Business logo design is not just an art but also science because it needs creativity along with strategic aligning of your design with your clients’ goal. In this post, i will discuss the various phases of an entire logo design process for a business. As a designer, going through these phases carefully will help you.

Step 1: Briefing: When clients contact logo designers for a project, they brief them about their company, their brand and their objectives. This is the safest time to clarify your doubts about the design. Ask your clients anything you want to know, or offer any advice in this phase. Remember, your client can tell you all that you need to know, so do not hesitate to ask.

Step 2: Research: After you have been briefed, start your research. Find out as much as you can about your client’s business, industry, stature, competition and marketing. This way, you will be able to identify what risks are associated with the brand logo design project that you have been assigned. You can also learn the challenges involved with this job. This is the phase that cements the path for the project’s progress.

Step 3: Reference Collecting: In this phase, designers see and study different company logos in the same niche which they are going to design for. They observe the intricacies of these designs and use the findings for their logo design. You have to do the same and also keep track of the latest happenings in the world of logo designing. Take inspiration from these latest happenings and be confident about your project.

Step 4: Conceptualizing the Logo: Build a concept around your brief, study and findings. This is the phase when you have to brainstorm ideas and chalk out the entire brand logo design in detail. This phase calls for your absolute dedication.

Step 5: An Interval: This is the phase where you need to take some time off from the work and get some rest. Arrange a meeting with your client and tell them about the progress of your work. If any revision is requested by the client, do it accordingly. Also, listen to your client’s advice and ideas. Then refresh yourself for some time and then get back to work.

This interval will let you analyze your work’s progress, strategies, commitment and your client satisfaction. When you get to work again, you will be able to start with a fresh mind and the result of the analysis will reflect on your work.

Step 6: Revision: Needless to say, your logo design will not come out flawless the first time. It would go through a number of alterations, changes and modifications. After completion, it’s time to revise what you have designed. Since your client cannot afford to keep changing their business logo, you have to present a few variations of the same logo before your client so that they can choose what they like.

Step 7: Delivery: The final phase. You can present your logo as a standalone one or as a part of the context (situation or environment) in which it will be used. Pay attention to your client’s feedback.

Lastly, do not compromise on any phase of your business logo design. Remember, every phase is equally important.

Do share your opinions and experience!

Most people will agree with the fact that the focal point of any logo designfirm is ‘the client’ As a logo designer, client is the main source of your income and plays a critical role in the growth and survival of your business.

Unfortunately, working with some clients may turn out to be a traumatic experience. While few clients try to dominate the designer, others do not stay in touch regularly. This delays the project, with the client refusing to take responsibility for the delay later.

If you want to enjoy a stress-free working experience, avoiding such wrong clients can be a great idea. To simplify things, we discuss few types of clients that a designer should avoid. Of course, it may not be always possible to understand personality of the client beforehand. Still, in certain situations, you can consider these points to avoid a potentially drastic situation.

1) Clients who Believe They Know Everything

Some clients think that they possess in-depth knowledge about designs and force designers to implement their ideas. They are usually egoistic and think that they possess the best knowledge. Even if the designer tries to convince them that a particular idea may not earn appreciation, they will stick to their opinion.

Working with clients usually results in wastage of time and energy.

2) Clients who Do Not Bother about Anything

These clients are diametrically opposite to the above-mentioned client type. They remain detached from the project and do not care about activities of the designer. They possess a vague idea about the project and feel confused, when asked for suggestions.

Also, they do not stay in regular touch with the designer. This may lead to confusion and delays. Therefore, avoiding such clients can be a great idea.

3) Clients who Force Designers to Rush Through a Project

Sometimes, you may come across clients who expect you to complete a project within an impossible deadline. They consider designers as pizza delivery persons who should come up with designs within few minutes.

Such clients usually do not expect quality work and underestimate amount of time required to complete a design project. Avoid collaborating with such clients because they can tarnish your reputation.

4) Clients who are Obsessed with Bargains and Discounts

Some clients ask for discounts and bargains, irrespective of the situation, terms and conditions. Even if you quote a fixed price, they would still try to negotiate. They fail to understand the fact that designing a logo is hard work and also undermine value of a creative design. Working with these clients is definitely not worth it!

5) Clients who Want ‘Perfect’ Designs

Sometimes, you may come across clients who are looking for perfect designs. If you work for them, chances are high that you would face difficulty in fulfilling their requirements because no specific definition of a ‘perfect’ design exists. Therefore, rejecting projects of such clients can be a great idea.

We discussed few client types that may prevent you from enjoying the experience of creating innovative brand logo design or corporate identity design. For best results, stick to clients who appreciate your efforts and trust your instincts.

Many people assume that timeless logo design and classic logo is same. However, this is a wrong concept. The main reason why people feel confused is because both fall into the category of innovative designs that are worthy of discussions and future references.

Also, both of these types share several common features. This in turn, confuses people. Today, in this post, we would define timeless and classic logos. Thereafter, we will discuss strategies that will help you to create a timeless or classic design.

Timeless Logo

Timeless logo refers to a creation that avoids relying on current trends. Rather, it transcends the limitation of time and manages to attract attention of people belonging to different generations-old and new. The logo of MTV can be a good example of timeless business logo design.

The original MTV logo opted for bright colors, such as yellow and red, which imparted it a loud image. The design earned appreciation because it wanted to represent spirit of the younger generation-loud, rebellious, and brash. The bright color scheme helped the logo to fulfill its purposes perfectly.

Current logo of MTV relies entirely on black and white for conveying its message. It also utilizes negative space intelligently for highlighting the alphabets ‘M’, ‘T’, and ‘V. Additionally, the new logo removed the tagline ‘Music Television’ that was present in the original logo.

Classic Logo

Classic logo refers to the one that has successfully implemented an important principle of logo design-adaptability. This means that a classic logo does not demand any changes, irrespective of the current trend. Classic logo has the ability to adapt to any environment and this feature differentiates it from timeless logo design.

Unlike a classic design, a timeless design may require changes occasionally (as explained in the above example).

ABC logo can be the best example of a classic logo. It is simple, powerful, scalable and do not require any modifications.

Creating a Timeless or Classic Logo

• Do not opt for current trends. Rather come up with a design that people would appreciate even after a long time
• Creativity plays the most critical role in the logo design industry. Therefore, try to be innovative
• Ensure that the logo conveys values and messages of the company perfectly
• Emphasize on simplicity. Avoiding creating a logo that involves complicated shapes and designs
• Avoid using colors as a medium to convey your message. Ensure that your logo appears attractive, both in color as well as black and white version

Hope our post helped you to understand the difference between timeless and classic logo. You can also consider these tips to creating interesting corporate identity design. Enjoy!

When you are providing logo design solutions as a professional to corporate clients, it’s natural that you would want to market yourself. To market yourself well in the design field, there’s no comparison to a portfolio. You should not only include a variety of work examples of yours but also follow some steps so that you don’t leave negative impression to any potential client.

• Refrain from using tag lines. Keep in mind that you are a designer, not a writer. You do not need to write tag lines to impress your clients. Your portfolio should speak for your design creativity.
• Just because a design is ‘edgy’, doesn’t mean it should be included into your portfolio. The aesthetic appeal of modern designs may appeal to you, but care to include some sober logos. See to it that, in the rush to attract modern preferences, your portfolio does not overlook the preferences of older clients who prefer more traditional designs.
• Logos that do not say anything will not appeal to anyone. Try to grasp the message behind a logo. Do not forget that in today’s business world, branding is what a company wants its logo to do. So, when it comes to corporate identity design, your logo should communicate a message. This will show that you can listen to and picture your clients’ vision through your design.
• Monochromatic/ subdued color combinations can do more harm than good to your portfolio. Demonstrate your creativity through your design, not your love for subdued colors. Do a little bit of research and mix and match different colors. Let your potential clients guess what you are about to offer next.
• Do not change the samples in your portfolio. Ever. As you grow as a designer, your portfolio should grow too. Let your portfolio reflect your talent in various phases. Always add fresh samples.

Ask a logo designer colleague/friend of yours to review your portfolio. They can give you a good idea about how it is going to be. Ask them about the areas that need improvement. Also, offer to review their portfolios as well. This would help you create your image as a true professional, which would be very helpful if you want to start a logo design company someday.

Do not be disheartened if you get negative reviews. Every designer goes through positive and negative phases in their career. Every designer wants to shine in their field. Follow these tips and tell us about your experience!

All the best in creating your portfolio!

Conflicts are not uncommon in the field of business logo design where you have to work with client’s preferences and opinions. It all starts with some minor verbal disagreements and then rises up to major decision changes from the client’s side. As a result, what suffers the most is your business.

Most clients try to influence the designers into doing something they think is right and most designers try to explain the subtle points of logo design to clients who don’t care about it. Here are some of the ways you can deal with disagreeing clients:

Control Your Emotions

While most designers are very talented, they are not very good at the emotional front. Do not be emotional when your client disagrees with you. I understand how difficult it is to get rid of your own creation if the client wants so but have control over your emotions. That’s the most important way you can control your situation.

Back Your Point Up with Facts

Gather data and whatever information is required to support your point. Bring in some statistical analysis and hard facts that would validate what you are saying.

Lighten the Situation with Humor

Try to make the situation a little less serious by bringing in some humor. Be witty and say something that you know for sure would bring a smile on your client’s face. This would buy you more time and give you the scope to look for a chance of improvement. Plus, on the client’s end, it would make him feel a little less bad about the whole problem.

Accommodate

I’m not telling you to compromise but since you are the service provider, you have to arrive at a point of agreement with your client. After all, your client is the one who is spending the money and if there is no client, there will be no money for you. You do not want that to happen. Adjust. Accommodate his/her wishes.

Communicate

Lastly, keep in mind the fact that you do not only have to have technical skills but also good communication skills to liaison with you clients on every step of the logo design process. Disagreements and conflicts are bound to occur. Getting past them and delivering your work as requested by the client is the key to success for you and your logo design company.

Best of luck!