For every business who are serious about going online should have their website professionally designed from a web designer, while for any businesses who are serious about branding should hire a professional logo designer to get the logo done authentically.
Oftentimes, we get mixed up that “a designer” (logo, web, graphic, interior) will know it all and do it all.
Yes, no doubt they could use the same software to produce the art piece, but the underlying principle of creative outcome truly lies in their experiences, proper design process and ways of an idea are juiced.
This also means that the design process of getting the desired output is totally different for each design case.
For example; A web designer will go through a web design process that aims to create best possible user interactions, meanwhile, a logo designer will go through a logo branding process that aims to build a strong business image in the most graphical way and possibly everlasting.
Any businesses or companies who are starting up their business now, a Logo is the most pivotal part at the beginning of the business.
It gives birth to a new identity, DNA and authenticity.
For some who already have their logo design, have you ever wondered where does it originate from? Is it adopted from Google? What are the design rationales to your logo?
Some companies may offer cheap and quick turnaround solutions for logo design, but it oftentimes ends up similar to the other businesses who are offering a different type of services.
For example, Cafe vs Cat Food, and therefore you may stumble upon towards an awkward deja vu.
Don’t believe it? Just do an image search on Google and see what pops up!
A logo is the forefront of your business, your perpetual identity, your symbol of trust and the means of effective visual communication.
Yet many businesses still fail to invest in the most important part for the business, and thinking that logo is just a piece of graphic design where you can get it cheaply (actually yes!).
In actual fact, a logo is more to just a graphical design, it is your brand that helps steward perspectives of your businesses like stories, background, how was it formed, why it exists and how can it be used widely across the traditional media and internet safely.
Some even paid millions to Trademark or Register their logo!
But here in this article (generous oxytocin thoughts), we would like to elucidate some of the important aspects and steps when designing your own logo;
The Logo Design Process
Similarly to web design, logo design has its own process and guiding principle to charm its own characteristics. The process, if you think about it, how do these international brands like Apple, Coca-Cola, Huawei or Starbucks build their logo during their humble beginnings?
Many may agree that the outcome is so simple that anyone can copy it (which is true), but the question is; can you really copy and use it for your own purpose? — That’s breaching the trademark law.
To copy exactly, is similar to committing a crime, to slightly alter, on the other hand, will make your company look foolish. It shows lacks authenticity and its not fun at all.
The fact that when it’s felt to be easily copied, the logo has already marked its success and it could worth more than millions.
Some may agree, because it has psychologically convinced its audience, and thus it became memorable and friendly.
Applying the logo design process requires time and patient. And here we breakdown the 12 steps to designing your logo that we practice from an international standard process:
Step #1 — The Creative Brief
Carefully understands the client requirements, business, and company background. To learn as much as possible during this briefing.
Step #2 — Market Research
To conduct competitive analysis study on the industry, competitors and history.
Step #3 — Draft & Sketches
Taking a white piece paper and sketch from the ground up. Non-stop ideation during this period from the kitchen to the toilet to jogging in the park.
Step #4 — Brainstorming
Come together in a group and brainstorm the best possible choice of ideas for the client business and branding.
Step #5 — Conceptualising
Develop on the selected idea that is timeless and able to adapt to traditional media, online channels, colour schemes and making it as presentable as possible.
Step #6 — Create Characteristics
Just like how Captain America is created, the logo has deep meaning, psychological symbol, charismatic personality and mission-driven that will lead the business.
Step #7 — Golden Aspect Ratio
Apply the principle of Fibonacci sequence that is pleasing to the eye.
Step #8 — Feedbacks
Get feedback from internal departments, small survey group and discussion with the client.
Step #9 — Revision
Revise according to the client feedback; i.e. tweaking its font, colour tones and etc.
Step #10 — Affirmation
Package the design into a proper usable technical format which includes; paths, colour codes, negative colours, inverted colours, alignments, balancing and outlines.
Step #11 — Final Artwork
Upload the digital format to a private cloud for easy download.
Step #12 — Application Method (Only for the Signature plan)
Provide a set of guidelines on how to effectively use the logo for different scenarios. Example; application on the name card, stickers, mug, t-shirts, backdrop, social media, just to name a few.
Digitalise your Logo
At last, once you have obtained your authentic logo, then you may pass it to your web designer to make resizing adjustment and upload into your website.
Many businesses today tend to create a new logo when they register a new company. Usually, the first thought for the logo purpose is to only apply for the name card and neglecting the fact that the logo would be used 90% on the internet.
Digitalising your logo should be taken into account seriously, especially if you want to appear in a various online platform; Website, Facebook, Twitter, Google, and many others.
It is logical to think that logo design requires time, expertise, experiences and hence the price may vary from one logo designer to another.
Drama Ending
Allocate a good sound budget and follow the design process for your logo. You can start from a budget logo design from as low as RM750.
Remember, the logo represents you directly. Eventually, it becomes your brand image.
If you need a logo design, please feel free to contact us. Meanwhile, if you need a web design please also feel free to contact us. Both will be handled separately from different designers and processes.
Logo design takes about 10 – 14 days, and these are the “time” that we use to pay our designers and it is only logical (uncommon sense) to think that your logo has some monetary value, to begin with.
