Tuesday, September 29, 2015

On Creating Logos

Our world today is driven by digital technologies.  From cell phones to tablets, to electronic readers, and computers, almost all our work and the majority of our entertainment is delivered, shared, and enjoyed digitally.

Information is communicated in verbal and iconic fragments - from texts to tweets to images, and is available via multimedia resources, empowering us to communicate with anyone, at any time, at any location around the globe - with the touch of a finger. In our world of twitter, Instagram, YouTube, avatars, and instant messaging - we need to seriously consider the images we chose to use.  If the image doesn't work, we lose our audience and often our message.  It's all about visual literacy - and below are some tips on creating your own icons, avatars and images

Greek spelling from Wikipedia
According to Wikipedia, LOGOS was "originally a (Greek) word meaning "a ground," "a plea," "an opinion," "an expectation," "word," "speech," '"account," [and] "reason"...it became a technical term in philosophy, beginning with Heraclitus (535-475 B.C.E.), who used the term for a principle of order and knowledge. In English, logos is the root of the "-logy" suffix (e.g., geology)."

Interestingly, we now use the term "logo" to relate visual or graphic representations of a product, enterprise, organization or slogan -as a means of promoting instant public recognition. Logo is also a multi-paradigm computer programming language designed as a tool for learning.  It is used to develop simulations and to create multimedia presentations.

From what I could find, both modern-day usages of the word incorporate its earlier meanings - grounding words or images in a certain meaning or using it to create expectations.

There are basically three types of logos:
  • Font-based logos that present your message or name using a distinct font type. IBM, Coca-Cola, Google, Amazon, and MTv are three such examples. Some simply use font (MTv, YouTube), others use font and color choices (Google, FedEx, Coca-Cola). 
  • Image-based logos present your message/brand/name using distinct images that literally or closely illustrate your message or brand.  For example, Apple, World Wildlife Foundation, The Olympics (five colored rings united at least for a few weeks to compete), and Firefox. 
  • Abstract Symbols logos which present your message using abstract symbols that become linked to your name/brand. For example: Nike's swoosh.


From what I could find, both modern-day usages of the word incorporate its earlier meanings - grounding words or images in a certain meaning or using it to create expectations. 

 When creating your own logo here are some things to consider:
  • Decide what message you want the logo to articulate.
  • Brainstorm ways to relay that message visually.
  • Look at how others successfully relay their messages to your target audience. Incorporate what you think works for that audience into your logo.
  • Make sure your logo is clean and functional - make sure it is one you don't have to explain or one that is cluttered with too much color, information or content.
  • Carefully select you font and color use.

Finally, below is an informative infographic on successful (and not so successful) logos. Integrate and learn: http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/best-infographics-2014?utm_content=bufferd5627&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
infographic-logo-color



To learn more please see these additional resources:

As always, thanks for your visit.
Please leave your own logos or avatars --- or leave your favorite and least favorite logo choices in the comments below.

12 comments:

  1. Super interesting. I learned a lot. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. I LOVE this!
    My favorite logo story involves a certain design NBC developed, probably for a lot of money. Then they lost a lawsuit to the Nebraska educational television, because it was pretty much the same thing!.

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  3. There are countless logos indeed nowadays... some of wich i like, but mostly i don't... I like logo's wich i understand... at first glance knowing what is meant.

    Thank you for participating this week in the L.

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