In honor of Labor Day it seems fitting to examine some “labor” related logos. Unfortunately, Google did not grace us with one of their many creative holiday designs, but luckily other designers didn’t all take the day off.

Labor unions are known for a lot of things, but not necessarily their design expertise. While unions may exist to represent their workers legally, the logos they choose represent them visually. If you will notice with the logos below, there are some clear similarities:

Take for example the general shape. In my research I have come across a vast majority of circular shapes in this genre of logo design. This simple circle is in my opinion too canned and plain. I understand that these organizations are not light hearted, but I believe that any branding solution should have some sort of creativity or originality.

Not all Union logos follow this template exactly. Take for instance the following logos:

While there is still a clear uniform circular shape, these logos incorporate more creative elements than most. By adding images related to the line of work in which they represent, the logos better define the workers they stand for. In addition, the use of simple colors and slogans provide elements lost in the previous designs. These logos are still simple designs, but set themselves apart from their bland counterparts.

Even rarer are the illustrative logos like the Pittsburgh Local 373. This is a logo I would want to represent me. In this example a simple color scheme combined with an interesting logo and clear text forms a great logo. Even though there is an illustrative image, none of the professionalism nor legitimacy of the organization is lost. Of all the union logos I have seen, groups that can effectively capture my attention while still communicating their culture, have in my opinion, branded themselves the best.

Of all the union logos I have seen, groups that can effectively capture my attention while still communicating their culture, have in my opinion, branded themselves the best.

Football, Fútbol, Soccer. Regardless of your native tongue, the “world’s game” is a source of history, competition, and champions. It is also a source of some of the more interesting styles of sports branding. Unlike many American sports clubs, European football teams take a more classic route when designing their logo.

Lacking colorful mascots, many of these clubs choose to brand their team with a crest. While different from the primarily illustrative logos of American teams, football clubs incorporate more history into their designs.

These designs are not necessarily flashy or cutting edge, but their attention to history, and meaningful symbolism create a sense of nostalgia often lost in modern branding. During the mid to late 1900’s many of these teams realized the potential fiscal opportunities present in the football industry and changed their logo designs. However, a recent trend has surfaced reconnecting the clubs with their roots.

It is common for these clubs to borrow components of their home city’s crest in combination with symbols unique to the club. Barcelona for instance is one of my favorite logos:

Notice the two upper panels of the logo. The left features St. George’s Cross while the right displays the colors of Catalonia. The bottom half of the logo includes the football clubs colors, as well as a graphic image of the ball. By including all of these components, the FC Barcelona logo displays a perfect balance between where the club came from, and what it stands for. I love the simple, clean cut look that this type of sports logo embraces. Not to mention cant ever hurt to be proud of where you came from.

Take a look at these other logos that represent their cities with pride. See if you notice anything they have in common.

And just for fun, some of the logos that just don’t do it for me

Do you have any suggestions for great Football Club design?

Everyone in the design community knows Paul Rand. Everyone in almost any community knows Paul Rand. If you have seen the logos for Abc, Enron, Westinghouse, IBM, or UPS, you know his work. In his passing, logo designers lost one of their most innovative and dedicated leaders. Along with the loss of a great artist, the logo design world also seems to have let go of a certain way of doing things.

As a student of design theory, typography, and art history, Rand offered organizations a deeper branding solution. Logical and witty designs allowed Rand to express a company’s image in a manner that made sense. New trends seem to be moving farther away from these practices however. Designs are no longer so strongly based on simplicity and logic, but often feature the personality of the company in which they represent.

Young entrepreneurs and organizations have begun to focus on the ever growing and prominent youth market. The teen generations of today are a far greater consumer group than that of the past. Clothing, jewelry, and video games are no longer just presents, but regular purchases for youthful buyers. This emphasis on reaching a more sporadic and random group of people has changed some branding strategies.

This change comes in the form of new and edgy styles that will catch the eye of this already over stimulated generation. With the amount of media young adults are exposed to daily, companies need more than just a logical pattern or clean color scheme to reach them. The logos of today are increasingly complicated and colorful.

Some say this is just a popular trend that in time will pass. Even Paul Rand went through a period of more elaborate logos that challenged design standards. But it is hard to imagine that the youth market will eventually be less stimulated than it is today. What will companies be forced to do to stand out in the future? Which do you like, “old school” simple and logical designs, or the ever increasing number of “new school” edgy graphics?

Old School

New School

Hello Everyone. As Jessica so eloquently alluded to, I am Kevin Scott, the new voice of LogoBlog.org. I couldn’t be more excited to develop a relationship with you, the readers.

As a self proclaimed logo fanatic, it’s hard to find topics that I enjoy more than logo design. Looking at logos, critiquing logos, talking about logos, I like it all. LogoBlog.org has presented me with a new opportunity that I have never experienced before, an online community of fellow logo aficionados.

Since this is my first post I would like to keep it light and fun. As I’m still getting to know you and vice versa, I wouldn’t want to overwhelm you with my deeper thoughts on logo theory. Instead, I think it would be interesting to take a look at some of the logos we see on a day to day basis, and maybe you could share some of yours with me.

1. McDonalds

Food aside, McDonalds knows how to connect with their customers. The McDonalds logo is simple, but timeless. Almost anywhere you go throughout the world, you will find the golden arches. I love not only the emphasis on the “M” but also the warm feeling communicated through the color scheme. Not to mention how the arches remind me of two delicious McDonald’s French fries.

2. FedEx

The FedEx is simple, and conveys the message that its company is trying to convey, dependability. The two colors, my personal limit to an effective logo, stand out, and offer a memorable contrast. FedEx proves that you don’t need any gimmicks or flashy color schemes for an branding solution.

3.Mobil

In a similar fashion as FedEx, Mobil has established its logo as simple and to the point. With block text and only one color change, Mobil emphasizes the key component to its product, oil.

4.Pepsi

I am personally biased to Pepsi for its undeniable thirst quenching ability, but the logo has my approval too. I’m not quite sure if you have noticed my personal taste, but the simpler the color scheme, the better. Pepsi’s logo is unique in that its graphic and text can be separated and still easily recognized.

I enjoy each of these logos because they emphasize my main thoughts on logo design. The logo is important, but the product is the key. Nothing better than a great logo, for a great company.

Adieu! I have too grieved a heart to take a tedious leave
William Shakespeare
Merchant of Venice

Hello out there my logo friends. Unfortunately this post won’t be one of the most favorite I have ever written. I would even be willing to admit that it may be my least favorite. I regret to inform you that I will no longer be on LogoBlog.org. Due to personal obligations and an ever busying schedule, I cannot afford the time or energy to sustain the level of commitment I believe this community deserves.

Don’t worry however; I am leaving you in safe hands. A colleague of mine and fellow logo enthusiast has stepped up to the plate and offered to fill my rather large(and modest) shoes. Kevin Scott is a talented and passionate logo design aficionado. Having known Kevin for a very long time, I trust in his expertise and know that his interest in the design community will keep LogoBlog.org the unique and intriguing logo haven that it has become.

My final request is that you welcome Kevin as you have welcomed me. I hope that like me, he can find the exchanging of thoughts and techniques in logo design equally as rewarding.

I personally believe in keeping goodbyes short and sweet. While I wouldn’t want the band to start playing mid post, I cannot resist leaving with one more logo topic, the farewell logo.

While logos are usually designed in the initial branding stages, or for a rebirth of an image, they also serve a purpose at the end of the life cycle. Closing, demolition, and commemorative logos often serve as reminders of change and establish a reminiscent mood.

With these logos in particular, it is up to the designer to determine how the business, organization, or structure will be remembered. By selecting bright colors and warm images, the designer has the ability to reflect positive feelings about the subject. It is also common to incorporate familiar symbols to which observers would find comforting.

I would like to think that my goodbye logo would shine a positive light upon my time here at LogoBlog.org. Here are some examples of recent “goodbye” logos from my favorite sport, baseball. Take a gander!

Goodbye and many thanks,

-Jessica