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

To learn more please see these additional resources:

• For more on visual and verbal literacy, please visit: Visual vs. Verbal Literacy? No Contest
• For more on digital literacy, please visit Digital Literacy and Digital Ethics in and out of the Classroom
• For more on creating infographics, please visit: Infographics: How to Make them and Why They're Invading Classrooms, Blogs and Businesses 
• For more on logos, please visit: Logos: The Power of Grounding Logic and Expectations in Our Communications
• For more on how to use color, please visit: Color Casts Powerful Messages: Learn how to USE it!  

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.