Logo designing seems to have taken over the political world! With Obama’s logo capturing the attention in the last elections, other political candidates of 2012 campaign appear to have decided to step up the game of their campaign. The logo design competitions begin!

Who said that only companies or businesses can use logos? Logo designs are a representation and an identity. They are a great way to gain public attention and appear to have gained a dynamic momentum at the political front. These can become a very strong factor in branding a candidate.

US Political Logo Designs – Main Factors

The standard colors used for the US political party logos are red, white and blue, which obviously represent the United States and the American flag, while creating the feeling of patriotism. Because of their importance, political logo designs have to be created while keeping in mind all the important rules of logo designing. A political logo can make or break the image of a political candidate!

While some candidates have since dropped out of the running for the presidential nomination, we still wanted to take a look at their logos. With this post, I am covering the current and past competitors of the 2012 presidential race.

Barack Obama’s Logo (D)

This logo tops my list because of its genius design. Designed by Chicago-based agency Sender LLC, it was the flagship symbol for Obama’s presidential campaign in 2008. It is one of the most recognized and talked about political logos.

Simple and hopeful, the logo stands for “a new day.”  The overall “O” image obviously stands for Obama. The inner, white semi-circle represents a rising sun over the plains (here in red and white). The red, white and blue in the design represent the American flag.

The same image is being reused for Obama’s 2012 campaign, only this time the ‘O’ stands in place of the zero in 2012. It continues to deliver the same hopeful message of change.

Ron Paul’s Logo Design (R)

Classy and simple, Ron Paul’s logo design puts the focus on the candidates name. The “A” in the logo stands for “America” and has the colors of the American flag. The use of Sherif font gives the logo a classic and elegant look.

Jon Huntsman’s Logo Design (R)

This logo stands apart from the rest of the political logos in this post with its unconventional use of black and its modern approach. Simple yet strong, the logo design has stirred up quite a controversy. Some criticize that it is ego-centric and it doesn’t represent patriotism, but rather stands out as a brand name. Many are even calling it a cologne logo lookalike. What do you think?

Herman Cain’s Logo (R)

This political logo has a positive appeal to it and does not seem to be too outlandish or ego-centric. The symbol of torch used in the logo represents openness, respect for the past and a hope for a brighter future. I believe it should have had an elegant font; currently, the symbol stands out more than the candidate’s name itself.

Michele Bachmann’s Logo (R)

Here’s another political logo design subjected to quite a few controversies. Many believe that this logo also pays tribute to a toothpaste squiggle (see one right in the middle?). While others say the red and white design causes confusion between Austria’s and America’s flags. Although the font is simple, the creative use of red and white color stripes fail to inspire.

Mitt Romney’s Logo Design (R)

Romney’s logo design focuses on the candidate’s last name, but doesn’t really seem to do justice to the ‘R.’ While the ‘R’ in the logo stands to create a sense of togetherness, the colors and style have been criticized to look like Aquafresh toothpaste’s squiggle rather than the American flag. It has also been said that the joined ‘EY’ at the end is a bit over dramatic.

Rick Santorum’s Logo (R)

The first thing you notice about this logo is the soaring eagle with the letter ‘O’ behind it, representing the shining sun. The eagle here is the symbol of courage and represents rising high, although some might think as of it as related to the Native Americans (but that is not the case). After all, the bald eagle is the most popular American symbol.

Tell us, what do you think of these political logos? Which of these do you think represent the candidates the best?

New logo designers may be under the notion that the more complicated and colorful a logo design is, the more it will be appreciated. This is one of the first mistakes that can be made. When these designs are used to participate in logo design contests and none of these initial designs are accepted by clients, some are left confused and disappointed.

Amateur logo designers tend to make a few mistakes at first, which can become disastrous for them in the long run. Two other mistakes some designers make is avoiding to learn the basics of design and/or they don’t have a creative design process to follow. In today’s post I’ve decided to educate fellow designers about the 13 critical mistakes that can kill any logo design. Read on to make sure that you are not guilty of these mistakes.

1. Lack of Process & Planning

Very few logo designers spend time doing research about the industry of the client they are working for. Even fewer realize the importance of a creative logo design process. In professional logo designing, research and sketching comes before creating a logo on the computer. Jumping on the computer without sketching and basic planning is a failed design waiting to happen.

2. Neglecting the Essence of Logo

A logo represents the essence of a company, what it stands for and what message it wants to convey to its audience. Be sure to think from a potential customer’s perspective. What would a certain image mean to you? What will your first impression of the logo design be? Focus not only on the design, but on the meaning.

3. Following Trends Blindly

Following all design trends will most likely lead to outdated design concepts. Create designs that can stand the test of time and will look great even a century later. Example: The Coca-Cola logo still looks good a hundred years after its creation.

4. Creating Complicated Designs

Filling your logo design with too many colors and shapes is a big mistake. Simplicity is the best way to go. If you think that creating a complicated design will win you a logo design contest, at times, you are wrong. Simple logos tend to be the most memorable. Want an example? Think of the logos of McDonald’s or Nike.

5. Being a Copy Cat

Are you an inspired designer or a copy cat? Inspiration is when your original idea had influence from things around you, all while keeping in mind the client’s perspective. To be a copy cat means you have copied pieces of another person’s design work. Copying another designer’s concept is dishonest and shows your lack of creativity. Be Original, Be Creative, Be Unique!

6. Using Clichéd Images

Using airplane images for a travel logo design, hammers for construction logos or books for education logos is seen as redundant and clichéd. Try to be innovative. Use special characters, unique metaphors or abstract symbols to create an identity. You don’t want your client’s design to become lost in the crowd.

7. Adding Special Effects

Graphic design expert Jacob Cass says, “If a logo requires color or special effects to make it a strong logo, it’s not a strong logo.”

If your design is strong it will look great in black and white, as well as in full color. Lose the colors and see where your logo stands.

8. Using Clipart & Stock Images

Successful logo designers never use clipart or stock. Clipart images are visually poor and will give the design an unprofessional look. Avoid clipart, stock vector images or anything similar and create your own, custom images. The client will fully appreciate your design’s individuality.

9. Typography Issues

Using the wrong font and inappropriate style can ruin a perfectly good design. In a logo design, the typography has to be industry specific. Otherwise the meaning could be completely lost. For instance, using Comic Sans for a law firm logo has more of a childish feel, it does not portray a serious, successful and professional law firm.

10. Hurrying to Create a Logo

Most logos fail when designers do not spend quality time to create and ignore the importance of having a design process.  A design that is made in a short amount of time tends to be unsuccessful. Your speed doesn’t determine your efficiency. Logo designing is an art that requires understanding and research, which requires time.

11. Lack of Communication with Clients

Most amateur designers do not understand the importance of communication and get offended at the slightest bit of criticism. They don’t discuss their ideas with their clients and give no creative input. This is not healthy if you want a client to understand your point of view. Communication is the key to success. Explain to the client what you are trying to achieve in your logo design concepts and take their criticism positively. Remember, criticism is just another person’s opinion.

12. Sending Raster Files

Raster files tend to become pixilated when scaled or sized for various printing needs. Always send your client the vector format file of your design. This will allow your client to print the logo on a small business card, a large billboard, t-shirts or any other item without affecting the quality.

13. Not Cleaning Up the Logo

Before sending out the design to your client, make sure that it is neat. Any extra twirls or any excessive colors must be removed. Sending out a messy design discredits you as a professional, thus you want to spend time with the finishing touches and in finalizing it.

Avoid making these errors and learn from others. Learning these lessons will be crucial if you want to establish a long term, professional career.

Share with us, what you have learned during your career as a designer?

A well crafted logo design is the face of your business thus, the responsibility of having a fantastic and unique logo design is important.  This does not only lie in the hands of the designer but also with the client.   Both should know what makes a logo design successful.

So, what exactly are the secrets to a successful logo design? Read on to find out!

1. Simplicity is the Best Policy

Have you ever taken a look at the logos of major brands and industries?   From Coke to Toyota, you’ll notice that all have quite simple logos. There is nothing flashy to any of them. Most new logo designers have a creative adrenaline to design with a jumble of graphics, text and colors.  What they don’t is that a clustered design does not typically click well with the perceptions of a customer.

2. Color Smart

In a logo design, every color has its own purpose, meaning and essence.  While some creative businesses require the use of splashy colors, others require very basic colors.  Examples of colors that can be seen to reflect professionalism are light blue, white, silver, and so on.   The colors you choose will represent your business, so be sure about what you choose.

3. Power of Words

Text plays a critical role in logo designing.  The fonts you use must reflect the professional aspect of the business, but must also be legible.  Many company logos are based on the company’s initials, rather than a graphical image. Text, if designed properly, could act as a standalone logo.   A classic example of this is Mc Donald’s logo.

4. Flexibility and Scalability

In terms of size, your logo design should be flexible and scalable. It should be flexible enough to retain its quality if shrunk or expanded.  The logo designer should understand that logos will not only go on websites or a business card, but the client might want to later add it to other means of different sizes.  Therefore, they must be designed to be scalable. Vector graphics are most suitable for this purpose.

5. Back to the Future

A logo should be able to stand the test of time.  10 years down the road it should still have an exceptional or contemporary look, instead of one that is outdated.   It’s important not to have your logo solely based around the latest trends.  As trends die, your logo will start looking outdated. An example of a logo that has stood against the test of time is Coca-Cola!

Every successful logo design relies heavily on the effective and creative use of images, colors and text.  If there is clear communication between client and designer, the business will have an amazing logo to flaunt.

A logo is your company’s brand ambassador. It is an iconic representation of your business; since it will be the face of your company, it needs to stand out and be memorable. Have you ever come across a logo design that sticks in your mind? Did a logo ever make you wonder how powerful simplicity can be? Has a logo design ever make you think, ‘Wow! This is pure genius?’

A good logo does not need to be complex or flashy. It should be simple, timeless and unique with the power to ‘stick’ in the minds of its viewers. There are seven important elements that can make a design become a brand’s identity. It should be:

1. Simple – Remember, less is more. Instead of creating a design that is complex, focus on creating one that is simple and easily identifiable in various formats. Keep it clear with distinct lines and shapes; avoid adding too much to it.
2. Memorable – Leave a lasting impression. Use a consistent color scheme that has no more than 2 colors and create a symbol that represents the company. This will help it to stand out in the crowd, never underestimate the power of visual appeal. An ugly logo with a lot of color and complicated fonts will be forgettable.
3. Unique – Don’t copy or use common clichéd symbols and styles. A logo design that has nothing new to offer can easily be lost in a crowd. Creating an abstract image won’t do, unless it can personalize your client’s business and help it stand out.
4. Versatile – Create a logo that is appealing, not just in color but also in black and white. It should not lose its appeal when printed in reverse colors or in just one.
5. Relevant – Allow the logo to reflect the vibe of the business it represents. Research about the industry and your client’s competitors. Don’t use fonts or styles that will misrepresent the company and give it an incorrect image. For instance, using a fun comic font for a professional law firm is a big mistake. How can you expect the viewers to take that firm seriously if the vibe the logo gives is non-serious?
6. Scalable – Will the logo design lose its touch if it’s resized? Does it look complicated when made smaller or does it become bland when made bigger? It should look great, not just on the web but also when printed whether it’s a brochure or a mug. After all, you don’t know where your client may use their new logo.
7. Timeless – The best logo designs stand the test of time. They have a universal appeal and don’t need to be redesigned every few years. Good logo designs adapt to the growth of the business and override the trends. In fact, they can become the trend setters.

So, does your creation have all the necessary elements needed for a winning brand image? Will your logo design stick around for long?

When participating in projects, logo designers sometimes end up making small but noticeable design mistakes. Now, whether you blame this on looming deadlines or technical issues, truth is that these design mistakes can cost you a project. So in order to help my designer friends overcome these issues I have compiled a list of ten of the most common silly mistakes that logo designs should avoid making at all costs.

1. Overlook the Design Brief – Don’t assume what the client wants. Read the design brief very carefully. Also keep the target audience in mind when creating a logo design.

2. Rushing to Create a Logo – Don’t rush. Take your time to go over the project brief and understand the client’s requirements. Rushing the project can lead you to misinterpret the information given which will reflect in your work.

3. Lack of Design Process – Research. Look up the client’s competitors and check their logos to get a better understanding of the target audience. Stick with the basics and follow a proper creative logo design process.

4. Using Clip Art and Stock Images – The logo you create should be unique and appealing. Do not use derivative concepts and copy other designer’s work. Avoid using clip art and stock vector graphics at all costs. They will make your logo design look cheap.

5. Overlapping and Overdoing Colors – Don’t overdo colors in a logo design unless the client requires you to use multiple colors. Also make sure you don’t overlap colors as they don’t give a very neat look. When using multiple colors separate them with a distinct line.

6. Using Too Many Fonts – Avoid using more than 2 types of fonts in a logo design. Every font has a personality and can easily relate to various industries. Choose the correct one for your client, depending on his/her industry, and tweak it if necessary.

7. Keep it Simple Silly – Many logo designers like adding beveled and embossed effects without realizing that it can make the design look bad. Avoid using extra effects if they are not needed. Keep your design simple. Remember, less is more!

8. Not Using the Right Software – Use Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw to create a logo design and avoid using Photoshop. Logos created in Photoshop are raster images which get pixilated when their scale is increased or decreased.

9. Not Catering to Multiple Marketing –Create a logo design which can be used in different scales and formats. You never know when your client might want to print that logo on t-shirts, brochures or other marketing platforms. It should look good wherever it is used. Avoid Web 2.0 techniques as they may look good online, but don’t print well.

10. Ignoring Client’s Feedback – Pay attention to your client’s feedback and learn to take criticism positively. Don’t pass up on an opportunity to learn, make sure you read all the feedback your client gives on the logo design project, even if it is meant for another designer.

Logo designing is an art that is constantly evolving, therefore designers must remain updated with the dos and don’t in order to become more proficient at their craft if they want to win. Avoid making the above given silly mistakes and you will soon succeed as a logo designer.

As autumn settles in October it brings an aura of gloom and mystery, which adds to the spirit of Halloween. Many find a way to celebrate. Adults and kids both shop excitedly for costumes and prepare to carve pumpkins while horror movies are showcased on TV throughout the week. Online, many webmasters update their sites with seasonal themes, Social media accounts update their backgrounds and search engines put up special Halloween logos to mark the holiday.

At LogoTalk, we too are welcoming the spirit of Halloween and are ready for some trick or treats! This year, we thought of bringing you something a little difference. Today we are highlighting some popular Halloween characters through logo design. From black cats to ghosts, we will tell you what significance these images hold as we showcase today’s logo design collection.

None of these logos are directly related to Halloween; however we find the indirect connection rather interesting. Don’t you think?  See for yourself…

The Scary Black Cat

The black cat is a popular symbol of witchcraft and paranormal activities. In early European eras, witches were thought to turn into cats after they were executed. The sneaky nature of cats, their ability to see spirits and their connection with the dark world, keeps the black cat as one of the most intriguing figures of this time of year.

Tough, independent and mysterious – the black cat represents all these traits and makes for an interesting logo design.

The Mysterious Black Birds, Owls & Bats

Birds like ravens and owls have been associated with witches, evil, bad luck and bad omens for centuries. The raven is known to be a mysterious bird and one that harbors souls of the dead. The owl is known for its terrifying hoots in the dark, bringing a bad omen. The bat is seen as a creature of the night and is used as a classic symbol for Dracula and other vampires.

Strong and fearless, the image of a bird generally represents freedom, while the owl and bat represent intellect and mystery.

The Cackling Witch

Historically Halloween had nothing to do with witches as it was meant to be an “All Souls Day.”  However, after the hundreds of executions of witches in the European era, they were thought to have haunted the Earth, bringing evil.

Witches are used as a symbol of magic and mystery in logo designs.

The White Ghost and Spirits

One of the most popular symbols of Halloween is the white ghost. It is a popular belief that spirits are white in color which is why many children dress up in white clothes (typically a sheet) to represent ghosts.

The images of ghosts most commonly represent mystery and fear in logo design.

Hope you enjoyed our Halloween logo design collection. Until next time, we wish you all a very happy Halloween! Have a fun and safe holiday 

Within American politics, there are several parties where citizens can become a part of, usually dependent on their viewpoints. It is said that the two most well-known political parties in American are the Democrats and Republicans. Surprising to some, the two parties are represented by the symbols of a donkey and an elephant (respectively).

Initially these animal symbols were used on campaign banners, but over the years they have become two of the most outstanding logos in American politics. Let’s take a look at the brief history behind these two political logos. We’ll also review how these two animal symbols came to represent the two of the biggest political parties of US.

The Democratic Donkey

The Democrats were first to use the donkey as their representative symbol. The donkey represents the Democrats’ beginning 1828.  The running President of 1828 was President Andrew Jackson and he was labeled as a “jackass” due to his populist views and stubborn nature. His main slogan was, “Let the people rule.” Although the cartoon was depicted to mock him, it was later adopted by Jackson himself to represent his Democratic party in 1837.

The Republican Elephant

Some believe that being a Republican influenced Thomas Nast on choosing a bull elephant to represent his party. However, the Republican elephant was not as intentional as Jackson’s donkey. It was formed through a series of events involving New York’s two popular magazines, The Herald and The Harper’s Weekly. The Herald once ran a story of zoo animals being let loose and roaming in New York’s Central Park looking for prey. Cartoonist Thomas Nast drew a cartoon of a donkey wearing lion’s skin, chasing away all the animals (given below). This cartoon was a metaphor for President Ulysses S. Grant whom was running for third term presidency and there was a significant amount of conflict in the Democratic Party. This was one reason that the cartoon included a panicked elephant bearing the label, “Republican Vote.”  Ever since then, the elephant became the Republican Party’s its main symbol.

Discussion and Meaning of these Symbols

The Democratic donkey represents hard work, diligence, humbleness and a dedication to the USA. The Republicans however, strongly disagree and consider the donkey a symbol of stubbornness.

On the other hand, the Republican elephant represents intelligence, dignity and is considered as the symbol of strength (as it is seen as the only animal that stood up to a lion). In contrast to this, the Democrats see the elephant as comparable to a circus animal.

Both of these symbols found firm foundation in the growing American pop culture and were copyrighted to represent the two political parties. The political logos have the prominent standardized colors and stars of the American flag. Generally, the Republican elephant logo upholds 3 stars while the Democratic donkey logo design has 4. However, the donkey can also been seen with a variation of 3 stars.

The Man Behind the Logo Designs

Thomas Nast was a political cartoonist, who usually drew satirical cartoons depicting the state of American politics. It was his idea to use the two animals for representing the Democratic and Republican parties. Thomas Nast was born in 1840 and had a great career being a caricaturist, an illustrator and a painter. Apart from the political symbols, he is also well acclaimed for the sketch of fat and jolly Santa Claus carrying gifts for little children (previously, Santa was depicted as skinny). Although the artist died in 1902, his sketches and drawings still live on.

There you go! Wasn’t that an interesting history? Let us know what you think of the Republican and Democratic logos.