Probably, you are checking out the iconic logo designs of your favorite brands or are browsing through logo websites for inspiration while scouring the internet for more ways. This article will help you generate ideas and find inspiration from not only logos but other favorite objects as well. Let's begin:
Call in your friends, family, your employees, and your peers if possible(other business associates). Inform them beforehand what's the purpose of this meeting/gathering so they are in that frame of mind. Getting your customers involved is possible through social media platforms by creating a survey that asks specific questions related to your logo design. When you have got people on board--any number is better than working it alone--tell them about your business or what start-up you are planning to launch. Yes, your friends and the rest know about it but reminding them again will refresh their memory. Use simple and clear words to describe what you are doing (sell paints is vague compared to, sell paints that protects machinery to small and medium businesses) What is your mission and vision--what you do differently and what you plan to do in the next five years?You never compromise on quality while you are working on reducing your carbon foot further are just a few things such a company may consider. These details help your gathering to start thinking in one direction instead of randomly touting their favorite logo marks/brand marks for the inspiration your business requires. Once you have given them a brief, give them freedom. Tell them they can sketch it on paper, search logos on the web, write down the names of their favorite iconic logos; and why they think these are good inspiration for your business.
Yes, you read that right, order coffee and let whatever you have discussed sink in slowly. Generating ideas doesn't happen instantly regardless of giving access to Wi-Fi so everyone can search for things on their cell phones. Don't bound it by internet searches, or by time. They can get their inspiration from newspapers--The New York Times Logo is a mark of excellence--books, magazines, and real-life objects.
Keep in mind, one session is not going to be enough to give you the right direction for your logo design. You will like some ideas while others won't make sense. Begin with words that showcase your values. Do you want people to associate reliability with your brand or innovation? Choose three to five words. Now you have the base to discuss Colors, Types, and Symbols. Ask everyone to write which color they think suits your business. What kind of type (writing format) they would like to see. What pictures they associate with your values. Enter the chosen word for a value in the Google image bar and see what comes up. What image they choose is how they see your business. When brainstorming, don't set the tone of the logo unless you have already decided it in a previous session. Refrain from saying you want a minimalist logo or you think a mascot would look good. Such statements will make your audience unconsciously look for such objects and visuals in their search for inspiration. You want to gather completely different ideas so then you can see what will and will not work for your logo design. Show them where you are going to use this logo; on a horizontal wall in the reception area of your office, on the stationery, packaging of your products. Now, since you don't have these things yet, use a wall in your make-shift space, get packaging of products--cartons, shopping bags, and pens, business cards, envelopes, A4 sheets to help you and them visualize where the logo will appear.
You have gathered enough material--cut-outs from newspapers, print-outs from internet searches, Pantone-colors, logo sketches, letters in different fonts, iconic logos of international brands, also logos that are relevant in your industry. It's time to put the top ten ideas together in an organized way: the colors, fonts, and images. If half of the team is in favor of the blue and the other is contemplating brown then divide your board into half and create a collage to see what type of writing, pictures, and colors convey the overall feel of your business.
Is your custom logo looking good in a vertical format, meaning the symbol and the name are placed on top/below each other? Maybe, if you place the writing to one side (horizontal format) it would become more appealing. The logo you choose from your board will be one of the following: Letter Mark--Just one or more initials standing for your businessWord Mark--Name of your businessCombination Mark--picture and words/lettersBrand Mark--Just the picture you have selected for your logo
Finally, once you have decided what logotype is best-suited to your business. Focus on the theme, you will see it on your visual board--the vote has gone to fun designs or has geared towards sober themes. The theme can be selected depending on the type of customers you are going to serve. Fast-paced lifestyle customers will go for minimal design logos regardless of whether the logo design incorporates fun or uses a no-nonsense type approach. Traditional logos that use details are a good bet if you want to approach corporate businesses--though they are fast-paced--as details matter to them and a logo that incorporates such features will help create a better bond with them.