logos

We tend to focus more on logos with a lot of frills because there is simply more to talk about. However, few consumers think about how the simple, iconic logo designs and minimalistic logos around them have a huge effect. You may not spend a lot of time thinking about the Nike logo, but it nonetheless has a very powerful subconscious effect. Here are the top ten simple logos, along with what exactly makes them so effective.

1. Nike Logo Design

This may look like a basic swoosh, but it says so much about the brand. This simple shape communicates movement, change, and innovation in a single, wordless shape. As a bonus, it also resembles a rounded version of a checkmark. Because the swoosh is different from every other shape and image used in logo design, it is highly recognizable and easy to identify. This logo likely has had a huge part in the success of this company as well as its ability to expand seamlessly to new markets.

2. Apple Logo Design

The bitten apple will always be indelibly related to this company, which means it is a complete logo design success. Although the image has been used in a variety of colors, from a self-contained rainbow to basic, shiny silver, it is still associated with Apple. The bite out of the apple is the secret to this equation. It arouses enough interest to keep people looking, although it certainly does not complicate the logo design or detract from its simplicity.

3. WWF Logo Design

This nonprofit organization has a logo design that has changed very little over the decades, in part because there is no reason to make a substantial change away from this simple, effective image. The initials are rounded and friendly, but bold enough to have a definite presence. This gentle rounding is reflected in the circular panda bear. Because a panda bear is an easily recognizable animal that needs protection from organizations such as this, it is a very appropriate spokesperson indeed.

4. London Underground Logo Design

This well known ‘Roundel’ features a red circle with a blue bar intersecting it. While this seems simple, it actually says a lot. Circles are inclusive shapes, which makes them appropriate for any type of public services. They also are roughly the shape of a subway tube. The red and blue are the colors of the British flag, while the rounded white writing in the blue crossbar make it easy for people to read. This logo design is easy to recognize at a distance, which is crucial for subway signs. However, it is also distinctively British in color and very appropriate for its industry, which makes it relevant as well.

5. FedEx Logo Design

This logo design is all about hidden messages. The deep blue is relaxing and trustworthy, while the orange is youthful and fun. The combination is high contrast and very eye catching. Although this is usually perceived as a text-based logo, it in fact has the image of an arrow hidden inside the letters. Can you see it?

6. USA Network Logo Design

Television networks have a tall order when it comes to logo design. First, they must have a logo design that communicates exactly what makes them and their programming different from the competition. Second, they must have a logo design that is simple enough to be recognizable while crammed into the corner of a television screen. The USA Network’s logo design meets both requirements. The way the ‘S’ is created from negative space is interesting and intelligent, which says nothing but good about the network. The boldness of the letters implies that this is a ‘big’ network, which in this case is accurate. Last, the use of lower case letters adds a friendly touch that is so important in entertainment.

7. Coca-Cola Logo Design

Few companies have achieved quite the level of success that Coca-Cola enjoys, and this eminence is shown in the logo design itself. Instead of a busy image, the logo design is simple the name of the company written in its signature, cursive font. The way the letters end in swirling shapes is very relevant to refreshing liquids and also gives a feeling of movement. The red color is often seen in food and beverage logos, and this appropriate here.

8. BBC Logo Design

The BBC is a classic, dependable company with a long history, which makes the traditional square an ideal shape for this logo design. The letters are thin and unimposing, which creates a sense of balance against the heavy black shapes. There isn’t a lot to say about this logo design, but everyone recognizes it and associates it with the company it represents.

9. Mercedes Benz Logo Design

The logo design for this upscale company is seen and envied on streets all over the world, which is a testimony to its simplicity and high recognition. The circular shape is friendly, but there is actually a story behind this simple logo design. Mercedes once manufactured airplanes, and their logo design is a rough representation of airplane propellers when looking straight on. This relationship to the company history is not well known, but definitely creates an attractive image.

10. Shell Logo Design

This is another logo design that has aged well, needing only the occasional ‘facelift’ to remain relevant in an ever changing market. The shell shape obviously relates directly to the name, while the red and yellow provide high contrast and are also associated with fast food. The rays in the shell combined with its bright yellow color create a subtle resemblance to a dawning sun as well, which is positive and friendly.

When looking for ten simple and effective logo designs, the challenge isn’t so much finding them as narrowing down the long list of contenders. Why do simple logos work so well? First, because they are easy to remember. Second, they tend to be more attractive simply because they are less overwhelming. While there are certainly cases where a more complicated logo has been equally effective, nothing can touch the timeless appeal of these works of art.

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The process of asking for a loan from a bank sucks. Simple as that. Short of a cavity search, they want to know everything about you and then they will hit you with an interest rate higher than your cholesterol level. Add to that the economic slump of the last two years and getting a loan was harder than spotting a yeti. These circumstances might help explain the burgeoning practice of peer-to-peer lending and at the forefront is Lending Club, which has funded $93,634,075 in loans and $6,487,621 in paid interest to investors since its inception in 2007. The premise is simple, Lending Club brings "together investors and creditworthy borrowers eliminating the high-cost and complexity of traditional banks. This allows people to invest in and borrow from each other in a way that is financially sound and rewarding for both parties. Lending Club offers borrowers better rates and investors higher returns." A short three years after launch and ready to shed its start-up label, Lending Club has adopted a new logo created in collaboration with Mule.
The first 2 – 3 years of any start-up contribute to fine-tuning its messaging and value proposition. Lending Club is about transparency, trustworthiness, simplicity, and better rates/returns. Our new identity and web site better reflect these values.The beauty of this logo is, first, its simplicity and typography make you feel safe, but then you'll find yourself wanting to interpret the logo. Every customer thinks of it differently, and I've heard at least 15 different interpretations, but the one I hear the most is when people see themselves as the missing square."— Rob Garcia, Lending Club's Sr Director of Product Strategy

The old wordmark was pretty sub par, even for start-up standards. Everything from the color choices to the typeface made the company look small and unreliable. The new logo is a vast improvement both in concept and execution. When I first saw the logo I couldn't help but let a genuine smirk escape from my face. It's not a highbrow concept by any extent, but rather a simple idea executed, well, simply. The little red square jumping from the corral of other squares into the "i" can indeed carry many meanings, whether it is the square being lent to the "i" or as mentioned above, the square of the "i" as in "I/me" being the missing component to make something work. The typography is straightforward Helvetica, which is fine but, in unison with the heavy blue, gives it a slight air of 1960s banking corporate identity — a fine relationship to establish Lending Club as a trusted source, but a far cry in making it look contemporary and groundbreaking. Nonetheless, this is an excellent and welcome evolution.

Thanks to Judith for the tip.
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What’s in a heart? Not only is this shape a representative of love and affection, it also is the life force of the human body. A heart can have extremely positive connotations, but it also can be seen as cliché and even childish. As we will see from the following ten heart logos, there are ways to use this shape in logo design while maintaining adult sophistication and complete seriousness. The following ten logos get at the heart of logo design, both literally and figuratively.

1. Pathos Logo Design

The Pathos logo uses a heart formed from swirling shapes in two barely different shades of red. The waves imply movement while also adding interest to the otherwise mundane heart shape. The writing is friendly in rounded lower case letters with a modern edge. This logo design takes a well known shape and puts a new and interesting spin on it, which is definitely the thumbprint of a professional.

2. Webend Logo Design

This company uses a heart, but this time it is formed out of two of the letters in a clever yet legible manner. Instead of red or pink, this logo design goes for a youthful look with sunny yellow. Again we see the rounded lower case font, and with the same friendly effect. The black lettering is just serious enough to balance the design and lend a little credibility.

3. Bugluv Logo Design

Very few people love bugs, but this logo design manages to create an insect image that many will feel an affection for. The image of a small bug with heart shaped wings is beyond cute, and ties perfectly into the name. Rounded, lower case writing seems to be the norm with heart-based logos, and this one is no exception.

4. Sky of Love Logo Design

How can you form an airplane out of a heart? This logo design is ingenious just because it manages to perform this impossible task in an attractive and realistic manner. It’s hard to think of a color scheme more appropriate for this subject that a sky blue and fluffy cloud white. As a bonus, Sky of Love ignores the lower case wording that seems to be the norm with this type of logo and instead uses more serious capital letters that nonetheless are rounded to be a little less formidable.

5. Inlove Logo Design

It’s hard to figure out exactly what the image in this logo design is. Obviously there is a heart. However, is it topped with a crown for royalty, or is it merely a more realistic, anatomically accurate heart? The gold color suggests that royalty is the true meaning of this logo, but there is no way to tell for sure. Either way, the image is attractive and contributes to an interesting logo. The plain writing does not add to or detract from the heart, which is likely the best approach in this case.

6. Pixellove Logo Design

This logo design features a pixilated heart image, which perfectly complements the business name and brand. Again we see lower case, rounded lettering, although in a business like black. For the heart, only red would do here. The use of a tagline here is very appropriate because it would be difficult to guess the line of business from the logo design alone. Although the pixilation of the logo design might have led to a busy and overcrowded image, the use of one color alone kept it simple and memorable.

7. PenPals Logo Design

Instead of using a heart to form another shape, this logo design uses images to create a heart. The pen nibs crossed to form a heart contribute to a visually interesting and yet very relevant shape. The use of red helps to promote the heart effect; in another color, the fact that this is a heart would not have been so clear. Rounded yet thick letters help complete a well rounded and unique logo design.

8. Threesome Logo Design

Because the word threesome brings up somewhat naughty images, this logo design has to walk a fine line between being appropriate for the name and being too naughty for the general public. Instead of referring to the name itself, this logo design features an asymmetrical heart that was drawn to have three halves rather than two. This hints at the adult content that the name implies without ever actually referring to it. To be a little friendlier, the writing is in rounded lower case letters in basic black. This logo effectively handles a scandalous name and even defuses it.

9. Love Your Business Logo Design

Because this logo design obviously is aimed at businesses, the romantic associations of the heart must be played down. A serious, modern color palette is the first step toward this, with a bright, contemporary green against a sober dark brown in the background. This effect is further enhanced by the use of a very plain, newsy font for the wording. Turning the heart on its side to form a ‘B’ is clever enough to grab the customers’ attention without being too playful for a business logo.

10. I Love Moustache Logo Design

This was actually a personal identity logo for an unknown person, but it has become a cult classic through the internet. An ‘I’ and a heart are used as eyes for the man in question, The logo design is similar to the well known I Heart NY logo, which adds a little sophistication to the mix. The lack of writing is appropriate because it allows people to focus on the simple, attractive image without any distractions. Whoever the person that this brand represents, I can only imagine that it suits them well.

As you can see, these logos have more in common than merely having hearts in them. First, there are many examples here of using rounded lower case writing to add a friendly touch, which is so important in matters of the heart. Second, color weighs heavily in these logos, with people choosing to use traditional colors such as red—or eschew tradition altogether—to make a statement about their company.

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If there is anyone that learned the branding lesson imparted by the Obama ’08 Campaign, it was John McCain. During the Presidential race there was simply nothing the McCain identity could do to help his chances, especially not Optima, not even at its boldest. Not long after the loss, McCain announced in November of 2008 that he would be running for re-election to his Senate seat in 2010 for the state of Arizona. Earlier this year, McCain presented a new identity for this particular campaign, created by Phoenix-based OVO. What a difference one lost Presidential race makes.
"We crafted the entire brand to assist visually in developing a meaningful conversation between Senator McCain and the people of Arizona," stated OVO principal partner, Ryan Durant. "During the presidential campaign, many didn't feel as though the large-scale format emphasized the 'town hall' approach to politics for which McCain is so well known. The information architecture and design of the new Web site and brand identity provide for him a 'virtual town hall' so-to-speak."— Press Release

Apart from a new President, the Obama ’08 Campaign brought with it a new standard for political identity and we have slowly seen this shift happen with better crafted web sites and campaigns, even if some are mere copycats. McCain's Senate race identity is a perfect example of the new standard and manages to offer a unique personality and execution, even while using the default elements of stars, stripes and the RWB (red, white and blue) color palette. The new icon, dubbed the "McCain Flag" is a lovely abstraction of the flag that is both gentle and strong with its swift curves and thick stripes. The typography is also an excellent choice by having a somewhat traditional serif but feeling substantially contemporary by the serifs being strongly slabbed. Even the deeper interpretations of red and blue help make this a sophisticated identity.

While the identity and printed materials manage to build on the new expectations of political campaigns, the web site is also a notch above the usual. Designed and art directed by OVO, with architecture development and additional design by another Arizona agency, Forty, the site is easy to browse, energetic and welcoming. Overall, this is an unexpectedly refreshing identity and hopefully we will continue to see political identity mature and become an interesting challenge for designers.
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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?

Green is more than a color: it is the quiet calm of nature, a representative of health and safety, and even a lifestyle movement. Few colors are as expressive or as heavily loaded with meaning as this one. We wrote about the top 10 blue colored logos in the past too. The following ten green logos use this color to communicate important information about their companies, although they approach this in very different ways.

1. Greentack Logo Design

Green living is a huge cause lately, and many people will buy a new product simply because it is the green alternative to the brand they currently use. Greentack is just one of the many green products overtaking the market, and it has a logo design that is representative of the genre as well. The name of the company is written in rounded lower case letters that are friendly and inviting, with the image of a leaf above in a coordinating color of green. Like many green companies, this one uses a tagline to reinforce the idea that they are an ecologically friendly force.

2. Vivaio Logo Design

The Vivaio logo design also uses a leaf as the main image, although there are some differences here. First, the lettering is not friendly in any way, but instead sophisticated and upscale in a capital point in black with pointy serifs. This rather severe image is enclosed in a circle, which adds a little friendliness to balance the writing. This is a good example of how the same image—a leaf in this case—can be transformed into two very different logo designs.

3. The Bug World Experience Logo Design

In this logo design for a museum specializing in insects, the dominant shape is a green sphere relating to the ‘world’ in question. A small bug on the globe looks curiously at viewers. A banner across the globe advertises the museum as a truly interesting experience. This logo design will appeal to families and children visiting the area, which is likely the target audience.

4. Spring Breeze Medicine Logo Design

A medical practice with inclinations toward holistic medicine can use green to show their natural side. Again we see a friendly circle in a shocking green shade. A wavelike shape across the sphere gives a feeling of movement. The name is written first in Chinese and then in a very simple font, both in a rich metallic gold that suggests wealth and riches. While this logo design is clearly created for a specific culture, it nonetheless has elements that are successful with a variety of backgrounds.

5. Wishpot Logo Design

This wish list website has a much more whimsical logo. We see once again the extremely rounded, lower case writing. The sole image is of a flower rising out of the H, with petals plying into the wind as though blown off in the midst of a wish. This logo design is whimsical and wistful, enough to make anyone remember their childhood longings and their adult ones as well.

6. Green Party Logo Design

Again we see a leaf, but this time it is very different from any of the leaf images we have seen so far. The leaf in this case is ultra stylized and set against a black background. The name of the party is written in gray, adding a business-like touch to the mixture. The tagline below is written in the same font as the leaf and offers insight into the political aims of the party itself.

7. Planet Green Logo Design

What could make more sense for a company named for a green planet than an actual green planet? In this case. The planet is a friendly, inclusive shape that makes viewers feel as though they are welcome with this business. This friendly image is furthered by the lower case writing in a non-confrontational font. This image is very simple, but every detail has been thought out well, which is a sign of good logo design.

8. Gifted by Nature Logo Design

Here we see a green background in a beautiful green print with a white image and wording to create a clean and high contrast logo design. The image is of a gift with a leafy vine as a bow. The cursive is artsy and not even a little traditional, creating a creative brand that will appeal to their target consumer. A tagline below explains the key brand values, although the logo is expressive enough that it really could do without this. Because Gifted by Nature offers organic and ecofriendly gifts, a green logo design and brand are certainly perfect here.

9. Chaophya Park Logo Design

This upscale resort has a brand that demands a green logo design, with natural leanings, organic spa treatments, and food grown onsite for the restaurants. The writing is serious in upper case letters with serifs, while the dark forest green is more relaxing and soothing than a brighter use of color in the logo would be. The image is off palm fronds combined with a wave, which is very appropriate for a tropical seaside resort. This logo design combines the important and salient aspects of the brand into an attractive and coherent image.

10. Playdom Logo Design

This business specializes in making iPhone applications allowing users to play their favorite Facebook games on their phone. As such, a playful logo design is definitely in order. Although green is often seen as a natural or calming color, here it is modern and bright, hinting at the technology that this business specializes in. The image is of a serrated circle enclosing teo P’s and a crown, tying into the name while adding a friendly touch. The friendly feeling is furthered by the tagline below. Black solid letters lend a business-like touch without being too overwhelming.

As you can see, a green logo can mean a variety of things and be drawn in many different ways. It doesn’t have to be cliché or boring, or even ecological. If you think green may be the perfect color palette for your new logo design, contact a logo designer about the many possibilities.

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According to our Google Analytics, 58% of your are using a Macintosh Operating System, 39% are on Windows, 1.5% are logged as using the iPhone OS, and, finally, as the subject of today's post, 0.65% of you are reading this from a Linux Operating System. (Wow, 0.01% use Playstation 3!). The Linux platform, in contrast to that of Apple's and Microsoft's, is free and open source and has major street cred among hardcore developers and people that simply want a tinkerable alternative to the Mac vs. PC battle. Also, unlike its commercial brethren, various operating systems can operate in a Linux environment, and one of the most popular is Ubuntu — launched in 2004 by Canonical Ltd. and embraced by a growing community of users that contribute to its growth and evolution. Under a new brand vision of "Light" Ubuntu is preparing to change its identity this coming April.
The new style in Ubuntu is inspired by the idea of "Light".We're drawn to Light because it denotes both warmth and clarity, and intrigued by the idea that "light" is a good value in software. Good software is "light" in the sense that it uses your resources efficiently, runs quickly, and can easily be reshaped as needed. Ubuntu represents a break with the bloatware of proprietary operating systems and an opportunity to delight to those who use computers for work and play. More and more of our communications are powered by light, and in future, our processing power will depend on our ability to work with light, too.Visually, light is beautiful, light is ethereal, light brings clarity and comfort.— On Brand at the Ubuntu Wiki

As the cornerstone of the old and new identity is the "circle of friends," an icon showing three abstract human figures coming together to form a whole. A lovely concept. A terribly tired visual cliché. And, in this case, one tepidly executed and forgettable that has not evolved in the least for the new identity. What is worse is that now that it is significantly smaller in relationship to the typography, the shapes become indistinguishable. But let's assume that the "circle of friends" has enough equity within its community to survive at that size, then at least some technical assistance should have been provided to make it more readable and scalable — perhaps not to the exhausting degree of Firefox, but in that vein.

In terms of typography, I surprisingly liked the old one, or at least the combination of these particular letters, since the full font is kind of half-cooked. The new type is more techie and gadgety, rarely a good thing, and it doesn't quite work here, as it breaks the harmony of the characters with those pointed corners. And being so big, the typography would have to be so much more interesting than this.

In the Brand page of their Wiki, Ubuntu presents the new look along with some conceptual sketches of what the brand will look like and how the different members of its community can embrace the new identity. In either case, old and new, the whole is a mess of its parts. It's understandable that not everything has to follow a dictatorial style but these are so similar that they just don't gel together. I may be coming across as drastically critical of an open source project, but if the idea is that the power of the community can create something great, like software, then shouldn't the same be expected of their identity?

Thanks to KT for first tip.
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There was a time when bars and other drinking establishments paid very little attention to branding. The assumption was that people were there to drink, not to buy into a brand. However, we have seen many bar logos lately that are sure to entice customers in droves. It just goes to show that there is no industry too small or too sinful for beverage logo design or alcohol logo design to have a huge effect on success. Here are ten logos that are proving our point with every drink consumed.

1. Martini House Logo Design

This logo design has a black and white color palette that might be boring if the establishment didn’t specialize in a beverage known for a simple yet sophisticated taste. The image ties directly into the name, with two martini glasses enclosing a house. The writing is simple and bold, again resembling the martini. This logo is understated but undeniably makes a statement.

2. Bridges Pub & Eatery Logo Design

Again, we see the name of the bar worked into the image in a clever and memorable way. In this case, the shape of a suspension bridge is filled with cutlery, hinting that there is much more than peanuts to sample here. The brown and tan color scheme is earthy and modern at the same time. In addition, this is the color palette of beers and ales, making it an appropriate choice. Not only is this logo design appropriate for the business, it also is more modern than that of the average pub, suggesting that you will find a very different pub experience here.

3. Bar Code Logo Design

Sometimes using puns in a name or logo design comes out just a little too contrived, but in this case it is successful. The name plays on a term that every modern shopper is familiar with, and the ubiquitous bar code is also used to fill a pint glass in the image. The yellow is youthful and positive, while the black creates the perfect contrast.

4. Wine Kingdom Logo Design

Again, color is used to send a message, in this case a sophisticated message suggesting that this is a more upscale wine bar. The image in the logo design is of a single wine glass, with the barrel drawn to look like a castle turret. The image might have come off as too medieval or cartoony were it not for the simple color scheme, but in black and white it is interesting and still contemporary.

5. The Brewer’s Art Logo Design

Here we see images associated with brewing, but very stylized—a stalk of grain, a single hop flower—with a stylized spiral sun in the background. The use of several empty stalks in the logo design create a balanced image and imply that the picture is drawn post-harvest, which is when the newest beer varieties usually hit the market. The green is earthy yet modern, providing exactly the right image for this highly rated bar.

6. Latitudes Logo Design

This logo has very little in common with the smooth, sophisticated bar logos we have seen so far, but in this case with good reason. This bar offers a traditional rowdy Alaskan drinking experience. The tagline explains the name, while the image of a king crab nursing a tall glass of beer just screams, ‘Drinking in Alaska’. Lifelike colors add a touch of realism, while the jagged writing implies a somewhat rough experience. Because people who visit Alaska aren’t necessarily looking for a wine bar with gourmet leanings, this kitschy yet cool logo is a winner.

7. Zeitgeist Logo Design

This former biker bar in a gentrified neighborhood offers a taste of the rough side for local professionals. This makes this rather scary logo design an important part of the brand. Combining two rather naughty symbols—a skull and a Playboy bunny—creates a unique image that is interesting and a little scary. Because the bar is located in an upscale neighborhood where people are more like to ride a ten-speed than a Harley, the counter culture brand is cool and doesn’t scare anyone away. Black and white is not only a good choice in color; it is the only choice that would have made sense for this San Francisco bar.

8. Strange Brew Tavern Logo Design

This bar is well known for its live music, as the name suggests. For this reason, the image of a saxophone complimented by lettering also in metallic brass tones is a great choice. The use of old fashioned lettering and little embellishment gives the impression of a simple, back to basics experience, in this case with great music. This logo suggests the comfortable charm of an old fashioned jazz bar, which is exactly what it is offering.

9. Little Branch Logo Design

This bar has an ultra-modern image that is in part created by its logo design. The simple white background with metallic gold writing is a nice change from the mainstay of black and white. The simple, no frills writing and lack of a picture in this logo design suggest that this is a place for a simple, uncomplicated night out. Considering how trying the bar scene can be, I bet many people find Little Branch’s subtle brand a welcome alternative.

10. Barcade Logo Design

This logo design includes a play on words that in this case is very appropriate—the bar in question has one of the largest collections of old fashioned arcade games for drinkers to amuse themselves with. The logo is of the company name with rays of lights drawn above, which ties into the arcade theme. The black and white combined with the way the logo design appears to be drawn out of chalk adds a little homegrown touch that adds interest to the overall image.

There are many ways to approach a bar logo. In fact, there really are no right and wrong moves in this industry. What’s important is that the logo design match the unique brand of the establishment in question and create an image that will draw in people looking for a drink.

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In dozens of years of watching the Oscars I had never cared about the outcome of the Best Animated Short Film, but this year it was different as in the running was a 16-minute film done almost entirely out of, literally, thousands of logos. Created by the French collective H5, and winner of the 2009 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, Logorama is not only a clever idea that brings to life some of the most ubiquitous marks of our time, but one that manages to exploit the meaning and conceptions we have of those marks and the brands behind them — whether it's the villain of the movie, Ronald McDonald, spouting "Loser" after the Enron logo drops from the sky, or "White Trash" when the Kmart logo follows it. Logorama is relentless in its inclusion of corporate, consumer and cultural icons and they become ever so vivid through a crude animation style that complements rather well the prickly language and chaotic plot, which is "Spectacular car chases, an intense hostage crisis, wild animals rampaging through the city and even more…". Images and a trailer for the short film have been floating around the web for the last few months and the full video has been spotted on and off. The official, legal video can be seen in some countries through iTunes for $1.99, and until further announcement it's also available at Vimeo (embedded below). [Boy, I haven't even posted this and the video is already gone; below are some screen captures and instead of buying a cup of coffee today, spend it on this movie, it's worth it]. There are plenty of memorable moments, so don't even dare to blink.

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Today saw the launch of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games logo.
Glasgow design agency Marque is responsible for the identity design project, said to have cost £95,000.
Developing a specific logo for the games is a requirement made by the the Commonwealth Games Federation as part of the contract for hosting the games.
Having a logo allows the organisers the best possible chance to earn additional revenue because they can sell the use of the logo to sponsors.
About the design, from the Glasgow 2014 website:

The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be the 20th Games. This is a landmark number that adds to Glasgow’s pride in being its host. The outer ring, that encompasses the others, is a strong, vibrant red — the official “True Red” of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) palette.
There will be 17 sports on the programme at Glasgow 2014. The next ring of the brand identity, in “Triumph Yellow” from the CGF palette, represents the number of sports. It’s exactly 17/20ths of the full circle.
Glasgow 2014 will host 11 days of competition, which are represented in the third ring of the brand identity, rendered in the CGF’s “Heritage blue”, and making up 11/20ths of the circle.
At the heart of our brand identity is 1 Host City, represented by “G” for Glasgow, meaning “Dear Green Place” in Gaelic, and is in a suitably vibrant green.

Mark Noe, Managing Director of Marque said:
“We are privileged to have had the opportunity to create the brand identity for such a significant event as the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The identity is one which is grounded in integrity and design rigour and we are proud of the legacy that it will leave behind for Glasgow and Scotland. We hope that the identity will become an iconic symbol celebrating a very special moment in time – and will become synonymous with quality, achievement and vision.”
You can view a short digital animation of the logo here.
In the embedded YouTube video below you’ll see John Donnelly, director of marketing and sponsorship for the Games, talking to The Drum about the process of designing the identity, the appointment procedure and explaining how it will be used to promote and market Glasgow’s event over the course of the next four years.

Living in Scotland I’ll no doubt be seeing a lot of this, and it’ll be interesting to witness the applications. If you know of any websites showing context, please do let me know.
Published on Logo Design Love

Related posts on Logo Design LoveLogorama the moviePerez-Fox on the London identityUEFA EURO 2012 logo revealedThe ABC’s of Branding posterSeven brand identity by B&W Studio

There are several advantages to having a black and white logo design. First, it can hint at sophistication. Second, it gives a factual, ‘black and white’ image. From a practical standpoint, black and white is easy to reproduce, with no worry about matching exact hues. It tends to look clean and uncluttered.
Color makes an important statement in logo design, but choosing not to use color can say just as much. While black and white logos are often boring and a little too understated, these black and white logos are attractive, inviting, and perfect for the businesses they represent.

1. Office Strategies Logo Design

This logo design is ultra-simple, which is appropriate for office services and products. The writing is as plain as can be in basic white letters on the black background. The real star here is the thumbtack image, in which the top of the tack is formed into a castle turret. Because castles were known for high security and strength, this is certainly a positive image for any business and likely to attract interest. The implication is that you can add security and strength the way you would casually order thumbtacks and other office supplies.

2. Mill Logo Design

At first glance, this logo design appears to be a bunch of lines, although there is much more to it. If viewers are interested enough to take a second glance, the lines form the name of the company. Although this image is as basic as it can be, the visual pun makes it interesting and clever. The lack of color makes it easy to see the whole picture.

3. Minimal Magazine Logo Design

Any magazine with this name would have to have a minimalist logo design and this one certainly fits the bill. A single line is morphed into a smooth, flowing M, N, and L, although the name of the magazine is written below for those who don’t see it right off. The image speaks of movement, but also of simplicity. No other color scheme would work as well here, so black and white was a very appropriate choice.

4. Panda Communications Logo Design

This company is named after everyone’s favorite black and white bear, so this color palette makes good sense in this case. Because of the way the black ear is situated, the first two letters appear to be the panda’s eyes. The writing is rounded and friendly, creating an image of relaxed fun. Because panda bears are rare and exotic, this friendly image maintains a bit of mystery.

5. Swansongs Logo Design

Although this term usually has unpleasant connotations, this logo design manages to create a graceful image to associate with the phrase. The treble clef mark associated with music is combined with a swan to tie in perfectly to the name of the company. Because this logo design is obviously going for a sophisticated artsy look, the simple black and white is the perfect color scheme.

6. Industrial Wisdom LLC Logo Design

The Industrial Wisdom logo features a head with the top rapidly spiraling off into space. The simple way in which this is drawn keeps it from being gory or shocking and instead lets the image imply that this is a company that specializes in new and interesting ideas. The angular way in which the head is drawn emphasizes the round shape of the spiral coming out of it. Together with the plain, bold writing, they create an eye catching logo design that stands out even without bright colors.

7. Wiesinger Music Logo Design

It is well known that piano keys are traditionally black and white, so it is likely that this color scheme was not so much chosen by the company as chosen for it. However, in this case it works well. Because this is a piano related company, the image is relevant and clever at the same time. The piano keys are arranged for form the company initials, creating a rather serious square shape that is beautifully offset by the rounded letters below. The image is memorable and certainly has helped this company find the success it is seeking by building a musical and sophisticated brand.

8. Tidy Tom’s Cleaning Company Logo Design

Black and white is often described as a ‘clean’ combination, so their use in a cleaning service logo design is well planned. In this case, an arm holding a squeegee forms the T that is the initial of the company name. The square shape of the logo gives a feeling of tradition and reliability that is so important when people are letting near strangers into their homes. The letters are basic and, again, clean to add to the straightforward feeling.

9. Fit Logo Design

One way of approaching a minimalist logo without ending up with a boring design is to make optimal use of every element, including the negative space. That is exactly the approach with this logo. The F and the T are written outright, while the I hides between them in the negative space. Because every element in a simple logo such as this must be deliberate, it is highly likely that the lower case, slightly rounded font was purposely chosen for its friendly and inclusive effect. The message is that anyone can be fit, and that it isn’t as formidable as it feels.

10. Twins Logo Design

This logo is another clever, punny one. Although the font is ultra-simple, or perhaps because of it, the eye automatically goes to the N. The N is a little odd in appearance because it is actually a sideways number two, which ties directly into the name. The extremely traditional capital letters add a somber air that only makes the two pop even more.

There are a variety of ways to treat a black and white logo design, but the thread that joins them is extremes. Whether the design is bold or delicate, friendly or imposing, black and white logos do best when they avoid the middle ground. It takes a very talented designer to create a logo such as this… but we happen to know where you could find one.

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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?