All posts from Logo Design Blog

The 82nd Annual Academy Awards unfurled with scenes of great enthusiasm and amazing shocks. People witnessed the best ventures of the film industry being awarded for their performances. Among the Oscar winners was the award for “Best Short Animation Film” earned by “Logorama”. The 16 minute short film based on corporate logos took over six-years to produce.

 

 

Logorama Cast and Crew:
The film, directed by the trio, François Alaux, Hervé de Crécy and Ludovic Houplain, is a 16-minute movie and revolves around the adventures of two cops (Michelin Men) who are in pursuit of an armed criminal (Ronald McDonald ) through Los Angeles style city filled with corporate logo designs. Never has a film depicted all characters and items through real-life brand logos featuring around 3000 corporate logo designs. Famous corporate logos like the Pringles, Sega, Dominos, Pizza Hut and McDonald’s logo designs are seen in the movie. The logo characters are articulated mainly by Bob Stephenson (as Bibendum Mike, Bibendum Sheriff and Ronald McDonald) and Aja Evans (as Esso Girl). Logorama beat other nominations in the category which included French Roast, Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty, The Lady and the Reaper, A Matter of Loaf and Death.>

 

6 years to make this 16 minutes!!
Nicolas Schmerkin, the film’s producer who went on stage to collect the prestigious Oscar Statue, said
Good evening. It doesn’t look like, but it’s a French film. Sorry about the accent. I’m the producer of the film, so I have to thank the 3,000 non-official sponsors that appear in the film. And I have to assure them that no logos were harmed in the making of the project. It took, like, six years to make this 16 minutes, so I hope to come back here with a long feature film, in about 36 years. Thank you very much. Bon soir.

 

To watch the Logorama trailer, click here

 

Do you think this creative film is a clever way of promoting corporate logo designs?

 

 

Google Buzz is undoubtedly the latest hype on the social media network. Ever since I saw the Buzz logo, I have constantly pondered on its mysterious logo design. It was one day while playing UNO that I finally figured why the Google Buzz logo design bewildered me so much. I discovered that the Google Buzz logo bears a startling resemblance to the UNO card game logo.
The four colors of the Google Buzz “conversation bubble” logo design are arranged in an almost similar manner to the UNO “Wild Draw-Four” cards. The circle on UNO logo is sliced into four equal triangles of red, green, blue, and yellow colors. Likewise, the Google Buzz conversation bubble logo design is also bifurcated into the same colors and proportions.

 

Setting the record straight:

Is it really a coincidence or is there something fishy? Let us review some facts about both the logo designs and their development….it might help us come to a conclusion.

 

 

Uno Logo

Google Buzz Logo

Introduced in

1971

2010

Developed by

Merle Robbins

Google Buzz Team

Owned by

Mattel Inc.

Google Inc.

Purpose

Card Game

Social Networking

 

Who to blame?
Merle Robbins died way before Google itself was formed. After having set the record straight, who do you propose to be blamed for logo design plagiarism? Is it a coincidence or is Google guilty of something?

 

We witness countless famous brands and their captivating logo designs but do we ever wonder whose brainchild is it that created these magnificent logo designs? Short and simple, I say:

“Behind every successful brand there is a logo designer”.

Today I have penned 10 of the most famous and prominent logo designers behind the finest corporate brands. Some of them are not among us today but their masterpieces are eternal, compelling us to salute these masterminds. So, let’s begin the tour.

 

 

1. Saul Bass
SAUL BASS (1920-1996) was a renowned graphic designer of the 20th century. He was well known for designing film titles. His corporate logo designing included very successful brand identities like Bell Telephone System Communications, United Airlines, AT&T, Minolta, and Warner.

 

 

2. Paul Rand
Paul Rand (1914–1996) was an eminent graphic designer of American origin. He was best recognized for his famous corporate logo designs. Some of his corporate identities include the logo designs for ABC, IBM and UPS.

 

 

 

3. Alan Fletcher
Alan Gerard Fletcher (1931- 2006) was a British graphic designer. The Daily Telegraph described him as "the most highly regarded graphic designer of his generation, and probably one of the most prolific". Some of his corporate work that is known to many is the logo for Reuters in 1965, comprising of 84 dots. His "V&A" logo for Victoria and Albert Museum, designed in 1989 his "IoD" logo for the Institute of Directors are still in use today.

 

 

 

4. Sagi Haviv
Sagi Haviv, who is a partner at Chermayeff & Geismar, is a 34 year old designer. Among his various corporate identity projects are the logo designs for the National Parks of New York Harbor, Radio Free Europe, Library of Congress, and the famous fashion brand Armani Exchange.

 

 

 

5. Walter Landor
Walter Landor (1913-1995) was a German graphic designer belonging to Munich. Landor was most popular for his creative Fedex logo design. The meticulous use of negative space ‘arrow’ was a brilliant masterpiece of Landor. His FedEx logo design is considered as one of the best logo designs in the world.

 

 

 

6. Herb Lubalin
Herbert F. Lubalin (1918 –1981) was a famous graphic designer of USA. Herb’s most prominent logo designs are the Marriage logo created in 1965 and the Families logo designed in 1980.

 

 

 

7. Chermayeff & Geismar:
Ivan Chermayeff and Tom Geismar were two students at Yale in the mid 1950s. Chermayeff & Geismar Inc are the creators of numerous famous trademarks and corporate identities. Some of the most prestigious of their works is for large corporations such as Mobil, Time Warner, Viacom, and Xerox.

 

 

 

8. Wally Olins
Wikipedia claims Wally Olins to be recognized as the world’s most experienced practitioner of corporate identity and branding. Wally was nominated for the Prince Philip Designers Prize in 1999 and received the Royal Society of Arts’ Bicentenary Medal for his tireless efforts in the design industry.

 

 

 

9. Gerard Huerta
Gerard Huerta is a designer with one of the most versatile design portfolio. Not many graphic designers get the opportunity to apply their design skills in such vast areas as Gerard Huerta has done. His famous corporate logo designs include Swiss Army Brands, Calvin Klein’s Eternity, MSG Network, CBS Records Masterworks logo, The Atlantic Monthly and PC Magazine.

 

 

 

10. Raymond Loewy
Raymond Loewy (1893 – 1986) is recognized as one of the best industrial designers of the 20th century. The 1971 Shell logo, which is still used today, was designed by Loewy. He also created old logos for British Petroleum (Shield logo) and Exxon.

 

 

 

We witness countless famous brands and their captivating logo designs but do we ever wonder whose brainchild is it that created these magnificent logo designs? Short and simple, I say:

“Behind every successful brand there is a logo designer”.

Today I have penned 10 of the most famous and prominent logo designers behind the finest corporate brands. Some of them are not among us today but their masterpieces are eternal, compelling us to salute these masterminds. So, let’s begin the tour.

 

 

1. Saul Bass
SAUL BASS (1920-1996) was a renowned graphic designer of the 20th century. He was well known for designing film titles. His corporate logo designing included very successful brand identities like Bell Telephone System Communications, United Airlines, AT&T, Minolta, and Warner.

 

 

2. Paul Rand
Paul Rand (1914–1996) was an eminent graphic designer of American origin. He was best recognized for his famous corporate logo designs. Some of his corporate identities include the logo designs for ABC, IBM and UPS.

 

 

 

3. Alan Fletcher
Alan Gerard Fletcher (1931- 2006) was a British graphic designer. The Daily Telegraph described him as "the most highly regarded graphic designer of his generation, and probably one of the most prolific". Some of his corporate work that is known to many is the logo for Reuters in 1965, comprising of 84 dots. His "V&A" logo for Victoria and Albert Museum, designed in 1989 his "IoD" logo for the Institute of Directors are still in use today.

 

 

 

4. Sagi Haviv
Sagi Haviv, who is a partner at Chermayeff & Geismar, is a 34 year old designer. Among his various corporate identity projects are the logo designs for the National Parks of New York Harbor, Radio Free Europe, Library of Congress, and the famous fashion brand Armani Exchange.

 

 

 

5. Walter Landor
Walter Landor (1913-1995) was a German graphic designer belonging to Munich. Landor was most popular for his creative Fedex logo design. The meticulous use of negative space ‘arrow’ was a brilliant masterpiece of Landor. His FedEx logo design is considered as one of the best logo designs in the world.

 

 

 

6. Herb Lubalin
Herbert F. Lubalin (1918 –1981) was a famous graphic designer of USA. Herb’s most prominent logo designs are the Marriage logo created in 1965 and the Families logo designed in 1980.

 

 

 

7. Chermayeff & Geismar:
Ivan Chermayeff and Tom Geismar were two students at Yale in the mid 1950s. Chermayeff & Geismar Inc are the creators of numerous famous trademarks and corporate identities. Some of the most prestigious of their works is for large corporations such as Mobil, Time Warner, Viacom, and Xerox.

 

 

 

8. Wally Olins
Wikipedia claims Wally Olins to be recognized as the world’s most experienced practitioner of corporate identity and branding. Wally was nominated for the Prince Philip Designers Prize in 1999 and received the Royal Society of Arts’ Bicentenary Medal for his tireless efforts in the design industry.

 

 

 

9. Gerard Huerta
Gerard Huerta is a designer with one of the most versatile design portfolio. Not many graphic designers get the opportunity to apply their design skills in such vast areas as Gerard Huerta has done. His famous corporate logo designs include Swiss Army Brands, Calvin Klein’s Eternity, MSG Network, CBS Records Masterworks logo, The Atlantic Monthly and PC Magazine.

 

 

 

10. Raymond Loewy
Raymond Loewy (1893 – 1986) is recognized as one of the best industrial designers of the 20th century. The 1971 Shell logo, which is still used today, was designed by Loewy. He also created old logos for British Petroleum (Shield logo) and Exxon.

 

 

 

Although the recently adopted logo for the U.S Department of Defense’s Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has earned massive critique from bloggers for its peculiar logo design, but today I bring you a new aspect of this squabble.
The logo design controversy that marred the MDA is that it features similarities with the “Barack Obama’s logo” and the “crescent moon and star” used on flags of Islamic countries. Well folks, now comes a new twist to the tale. A striking resemblance has also been observed between the new MDA logo and the Iranian Space Agency logo.

 

 

Clarification by MDA:
However, Rick Lehner, Washington spokesman for Missile Defense Agency, defended by saying "I think it’s just people who are just…different."
Talking about the contentious logo design, he said it was intended for recruitment purpose and designed three years ago, suggesting that it was planned way before the Obama Campaign.

 

"That’s our official logo," Lehner said. "The other one was just developed for recruiting materials years before the Obama campaign. We’re trying to attract a younger workforce because we want to get kids out of college.”

 

Regarding resemblance to Islamic crescent, he asserted:

 

“The white, eight-sided design is not a star but actually an explosion indicating an intercepted missile.”

According to Rick, the official Missile Defense Agency logo design is different and is still featured in the lower left corner of the website.

 

Your be the Judge!!
Irrespective of what clarification MDA has given, is it just plain coincidence or clear logo plagiarism? You decide.

 

 

Remember the all-time famous “Adidas” logo design? Ever wondered what it symbolizes? The three-parallel-striped designed in the shape of a mountain demonstrates the goals and challenges that Adidas strives to accomplish. It is a true sign of progress.
Showing motion in sequential steps is one of the many logo design trends that prevail in the industry. The logo designs displaying movement help defining the concept of growth and continuous progress of a company. The sign of movement in a logo design signifies that your business is versatile and capable of performing dynamically.
Following are some of the most brilliant logo designs that have used the sequential design bearing a sign of progress and development.

 
 

Swisscom

 

Klopfer Holzhandel

 

Brand Stack

 

North Colour

 

Cobra Cube

 

Andy Fiord Studio

 

Darien Library

 

Youth Forum

 

Pangur

 

Share Effect

 

One Constructions

 

Thirteen Current

 

Adjika

 

Sort Folio

 

Vivid Ways

 

Boss hog Studio

 

Adidas

 

Bananas Films

 

Action Now!

 

Brite Click

 

Good Waves

 

Elastic Digital

 

Lexpro

 

Jump

 

World Moto

 

Orior

 

Fly

 

Asgardia

 

Hummin Print

 

Collective Feedback

 

Have a look at these logo designs that are in continuous movement.

 
 

 

Do you think such innovative concepts in logo designing contribute a unique, progressive and modern impression to a company? If you have any other logos design ideas in knowledge that can help a company build an exceptional image, do share with us.

 

 

 

Starting a logo design project without proper planning and theory is a futile attempt. You should know your targets before commencing a logo design project. The best thing is to list the logo design ideas and queries coming to your mind and then try solving them one by one. This will help you have a clear picture of your logo and save you from making serious logo design mistakes.
Some designers call this exercise a creative brief while others describe it as brainstorming. Irrespective of what you call this process, you should follow it before starting a logo design project. What this step will do is clear you mind of all the confusions prior to designing a logo. It is always better to answer questions beforehand, after all prevention is better than cure isn’t it?
Following is a list of questions which I always ask myself before starting a design project. It will surely help you make your logo design process faster, easier and more effective.
Let’s find out if your logo design displays answers to these imperative queries:

 

What is the purpose of your business?

What products and services are you offering to your customers?

What target audience you will be catering?

Who are your present and potential competitors?

What differentiates you from your competitors? (Universal Selling Point- USP)

Will you be following logo design trends or come up with an innovative logo design concept?

What tagline best describes your business?

How much are you willing to spend on logo design?

How much time can you dedicate to logo designing?

What fonts and colors will you employ in your logo design?

Where will you be using your logo design? (Letterheads, online, banners…)

What do you want your logo to tell about your company?

What symbol best portrays your business? (products and services)

Where do you see your company in the future?

Will you consider redesigning your logo in the coming years?

 

I am sure these questions will help you end up with a successful logo design but if there are more questions which we should keep in mind prior to designing a logo…please share with us!

 

 

With the “Valentine Fever” taking all over, I decided to showcase 30 heart logo designs to rejoice the Valentine Day. This heartwarming festival is celebrated by loved ones all over the world. Flowers, confectionaries and expressive greeting cards have remained a constant fervor among dear couples. “Heart shaped” symbols are excessively used on this festival to express love and care for our dear ones. Hence, graphical use of hearts in logo designing is a great means of communicating your love and enthusiasm to your customers.
Besides the heart shape, several other love related logo designs are existent. Some of these logo designs include an apple, cupid, rose, love knot and love birds. But there is one intriguing aspect of the heart logo designs. Every symbol in logo design has a significant meaning… similarly heart logos can convey your message of sincerity and trust to your special “customers”.

 

Have a Heart

 

Bird Lover

 

Wine Lover

 

Cloud of Lover

 

Muffin Lovin

 

Love Curry

 

Valentino

 

Heart Bank

 

Heart is Tree

 

Love You Sew

 

WF

 

Tweet Love

 

Love Picks

 

Volunteer

 

Sky of Love

 

Makia Bakery

 

Trial of Hamlet

 

Bug Luv

 

What is Love?

 

Love Biites

 

My Love Tale

 

Heart Break

 

Think Love

 

Love Systems

 

Valentino

 

Heart Gallery

 

Moustache

 

Love Poker

 

Hooipo

 

Pen Pals

 

Heart Aid

 

Passionate

 

Love Yarn

 

Team Disaster

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

While there have been numerous heated debates on the topic of “logo design contests” or famously branded as “spec-work”, I wish to propose a different viewpoint today. First, let me make it clear that I am neither speaking in support nor in conflict about spec-work in logo designing. 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. 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 be following.
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 con   tests.

 

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? No spec-work or logo design contest can steal the ideas you possess in your minds. So for all the self-esteemed logo designers out there… Chill!!!

 

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.

 

 

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

 

IT Hot News

 

Ignite Creative

 

Fire Spark

 

Cajun Heat

 

Wild Fire

 

Persona Fire

 

Fire Starter

 

Flame Tweet

 

Outs Mores

 

Spark Events

 

Fire Brand

 

Fire Embrion

 

Fuel

 

Spot Burn

 

 

Blunote Lounge

 

Water Drop

 

Voda

 

Ocean Spirit

 

Ocean Beauty

 

AWW

 

Bits n Baths

 

Future Footprints

 

Jolli Drop

 

Rain Cut

 

TMA

 

Mostly Water

 

Lochness

 

Aqua

 

Hydro Pol

 

 

 
 

If not then it means you are making some serious logo designing mistakes. 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.

Is your logo design capable of making your customers SMILE
Simple
Memorable
Inviting
Limited in references
Exciting

This is what happens when you make mistakes in developing logo design. For this reason you need to know beforehand all the common blunders that you might commit in designing your business logo. 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 (hyperlink our logo design trends post)….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.