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:

2. Confident about your skills:

3. Nothing is useless:

4. Put in all your energy:

5. Never quit easily:

6. Be happy about what you do:

• The controversial change from ‘Z’ to ‘S’:

• 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.

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:

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.

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.

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.