Logo Design House 1

[TamedTech]

Hello Guys,

I wont pretend to know anything about design, i'm a web developer by trade but design really isnt my strong spot.

I've just founded a new software development company, and i'm looking to start establishing a brand, and i'm looking to get a little information about the general opinions of large scale design houses like logoworks.com and logobee.com etc.

I'm looking to have a logo developed as the keystone of the company brand, but i'm at a little bit of a loss as to where i should start to look.

Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated guys,

Rob

 

[jmgalvin]

One thing you’ll find useful is that logos are always done in vectors (like Ilustrator) rather than rasters (Photoshop) when done properly. The reason is simply so the size can be easily changed since vectors are not resolution dependent. That’s important for using on envelopes, letterhead, signage, ads, etc. It’s nothing to change a vector into a raster for web advertising, etc but the reverse is very difficult. If anyone wants to “design” a logo in Photoshop, I’d suggest you find someone else. People who work on web stuff, often don’t realize the importance of vectors.

Look at various big company logos. You’ll find that they’re all rather simple and clean – not busy with fancy gradients, drop shadows, etc. Again, the reason is so it can be properly reproduced on a variety of media at all sorts of different sizes. Some easy examples are Adobe, Microsoft, Apple, Corel, GM, Ford, CBS, ABC, Etc. – all simple and clean.

My guess is that you’d do best find someone local with good vector knowledge and a good sense of design. However, much depends on you. What do you want to convey with the logo – don’t go “deep” there because 99% of people would miss the “deepness”.

My own opinion of places like you mentioned is that they just churn things out without knowing much about your needs – usually by farming out to a bunch of low paid subcontractors.

One last thing. When you get a logo finished, make sure you put the tiny “TM” after it. That means you’ve claimed trademark. That’s legal. The R in a circle means that you registered the trademark, but the TM is legally sufficient for trademark protection.


Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[TamedTech]

Thanks for that buddy its greatly appreciated that you're so willing with all the advice,

I've done a litte Vector work in the past when placing together brochures for an old employer, so i understand the benefits of it, i'm just not very sharp when it comes to that kind of thing.

I completely agree with the 'simplicity' vote, I'm not an artist by any means, but i do have a reasonable taste and my 'vision' as it were is to have an attractive colour pallet for starters, then base the company name in a simple, clean and clear font, and then attach some form of brand icon or 'logo' into it, then as the brand becomes established we can use the icon on its own and have it recognise, like 'Apple' for instants, they have the fully established logo of the apple icon and the words 'Apple' yet the icon alone is more than enough for most people to make the brand recognition.

Thanks a great deal for the 'tm' tip, it wasnt somthing i was aware of but that really is great news.

Finding a local designer is proving a little tricky, there are plenty of them around, but when looking at thier portfolio's i find myself going "meh" quite alot, nothing really jumps out and slaps me as somone i'd like to work with.

I'll keep my eye's peeled for someone that is producing work i can get passionate about, and then start the ball rolling with them i think.

Thanks again for you advice.

Rob

 

[MiniWorks]

Hi!

I'd like to jump in on the conversation about the Trade Mark next to the logo as it is something that I have wondered about....I'm a bit at a loss when it comes to the official stuff!

Does your logo have to be registered anywhere? Or can you just simply design a logo, put 'TM' next to it and thats it.


Whats the difference between 'TM' and 'R' and what do they mean.

I would really appreciate your knowledge on this subject.

 

[jmgalvin]

TM is sufficient. R is one step up. See:

http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/tac/doc/basic/register.htm

Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4