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Spec-work in Logo Design – Boon or Bane?

Categories: Logo Design Resources, Logo Design Tips, Logo Design Trends, Logo Designers, logo designs
Written By: Nora Reed
 

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!!

Categories: Logo Design Resources, Logo Design Tips, Logo Designers, logo designs
Written By: Nora Reed

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. :)

 
 

30 Water and Fire Logos – A hot & cool combination!!

Categories: Logo Design Inspiration, Logo Inspiration, logo designs
Written By: Nora Reed

Creating a logo design that revolves around a particular concept is a constant challenge for a professional logo designer. The proper arrangement of design elements is vital in a great logo design.

Fire and water are two extremes of nature that can never co-exist. But I’ve always had a fascination towards both fire and water. Each of them has its own positive and negative aspects. Water, with its beauty, embodies a feeling of tranquility and serenity and at the same time it has the power to unleash rage and fury. The same goes with fire. Appropriate use of fire provides us warmth and light, but in some instances it backfires.

But don’t worry. Both can cause no physical harm when used in a logo design ;) . Now let us see fire and water effects in inspirational logo designs. :)

   

ArtFire Films

Art Fire Logo
 

IT Hot News

IT Hot News Fire Logo
 

Ignite Creative

Ignite Creative  Fire Logo
 

Fire Spark

Fire Spark Fire Logo
 

Cajun Heat

Cajun Heat Fire Logo
 

Wild Fire

Wild Fire Logo
 

Persona Fire

Persona Fire Logo
 

Fire Starter

Fire Starter Fire Logo
 

Flame Tweet

Flame Tweet Fire Logo
 

Outs Mores

Outs Mores Fire Logo
 

Spark Events

Spark Events Fire Logo
 

Fire Brand

Fire Brand Fire Logo
 

Fire Embrion

Fire Embrion Fire Logo
 

Fuel

Fuel Fire Logo
 

Spot Burn

Spot Burn Fire Logo
 
 

Blunote Lounge

Water Logo
 

Water Drop

Water Logo
 

Voda

Water Logo
 

Ocean Spirit

Water Logo
 

Ocean Beauty

Water Logo
 

AWW

Water Logo
 

Bits n Baths

Water Logo
 

Future Footprints

Water Logo
 

Jolli Drop

Water Logo
 

Rain Cut

Water Logo
 

TMA

Water Logo
 

Mostly Water

Water Logo
 

Lochness

Water Logo
 

Aqua

Water Logo
 

Hydro Pol

Water Logo
 
 
   

12 frequent logo design mistakes – AVOID!!!

Categories: Logo Design Tips, Logo Designers, logo designs
Written By: Nora Reed
Today, I start my post by quoting a logo designing blunder. A few years back, a Las Vegas company launched an energy drink called Cocaine. Not long after its launch, the FDA pulled the drink from the market. Reason??? The word used as its logo was that of a notorious drug itself. The font in its logo design resembled a white powder (cocaine). Its marketing language was rife with drug references. Short and sweet, while designing a logo we need to apply many things and avoid number of things.
 
Is your logo design capable of making your customers SMILE :)
Simple
Memorable
Inviting
Limited in references
Exciting

These are the keys of a designing a unique logo but do you know what happens when you make mistakes while making a logo design. For this reason you need to know beforehand all the common blunders that you might commit in logo designing. After all, prevention is better than cure, isn’t it??? :)

For your due awareness, I have enlisted some frequent blunders that most people make while creating a logo design:

 
1. Avoid amateurs; your logo design demands professionalism from you.
 
 
 
2. Don’t just conjure up meaningless logos…design your logo with a purpose! You might think the arrow does nothing here. But it says that amazon.com has everything from a to z
 
 
 
3. Don’t be PC reliant…sketch your idea on a paper
 
 
 
4. Never clog the beauty of logo with complexity, just KISS (Keep it Simple Straight) :)
 
 
 
5. Make your logo design compatible for all mediums. The FedEx logo is easily visible on all formats of media.
 
 
 
6. Avoid adding unnecessary inclusions (co, Ltd, Inc) Notice what vague inclusions have been made under the “Families” logo!
 
 
 

7. Say No to Plagiarism; always remember the PEPSI-COKE Case

 
 
 
8. Dreadful color combination: Although the logo is one of the creations of “Paul Rand” but the uneasy color selection is making it very awkward
 
 
 
9. Avoid certain typography issues (improper spacing, predictable, crazy and thin fonts). Geez, what’s this supposed to mean???
 
 
 
10. Never initiate in color mode; start logo design in black and white.
 
 
 

11. Haste makes waste….give your logo design attention it deserves!

 
 
 
12. Don’t stick to logo design trends ….create something original.
 
 
Have you ever encountered a logo design mistake other than the ones I mentioned?? Also analyze your logo design closely and tell if you have made any of these mistakes.

 

20 great Coffee Logos – Enjoy the winter!!

Categories: Graphic Design, Logo Design News, logo designs
Written By: Nora Reed

Coffee … some say it’s an addiction, for many it’s an obsession. For crying out loud, it’s just a drink! I personally think it’s a tradition! It reminds us of people we’ve shared a cup with, places we’ve visited and special moments of our life. The type of coffee we desire is an extremely personal thing, whether we prefer it dark or light decaffeinated or not, there’s a blend that’s perfect.

But ever wondered how coffee makers attract you? It’s through their aesthetically designed coffee logos. Today I’ve organized a collection of great coffee logos that are surely going to tantalize your taste buds. So come on and take a sip :)

 

Coffee Fruit

 

Caffe Cottage

 

Cafe

 

Cupoccino

 

Cofree Shopaholic

 

Just Coffee

 

Sembari Minim Kopi

 

Streamers

 

Cofee cafee

 

LavaJava

 

Joe Joe’s

 

Studio Coffee

 

Handmade

 

Firenze Coffee

 

Langano

 

Coffee

 

The Coffee House

 

Blink Chocolate

 

Zvon Cafe

 
 

Get wired

 
 
So the next time you step into the coffee aisle at your local market, take the time to look and read the labels and do some taste testing at home. What blend, grind, and variety is your favorite? Then carry on the 500-year old tradition and sit down and enjoy a cup of your latest obsession. :)
 
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