new platform for logo design.

But what are the possible reactions to logo design trends? Every designer holds a different attitude and viewpoint, thus eliciting a different response. Here are some likely ways in which designers approach logo design trends.

 
 

• Acknowledge & Implement:

Although the notion of adopting a design trend would sound uncanny for some, still most designers follow this mindset. Let us make it clear that implementing a logo design trend does not necessarily mean plagiarizing. To differentiate between the use and misuse of logo design trends is important. In other words, there is a difference between logo plagiarism, inspiration and coincidence. For instance when a client asks you to make something in a pattern similar to a particular design, it does not mean that you merely replicate it. What the client actually refers to is the design pattern and not the exact design.

 

• Disapprove & Dissent:

Another attitude contrasting to the first one is complete denial to the trend. This attitude is followed by designers who believe that adopting a particular trend is contrary to the distinctiveness of a designer. This is true to an extent. For example, a logo design trend may be rejected on the basis of being identical to the ones already in the market. But on the other hand, rejecting a logo design trend would be akin to not availing the complete prospects of designing.

 

• Avoid and Evade:

Some designers tend not to react to logo design trends in any way. The attitude is to ignore the upcoming and emerging trends and stick to the basics as well as their instincts. You might be thinking ignoring is analogous to rejecting, but there is a thin line that separates these two approaches. When you disapprove or oppose a logo design trend, it is an active retort. While ignoring is a passive way of saying no to trends.

 

• Advance and Enhance:

This kind of attitude goes one step further than acknowledging and implementing a logo design trend. A very creative and ingenious approach to design trends is to take it to the next level. Optimistic logo designers learn from an existing design pattern and use their expertise to generate a new logo design trend. For example, the handwritten logos evolved from the trend of signature logos.

 
 
What is your approach towards logo design trends? How do you take the logo design trends…positively or negatively?
 

30 Fresh Logos to give you a helping hand in Logo Design

Categories: Logo Design Tips
Written By: Nora Reed

It is often said that behind every innovative logo design, lies a creative hand. But what if the hand lies within the logo design? Funny as it may sound but employing a hand design in a logo is a very profound technique.

We all are familiar with sign language and hand gestures. The hand can portray the symbol of victory,  friendship, love, hatred, synergy and numerous other ways. One cannot even imagine the myriad ways in which a simple hand can be twisted and turned to deliver a clever and emotional logo design.

Following are 30 inspirational logo designs that cleverly incorporate a hand in them.

   

Handmade Pictures

 

touchNerds

 

BeSmart

 

Work

 

Handmade cafe

 

Make A Shot

 

deerhand

 

Hypnocoach

 

NEFRSEF

 

Share Effect

 

Golden Friends

 

Oklahoma Museum Network

 

Helping Hands

 

Sign Up

 

RSSNAP : B/W

 

Fair Trade Growers

 

Sauerzweig Automobile

 

CustomPipes

 

Synergy

 

Handbook

 

Aircare

 

hogar de niños

 

Fernando’s Landscaping

 

Williamson Pottery

 

St. Francis Hospital

 

Hands Across America

 
 
Have your say:
Did these logos really made you ponder which creative hands could be behind these creative logos?
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