:: week one ::

I don't know about anyone else, but I am really excited about this class. Logos are an area where I feel like I could really use some direction. One of my main areas of concern is creating images which translate well into different mediums. I'm basically, a web design kinda girl, of course logos are used for branding in a website, but they also need to translate to print. Actually, they should probably be considered for print first and then translated to designs for web viewing. Many of the effects that may work so well on a web page, not only greatly increase printing prices, but they just don't translate well into print. Resolutions, formats, color conversions....I need help with all of the above, and more. lol

This week we are discussing the basics of what makes a good logo. Concepts like simplicity, color, identity and uniqueness were mentioned. And research, research, research the company for whom you are designing the logo. Assess their needs, their target audience, the image they want to project.

Logos create first impressions....for better or for worse. They need to be custom tailored to each company's unique personality.

Here are a few articles found of interest on basic logo design theory and the creation process:

Article from Ideabook:
[http://www.ideabook.com/progress.htm]

Article from Internet Eye:
[http://www.tiemdesign.com/features/2000/Nov/BasicLogo/default.htm]

Article from Turtle's Web:
[http://www.turtlesweb.com/articles/logo.html]

As part of this week's assignment, we were asked to find at least one logo that we feel is excellent and fulfills the basic concepts discussed. There are all the biggies, coke comes to my mind immediately as a wonderful logo which has changed very little over the years. I noticed a billboard recently which was only a section of the famous red and white logo. Nothing more, just a clipped piece. No more needed to be said. The wee bit of that logo blownup billboard size said it all.

I then decided to surf around a bit and find some less well known examples. Just things that caught my eye, were memorable as a trademark & sparked my imagination while maintaining a simplicity that might work well in various formats.

I ran across this little logo for a record label that I really liked. I think the simple image fits the company name. The one color design here could be simply and inexpensively reproduced. It also would lend itself to additional colors and effects if the company so desired. The website appears to be a *work in progress,* and I don't think that part is really to my tastes, but I think it gives an idea of some uses of this logo even in it's unfinished state. [http://www.nebula.uk.com]

For a simple use of lettering that has quite a few possibilities to be incorporated into a number of different designs, I always liked the whimsical logo of peoplepc.  [http://peoplepc.com]

This appears to be a real plain, jane here, but it is the logo for a local Nashville weekly news and entertainment publication. The red/white/black is their main color configuration, but I have seen it done in other colors and, quite often, in b&w for print. It seems to blend easily into almost any layout, but is immediately identifiable. I have noticed that in groups of logos, like sponsor lists, the large blocky shape makes it really stand out from the pack. Some logos appear to be more like "little print ads" and are entirely too busy for my tastes when they are blended in with other elements. This is plain, simple and eye catching at even the smallest sizes and color combinations are easily altered.  [http://www.nashscene.com]

[on to part two]