Logo evolution

Some brands keep the same logo for decades, but some like to reinvent the wheel every once in a while. It's amazing to see the transformations that some logos have taken as the years pass and design grows. Sure, there is risk involved, but if it keeps the brand fresh without offending brand loyal customers, I'm all for it. Some of the biggest names in branding have done it a lot...probably more than you are or I am aware of. And that's a good sign that they did it right with little disruption. 

  

Pepsi is by far my favorite evolution. It came a long way, and ironically started out looking very much like Coke. 

Logo redesigns

There is a time in a brand's life where it may need to revisit the drawing board. Redesigning a logo has challenges. You don't want to stray too far or risk losing any brand awareness...that is, of course, unless you are trying to run from something. I wonder when and why it's a good time to redesign a logo. Here are a few redesigns I found at Logo Guru and my take on them:

I like this one for Airtel. I think it has a much more modern feel and brings some softness to it with the addition of the curved lines and more casual text.  

Oh Dodge. Why oh why did you think this was a good idea. The Ram has power. Your new stripes do not. Can it get any more generic than this?

I'm in the middle on this one. I like the redesign – it's clean and light – but I'm not sure the need was there to change. Maybe it's subtle enough that it just freshens up the brand, and if that was the goal, then good job to the designers.

How Design Conference 2011

I haven't made it here yet, but hope to one day. This event always falls in my industry's busy season, and so I'm cursed to have to watch it pass by each year. Not sure it's the right reason to find another job, but I sometimes contemplate that. But seriously, I've heard great things about this conference and encourage designers from all backgrounds to check it out.

http://www.howconference.com/GeneralMenu/

Show & Tell 12-11-10

Let's be honest – graphic design is fun. And we are the lucky ones who have a career doing something that is fun. We don't enter data, we don't crunch numbers, and we don't push paperwork. We love our careers but that doesn't mean they don't come with hurdles and challenges, especially when you mix graphic design with the business side of things.

As designers, we make things look good…but we also have to make it sell, intrigue, gain attention, persuade, show, tell, inspire, etc. And sometimes with no direction and nowhere to start.

The link below will take you to a good design blog that has some real-world advice for designers. Filled with tips and ideas to help you on the business side of design, this blog also has links to galleries, contests, and lots more to explore. I haven't been following long, but plan to do so now that I've found it.

http://theperfectdesign.com/blog/

Logo ideas

I find designing logos to be one of the most fun and yet most challenging projects. Starting from scratch with no limitations can be overwhelming at times. What colors? What shape? What look and feel? And to top it off, what can I do differently?
If you find yourself stumped, gain some inspiration from Logo Pond's gallery (click to view). Sometimes seeing work from other designers can create a spark in your own workflow. Here are few of my favorites:

Olympic logos for 2014

Sometimes you can have more than one good idea for a project. Design is subjective, and that's what makes it entertaining and challenging at the same time. There is never one right answer or direction, but what do you do when you've got a few good ideas? Which direction do you go and how do you narrow it down? This was the plight of some logo designers for the 2014 Olympics. The two options are below. Click the link to see the discussion on each version...there is a great discussion of the designs through commentators.

http://www.mcwade.com/DesignTalk/2009/12/does-sochis-olympic-logo-work/

According to the internet...

play – noun#4:  fun or jest, as opposed to seriousness: I said it merely in play.

As I post this month's definition of "play," I think about what it means to me. The great thing about design is that it can be just that – fun or jest. Yes, it's true that while at work, my boss may not appreciate my bastardizing of the logo in fun. However, great ideas that work in the business sense can be built from this sort of play with design. Try an absurd color. Make a crazy lopsided shape. Layer 15 things on top of each other. We all know that play is how you get to mockups, and mockups can get you to "that's exactly what I was looking for." A phrase all designer love to hear.

Show & Tell 12-04-10

A Twisted Film

This short film will not disappoint. I love a good horror flick, and at the start, I thought I was going to get just that. I don't want to give away the ending though, so take a few minutes and watch it. This film is a prime example of how the filmmaker holds the power to make you feel what they want you to feel. The cinematography and sound are excellent as well. It has a true film feel to it with the great depth of field present.

Here's the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4meeZifCVro