Single-letter logos are more simple and effective and can cause instant brand recall if properly embedded into the hearts and minds of the customers. Moreover, they require utmost creativity on the part of a logo designer to mend and bend a single letter into a suitable and effective message within the logo design. On the other hand, logos with multiple letters give the customers an ease in memorizing the company’s full name. It also gives the logo designer the room to express his creative wisdom.

Today, I have collected an assortment of 24 single and multiple letter logos. This will demonstrate a contrast between both the types and help identify which is more useful.    

Single Letter Logos:

Multiple Letter Logos:

Maverick’s Custom Trousers

Bender

Dol

Arturfo

ViraLabs

Elefont

Silk Skin

Mozaido

Shrink Media

FORESTAL

Urban Acres Buildcon

Utensil labs

Precision Networking

Rhymes from the Rocks

Playground

Minimum

NWA Boat and Sport Exposition

Chameleon

Hand Made Edition

IncExpert

Shout

Perfect Crowd

New Wave

Mini Museum Mürren

Enduring client trouble is every logo designer’s dilemma. While finding more clients is a nuisance itself but dealing with clients that won’t pay for your logo design is even more bothersome. It can be really frustrating for logo designers when they work their entire energy over a certain project and in the end don’t get compensated for their toils and troubles.

While issues over payments and remuneration are a persistent nuisance for logo designers nowadays, we can be sure of one thing…the history of logo design is filled with such cases where clients have made excessive delays in payment or simply didn’t pay the designers at all. Hence it is always better to be prepared for any wrongdoing beforehand.

5 Deadly Signs that tell your client won’t pay – Beware:

Although zodiac signs can help you predict your life’s future proceedings, it might not help in telling the signs that your client will not be paying you. Here are five sure shot signs that indicate your clients won’t pay you for your logo design.  

1. Not answering your calls:

Being busy to answer a call is acceptable but when your client does not respond to your calls over several days, you can be sure that you’ve been stood up. This the most dangerous sign that indicates you’re not going to get paid by your client for your logo design. You might presume, for a few days that the client is stuck in an emergency. But when you don’t get a call or email, it shows that the client does not want to get the job done and compensate you.

2. Starts showing lack of interest in the project:

All of a sudden, you start noticing that your client isn’t keen in listening to your suggestions and has stopped taking interest in your logo design process. Voila! That’s a clear cut sign that he has lost interest in getting the logo designed and wants to just run away without paying you a penny. You can try testing your client’s enthusiasm over a few days and if it continues, then you can be sure to say good bye to your remuneration.

3. Makes delay in payments:

When you’re dealing with clients who pay in installments, you can observe some critical signals of not getting the full reimbursement. When your payments are arriving extremely late, you can be sure that your client isn’t willing to pay you the whole fee. Moreover, delay in payments when your client’s check bounces is another dangerous sign that you will not be getting compensated for your labors.

4. Continuously mocks your designs:

Client criticism is a normal thing for logo designers to bear. But when your client constantly mocks your work saying foolish things like “My 5-year-old daughter can make a better logo design than you”, you can be certain that he is seriously going to ask his daughter. Clients can come up with lame reasons of getting a logo designed even by their neighbor. Hence, the next time you hear you client coming up with silly notions, be prepared to get dumped.

5. Asks you to postpone the project for a while:

“Hey, could you just hold the logo design for a few days? Rain check! ” When you hear these words from a client, you can be most certain that he’s running away. It’s not the project that’s being held up, it’s you who is being stood up in the middle of your efforts. What happens here is that some clients spend quality time with designers and in the middle of the project, ditch them while robbing them of their remuneration and logo design ideas.  

Practical ways to handle such situations:

Let me clarify that my post is not to create negative opinions against clients. In my next post I will suggest you some practical ways on how to handle such situations where your client won’t pay you.  

Have you ever faced any of the above signs from your clients? Do you have another sign that can indicate your client won’t pay?

  ]]> http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/dangerous-signs-clients-not-pay/feed/ 11 http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/apple-logo-design-folly/ http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/apple-logo-design-folly/#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:38:54 +0000 Nora Reed http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/?p=4569

The all-famous Apple logo design is in no need for introductions and praises. Designed by Rob Janoff, the Apple logo design has witnessed a series of alterations. A few days back, site carrying unreal news related to Apple, published a joke piece about apple redesigning its logo. The irony is that this news is being spread on renowned blogs as well, creating heaps of confusion among the masses.

How this sardonic tale started:

The apple logo folly is another addition to the logo design controversies hitting the blogosphere. The drama started when Scoopertino.com, a site posting fake news related to Apple Inc, floated a wild story involving its logo redesign. The satirical website alleged that Jonathan Ive, Industrial Designer at Apple, decided to remove the Apple from the apple logo, leaving only a leaf in the logo design. Scoopertino goes on further satirically adding a picturing showing an unreal brand campaign with the leaf logo and a fake apple iMac carrying the spoof leaf logo.    

Promoters of the misinterpretation:

The ironic part of this whole incident was that two of the most recognized logo design blogs endorsed the Apple logo redesign joke. Logolounge.com and imjustcreative.com have seemingly promoted this unreal news without prior verification. Although, Apple Inc is a very attractive subject to write about, but spreading unrealistic stories about famous brands can be misleading for the readers.  

Unreal news trend – right or wrong?

Even though the site spreading unreal news claims to be a parody site, spreading news like these on the blogosphere can be misleading for the common people. Don’t you think that publishing fake news with such brazenness is somewhat out of the humor limits? Also, is promoting this fake news from unreliable sources without proper verification correct? You be the judge!!!   ]]> http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/apple-logo-design-folly/feed/ 7 http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/waves-logo-design-trend/ http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/waves-logo-design-trend/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:48:17 +0000 Nora Reed http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/?p=4553

Trends are prevalent in every industry and logo design is no exception. Trends and fads enable us to forecast which logo designs will prove to be successful in the year to follow. But the intriguing thing about logos is that you cannot accurately make logo design trend predictions. As the logo design industry flourishes, more and more trends evolve each year.

One of the logo design trends of 2010 is wave logos, referred to as ‘Festoon’ by logolounge. The concept in making these designs is to use waves in such a way so as to create an overlapping and transparent effect. These logos can be used to depict a sign of joyfulness, celebration, calmness and composure.

Here are 22 inspirational logos that perfectly display this phenomenal wave or the festoon effect.

SoundWires

Plastic Whale

MediaWaves

Boat and Sport Expo

EcoFille

HeriCDK

Art Work Gwinnett

Luna Maya

SparroWave

WaveStage

Jplane

GoodWaves

PartnerShip

Fresh Hanger

Creative Waves

FireTail

io One

ColorWave

Travel World

Vatchr

The Zen Web

The Point

A few weeks back, I discussed in detail about the future of logo design. But today, let us foresee our own future for a change. You might be thinking…how is that possible? To be honest, I’m no psychic or fortune teller but the zodiac signs can give us great insights about who we are and how our lives will progress. It also serves as an identity for every human being with a symbol to represent each of them.

But what if these signs are employed in designing logos and brand identities? Zodiac logos are a very rare breed in the field of logo design. They compel us to think what makes a logo memorable? Is it the significance of the symbol used? Or the vibrancy of the color employed?
Following logos bear resemblance to each of the 12 zodiac signs. Read on and find out which logo design represents you.

Aquarius – The Water Bearer
January 20 -February 18 Your element: Air Life Aim: To understand life’s mysteries Secret Desire: To be original and unique

Pisces – The Fish
February 19 -March 20 Your element: Water Life Ambition: To avoid feeling alone and instead feel connected to others and the world at large Secret Desire: To live their dreams and turn fantasies into realities.

Aries – The Ram
March 21 -April 19 Your element: Fire Life Ambition: The thrill of the moment Secret Desire: To lead the way for others.

Taurus – The Bull
April 20 -May 20 Your element: Earth Life Ambition: Emotional and financial security Secret Desire: To have a safe, joyful and wealthy life.

Gemini – The Twins
May 21 -June 20 Your element: Air Life Ambition: To explore a little bit of everything. Secret Desire: To be ahead of the rest

Cancer – The Crab
June 21 -July 22 Your element: Water Life Ambition: Constant reassurance and intimacy Secret Desire: To feel safe emotionally, financially and spiritually.

Leo –The Lion
July 23 -August 22 Your element: Fire Life Ambition: To lead the way Secret Desire: To be a star

Virgo – The Virgin
August 23 -September 22 Your element: Earth Life Ambition: To do the right thing Secret Desire: To love and be loved in return

Libra – The Scales
September 23 -October 22 Your element: Air Life Ambition: To be consistent Secret Desire: To live an easy, uncomplicated life.

Scorpio – The Scorpion
October 23 -November 21 Your element: Water Life Ambition: To survive against all opposition Secret Desire: To triumph

Sagittarius – The Archer
November 22 -December 21 Your element: Fire Life Ambition: To live the good life Secret Desire: To make a difference in the world

Capricorn – The Goat
December 22 -January 19 Your element: Earth Life Ambition: To be proud of their achievements Secret Desire: To be admired by their family and friends and the world at large

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.

With the arrival of every new year, trends are released for every field and logo design is no exceptional. Being a part of logo designing industry, involuntarily we become addicted to the design trends and eagerly await the long lists of design predictions for the upcoming year. Although I do not believe much in following specific rules and regulations for logo designing but I would confess that these trends can get you excellent inspiration sparks.

Logo designing is a crucial part of design industry as it is responsible for making or breaking the corporate identity of a brand. Therefore, it is important that we stay updated about the happenings and trends of the industry but I wouldn’t suggest confining your creativity skills to a list of trends.

However, with this ending year, I bring you a wrap-up of logo design trends frequently adapted in 2009 but I would like you to answer couple of these questions:

Not to forget….I have picked up the logos from logopond, faveup, logolounge, creattica

Dots and Stripes:

Circular: 

Origami

Encrusted

Typographic

Geometrical

Sequential

Pixels

Gossamer