By: Ronald Almendran

If you look at it in a semantic point of view, cheap means tawdry and classless while affordable is defined as something affordable in exchange for quality. Logo designers often undersell their services by juggling between both words. For example, their web page uses the impressive slogan of ‘cheap web design.’ Succeeding pages then use ‘affordable logo design and imprints.’

Which is which?

For inexperienced web and logo designers, peppering their promotional teasers with cheap and affordable will hurt their chances of selling their logo design services. This is because of how clients scrutinize the word cheap. A host of fake web design organizations continues to swindle present and prospective clients with otherworldly offers and deals that relate with the word ‘cheap.’

These otherworldly deals include an unbelievable discount thresholds for every purchase of a logo design package, freebies, and other promotional whatnots. Moreover, these web design companies consistently choose the word cheap to lure clients into striking a mid-term agreement in their packages. Turns out, the word cheap for web design is a pejorative terminology, which means classless and recycled logo designs.

Clients have a pre-requisite when searching for a web and logo design company. The word affordable must accompany their web sites or other promotional tools such brochures, standees, and business cards. This way, the client will use web design’s ‘affordability of services’ when it suddenly turns rogue and begins to offer unnecessary deals.

The following are what separates cheap and affordable logo design from each other:

- Affordable is not too cheap nor too expensive – Professional web and logo designers understand that a majority of their clients are not that rich too avail of premium or deluxe logo packages. The organization addresses such problems by offering affordable alternatives to high-end logo and web design services. For example, logo design projects include Basic packages, which delimit service offers and inclusion such as revisions.

- Cheap logos come out freezing in the dark – Cheap logos struggle to sell itself to a diverse and dynamic audience range. Clients find it troubling that web design companies that use the promotional adjective cheap comes up on top without exerting effort to address client need. As a result, the logo struggles to market the client’s business or product due to quality scrutiny employed by different parties and entities.

- Cheap logos are rushed – Web designers hasten the whole design process of cheap logo design. This is because of lack of client commitment, wherein the client agreed to be subjected under cheap deals and promotions.

- Affordable logo design = happy clients – Clients do not need to spend a fortune for a single logo. Professional and client-concentrated web and logo designers understand that business does not need to go the extra financial mile. As such, affordable logo offers try to seek and foster harmonious and long-lasting relationships with present clients. The backlash will give them more clients in return, as recommended by a previous, delighted customer.

Ronald Almendran is a seasoned writer specializing in different art media. He believes that the natural gift for design should be continuously nurtured through constant and active participation in several trainings and events.

Ever realized how important it is to have a logo design? A simple and professionally-made logo design could take you far. Nonetheless very few individuals understand the significance of having a presentable and effective logo design. If you are truly serious about your business, you would go out of your way and find yourself a professional logo designer. However, if you want to get your money’s worth but are low in funds at the moment, you may want to take a risk and get yourself some of these offers:

Note: These logo sources are not guaranteed to provide the best logo designs, but if you just wanted a logo; then, these are the options available for you.

Online Deals

There are a lot of online deals going on the Internet. Just by Googling “logo design,” you can get a number of online logo design offers. However, these irresistible and unbelievable price offers could be quite deceiving.

Usually, the results from these online deals are far-off from the design that you are hoping to get; thus, leaving you dissatisfied with the result.

Images on Stock

If you are on tight budget and could not afford to get someone to do your logo design, you’re not alone. A number of people who don’t have the resources usually end up using and merging stock images to create their own logo designs. You can actually do that. Since these images are available online, you can just mix and match the images to form your logo.

However, you have to prepare yourself from having a logo that looks like someone else’s design. This is due to the fact that the stock images could be downloaded by a number of individuals. Further, since the imagery used in your logo design is already available online, you need to be very cautious since other entities might access your logo design and use it to devalue your business.

Start a Logo Contest

Gather the “best and brightest” minds and start a logo design contest. All you have to do is lay down your specifications, key in your reward money, and that’s it. You just sit back and wait for the results of your logo contests.

Most likely, the individuals joining the contest would be adept and proficient with using design software so you are a bit assured to get something good. Nonetheless, the designs produced are somehow far from what you expect. Further, you are forced to select the design without having to consider whether the designs are even reflecting the impact or message that your company wanted to project.

Do it yourself

If you think that you are capable of producing your own logo design, why not do it on your own? Having the resources and the skill would help you create the logo that you want for your company. But still, it would help if you could just get a professional logo designer for your company. Remember that logo designs would help you establish your business. As such, if you’re really serious with your business, entrust all designing stints with a professional logo designer.

By: Ernest Vargas

Style is relative and subjective to each and every serious logo artist. First and foremost, there is a wide array of logo styles to look at and choose from. Some styles are actually easy while others are difficult to produce.

Choosing a particular style for a logo and keeping in mind the client’s target audience is very important.

As the client, you should ask yourself the following questions: Is this a good logo style solely because I like it, or is it good because it will magnetize more customers?

According to designers, they generally focus on lines and white spaces when choosing a logo style, which create certain impressions to human eyes.

Thick, thin, curvy, straight, and circular lines or any other variations express specific symbolisms and characteristics. White spaces, on the other hand, cover the areas without color that can be minimal or prominent in the entire logo.

Right style and colors

Designers should be adept in generating the right combination of colors and style into the logo. This matter should be taken seriously in order to achieve the best results.

Different people may be attracted to colors that are totally different from what they are used to. Rather than just pick the colors people are usually fond of, there is a need for a more scientific way of choosing a color scheme.

Not many people are aware why and how different colors actually affect or influence human behavior. In addition, not many people know that choosing favorite colors do not necessarily mean it is the best choice.

Sometimes, the color schemes that seem to be cool or exciting for some people may be boring or irritating to many people, which may possibly lead to a major turn-off.

Investing to produce

After the logo creator decides on a concept, it is now time to transform it into a reality by investing time, money, and effort.

This leads him or her to answer the question, whether he or she will hire a professional to create it digitally, or purchase a software to learn its technical aspect and eventually do-it-yourself.

Take note that many designers, if not all, have learned their craft the hard way. Buying and learning software is sometimes even more expensive.

If you do not have the time to do-it-yourself, be prepared to pay for a high quality product that fits your budget. This business aspect should not be taken for granted.

Ernest Vargas is a design director who believes that every design element should effectively work together to create a masterpiece.

By Brian Lewinski

There are many logo designs that we see around us and some of them seem to be poorly made. I can still remember very well, in my younger years as a designer, I have also created extremely bad designs, which, to this day, I still find unsightly. Here, I want to share some of the best tips in providing a logo design service.

1. Your logo design must be unique. The logo design must match how you wanted to be branded. Make sure to create something original and notable for your client.

2. Every logo must have a message to the viewer. But never use time-sensitive images such as bell-bottom pants or cassette tapes to catch consumer’s attention. Try to find something timeless or else your company may be slapping an expiration date.

3. Create a unique work of art and avoid using “Clipart” for your logo. Try making your logo using Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, or other vector software. It may be a little bit hard to use them as beginners, but I tell you they are very rewarding.  Remember, your logo should be memorable, but it must stay away from anything expected.

4. Try to make your logo design not too complicated. Avoid too many details, taglines, etc. Make it simple, but memorable. Make a grayscale version of your design, which can be used in some important applications (faxes, copies, one-color prints). Make your logo powerful in both color and black and white copies.

5. Make a logo design that is future-proof or created for all mediums. Take into consideration their future use and design them with the intent to be reused. Design something scalable that can either be produced for use on billboards or small sticker ads.

6. Stick to one font-style (maximum of two) in your logo design. Avoid excessive bevels, shadows, and textures. Stay away from those crazy font styles. They may be cute or stylish, but they can be difficult for others to read.

7. Never try using a copycat logo trying to take your share of the market you are into. Yes, you may succeed, but you may get into trouble by getting a lot of lawsuits. This may also brand you as a not so serious type of company, which is bad if you’re building credibility.

Brian Lewinski is a design executive who earned extensive experience in graphic design and web development. He also writes about web and logo designing for a mosnthly publication.

By: Darwin Palmer

The best way to market your business is to create a logo that will stay with your business for years to come. Logos, as defined by common marketing principles, is an emblem that weaves its way towards a particular audience and contains design elements such as brevity and longevity.

To perfect the definition of an effective logo, business executives and top-branch managers hire logo design pros to sketch the company insignia according to how managers want it to appear in public. Start-up, or even struggling companies, will need the help of next-generation designers to catapult their business status to paramount grounds.

Business executives must then set the following qualifications to designers who will work under the company’s creative needs:

       A Bachelor’s Degree holder in Multimedia Arts or any related course within the creative department – Executives must always consider that a professional is a degree holder. A majority of talented logo designers continue to market themselves without a degree to boast to their employers. Opt for logo designers who hold a certain tertiary degree in Multimedia, Digital, or Fine Arts.

       Watch out for freelancers – As much as possible, try to contact and sign in-house logo designers for the project. Freelancers are still a pragmatic option, though notorious project-based freelancers abandon ship once he/she receives the client’s payment.

       Test the logo designer – Interested applicants for the project must undergo a battery of examinations. This will test their ability to produce quality logo sample and prototypes within a given deadline. On-the-spot examinations are a plus.

       Check the logo designer’s background and portfolio – Investigate the logo designer’s background in designing logos. Request for a portfolio when you think the designer is sensationalizing his/her skill set.

        Search for client recommendations – Ask the designer about his/her past client and their contact details. Dig deep into the designer’s work history and use this for further questioning.

Business executives need to hire real logo design pros. Creating a logo is outside the company’s knowledge. It needs the expertise of a capable designer who can elevate the company or business name on the plateau of long-term success.

Darwin Palmer is a logo and web design analyst who has been invited as a judge in many design competitions.

By: Lance Nickleson

Have you ever wondered whether the logo that you’re seeing on your Canon DSLR camera was the same logo used 50 years ago? The current logo found on your camera underwent a number of changes before it was able to arrive at its present form.

Back then, Canon was not even the name of the camera company. It was known as Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory. The cameras manufactured back then for trial basis were called “Kwanon,” the name of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. Established in 1933, these newly-named cameras also had a logo that depicted an image of Kwanon with 1,000 arms and flames.

After some time, the company had decided to pursue a large-scale production of its products. Since the company needed a brand name that would be appreciated by people, the proponents of the company decided to register “Canon” as their official trademark. The transition was fairly smooth because “Kwanon” and “Canon” has the same pronunciation.

As for the Canon logo design, the engraved “Kwanon” logo was used on trial-manufactured cameras produced by the company. However, these cameras were not released in the market.

By 1935, a designer specialized in advertising was hired to create the logo design of the original Canon logo. The typeface did not yet exist in North America or even Europe. The “C” used for the design had a unique sharp-edged point that reflected the company’s aim of gaining worldwide recognition.

Before adopting the name “Canon Camera Co. Inc.,” Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory underwent various name changes. It was in 1947 when the company had decided to fuse the Canon brand and the company. From there, various modifications and adjustments were made on the company logo, particularly on the 1953 logo. The polished logo of Canon, which was released in 1955, is being used by the company until now. It remained unchanged for nearly half a century.

The Canon logo design is a proof that a quality and simple logo can grow with the company and can stay with the company for a long period of time.

Lance Nickleson is a design consultant who writes for different design magazines.

By: Ronald Almendran

It was Steve Jobs who had thought of naming their young I.T. company “Apple.” Back then, Jobs was spending some of his leisure time on a friend’s farm picking apples. Wozniak liked the idea and the name stuck. But then, something was missing: a logo.

First Apple Logo

Initially, the Apple’s logo was far different from the design that we currently see on our electronic devices. Created by Ronald Wayne, sometimes referred to as the third co-founder of Apple, the first logo design was more intricate and detailed in form. It depicted Sir Isaac Newton sitting under a tree while reading a book. Above him was a dangling apple. The image contained a boarder with a message saying “Newton… A Mind Forever Voyaging through Strange Seas of Thoughts… Alone.” Wrapped around the design was the company’s name: Apple Computer Co.

This logo only lasted about a year and was only used on the Apple I. One of the reasons was that the design was too intricate and the little details on the logo were hard to distinguish. Further, the logo also appeared too intellectual. With that, the group had to get a new company logo.

Circa 1976-1998

After the intricacies of the first Apple logo design, Jobs hired graphic designer Rob Janoff for their second attempt at the Apple logo. In 1977, the design made by Janoff was introduced to the market. It was a simple apple design with a bite taken out of it. According to the creator himself, the “bite” on the Apple logo was included so that people would know that the icon was an “apple” and not a tomato. Further, the play on words, bite and “byte” made the logo more ideal for a computer company.

Explanations regarding the apple “bite” also went as far as connecting it to “knowledge,” symbolizing the knowledge gained by Adam and Eve at the Garden of Eden when they took a bite on an apple.

The new Apple logo also took a very bold step by containing all the colors of the rainbow. The use of these colors suggested vibrancy and energy. However, the wrong arrangement of these colors depicted a break from the usual forms of establishment, a suitable character for a revolutionary company. There were also rumors regarding the color of the logo design. Speculations said that the reason why Apple used a multi-colored logo was to “humanize” the company.

Monochromatic Logo Design

The multi-colored Apple logo design remained unchanged for 22 years before it was changed in 1997. Steve Jobs decided to replace the colored logo to a solid colored monochromatic logo design.

Since the company was bleeding money when Jobs came back; he, together with other individuals, tried on experimenting on the logo itself. They had decided to make the logo more prominent by placing it where people can easily see it.

However, the current logo would look totally misplaced and childish on top of a Bondi Blue iMac. As such, instead of placing small colored Apple logo design on their electronic products, the company decided to consider monochromatically-styled logos on them. This trend that began in 1998 continues to this day.

With this transformation on the company’s logo design, Apple has once again begun to get its footing, increasing its popularity as a revolutionized company capable of producing cutting-edge technology. The company has likewise gained its prominent spot in the world of computers, which made Steve Jobs a bit happy. All that Apple Inc. has to worry is their legal scuffles with Apple Records, but then, that’s another story.

Ronald Almendran is a seasoned writer specializing in different art media. He believes that the natural gift for design should be continuously nurtured through constant and active participation in several trainings and events.

By: Kenny Adams

Great logo designers have qualified experience behind them. And they are able to create stunningly beautiful logos in just a blink of the eye.

Logo designers follow processes in which they will pattern their work according to how the client wants the logo to appear. Here are commonly followed processes that the best designers follow to ensure and meet their client’s design demands:

1. Get a good grasp of the company’s goal and needs.

First-off, any good designer needs to understand the nature of the client’s company. Thus, the right amount of details and understanding is required to ensure that the designer has a good grasp of the company’s problems and goals.

Clients are easily annoyed when persistently asked about the project thus; designers should limit their questions to one or two messages. Good designers know what questions to throw and what inquiries must be left unasked.

Before moving on to the main design proper, designers must gather all the needed information to complete the project. Effective designers are all resourceful in nature. Whenever they feel like the client has not provided enough materials to finish the project, then it is up to him/her to come up with crafty solutions in order to complete the logo.

2. Research

Designers must also research regarding other competing logos. This is important to ensure that the project does not follow any previously published logos, which can result to plagiarism.

Now when you do your research, it is important that you look for the direct competitor(s) of your company and identify the successful ones. Analyze their logo and try to see what makes it unique. From there, you can start identifying your own design.

3. Inspiration

Experienced designers have continuously flowing creative juices that they use to finish projects. Moreover, a budding designer must always understand what ideas to include and discard. Learn how to draw your inspiration from something that makes you want to work until midnight.

4. Brainstorming and Sketching

Consult other designers about your module and from there, initiate a brainstorming session to help improve the concept of the logo. This enables designers to sketch the skeletal framework of the logo, making the project more feasible.

Since the sketching part focuses more on drafting the logo, you do not need to worry about incongruent lines, shading, and others. Polish everything once the logo is in its second stage of presentation.

5. Digital implementation

Designers now enter the phase where they have to put to the finishing touches to the logo. Digital implementation includes professional and technical additions to the logo; thereby, giving life and color to the client’s desired emblem.

6. Feedback

After finishing your design, you have to get the opinion of your client. If you are working on your own company’s logo, you might as well get the opinion of one of your superiors or the person in-charge of the project to see whether you were able to do the job properly. Do remember that the modification and feedback process may take a while until both parties agree. Just be patient and follow your client’s instructions.

7. Additional modification

Incorporate any feedback that the client has ordered. Client feedback, whether it is positive or negative, gives designers the extra push to finish the logo.

8. Client approval

After completion, all designers hope for in this stage is for the client to approve the logo and formally use it to identify their company or business. Keep track of comments received by your project and note them for future reference.

Kenny Adams thinks that a creative mind can make something out of nothing. He has over 20 years of professional experience in the logo and web design industry.

By: Darwin Palmer

Designing a logo is not an easy task. Some inexperienced people judge logos as images spawned by different Photoshop tools. In reality, logo designers initially draw the logo on a piece of paper. Digitalization occurs after the logo underwent rigorous drafting processes.

Companies seeking the help of professional logo designers often receive low-quality logo outputs. A majority of logo companies trick their clients into striking expensive deals that promises quality logo submission.

Here are some tricks employed by such logo design companies:

• No revision afterwards – Whenever a client receives its logos from a particular bad logo design company, further revisions will not occur. Logos drafted for the very first time must undergo intensive revision before it represents a company’s identity.

Bad logo designers that offer limited client feedback obviously churns out low-quality logo design samples. Banning client interaction after the project is finished is proof of the company’s inability to provide money-worth logo services.

• Contains rushed and inconsistent concepts – Terrible logo design companies rush a project to end its service to the client. As a result, the logo appears distorted and inconsistent. Such campaigns ensure the logo company fast acquisition of money at the expense of the client.

• A carbon copy of the company’s previous projects – Logo design companies push their luck through unethical practices of plagiarism. Unbeknownst to the client, fraudulent logo design companies recycle most of their designs.

The client, who by now finished all transactions with the company, gets a distress call from the original owner of the logo. The second owner now faces a choice to report the incident to the logo design company or strip the logo out of his/her company or brand.

• No money-back guarantee – Dissatisfied clients plead the logo design company to return the amount paid for the sub-par logo. Of course, these companies will not comply with the client. The no money-back guarantee gives terrible logo design companies an advantageous position against the client.

Darwin Palmer is a logo and web design analyst who has been invited as a judge in many design competitions.