So you've started a business. You might have a fantastic service, trade or product you're about to begin sharing with the world in the hopes you can better peoples lives and make some loot while doing it. If your a first time business owner you'll also have just discovered how many things you need to tend to yourself. One of the first things that most business owners think about is their logo and brand identity.
Your brand identity is the first thing your customers and clients will see, and can make or break whether they choose your business. It's the face of your business and a visual representation of everything it stands. We want to help you along a little bit in the design process so that when you do reach out to a designer (hopefully us) to professionally craft your logo you've laid the ground work to get the best result.
Why Design Your Own Logo?
You've got a million things to consider as a business founder so why should you bother designing your own logo when there are professional designers out there? For starters, it's an excellent way to communicate your vision. You possess a unique insight into your business and brand that others may not fully grasp. Considering your own logo in the initial stages can help you articulate and visualize your brand's essence. Here are a few steps you can take to begin building your brand along with the right terms to search for as your go through the process:
Step 1 - Define Your Brand
It can be tempting to jump in and begin drawing up logos. Before you put pen to paper (or cursor to screen) you must define your brand. We recommend mind mapping, mood boarding and just scribbling notes on a big piece of paper. You might feel a little bit silly, or even self-conscious, as these definitions can feel very personal to you and your business. Don't worry, this is how the pros do it. You do not need to share this with anyone but your trusted creative partners and every note you take forms the bedrock for a solid brand identity. You want to think about things like: What does your business stand for? What values do you want to convey? What's your unique selling proposition (USP)? What's your one reason for doing business? The answers to these questions will serve as the foundation for your logo design.
Search Terms: Brand identity, Unique selling proposition, DIY logo design
Step 2 - Research Your Industry
Right, we've done our homework. We've got some notes and a mind map. Maybe even a mood board if you're feeling spicy and adventurous. You should have a clear picture of what your brand stands for (if not return to step one). Now it's time to check out what's happening in your industry. Research your competitors and identify common design elements, colours, the language used, product types, and associated services. You don't want to copy your competitors, but understanding industry trends and how your competition is serving the market will help your logo (and branding) resonate with your target audience. The key thing to define at this stage is what will make you stand out. You want to be memorable, especially in crowded marketplaces.
Search Terms: Industry trends, Competitor analysis, Logo inspiration, (product/service) near me
Step 3 - Choose Your Style
Logos come in various styles — from minimalist to intricate, classic to modern. Consider the nature of your business and the emotions you want your logo to evoke. Are you aiming for a sleek and contemporary look, or does a vintage vibe align more with your brand? A quick note here, be mindful of the shapes and elements you start gravitating towards.
Search Terms: Logo styles, Minimalist design, Vintage logos (insert year) style
Step 4 - Color Psychology Matters
Colors play a crucial role in brand perception. Different colors evoke different emotions, so choose your palette wisely. For instance, blue may convey trust and reliability, while red is associated with passion and energy. Think about the message you want to convey and select colors accordingly. Pay close attention to your competitors too as colours can become associated with industries and being bold and different can lead to a lot more attention from customers.
Search Terms: Color psychology, Brand colors, Emotional impact of colors
Step 5 - Fonts Speak Volumes
Just as with colors, the font you choose for your logo can communicate a lot about your brand. A sleek, modern font might work well for a tech startup, while a script font could be perfect for a boutique or artisanal brand. Make sure you avoid any pitfalls like papyrus, comic sans or bleeding cowboys. Keep in mind that the font you choose for your logo does not have to be used in your business anywhere else, but considering how it could blend in alongside other typefaces can lead to a more cohesive brand feel.
Search Terms: Typography in logos, Font selection, Brand fonts
Step 6 - Sketching Your Ideas
Congratulations, you've created a brand brief! You now have a solid understanding of your brand, industry, style, colors, and fonts. This is the time to get creative! Start by sketching out rough ideas. Don't worry about perfection at this stage; the goal is to get your concepts on paper. A professional logo designer or branding specialist could create 30-40 tiny thumbnail concepts in one sitting before going back and picking out 3-5 that really align with the brief. Don't worry about if they tightly fit the brief too, be loose, fast, and get as many ideas down as you can. Every concept you don't choose, is a step closer to one you will.
Search Terms: Logo sketching, Initial logo ideas, Creative brainstorming
Step 7 - Feedback
A note on feedback. It can be tempting at this stage to want to share everything with the people around you; friends, family, neighbours, that one guy you see on your morning jog. You might even want to share it with potential customers*. Before you do, and we mean this in the nicest way possible, don't. People have bias, and unprofessional feedback can leave you feeling deflated or pursuing a visual direction that is off brief and off brand. If you want feedback, consider researching feedback groups on Reddit or social media as they can be truly impartial - at the risk of being brutal. FYI this is why choosing a designer like Black Tusk Creative is a good idea, because then you provide all the feedback based on our top notch skills and design work.
Search Terms: Logo feedback, Iterative design process, Soliciting design opinions
Step 8 - Picking A Winner
Simple, pick the one that works the best, aligns with the brief and gives you the right 'gut feeling'. This is about vibe more than anything else. Make sure the logo works at different scales, is legible and memorable and your pretty much all set.
Search Terms: Good Logo Design, Choosing A Logo
Step 8 - Refine and Digitise
Here's where you begin to refine your chosen concept and bring your logo into the digital realm. You will need to use graphic design software** to create a polished version of your logo. If you need help contact Black Tusk and we can create this final version for you based on all your hard work.
Search Terms: Digital logo design, Online logo creation tools, DIY logo digitisation
Step 9 - Seek Professional Advice
Now, here's where the Black Tusk Creative team can lend a hand or any creative partner of your choice. While you've done an admirable job crafting your logo the above guide is just a beginning point. There's immense value in having professionals fine-tune it for you and they can jump in at any stage to assist. At Black Tusk Creative we specialize in transforming concepts into compelling visual identities. We can enhance your logo, align it seamlessly with a cohesive brand and captivate your audience.
Conclusion
That's it, have at it. Get sketching and thinking and mood-boarding and create something unique to your business. Your logo is the first interaction customers will have with your brand so take your time and get it right. If your thinking "this is too much for me" then call us to finesse your brand and make it shine. Remember — your logo is more than just an image; it's the visual embodiment of what you want your customers and industry to think of you. Wondering if you can get the BTC secret sauce for your new logo and brand? Email us at blacktruskcrew@gmail.com for logo and brand building services or if you just need some pointers on your logo work :) *There is a strategy for this with Kickstarter and Patreon businesses, where brand building becomes part of the customer journey and buy-in to your project. Talk to us if you need help as this is more advanced brand strategy and goes beyond just creating a logo. **And we don't mean Canva, for the love of all that is holy do not just use Canva to design your logo. It will look gimmicky and dime a dozen. We know you're better than that!
Comentarios