Redesign BP's Logo

BP's slick green logo doesn't suit a company that engages in dangerous offshore drilling. We're inviting you to design them a new logo that's more suitable for their dirty business.



New Greenpeace exploration
Following quickly on the heels of Greenpeace's successful "Rebrand BP" logo competition, the environmental activist group had launched another logo design–fest, this one directed against nuclear energy, namely in Germany.

jovoto.com

How To Design A Logo

Want to know how to design a logo like a professional and have all the resources you need in just one post? Then this is the post for you… Learn professional logo design in just 5 steps!

1. Learn What A Logo Is and What It Represents

Before you design a logo, you must understand what a logo is, what it represents and what it is supposed to do. A logo is not just a mark – a logo reflects a business’s commercial brand via the use of shape, fonts, colour, and / or images.

A logo is for inspiring trust, recognition and admiration for a company or product and it is our job as designers to create a logo that will do its job.

One must know what a logo is before continuing.

For further reading on what is a logo check out Wikipedia’s Definition.

2. Know The Principles of Effective Logo Design

Now that you know what a logo is supposed to do, and what it should represent you now must learn about what makes a great logo aka; the basic rules and principles of effective logo design.

1. A logo must be simple

A simple logo design allows for easy recognition and allows the logo to be versatile & memorable. Good logos feature something unexpected or unique without being overdrawn.

2. A logo must be memorable

Following closely behind the principle of simplicity, is that of memorability. An effective logo design should be memorable and this is achieved by having a simple, yet, appropriate logo.

3. A logo must be timeless

An effective logo should be timeless – that is, it will stand the test of time. Will the logo still be effective in 10, 20, 50 years?

4. A logo must be versatile

An effective logo should be able to work across a variety of mediums and applications. For this reason a logo should be designed in vector format, to ensure that it can be scaled to any size. The logo must work in just one colour too.

5. A logo must be appropriate

How you position the logo should be appropriate for its intended purpose. For example, if you are designing a a logo for children’s toys store, it would be appropriate to use a childish font & color scheme. This would not be so appropriate for a law firm.

For further reading on the rules and principles of great logo design I highly recommend to read the logo design tips from Logo Factory before continuing and also the article Why logo design does not cost $5.00. You may also wish to read How NOT To Design A Logo.

3. Learn Off Other’s Successes & Mistakes

Successful Logos

Now you know what the rules of logo design are, you can distinguish the difference between a good and a bad logo… By knowing what other logos have succeeded and why they have succeeded gives a great insight into what makes a good logo.

For example, lets look at the classic Nike Swoosh. This logo was created by Caroline Davidson in 1971 for only $35 yet it still a strong, memorable logo, effective without colour and easily scalable. It is simple, fluid and fast and represents the wing in the famous statue of the Greek Goddess of victory, Nike – something perfect for a sporting apparel business. Nike is just one of many great logos, think about other famous brands that you know about and check out their logos – what makes them successful?

For more quality, lesser known logos I recommend checking out Logo Of The Day or going to your local book store or library and looking at a logo design book.

The Not So Successful Logos

We can also learn off logos that have not been as successful such as the ones in the above picture or these bad logo designs. As seen in that post linked, some logos can depict things that may have not always be noticeable to the designer (as in the middle logo above) or they could just be plain bad design, as in the logo to the right.

4. Establish Your Own Logo Design Process


Now that we know what a logo is, what the principles and rules of logo design are and what makes a successful logo we can now finally begin the design process. This it hardest part of the 5 steps and is its own topic in itself – Each person’s logo design process is different and experience usually is the key factor in creating your own logo design process however check out The Secret Logo Design Process Of Top Logo Designers for a better idea.

In short, a logo design process usually consists of

1. The Design Brief
2. Research & Brainstorming
3. Sketching
4. Prototyping & Conceptualising (See Step 5)
5. Send To Client For Review
6. Revise & Add Finishing Touches
7. Supply Files To Client and Give Customer Service

If you ever get stuck before or during your design process check out this great article on How To Boost Your Creativity.

5. Learn The Software and Complete The Logo

After you have got your design process sorted out, it is usually a good time to begin mastering your software (Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard) but remember you can’t design a logo by just hopping straight onto the computer… brainstorm and sketch first.

After you have got your initial ideas and sketches from brainstorming you can then usually jump onto the computer to start digitising your logo. After you have got a great concept(s) digitised you can send it to your client, get revisions, and eventually complete the logo and thus, you have successfully created a professional logo.

Do you have any other tips or suggestions on how to make a professional logo?

99designs.com be a winner Webby People’s Voice Awards

99designs.com be a winner Webby People’s Voice Awards category of the Best Web Service & Application taken by voting. 99designs.com’s number one marketplace for business logo design, web design, and various other design projects. If you have skills in design, you can sell your design skills there. Not bad if you can win the competition in terms of design. Want to see how the crew 99designs.com celebrate his victory, just take a look dude, nice one fellows! Congrats!

Top 17 Logos From The Past 3 Years Of Wolda

WOLDA is the high-profile graphic design award scheme that rewards the best logos and trademarks designed throughout the world. The
winners are selected by an international three-tier jury consisting of 10 top design professionals, 10 marketing managers from major international clients and finally 10 members of the public (provided respectively by the worldwide organizations Icograda, Aquent and Consumers International).

Below are my top 17 favourite picks from the past 3 years of Wolda & Eulda (what Wolda used to be called).

To see all winning & shortlisted entries please find the links below.

* Wolda ‘08 winners showcase
* Eulda ‘07 winners showcase
* Eulda ‘06 winners showcase

Snowflake










Logo name: Snowflake
Logo award: Best of Luxembourg, 2008
Nation: Luxembourg
Agency: Vidale-Gloesener
Designer(s): Vidale-Gloesener (team)
Client: LuxairGroup
Description: Luxair launched a winter campaign to promote the airline’s new winter destinations as well as their internal Christmas communication. The key element of this campaign was a logo which was used across all kind of material during the winter period. A very simple logo - a snowflake made out of planes - was created and used on the cover of the timetable, the internal and external Christmas cards, the invite and poster for their internal Christmas market, the headrest inside their planes, etc.

Turkey and the European Union Relationships










Logo name: Turkey and the European Union Relationships
Logo award: Best Of Turkey, 2007
Agency: MYRA
Designer(s): Rauf Kosemen
Client: European Union Relationships Publications

Twins










Logo name: TWINS
Nation: Norway
Agency: The Action Designer
Designer(s): The Action Designer
Client: Twins Communications
Description: Logo made for a bold creative team consisting of two people. Two people being brothers …and fortunately born on the same day. TWINS was a suitable name for the two. To reflect the essence of the duo, a bold typeface was created to reflect the boldness of their approaches. The number 2 was integrated to show the creativeness of their ideas.
Dictionary of Australian Artists Online









Logo name: Dictionary of Australian Artists online Logo
Nation: Australia
Agency: Naughtyfish
Designer(s): Paul Garbett, Danielle de Andrade
Client: Dictionary of Australian Artists online
Description: This identity was created for the Dictionary of Australian Artists Online (DAAO). The DAAO is an online search and research tool containing biographies from Australian artists throughout history. The logo is comprised of 26 coloured ‘pixels’ which represent the 26 letters of the alphabet and symbolise the dictionary. The pixels are dynamic, and can be rearranged to create new objects and symbols.

Consumer Society and Citizen Networks










Logo name: Consumer Society and Citizen Networks
Logo award: Best of Europe 2007
Agency: Jovan Rocanov (Serbia) for Kaffeine Communications (Kiev, Ukraine)
Designer(s): Jovan Rocanov, Anna Timkov
Client: Consumer Society and Citizen Networks

Break Cafe










Logo name: BREAK cafe
Logo award: Best of Serbia, 2008
Nation: Serbia
Agency: KontraStudio
Designer(s): KontraStudio
Client: Break Cafè, Niš (Serbia)
Description: Logo for a café situated in a shopping mall, frequented by people who wish to take a coffee break while shopping.

USA Rice Federation










Logo name: Usa Rice Federation
Logo award: Best Of Germany, 2006
Agency: ondesign
Designer(s): Olav Jünke
Client: USA Rice Federation Inc.
Year of release: 2000

Restaurant Mathias Dahlgren










Logo name: Restaurant Mathias Dahlgren
Nation: Sweden
Agency: Dolhem Design
Designer(s): Jan Vana, Designer. Christophe Dolhem, Creative Director.
Client: Mathias Dahlgren Grand Hôtel Stockholm
Description: Sweden’s most famous chef Mathias Dahlgren opened his own restaurant in collaboration with Grand Hôtel Stockholm. Dolhem Design created a logotype and graphic identity to go with the restaurant’s contemporary Swedish cooking.

Souperie










Logo name: Souperie
Nation: Estonia
Agency: LOOVVOOL
Designer(s): Hannes Unt
Client: Bellavista
Description: A variety of wok dishes, a fusion of soups and oriental specialties in a versatile variety of intermixing possibilities. These are the delicacies you can expect at Souperie - a gourmet soup and wok take-away. Our work result is a logomark with circles in various sizes and attractive colours, symbolizing the multifaceted possibilities clients have when combining a meal. With an objective to avoid an image of cheap fast food chains, the typeface was chosen to be minimalist and elegant, matching the overall upscale look.


OK










Logo name: OK
Logo award: Best Of Russia, 2006
Agency: Mccann Erickson Russia
Designer(s): Oleg Pudov
Client: Fund of Social Communications
Year of release: 2004

Eight Business Lounge Bar










Logo name: Eight
Logo award: Best of Portugal, 2007
Agency: Shift Design
Designer(s): Shift Design
Client: Eight Business Lounge Bar

Pogodjena patka (Shot Duck)










Logo name: Pogodjena patka (Shot Duck)
Logo award: Best of Serbia and Montenegro, 2006
Agency: Zoran Borenovic
Designer(s): Zoran Borenovic
Client: Restoran Pogodjena patka (Shot Duck, restaurant)
Year of release: 2005

Hou+Partnere Arkitekter A/S










Logo name: Hou+Partnere Arkitekter A/S
Logo award: Best of Denmark, 2007
Agency: Super Duper Graphics
Designer(s): Søren Severin
Client: Hou+Partnere Arkitekter A/S
Just Creative Design










Logo name: Just Creative Design
Logo awards: Best of Oceania, Best of Australia
Nation: Australia
Agency: Just Creative Design
Designer(s): Jacob Cass (Hey, I can like my own can’t I?) You can check out pictures of my awards here.
Description: Logo for a Freelancing Graphic Design business and graphic design / creativity based blog. The initials J, C, D were incorporated into the outline of a pencil in a creative and simple manner to reflect the name of the business.

Libreria Internacional Bilbao










Logo name: LIB
Nation: Spain
Agency: ZORRAQUINO
Designer(s): Miren Sánchez, Miguel Zorraquino
Client: LIB Librería Internacional Bilbao
Description: LIB - Librería Internacional Bilbao - is a bookshop that offers customers literary works in the original language in which they were written. It has a wide selection of both classical and contemporary works in different languages: English, French, Portuguese, German, Basque, Chinese, Arabic, Russian, etc. The final result is a simple, fresh, effective and evocative image.

Nouveau Theatre de Montreuil










Logo name: Nouveau Theatre de Montreuil
Nation: France
Designer(s): Delphine Cordier and Aurélie Gasche
Client: Nouveau Theatre de Montreuil
Description: This logo was created in November 2007 for the City of Montreuil’s new theatre “le Nouveau Theatre de Montreuil” (France). The design of the logo has been inspired by the Institution’s new building. Lines coming from different directions meet and inter-twine to finally draw the outline of the building and thereby create its volume. It is the meeting point of exterior and interior. While the lines capture the theatre, they also burst out of its confines. It represents the artistic dynamic of this place of creation and the international aspect of the Theatre’s activities.

38 South










Logo name: 38 South
Nation: Australia
Agency: Mark Gowing Design
Designer(s): Mark Gowing
Client: 38 SOUTH
Description: 38 South is a music management company located in Melbourne, Australia. Melbourne is located at 38 degrees south. The company mostly deals with the logistics of managing nightclub DJs who work primarily with vinyl records. Hence the trademark was designed to reference not only the traditional black record discs but also the circular degrees symbol. 38 South does business with nightclubs, booking agents and the music industry, so an element of cool was required in the overall feel of the trademark.

Wolda is now accepting entries for the 2009 Annual. More info here.

4 Concepts Logo Design Details You May Be Forgetting About

YOU probably have a check list, at least in your mind, of what goes into making a good logo design. You may know how to design a logo and you’ve probably studied some of the greats however are you forgetting these four critical factors when you design your logos?

Below are 4 logo design tips for areas that are often overlooked in logo design:

* Ownership marks
* Anchor point clean up
* Colour functionality
* The correct files

Does the logo need an ownership mark?

Especially if you’re doing a logo for a product or service that belongs to a particular brand, they may require you to put some kind of mark on it indicating its ownership: a registered mark ®, a trademark ™ or a service mark ?. On that note you may want to read up on copyright issues in logo design.















If the logo you are creating requires one of these, work it into the design as the Multimediums example above, don’t just tack it on at the end. First you have to decide if you want to use the same font as you have for the rest of the logo or would a more plain sans serif be better?

Then kern the mark close to the other text or the image in the logo. Baseline adjust it so that it looks like it belongs in the design. You may even consider knocking it out of a solid color area of the logo, like in the Weaver logo above.

What does the logo look like larger?

You know that you have to make sure the logo will work at smaller sizes, but have you considered that your logo might need to be blown up to fit on a billboard or tradeshow exhibit someday? Creating professional logos isn’t just about how good it looks, it’s also about how functional it is technically.

logo-paths

Zoom in as close as you can and check to make sure there’s no funny stuff going on with anchor points or handles (divots, extraneous points and the like). You may not notice these details when it’s small, but blow the logo up and they’ll be the first things your eye is drawn to.

Will the chosen colors work?

Sometimes the client will tell you what the corporate colors are, but if you get to decide, choose colors that will match a variety of applications. Some colors are too neutral in their value (yes, value, not hue) and either don’t stand out very well or don’t match well with most other colors.

PMS300, for example, is an often used color for logos, but I’l tell you from personal experience that it is a very difficult color to work with and I end up using the pure black or knockout (white) version of the logo instead! You have to consider how colors work for more applications than just the stationary system you may create to go with the delivery of the logo.
Do you have four high quality files ready to give the client?

Deliver high quality files to your clients includes taking into account all the ways the logo might be used. Create a spot color-based file, a pure CMYK (i.e. no spot colors!) file, a pure black and a pure white (knockout) file. That’s four files total that you should deliver to a client every time. You can tell if you’re using a spot (aka Pantone or PMS) color, a spot color converted to a process (CMYK) color or a pure process color by looking at the Color Swatches palette.
















Clean up these files, too. Go into the Color Swatches palette and delete any extra color, gradient or pattern swatches that weren’t used in the actual logo. You can also delete extra brushes and graphic styles to further clean up the file.

You may want to add this to your check list of what makes a good logo:

* How is the ownership mark incorporated?
* Does the logo reduce and enlarge as expected?
* Will the chosen colors work in most contexts?
* Do the files have the technical flexiblity for any possible use?

So are these things that you’ve thought about before? Do you have any other logo design tips?