I was browsing the web just now and I came across this article on Logo Design Blog called How to use color in logo design to effectively communicate the right message.  Many people don’t realize this, but color can make or break a design. Color can be used as a tool to communicate as well as evoke emotion. Using the proper colors in design is an important skill to learn as an artist. Perhaps you want to create a feminine feel for a particular design. Although cliche, pink evokes femininity, innocence, softness and health. Take for instance the breast cancer logo below; a pink ribbon meant to imply femininity and health.

Its fairly common for companies to feel that its time for a corporate identity update. Whether it be a fresh new look, or something more modern, even the most famous companies who have world wide recognition of their branding, sometimes feel the need for some updates. However, the end result can be awesome, or a complete disaster. 25 Exciting Redesigned Logos Of 2008 is a look into famous corporate identities that have been around for years, but recently decided to try something new. Be sure to check the article out. Which redesigns are awesome, and which are a disaster?

As a designer, inspiration is key to coming with unique and creative ideas. Why not get inspired daily by adding some creativity to your workspace? 25 Creative Office Ideas To Make Your Workplace Look REALLY Cool shows some of the most creative office tools and gadgets that designers could come up with. My personal favorite, the delete key eraser, is below. Be sure to check out the link above for more fun and inspirational ideas!

Designers are always in need of stock photos. While I was in class yesterday, my professor directed us towards this amazing website called stock.xchng. Stock.xchng carries FREE royalty photos for commercial and personal use! These photos aren’t like the ones that you find on Google images which may be low resolution or even copyrighted. You can actually find a wide variety of high resolution images that are free to download! The idea is to exchange photographs between people who need them and people who are creating them which gives many an alternative to the expense of stock photography. You can browse the photos as much as you like, and if you find a photo you’d like to download, all you need is a free account.

Adobe Photoshop has managed to bring artist’s creativity to a whole new level. The powerful software makes it possible for artists to think outside of the box and allows for even the most unique images to be altered and created. Although most people use Photoshop for simple image manipulations such as lighting, cropping, etc… others take the software to extremes.

I came across 45 strange and funny Photoshop manipulations on the web this morning. Some of these images are extremely disturbing but some will leave you in awe.

Below is my favorite image out of the group. Check out the original blog entry on a site called  Graphic Design Blog. It will certainly add some inspiration to your day.

Check out this neat Vector Panda tutorial. The author shows step by step instructions on how to create a panda face icon from ellipses using Adobe Illustrator.  The great part about this tutorial, is that you can easily apply the techniques to other icons, illustrations, logos, or other projects that you may work on in the future. Below is my finished panda icon customized with a purple background of course!

Vector Panda: Final Image

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with The Pantone Formula Guide, this resource helps better manage print jobs and is an essential tool for graphic designers, pre-press professionals and printers.

The simple design of the Guide provides a convenient and portable color reference library that can accompany you at client presentations or on press runs. The guide contains a full range of 1,114 colors from the Pantone Matching System, with corresponding ink mixing formulas in parts and percentages to ensure the correct ink formulations are prepared.

I personally have found this guide to be VERY useful. People tend to get caught up with what color looks like on a monitor, but unfortunately when it goes to print, the spectral properties of the paper and or ink may change the perceived color. The Pantone Matching System allows for a more accurate color selection process and helps provide designers with a resource to present to clients.

Another useful feature for designers is that Adobe software actually includes swatch libraries with Pantone formulas preloaded. This allows designers to preview the color with realistic paper and lighting and easily find the exact same color with in the swatch library.

Healing Touch Massage Company Branding

This company branding package was made for a Massage Therapist who I actually work with at my “day” job. She decided to start her own massage business on the side, and needed some help with her company branding. As you can see above, I created her a logo, company letterhead, envelope, and a front and back business card. The look we were trying to relay was a sense of health, nature, relaxation, and peace. This was a fun design to work on and I believe the goal of the project was definitely achieved!

Chara Michele Photography Company Branding

I just recently finished  a company branding package for Chara Michele Photography. It was such a neat experience because my favorite types of designs are girly and fun! As you can see above, I created her a logo, company letterhead, envelope, a front and back business card and a banner for her webpage. I really enjoyed this design process and just thought I would share it. Be sure to view Chara Michele Photography’s new look at at the business’s website.

In order to come up with a strong logo design, it is important to create a system that can be used time and again. This routine should facilitate your thought process as well as make use of your creative skills to come up with custom logo designs that are professional and pleasing to the client.

Step one is to start with research. It is critical to know your client’s company. Researching competitors and other similar companies can help a designer come up with ideas. Creating a design brief form to have a client fill out prior to coming up with preliminary designs is also a good way to get to know your clients company and taste.

Creating pencil sketches (aka thumbnails) is the next step in the design process. Although many designers feel this step is unnecessary, it is much faster to brainstorm and sketch a variety of thumbnails and develop your strongest ideas on the computer as opposed to starting with design software. This allows the designer to be more efficient with their time and is likely to strengthen the final logo design as well.

After choosing a few of the strongest pencil sketches, it is now time for the designer to create some preliminary designs utilizing design software. Using a vector-based program such as Adobe Illustrator allows the logo to be transferred to a variety of programs and remain flexible. It is best to create these designs in only black and white to start. Color is filled with emotion and can distract the client from the overall design. Once the client chooses a final logo design, then color can be discussed and added. Once color selections have been made, the final logo composition is complete.

Using a process such as this will ensure a well-rounded system and promote strong logo designs time after time.