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Thinking about your new website logo

Posted on June 5, 2007 
Filed Under Planning

When building a new website for a client I like to ask for a business card or company letterhead to see if a company logo or a certain type of branding exists.

In most cases, if the company has been around for a while and has spent money on marketing, they will in effect have had a professional design a logo for them already made.

In other cases, the company is starting out and is looking for an identity to represent themseleves with online.

Logos are hard to design and I for one cringe when I hear that a logo has not been designed already for a new website project.

A bit of history …

I’ve had my share of attempts at creating logos for myself and for others. In most cases I simply outsourced the logo development to a professional. Bottom line, I’ve spent hours and hours on a logo only to wake up the next day to have a difference of opinion.

My theory on logos is that is should look good on a website, look good in print, on stationary, on a baseball cap or even a t-shirt. If that can be accomplished, then I think a logo is done.

The following is a simple logo I created years back. Although we did source out other logo developers for the project, the organization chose to go with the logo I created for their corporate “Buzz” events. I just had simplicity in mind … and t’shirts!!!

(note: developed years back hence this is not a Web 2.0 type of logo - more on this later)

A process …

One project I was involved in was the redesign of a corporate logo. We had a skilled graphic designer on board and initially we thought it would be done within a month or two. Due to all the input from various team members, thoughts on color, variations on style, getting logo approved, going back to the drawing board and hair pulling conversations, the logo was finally created after 6 months of feedback. It was definitely not the fault of the graphic designer, he was merely trying to satisfy the concerns of everyone.

Decide beforehand who will be in charge of the process. 

Where to get logo design ideas

There are a ton of professional logo and branding design companies out online. On some of the popular forums there are also individuals willing to create logos for next to nothing. Surprisingly, their logos aren’t that bad and they go for roughly $10 per logo.

Before soliciting professional services it is always good to get a few ideas beforehand. Visualize!

LogoPond maintains a gallery of various logo ideas. Great for view logos on black or white backgrounds.

elogodesign features the top50 logo design tutorials. This one I find interesting because on some of them, the author walks you through the thought process of the logo being designed. On some of them as well, they explain their frustrations with logo development for their clients.

This is favorate of mine for viewing what can be done with letter based logo design …

Simple Logo Design Tips

1. Simple is key - enough said
2. Think: Website - Business Cards - Stationary - Promotional Products - How will the logo stand out?
3. Grab the viewers attention with a logo that provides an impact to the consumer. The key is for them to remeber and recognize in the future.
4. Web 2.0 Avoid or get on board with current trends. Websites are currently rampant with the ‘Web 2.0′ logo look and feel. Not to say you should not create a 2.0 logo, just have to ask for how long will these type of logos be around. (Glossy, bubbly, rounded cornders, fresh & happy type logos … View Web 2.0 logos here …)
5. Imaging. With your logo people should see an image in their mind rather than words.
6. Have variations of your logo. White on black, black on white, website version, vector art version, etc.
7. Keep it unique and do not copy other logos.
8. Slogans and tagline are not always necessary for logos.
9. Avoid generic clip-art logos.
10. Your logo does not always have to portray what your business does. If your operating a photography business, it does not necessarily have to have a camera or a lens in the logo. Think of the Nike Swoosh design, there are no sneakers in the logo.
11. Limit the amount of input in to the logo creation process. Everyone will have their own ideas and a select few should be able to make the final logo design decision.
12. Logo design can be a frustrating experience. Maintain patience, go for a massage, paint a room, give it time.

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