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!

If you are associated with the logo design industry, chances are high that you have your own blog. You may want to reach out to a wider audience via blogging and highlight your logo designing skills. However, are you sure that your blog will not disappear soon?

We are saying this because every day, thousands of blogs are created in the Internet. Shockingly, 90% of them disappear within few months. If you do want your brand logo design blog to die, avoid committing following mistakes.

Posting Once in Two Months

Irregular posting is the most common reason behind death of blogs. If you publish posts once in two months, it will disappoint your readers because they will not find anything new. Furthermore, this will convince them that you are no longer interested in your blog. Therefore, it is obvious that they would stop visiting your site after a while.

Publishing Boring Posts

People visit blogs because they want to acquire new information. Therefore, if you publish boring posts, it will not create a positive impression on the visitors. In case you fail to find any new information, you can discuss the issue from a fresh point of view. You can also add elements of humor and suspense to spice up your posts.

Opting For Excessively Long Posts

Bloggers do not have many hours to read your posts. Therefore, keep your posts short and simple. In case you want to publish a long post, ensure that it contains valuable information. Do not write long posts, just for the sake of it.

Using Misleading Titles

Using misleading titles can disappoint your readers. They will start reading the posts, expecting discussion on a particular issue. If the post fails to fulfill their expectation, chances are high that they will feel cheated and will not visit your blog again.

To avoid such a situation, choose titles that offer a glimpse of the topics that you are about to discuss.

Posting Repeated Topics

Publishing posts on same topics repeatedly can make readers lose interest in your blog. Since they will not find any new information, they will not feel interested in visiting your blog again. For this reason, avoid publishing posts on same topics repeatedly.

Avoiding Interaction with Readers

If your blog lacks a comment section, your readers will feel disappointed. This is because most people visit blogs to avail new information and express their opinions. If you do not allow them to express their viewpoints, they will feel disappointed.

To retain interest of readers, allow them to interact with you and other bloggers.

Using a Complicated Navigation System

A blog that incorporates a complex navigation system will not be able to retain interest of readers for a long time. If you have opted for a complicated navigation system in your blog, try to simplify it. Arrange the articles in various sections, so that it is easier for visitors to pick out a topic that interests them.

Consider these tips to retain interest of visitors in your custom logo design blog.

Referrals are critical for expanding any business. This is true for a logo design company as well. Referrals help you to build a positive image of your company and encourage potential clients to trust you.

Asking for referrals, however, can be a tricky process. If you request for referrals in a timid manner, people may not take you seriously. On the other hand, if you opt for an aggressive attitude, it may offend people.

The trick lies in using strategies that maintain the delicate balance between aggression and timidity. Learn more.

Enhance Quality of your Work

Good work simplifies the process of availing referrals. This means that if you produce interesting logo and corporate identity design regularly, people will not hesitate referring you to others.

On the other hand, if you produce unoriginal business logo design, chances are high that you would face difficulties for acquiring referrals. This is because most people avoid referring a person who fails to produce quality work.

Request for Referrals

It is impossible to acquire a referral, unless you specifically ask for it. Ironically, many designers fail to acquire referral, simply because they do not ask for it. If you are yet to develop the habit of requesting for referrals, start by considering it as part of the project.

This will help you to develop the habit of asking for referrals, every time you complete a project.

Work Free, Ask for Referrals Instead

If you have launched your own company recently, this can be a good strategy. Of course, working free will have a negative impact on your financial goals. Still, if you want to develop a positive image of your company in the industry, choosing this strategy can be a good idea.

To stay on the safe side, discuss about your expectations with the clients beforehand. Create a contract so that there is no confusion later.

Do Not Forget to Refer Others

Referring other designers/experts can help you to acquire more benefits in future. More specifically, by referring each other, you can build up a strong team of professionals who understand preferences of every member.

Let us assume that you are a logo designer and know a person who is an expert at blog customization. In case you come across a client who is looking for blogging experts, you can request him to get in touch with this person. Your acquaintance will be grateful towards you and may even pass on relevant projects to you in future.

In brief, referring each other creates a win-win situation for all the involved parties.

Of course, before referring a person, do not forget to check quality of his work. Avoid recommending people who are not serious about their jobs.

Opt for these strategies to acquire referrals and thus, expand your business.

As logo designers, we always search for sources that will allow us to express our creativity. These can include books, work of other designers, and even art movements. In this article, we will exclusively focus on few art movements that introduced changes in the logo design industry. You can study these art movements and draw inspiration from them.

Hard-Edge Painting

This art genre was introduced by famous American painter Frank Stella. It lays utmost importance on simple stripes and forms that contribute in the creation of bright pictures. It reinforced the belief that ideally, a designer should lay utmost emphasis on designs, rather than client specifications.

The disadvantage of using this art genre is that if you are creating business logo design, it may not help you to fulfill your purposes. This is because hard-edge painting ignores the rule that a design should highlight values of a company. Still, you can consider this art genre for adding interesting touch to your corporate identity design.

Tibetan Art

Boasting of a rich cultural tradition, Tibetan art can be a good source of inspiration for any designer. One of the most famous icons of Tibetan art is the hand gesture that highlights respect and happiness. Another icon is the lotus, which represents fulfillment and fertility.

If you are associated with a logo design company, check whether the client is fine with the idea of using Tibetan art as your source of inspiration. This is important because such a strategy can create the impression that the company is spiritually inclined. If your client hates the idea of creating such an image, use Tibetan art for your next project.

African Art

Traditional African myths and rituals had a powerful impact on African art. Furthermore, for creating designs and art works, African artists opted for a spiritual approach.

Therefore, it is hardly surprising to find that figures and masks play a dominant role in African art. Designers can take help of this approach to create eye-catching designs.

To include the essence of traditional African art in your designs, opt for heavy abstraction. This will allow you to create simple and yet, powerful shapes. Depending on your requirement, you can use abstraction and cheerful colors in the designs.

Alternatively, reduce the abstraction and opt for familiar shapes that will make people recall African art. Remember that even a simple thing, such as a child's profile can take an interesting meaning, if you add dominant patterns of African art in the logo.

Light Painting

Famous light painters can include Pablo Picasso and Gjon Mili- a renowned photographer. By manipulating light sources, Picasso developed beautiful images. As a passionate logo designer, you can use these creations as your sources of inspiration.

Many logo designers worry about the fact that creating inspired designs can make people label them as unoriginal. However, this is a wrong idea. You can always draw inspiration from existing ideas and change them to create intriguing designs. Therefore, look for inspiring sources and adopt the ideas, as required.

Many logo designers choose freelancing because of the advantages it offers. It offers good pay, flexibility, and the freedom to choose projects. However, working as a freelancer logo designer can also be quite challenging. You may not find enough time for your loved ones or fail to stick to deadlines (because the boss is not there to motivate you).

We discuss few challenges that a freelancer may face. Additionally, we offer few tips that would help you to meet these challenges successfully.

Working Alone

This is the biggest challenge a freelancer can face. Experienced designers will agree with the fact that occasionally, creating logo design as a freelancer can be a boring job. The reason is that you work alone. Therefore, chances are high that you may feel bored.

The best way to deal with this situation is to take breaks regularly. To avoid monotony, opt for refreshing activities regularly.

For example, after you finish a custom logo design project, you can meet a friend for lunch. You can also visit a coffee shop and converse with new people. Visit workshops and seminars regularly to update your knowledge. Talk with fellow freelancers and exchange ideas and useful information.

Laziness

While working at an office, the boss motivates us to stick to the deadline. However, when you are working alone, you do not owe an explanation to anyone. This can demotivate you and prevent you from completing the pending brand logo design project.

To avoid feeling demotivated, create a weekly or daily schedule. Stick to it (except in emergency cases). If necessary, download project management software programs available on the Internet. Most of these programs are free and offer customization options. Therefore, you can easily create a routine and avoid laziness.

Shyness

Some freelance designers feel shy to approach clients and negotiate about the price. Unfortunately, for a freelancer, shyness can result in loss of projects.

To get rid of shyness, understand the fact that growth of your freelancing career greatly depends on the relationship you share with your clients. Therefore, do not feel shy to convey your ideas.

Additionally, remember the fact that you are the designer. Therefore, you have the right to quote a price that justifies your effort and time.

An Unorganized WorkPlace

A messed-up workplace can frustrate you. It can even interfere with your work.

Start by cleaning the place. Arrange necessary things neatly so that you do not have to search for them, while working on a project. Place only work-related items in the area. This will allow you to stay motivated.

A Soft Approach

Experienced freelancers will agree with the fact that some clients take advantage of soft-hearted designers. To discourage the client from taking you for granted, prepare a contract that includes necessary terms and conditions.

If the clients wants any extra work from you, inform him that you will charge extra. In any situation, do not let the client to take advantage of your kindness.

Excessive Workload

As a freelancer, you need to pay attention to various aspects. These can include bidding, communicating with the client, creating a contract, and working. As a result, you may find it difficult to spend time with your friends and family.

However, if you do not spend enough time with your loved ones, it can have a negative impact on your overall well-being. To maintain a healthy work-life balance, do not take up excessive workload. Accept projects that will allow you to spend time with your family and friends.

Working in a full-time position in a brand logo design company can be a challenging and yet, rewarding experience. Of course, working in a design company comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. However, for some people, advantages override the disadvantages. Learn more.

You can Enjoy a Stable Income

This is the most important benefit of a full-time job. Unlike freelancing, a full-time job offers you a fixed payment at the end of the month. However, the disadvantage is that even if you work hard on a project, you will not receive extra payments.

You can Focus on Designing Exclusively

If you opt for freelancing, you will have to pay attention to various aspects. These can include bidding on projects, marketing, communicating with the client, and creating the contract. These activities, in turn, can interfere with your desire to create interesting designs.

If you are associated with a company, on the other hand, you can focus exclusively on corporate logo design. You do not need to invest time for completing other activities.

Acquire Information about Business Operations

Associating yourself with a logo design company will allow you to understand nuances of business operations. This in turn, will help you, while launching your own company.

Allows you to Refine your Designing Skills

Possessing designing sensibility is not enough to enhance reputation in this industry. You need to practice your skills regularly. Associating yourself with a company provides you with the opportunity to sharpen your company brand logo designing skills.

At a full-time job you would spend maximum hours in designing. Therefore, you can brush up your skills more effectively.

You can Avail More Resources

A job offers you easier access to resources. With increased knowledge, your output also becomes better. Furthermore, you can update yourself regularly and race ahead of your colleagues.

Offers you Paid Holidays

Unlike freelancing, a full-time job provides you with paid holiday benefits. Large-scale companies even sponsor holiday expenses of employees, along with their families.

Encourages you to Attend Seminars and Workshops

Seminars and workshops are vital for understanding current market trends and updating one's knowledge. Most large-scale companies encourage employees to attend these, so that they can enhance
their knowledge. One can learn various things in these workshops/seminars and meet experts.

Informs you about Preferences of your Target Audience

Your design needs to appeal to a particular section of the audience. Working in a company helps you to understand preferences of the target audience. Furthermore, it teaches you how you can modify your designs to suit preferences of the audience.

Working as a logo designer in a company has various advantages. Most importantly, it allows you to acquire knowledge and contacts that will benefit you in future. Therefore, work hard and enjoy the benefits.

In the logo design industry, the competition to acquire good clients is intense. This in turn makes designers wonder about the qualities they should possess to attract clients. Today, we will discuss few criteria that clients consider to select a designer. Read on.

Experience

Clients prefer designers who are well-experienced and possess relevant expertise. Therefore, you may have to show the client proofs of your creations. If you are associated with a logo design company, you may have to send them your experience certificates. To stay on the safe side, arranging these documents beforehand can be a great idea.

Design Portfolio

A well-made design portfolio highlights expertise of the designer and convinces clients about his/her seriousness. To enhance your reputation as a designer, create an interesting portfolio. Include the most appreciated logo design solutions in the portfolio.

Consider the fact that portfolio acts your representative-it highlights your creativity and strong points.

Professional Approach

Clients also give importance to professional communication. They evaluate communication skills of a designer by judging his/her emails and online conversations.

For best results, check emails carefully, before sending them. Maintain a professional approach. Additionally, while talking on the phone, opt a clear and direct tone. Be polite.

Pricing

Pricing is another crucial criterion for the client. This is especially important if the client wants to stick to a certain budget. In case you quote a price that is high for the client, he may avoid contacting you again.

In such a situation, you can negotiate with the client. Alternatively, stick to your price. However, do not forget to ensure that your quoted price justifies your experience and expertise.

Contract and Project Deadline

Most clients prefer designers who agree to sign a contract. This is because a contract protects interests of both parties, in case something goes wrong. Signing a contract can also increase your professional reputation. The reason is that such a strategy convinces clients that you are willing to undertake responsibility as a designer.

Project deadline is another crucial criterion. The client may ask you number of days/hours you may require to complete a project. He may want to acquire the logo designs earlier. In such a situation, you can either adjust and take up the project or reject it. Even if you take up the project, ensure that you do not compromise with quality in any situation.

Testimonials

Some logo designers fail to recognize the importance of a good testimonial. However, for clients, testimonial is important. A good testimonial convinces them about your expertise and encourages them to trust you.

For this reason, once you complete the project, always request the client or company for a testimonial. This will allow you to acquire important projects in the future.

As a logo design company, it's very important to shine in your field. You should definitely provide the most customized and comprehensive logo design solutions but you must also pay attention to the fact that providing these solutions are not the sole key to success. Back your business up with the support of the right font, the right layout, the colors and in short, the right logo design on all your marketing materials, including the type of paper.

These visual elements need to have flexibility, especially if yours is a small business. Having a uniformity in your logo design is essential. But using these visual elements will add flexibility to your brand. Many reasons can propel this change such as – distinguishing your products/services from each other and some special needs that might occur unexpectedly and call for your attention.

The primary reasons why it is advisable that you modify your visual elements from time to time are as follows:

• This helps you better use the media that you use. When you create printed marketing materials, use not more than 1-2 colors as that would reduce the production costs. But when you are designing your website, it's better to adjust the use of fonts so that the on-screen legibility and compatibility is doubled. For instance, if you are going to place an ad in a newspaper, you should use a simpler image than what you would use in a brochure because newspapers come in poor quality paper where using high-quality images will yield no results.

• A big logo design company may move at a fast pace, but small companies have to spend considerable time on their marketing materials. This is where interesting visual elements come useful. They relieve you of boredom and allow you to look at something fresh. In fact, this boredom is one of the primary reasons why small business owners go for a logo revamping. But this is not actually necessary. It can waste a lot of money, effort and time of yours to revamp your logo design completely. Consider the fact that you are probably getting bored because you are looking at your logo all the time, or too frequently.

If you are really bored of the way your logo looks, don't go for a revamp. Instead, include some new fonts, colors etc. to your existing marketing materials. They will look different, your design consistency will be maintained and yet you will not be bored anymore.

• Change in visual elements allows your audience to differentiate one of your product lines from another and one of your marketing materials from another. If all your marketing materials look the same, they will fail to be noticed by your target audience. But by creating each of these materials in a visually different way with different types of logo design solutions, you will be able to grab the attention of your potential clients and customers to look a plethora of offerings and as they say, 'the more the better'.

Bringing flexibility in your promotional materials adds an element of freshness in your marketing campaign and helps your company stand apart from the rest.