Logomarks
A logomark is a graphic design that is the face of the brand, the most noticeable element of your company. There are no words, just design and it can be one of the most crucial aspects of your company.
Simplicity
When coming to the stage of creating your own logomark, simplicity is a factor that plays a big part in the success and relevancy of your brand. An overly complicated logomark can be distracting and could oversell your brand to consumers. Many people look to the logomark to help translate what the brand is and if the logomark fails to do, then the road to a successful and trusted brand will become longer.
Attention/Holding power
Your logomark should capture the eye of the consumer as if your brand is able to hold that power within Consumers the more it will attract them to your brand; it will make curious. Having the power to make customers look twice or pick up the product can have a lot to do with your logomark as it is the window of your brand and can help decide how trustworthy your brand can be.
Application
A key factor should be how it can be applied in assorted sizes like a website, app, or leaflet; does it fit and appear aligned with text or does it apply with visual hierarchy. If the logomark cannot appear in diverse sizes, it can make it look unprofessional and untidy to the consumer; making your brand overall look unprofessional and untidy.
Competition
This would fit within the power holding of the logomark as when it comes to your competition, you are especially wanting to have the attention of the consumer. With competition comes comparison within other brands in that field, so it is best to create something unique but memorable that helps you stand out over your competitors.
Tone
When you first establish your brand, you become aware of the key values you want your brand to represent such as fun, stylish, or serious. These values should be consistent when developing your brand further, so it would make sense to incorporate them within your logomark. You could do this with a specific colour scheme or specific shapes or symbols. The logo is the first visual translation of your brand, so it would be good to incorporate these values as well.
Fashion ability/Relevance
You could consider this factor as another way of holding power to grab a consumer’s attention, it could be following the design trends and keeping it modern by using geometric patterns. Keeping your logo updated with design trends could show the dedication you have to a consumer as your logo shows you care as a brand.
What does the UK public think of logomarks?
When researching into how important a logomark can be I came across some interesting statistics from a survey that was taken in the UK. This survey was able to capture what the UK public think when it comes to brands and highlights how significant a
brands logomark can be. An interesting statistic would be that 27% would pick a smaller business with a good, executed logo mark over a larger brand with a basic logo mark. Taking this into account it should show any small business how important a good logo mark can be as it is this 27% that is going to help kick off the journey to a successful and influential brand.
Another interesting statistic would be that of the same group of people, about 50% would say the logo mark would be the priority within their brand and that a third of the group would say the logo mark helps define what the product/brand is. The logo mark to the UK public shows that it is a significant factor for a brand as it is an uncomplicated way of visual information that many can understand. Some people depend on the logo mark to translate the brand, so it should include the factors I discussed above to achieve a well-rounded logo for your brand.
What is a Monogram?
A monogram is a logo that consists of a combination of letters. This can be someone’s initials or can be the initials of the brands name. To me, a monogram is a very modern way to approach a logo as it involves using shapes and finding the perfect typeface that best represents your brand. It can also help a consumer remember your brand as using the letters that are about your brand’s title will stick in someone’s memory.
What I found intriguing in the PowerPoint section about monograms was its first use within history as it was first used by the Greek and Romans in 350BC as it was issued onto coins with many Greek/Roman cities initials. I looked more into the history of monograms and after their use on coins it was then used in the Middle Ages as a way of leaving a signature, especially amongst sculptures and painters. An example of this was a famous Dutch painter called Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, who started leaving his mark as R and then later developed that into RHL.
Monograms then became a way of leaving royal status as they became a way to mark personal belongings, household items, royal banners, and the coat of arms. We still see this today as the royal signature today is still signed with HR.
Some of my favourite brands that use a monogram are usually brands that produce high quality fashion such as Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein, and Coco Chanel. I have grown up with these monograms and they are the first examples that come to my head. It makes me have a respect for monograms as I consider them as a mark of elegance and class as those are values, I match with the brands I have listed above.
The Visual Marque
There are several types of logos you can choose to do when it comes to the design section of your brand. You could start with the pictorial approach to your logo meaning a simple clear image that is associated or represents your brand can be used as the logo mark. Choosing this you can explore many ideas of positioning, colours and freedom with your logo as you have a vast collection of ideas in front of you.
If you do not take the pictorial path, you could investigate using abstract marks, which monograms would fit into this. This approach with your logomark lets you play around with shape and colour to create a modern and aesthetic logomark. This does limit your freedom to explore with your logomark as there are less paths to investigate. However, using an abstract mark ca show expression and when done right can create a modern and fashionable logo.
Ruth Kedar
When looking through famous logo designers work, I thought it would be notable to look into a designer that has created on of the most recognised logo today which would be Google.
Kedar is a Brazilian designer who has a very impressive design background as she earned a degree in architecture then moving on to attain a Masters degree in graphic design from Stanford University. With this amount of achievement through design, Kedar moved on to have one of the most successful logomarks that is still active today.
The Google that Kedar created is successful is so many ways as its use of bright yet simple colours and the light hearted font, leaves an impression on the consumer as I feel it makes the user safe and installs trust into using the site. It is this trust that makes Google thrive today.
