Deciding on a logo for your business can be a very exciting time. It can also be a very frustrating experience if you’re not ready for it. Designing your logo is usually the first step towards creating an identity for your brand. Keep that in mind during the entire process.
When choosing clothes to wear, a car to drive, a home to live in – you’re making these decisions based on who you are, what you want, your plans for the future, and even what you want others to see in you. These are decisions you make based on a lifetime of self-exploration and finding your own identity.
Why then do some entrepreneurs rush through the design process for their business in a matter of days, sometimes even hours? Don’t get me wrong, if you have a clear direction for your business, and a solid brief – if a designer just happens to hit the mark with the first idea that comes to mind – then congratulations.
Honestly though, how often does that happen? Be responsible…take the time needed, and ask yourself these five questions before and during the logo design process:
- What’s your budget? Unfortunately, this may limit your options, but not to the extent that it once did. Lucky for you and I (unless you happen to be a designer), crowd sourcing has become a cost-efficient way to get a great logo. Be warned though, crowd sourcing isn’t always full of success stories. Then again, hiring a designer is always somewhat of a risk, no matter who you find for the job.
- Is your logo recognizable? Is there something about your logo that makes it unique? Are people going to know what they’re looking at after they’ve seen it a few times? Will they be able to describe it (at least vaguely) after seeing it a few dozen times?
- Is your logo versatile? So you know what your business plans are for the year? Great! What about the next ten? Is your logo going to allow you to venture out into other potential products and/or services? Do your best to think up the possibilities.
- Does your logo portray the correct identity? Does it speak for all topics/categories covered? Does it represent your target market (demographic)? What is it telling people? What qualities does it scream? Authority? Edgey? Young? Alive? Professional? Simplicity? What do you want it to say?
- Does your logo stand on its own? The logo may look amazing on fancy backdrops, with shadows here, gloss there, and glitter everywhere – but does it hold its own?
When answering these questions, be honest with yourself, but don’t confuse planning with obsession. Perfectionism not only WON”T lead to a “perfect” logo, it may even lead to no logo at all.
How do you control perfectionism? That’s another article – and you’ll be one of the first to read it – just be sure to subscribe so that you’re notified when we publish it. 
Krista
April 7, 2009
JABacchetta
April 7, 2009
Eddie Garcia
April 23, 2009