Making Your Brand Name or Logo Hack, Hijack, and Vandal Proof
In reality, it’s pretty impossible for a brand to be truly incorruptible, or vandal proof, whether as a name or logo. Someone can always do something with it if they work hard enough and have the right motivation.
In response to a reader’s questions, I give some thoughts on how to judge your idea before rebranding and if there’s anything you can do to keep people from spoofing your brand name or sabotaging your logo.
Current Trends in Logo Design, Part 3 (7 Significant Trajectories)
The first two posts in this series identified what constitutes a significant trend (vs. a fad); how you go about exploring them; and how to make best use of them. In this final post of the series, I’m sharing what I see as the most significant longer-term trajectories or arcs in the trends that have shaped, and continue to shape, today’s logo designs; what they mean; where they’ve come from; and how they’ve evolved. Read More
Current Trends in Logo Design, Part 2 (Trends vs. Fads)
So, you want to make the most of trends in logo design?
First off, I think it’s important to establish what we’re talking about and what language we’re using. When we talk about trends in logo design, are we talking about a true trend or a fad?
Trends vs. Fads
According to Wikipedia: “Though the term trend may be used interchangeably with fad, a fad is generally considered a fleeting behavior whereas a trend is considered to be a behavior that evolves into a relatively permanent change.”
Our design vernacular is always changing and being informed by new information and experiences. What people are usually asking when they want to know about trends though is the latest fad that people are chasing because of its novelty and currency, as opposed to how our visual language is evolving over time, which is much more important, and potentially more powerful and useful. Read More
Current Trends in Logo Design, Part 1 (And How to Use Them)
Recently, I’ve had people ask me to write about current trends in logo design. In addition to creating logos and brand identities as a part of my branding process, it’s hard-wired in me to monitor what’s around me, and to give my impressions about the success of big name national rebrands or local small biz launches.
“Wow, that’s insightful,” they say, “Write about that!” Read More
10 Tips to Simplify Your Logo
The talent of a good designer (in any discipline) is understanding restraint and when more is just…well…more. Here are some basic pointers to keep your logo concepts sharpened, or to explore simplifying an existing logo.