Dear Loving Logos,

Logos really are a lot of fun for artists and designers to work on, aren’t they? But you’re right – most clients have no idea why logos are so important, or how tough they are to develop. First of all, it’s crucial that clients understand the role their logo plays:

• Your logo is your first impression.It’s in the header of your website, on business cards, sales collateral and promotional material as well. It represents your business and your products, so it should be nothing less than excellent

 

• You want to be seen as an authority in your field. Unfortunately, most people do “judge the book by its cover” and similarly, a business by its design. If you have a clean, professional logo and consistent branding, you immediately set yourself apart. Great logos are strong and easy to remember. In fact, sometimes they’re unforgettable (think of Apple or Nike – both recognized authorities in their industries.) This type of “silent promotion” reinforces your branding every time a customer sees the logo

 

• A good logo gives customers a subliminal expectation of your business and products. Make that subliminal expectation be what you feel is most profitable to your business. Do you want your customers to feel secure, curious, or hopeful? A professional logo designer can take that element into consideration and add subtle touches to encourage feelings or thought processes

 

Once your clients understand the importance of a professionally-designed logo, it’s time to have your artists and/or designers start brainstorming. Make sure they understand the overall image your client wants to convey, the color pallet that’s already in use (if applicable), and the “look and feel” of prior materials. The logo should, of course, stand on its own, but it should feel like it’s in the same family as the company’s other materials as well. In fact, the best logos have several things in common:

Simplicity

Logos need to look great on a billboard and a postage stamp, and at every size in between. Since no company can “own” a color (think about red: Coca-Cola, Stouffers, CNN, Canon, YouTube and many more use the color), a great “design mark” is imperative. Rumor has it that the first logo proposed for Apple was a drawing of Isaac Newton under and apple tree, about to discover the law of gravity. Steve Jobs rejected it as too complex. The fewer moving pieces, the better. Customers appreciate clean designs, and for that reason, most brands want to present a simple aesthetic that’s easy for consumers to digest.

Brand consistency

Your logo will communicate to consumers about your brand – its purpose, its focus, its mission – so you need to ensure that its design fits your company’s overall message. If you’re starting a new company, put some serious thought into your brand’s key characteristics and how you want to convey them in your logo.

Memorability

Quick! What’s Nike’s logo? How about Adidas? Bet you were better able to recall Nike’s. Memorability is the quality that makes your logo easy for customers to recall, possibly even leading to repeat business. Your logo should help customers remember that you exist and what you stand for.

Trying to create a logo on your own may seem like a great way to avoid the high costs of going to a professional design firm, which can be quite expensive. Remember the old adage, though: “you get what you pay for.” A homemade logo will look like a homemade logo. Even if you have a good eye for color and a sense of what you want your logo to look like, you should still consult a professional designer. They know whether or not a logo design will transfer easily into print or onto a sign, while you might come up with a beautiful design that can’t be transferred or would cost too much to be printed. They will also conduct multiple rounds of exploration and revision before arriving at the top contenders for your company’s logo. Your logo is the foundation for all your promotional materials, so this is one area where spending a little more now really pays off later.

If the cost still seems exorbitant, remember that a good logo should last at least ten years. If you amortize the cost over a ten-year period, it doesn’t seem so bad. If you’d like to discuss logo design – or any other way we might be able to help your business grow – feel free to reach out to us at Xavier Creative House via phone, email, or social media. We’d love to connect!

References: 1. https://www.stephaniehellwig.com/8-reasons-invest-professional-logo-design/. Accessed August 20, 2018. 2. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/241956. Accessed August 20, 2018.

Categories: advertising, consumer marketing, digital marketing,