Rubber Cheese's Notes
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No, we don't mean Bodie and Doyle....now I'm showing my age. So you've started your new business and the purse strings are tight (We know, we've been there!) So why should you be paying out good money for a logo that you could do yourself? We'll give you a few things to think about below...
1. Are You Memorable?
The one thing you want when you start any business are clients/customers! You need them to remember your company name and image in a flooded market, so your logo has to be original, memorable and eye catching all at once. Most companies now have computer software that allows you to create images and text or even use clipart, but using clipart in your logo will limit your appeal, anyone could use the same image in their logo and then your original idea isn't so original. A designer will look at your company in-depth, finding out about your aims, goals, ideal customers, target market etc. They will also look at how you want to be perceived by your clients, whether it's corporate, reliable, sexy etc and create a core brand for you, not just a logo design, but the colours and fonts that you use too.
2. Can You Use It?
There is also the problem that whatever you created your logo in may not be a programme that is design standard, these being Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Freehand or Corel Draw. Printing firms are very specific about what file formats that they will accept. You might come up with an excellent idea but because of the way it's been created you may have to pay to get it re-designed anyway.
3. Time Saving
Graphic Designers are expert at Graphic Design, whereas you are an expert at your business. By using their expertise you'll save yourself time and get the job done right first time. They know how to create the right look and feel to attract your target market.
4. Too Close for Comfort?
Are you too close to your business to be objective? You may not be able to see your strengths and weaknesses as clearly as an outsider may. Designers can really see how best to present your business or product, and design your material for maximum effect!
Copyright © Rubber Cheese® 2008
1. Are You Memorable?
The one thing you want when you start any business are clients/customers! You need them to remember your company name and image in a flooded market, so your logo has to be original, memorable and eye catching all at once. Most companies now have computer software that allows you to create images and text or even use clipart, but using clipart in your logo will limit your appeal, anyone could use the same image in their logo and then your original idea isn't so original. A designer will look at your company in-depth, finding out about your aims, goals, ideal customers, target market etc. They will also look at how you want to be perceived by your clients, whether it's corporate, reliable, sexy etc and create a core brand for you, not just a logo design, but the colours and fonts that you use too.
2. Can You Use It?
There is also the problem that whatever you created your logo in may not be a programme that is design standard, these being Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Freehand or Corel Draw. Printing firms are very specific about what file formats that they will accept. You might come up with an excellent idea but because of the way it's been created you may have to pay to get it re-designed anyway.
3. Time Saving
Graphic Designers are expert at Graphic Design, whereas you are an expert at your business. By using their expertise you'll save yourself time and get the job done right first time. They know how to create the right look and feel to attract your target market.
4. Too Close for Comfort?
Are you too close to your business to be objective? You may not be able to see your strengths and weaknesses as clearly as an outsider may. Designers can really see how best to present your business or product, and design your material for maximum effect!
Copyright © Rubber Cheese® 2008
The colours you choose to represent your business can say a lot, so are you sure the ones you've used in your designs are saying the right things? Certain colours are naturally associated with particular industries. Green for "green" companies or environmentally friendly associations, Blue is used for water companies or legal/financial businesses, and I guarantee Purple makes you think of chocolate! But what about the rest of them………
Red say's powerful, passion, love, heat & strength. Virgin, Vodafone and Coca Cola all rely on Red to stand out. It's easy to remember these companies as soon as you see red.
Yellow is bright & optimistic and can suggest sunshine & warmth. The golden arches of McDonalds are recognised the world over as a welcoming place, but be careful, it can also represent cowardice!
Blue, the colour of safety, truth & dignity. Many financial associations such as Barclays us the positive hues of blue to communicate a safe and secure place to place your money!
Green is the colour growth & nature, and has been used by environmental agencies & charities alike. Oxfam, BP and Holland & Barrett all use the positive colour in their branding.
Purple conveys wealth, intelligence & sophistication, which is why Cadbury chose it for it's velvety yummy chocolate! It does have some spiritual associations too, the Catholic faith relate it to mourning.
Brown can mean trust, but is also seen as old fashioned and frumpy in some people's eyes. Fashion & Interior trends have seen Chocolate Brown becoming increasingly popular. It's especially used in coffee bars to simulate a relaxed atmosphere.
Orange is warm and autumnal, think pumpkins and walks in the forest. It's reliable and safe, so it's not surprising that Sainsburys, EasyJet and of course Orange have all used it to excellent effect.
Black is for strength, but also globally associated with death and mourning. Organisations can use it to indicate seriousness.
White is traditionally used with other colours such as black. It can portray purity, cleanliness & lightness, but avoid it in Japan & China as Eastern cultures believe it conveys death.
That might all seem a lot to digest but it goes to show colour isn't just about personal preference. Your choices will ultimately be influenced by your companies' aims, goals & the image you want to portray.
A few things to remember…
Use company colours to tie all your marketing material together.
Use colour for impact and emphasis but not too much at once.
Use tints and shades for variety and stick to colours from within one colour scheme as much as possible.
BE CONSISTENT! This is extremely important when using colour. If all your titles in a page are green, then that should be repeated throughout the whole document. Stick to the exact colour chosen by your designer too. If your logo is blue, find out the CMYK value and use the same blue all the time.
Have fun with colour! Take the meanings of colour into consideration, but remember it's good to stand out from the crowd too. I mean, there's nothing cowardly about Rubber Cheese is there!
Copyright © Rubber Cheese® 2008
Red say's powerful, passion, love, heat & strength. Virgin, Vodafone and Coca Cola all rely on Red to stand out. It's easy to remember these companies as soon as you see red.
Yellow is bright & optimistic and can suggest sunshine & warmth. The golden arches of McDonalds are recognised the world over as a welcoming place, but be careful, it can also represent cowardice!
Blue, the colour of safety, truth & dignity. Many financial associations such as Barclays us the positive hues of blue to communicate a safe and secure place to place your money!
Green is the colour growth & nature, and has been used by environmental agencies & charities alike. Oxfam, BP and Holland & Barrett all use the positive colour in their branding.
Purple conveys wealth, intelligence & sophistication, which is why Cadbury chose it for it's velvety yummy chocolate! It does have some spiritual associations too, the Catholic faith relate it to mourning.
Brown can mean trust, but is also seen as old fashioned and frumpy in some people's eyes. Fashion & Interior trends have seen Chocolate Brown becoming increasingly popular. It's especially used in coffee bars to simulate a relaxed atmosphere.
Orange is warm and autumnal, think pumpkins and walks in the forest. It's reliable and safe, so it's not surprising that Sainsburys, EasyJet and of course Orange have all used it to excellent effect.
Black is for strength, but also globally associated with death and mourning. Organisations can use it to indicate seriousness.
White is traditionally used with other colours such as black. It can portray purity, cleanliness & lightness, but avoid it in Japan & China as Eastern cultures believe it conveys death.
That might all seem a lot to digest but it goes to show colour isn't just about personal preference. Your choices will ultimately be influenced by your companies' aims, goals & the image you want to portray.
A few things to remember…
Use company colours to tie all your marketing material together.
Use colour for impact and emphasis but not too much at once.
Use tints and shades for variety and stick to colours from within one colour scheme as much as possible.
BE CONSISTENT! This is extremely important when using colour. If all your titles in a page are green, then that should be repeated throughout the whole document. Stick to the exact colour chosen by your designer too. If your logo is blue, find out the CMYK value and use the same blue all the time.
Have fun with colour! Take the meanings of colour into consideration, but remember it's good to stand out from the crowd too. I mean, there's nothing cowardly about Rubber Cheese is there!
Copyright © Rubber Cheese® 2008