Logo designs should really be all done in house. There is no reason to get a third-party to do it. Also, in process one saves on a considerable cost. There are plenty of tools around and also self-help tips to allow one to create a logo for themselves. Also, one fundamental aspect of logo design is that it should really be kept simple in line with affordance. The logo in some way offering insight as to the object or services offered for a particular environment. It seems many get carried away with color and styling losing track of simple ideas often work best. Simple also arises in the golden rule. Often times working with third-party means not getting what one really wants and their push for more work and time. There are tools like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop available for one. There are also many open source tools available for download which means a quite a lot of choice in taking control of what it is really one wants out of a logo.
Preparation:
- Research the respective audience
- Immersive brand design
- Sketch and brainstorm ideas
- Conduct online research
- Avoid imitation but maintain uniqueness
- Applying theme boards to set the scene
Initiation:
- Sketch, Sketch, and Sketch out ideas
- Use vectors prodigiously
- Use objects appropriately
Typography:
- Choose appropriate typefaces
- Use existing typefaces
- Avoid unclear fonts
- Use types that work well with the brand
- Could use type as part of the brand logo
Space:
- Apply space for logo perspective but don't over do
Graphic Design:
- Make designs that stand out and are active
- Be sympathetic to cultural differences
- Use balanced colors and tones
- Experiment profusely
Keep It Clean and Modern:
- Limit designs to maximum of two fonts
- Check that designs work on different backgrounds
- Be aware of trends
- Reduce design scope where necessary
- If doubts arise, leave them out - simplification is key
- Keep designs within brand aware guidelines
- Lock-up various versions harmonically
- Make designs responsive to the audience
Functionality:
- Apply different sides to logos for various situations
- Make it readable
- Create variants of the designs
- Make it future ready
Considerations for Business:
- Logo vs Brand
- The right tone for the business
Feedback:
- Share the design with the audience for review
- Don't let other opinions cloud judgement
- Test that it works internationally
- Test for indiscriminate words
- Be aware that design often get re-worked
Style Guides:
- Provide flexibility for options
Some open source tools for designs:
