Many businesses hire designer or brand consultant to design their logo. The design looks great on computer screen as well as printed on paper. However, when it comes to signboard creation, this logo may not be as impressive as it seems to be or may even be costly to construct. Usually, designers or brand consultants present their clients with a few logo options. This is where most companies make the mistake, they didn't consider the signboard style. Their selection criteria would solely be based on appearance; some may consider branding as well, but not the signboard style. Wasn't it too late to think about the type of signboard after the logo was approved? So, seek advice from a sign expert. Design PrinciplesThere are many design principles to obey to create a great design. These principles are not secret recipes. They are all taught in schools. But how to apply them, will depend on the designer's apperception. It will take years of practice for a designer to truly master the arts. Some are born more inclined to be artistic. However, through years of learning and practicing, designing skills can be cultivated for anyone. DESIGNING SOFTWARESSome might think of using Microsoft Office to create their own design. Indeed, using Microsoft Office can help us save some costs from hiring a professional. However, this is not advisable as this office softwares are not meant for creating logos. They are used for office tasks such as making presentations for meetings, organising records and documentation, and so on. These programs generate low resolution images. In other words, we can not use these files to print large images or we will get a burry image. The images produced by this office software will look pretty good when printed on A4 paper. But not so when printed in a larger size. A signboard typically measures 2m in length. Consider making these logos 20 times larger; these logos will be *pixelated (many square boxes within the logo and there will be zig-zag outlines). The end result is a blurry sign. Even for an entrance signboard*, the average size is 600 x 800mm. It is still a few times larger than A4. We simply cannot enlarge an A4 image and hope that it will still look good. It won't work, the image will be blurry. We need high-resolution images so that we can expand them, without sacrificing the image quality. This is why we require design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, and others, which generate high-resolution images. Buying Designing SoftwareShould we purchase this design softwares? There are free trial versions that last between one and two weeks. The question is whether you will be able to complete your design by then. Chances are NO. There are plenty of alterations before a design matures. There shall be a few versions before we can finalise the design. As for purchasing these softwares, some of them are sold only on a monthly subscription basis. These monthly subscription fees range between SG $30 and SG $40. How many months do you intend to subscribe to? Some software providers do offer one-time purchases. It could cost around SG $200. Besides pricing, there are two other factors to consider before purchasing these softwares. 1. Do you know how to use them? 2. Are you able to make use of the functions in the software to assist you in designing? If not, then it is a kind of waste to purchase these softwares.
Just Need A Simple DesignJust need simple wording stating the company name? That sounds easy to design. But NO, every stroke of the letter is design. Unless we're using the font library's standard font styles, if not the designer will have to draw every stroke. If you are fine with using the font styles found in the font library, then just make your selection among the long list of fonts. But then, wasn't that be too simple? Ok, at least avoid font styles that are commonly used for writing, such as Calibri, Arial, and Times New Roman. These are Microsoft's default font styles, making them far too common. How To Self-Create Logo For Signs Making?You can still create your draft using Microsoft Words, Paint or even a sketch on a piece of paper. After which, send your draft to the designing firm. Designing firm charge high for concept design. Seem you have already draft the ideas, designing fees will be significantly lower, as they will not have to come out with a whole new design concept. There are no "miracle" resolution converter softwares. In fact, the design firm must redraw the entire logo based on your draft. They will have to redraw your concepts in high resolution. This version is also known as a "workable" file, which means that any future resizing and editing can be done without redrawing everything. Without a "workable" file, the signs maker won't be able to resize the design to match accordingly to match the actual physical environment. This is the main reason why some experience difficulties in engaging signs makers. Sign Makers are handymen who are skilled at creating artifacts. However, because graphic design is not their forte, they will most likely reject your jobs unless you provide them with a "workable" file. Some of them are very good at using these design softwares, but they still prefer their clients to provide them with the design. The reason for this is that they specialize in sign making rather than graphic design, and they are concerned that they will not be able to meet your requirements. Furthermore, graphic design is time-consuming, draining off their time for all other production work. As for the design firms, not all of them will like to provide these "convert" or "recreate" services. They will rather offer you a full new design package. Because this is where they can make a name for themselves and make more money. Bosimi Design & Creation does have these recreation services. Pride In Your CreationApart from saving money, self-creating your design gives you a sense of ownership. This developed self-esteem will be a significant boost to one's confidence in establishing their company, which is especially important for new startups. Never doubt your ability to be creative. Everyone has their own unique way of presenting ideas. So nothing shall really hinder your way in getting a good logo.
Design Tips1. Simplicity is the bestOverwhelming with details, will make the design confusing. The focus point had to be clear. Furthermore, a complicated design might create an oppressive feel. No one likes to be stressed out. A simple design will be much easier to digest. A simple design does not necessarily imply a lack of information. There's nothing wrong with leaving some white space in your design. 2. CreativityWith creativity, we can have a unique design rather than a common one. That will really need to think out of earth into the vast universal of infinity. 3. ExpressionExpression is how ideas are presented out. 4. Public Acceptance4.1 MonetaryAs long as the works are accepted and liked by vast majority of the public, they are considered to be successful. Being too artistic, where only a few could appreciate, will be hard to generate any monetary value. It's kind of a shallow mindset to tie art with monetary. But we live in reality, we need money to survive. Perhaps I shall rephrase it in another way that may sound more noble: Arts serve larger audiences with more "likes", serve a larger purpose. 4.2 ConformityWe enjoy being in groups. So, in order to be a part of the group, we will look out for similarities as a form of group identity. Imagine that you are with your friends, and they come up with an idea that you don't agree with. Will you go against the crowd or will you just follow them despite the fact that you don't like the idea? Perhaps you will say you will be firm. But did you even give in, and how many times? Conformity is also known as peer pressure. So, when many people around you claim a particular product is good, you tend to be influenced. This is why Facebook "likes" are so important. We can be creative, but I would advise you not to try your luck challenging social norms. Be conservative, Be safe. Logo DesignWith the company name as the logo, will be a direct approach to gain publicity. There is no need to include the business entity such as Pte Ltd, LLP, etc. Example: Benson Restaurant, ABC Tuition, Orange, etc... I made-up these company names just for illustration. But will you know what Orange does? Therefore, getting the right company name is extremely important. Core Principles In Logo Design1. appearance 2. Bringing out the company's brand 3. Adaptable to a variety of sign-making styles Positioning Of Company Name With Logo1. Company name within (in the middle) of the logo 2. Company name near or at the bottom of the logo 3. Company name beside the logo; on the right side of logo 4. Company name is the logo itself Check the example images below for company name and logo placement. There are, of course, other ways to present your company name and logo. Above are the commonly found ways. I will recommend following them as they are already proven to be accepted by the public.
Design Example: Amanda Maid AgencyUsing my maid agency as example (Read earlier post, I was citing a maid agency as example), we had chosen blue as our corporate colours, which symbolise water for cleaning. Look (above image), I have got a real simple design, a plain wording as logo. It doesn't really mean that we need to have some unique shapes or lines to be classified as a logo. I did select my font style from the standard library. Can you guess the name of the chosen font style? Must Logo Be Some Form Of Shapes?As I previously stated, we do not need to have some unique shapes or lines to be classified as a logo; wordings can also be classified as a logo. It is up to individual preference to have wordings, drawings or both for their logo. OK, if you are still not convinced or you still prefer to have some form of shape, let's go through the conventional way. Typically, a company name is accompanied by a logo drawing on the left. We saw many companies using a woman with a duster as a logo. To be unique, we have chosen a water sprayer and cloth to be our logo. Square Logo For Web page And Social Media ProfileFollowing what I mentioned in my pervious post, we need to prepare ourselves with a square logo too. This square logo can then be used as our web page logo or social media profile for Facebook, Instagram, etc., Using the rectangular logo, it's shape can't fit nicely into the square image container of the site. The image will be cropped, losing much of the logo details. Or we'll have to resize the logo to fit. However, there will be a lot of space above and below the logo. Furthermore, the logo will be too small to be seen, especially on mobile devices. We created another square logo for our site. Coming Up With Your Own Design Or Engage The Professional?Entrusting your company's logo creation to the professional will be a much easier option. However, that come with a price. Make your choices wisely. Not all designers produce good pieces of work. Some are just designing software users but title themselves as designers. Just like any youtube users can claim themselves to be youtubers. We will have to see their videos and viewership to judge their success. So before we entrust our logo design to a designer, we will review his/her previous work to see if we will like to entrust them with our job. Personally, I feel that the most important attribute to being a great designer is creativity, followed by expression. We had come to the end of this post. So, have you decided whether to self-create, partial-create or entrust the entire creation to a design firm? Editor's Note:
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After getting a signboard right on top of the main door, one can start his/her business. Was it really that simple? There are more to that. We need to consider logo design, location, types of signage, etc,.
I will be sharing some tips on signage planning and decision making. Learn how to build an effective marketing campaign through the placement signage at the right location, along with other tips such as design and colours. Read on each post to find out more. |