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The Design Process of a Great Logo
The practice of interviewing interesting and relevant bloggers isn't new. It's a great way to generate new content, promote your blog/website, make new friends and build lasting relationships for you and your blog. Traditionally this was done over emails but took much time and effort on both parts. Now there is a social network to do this more efficiently and hassle free - Peopleized! I'm proud to be part of this new website with the logo I've designed and here is how it came about:Months before Peopleized launched, I received an email from on of the site's creator, Halil, for an interview to be published once his site was completed. At first I thought he was preparing for a blog where he would interview different bloggers and provide a "behind-the-scenes" perspective to their readers. However, I was told, that this will not be the case. Peopleized is a totally new network of bloggers who have very good content on their blogs but still have a problem reaching out to new readers.
After completing my interview, as a natural born freelancer I took the opportunity to offer my graphic design services and help improve the look of this interesting new concept. An effective logo one of the most important branding tools. It provides an easily recognizable identity for your blog or website.
The following logo (P!) was in place before I took over my tablet and started photochopping. In my opinion, this logo showed a serious attitude, lacked the flare of a Web 2.0 startup and didn't reflect the "fun factor" that is in interviewing, and getting interviewed by fellow bloggers. A well thought out logo should promote those qualities you want people to associate with your site.
My initial reaction to this logo was that it's not good enough for the brand. It's not interesting enough to make a strong impression, and didn't deliver a clear message. What makes a great logo as opposed to a good logo is that it has to make an immediate impact. Your logo should catch the viewer's eye and hold the viewer's attention. In addition to impact, a good logo must be good to look at.
The smiley face with the tongue sticking out is easily recognizable as the first letter P and also welcomes all internet users with a form that is familiar to them. Not only it evokes a positive image but also a sense of goodwill. Yet, something was missing from the logo and did not have that certain "unique" feel to it. In order to be recognizable, the logo must be distinct.
To reinforce the brand identity, the next "common sense" step was to incorporate the star shape in the logo. The star accurately represents the "promote yourself" bit of being interviewed and connecting with other bloggers in the meantime. Moreover, this shape instills a positive feeling in the users that resonates long after they have seen the logo.
Though, dealing with a non-standard shape like a star (compared to a circle or square) was trickier than I thought so I kept on trying different things. For some reason, it was not coordinating well with the smiley face. I tried making the star bigger..
..and bigger..
..until I found the right size, stylized the P letter a little bit more, and can we have the drum roll please!
I must say I'm very pleased with the final outcome and so were the people behind this website. Even Seth Godin, the godfather of branding and marketing, liked it! Special thanks to Halil and Euripidis for fitting the graphics just right into the code. If you look close enough, you will see the amount of detail that is taken into consideration:
In addition to the logo, I also designed the favicon, icons and buttons on the homepage. My final tip about logo designs is the following: In order to ensure your logo will have enduring and "timeless" appeal, employ a professional graphic designer. This initial investment will save you money in the long-term.
So, what are you waiting for? Get "peopleized" and enjoy this new way of promoting yourself via interviews. I'm already a member and look forward to the opportunities that it has for building an online presence. Feel free to look around my profile and fave my interview (fave my and I fave yours?) that was published along with the launch.
Check out these promotional products such as stress balls and custom coolers when branding your new products!
37 thoughts:
Good job.
Nice job Ilker! It's cool to see the whole process in action!
Its... ok. Its not bad, but I don't quite share the author's enthusiasm for the final product. I suspect it'll grow tired-looking rather rapidly.
It also reminds me of Carls Jr/Hardees :)
It's a semicolon with an italic P on a star...whoopie! Not impressed.
I think you missed the mark with this. It's better than the first one, but you should really concept MUCH more than what you did.
Firstly, the color scheme doesn't really have any sort of "human/people" connection. The orange/yellow schme is actually working against the design by making both elements blend TOO much. Cohesion is a good thing in logos, but too much cohesion and it's bland.
Secondly, I understand that you were trying to achieve the emoticon face, but it really doesn't come across very well. Especially after you italicized the sans serif font - removing any web association that it could have potentially carried.
Thirdly, the image is off-balance. There's no visual weight in a colon; therefore, it pushes the "P" too far to the right (the italic doesn't help, either)
Lastly, it just doesn't mean anything. There's no message. It's just a star and an emoticon with some cheap effects. Is it for new software? Is it for a boy band? Maybe it's a new diet drink? Or - as a previous comenter said, maybe it's a rip-off of Carls Jr/Hardees.
Sorry to take the wheels off of your fun wagon, but you should expect a thorough, critical response to a blog titled "The Design Process of a Great Logo".
Good luck in the future.
(also - you may want to avoid gradients and/or color-reliant logos altogether. You might want to fax, embroider, etc. that logo someday and then you'll be stuck with a weak version of it.If a logo can't stand on it's own in black and white, it needs more work...)
ILker,
I like the logo you created, and i admire your sharing the step by step process in developing it.
For me, my logo had to be something I created, a part of my essence,my footnote, whether it was the best logo or not.
I felt I needed to create my stamp, a reflection of my philosophy, and represent the inner and expressive message which I wanted my blog to become. I spent an evening doodling around on paper,talking about what I was trying to say via the logo, and how its image needed to be my concept . My partner, with more artistic know how embellished it, and to my surprise added some of my sketch as a pattern within the logo as if a coat of arms.I appreciated that immensely because when I saw it , it told me how much he respected my concept and focused on improving it without any fundamental changes. It also became the symbol of our partnership.
jon
Hi Ilker, I have to thank you for creating our logo. I know it wasn´t really easy for you to work with Euripidis and me:P.
I also got interviewed recently, but I don't remember seeing the website prior to the redesign.
While the colon and the 'P' work in terms of 'Net grammar, there are still going to be those that don't quite get it.
I would have tried a variation whereby the colon-P device was rotated 30-35 degrees clockwise, put a curve on the vertical of the P (think in terms of the smiley swoosh under the Amazon logo,) narrowed the width of the arch, so it looks more like an open mouth and made the colons looks like laughing eyes.
The more you can anthropomorphize the logo without detracting from the meaning, the less people have to think about what they're looking at...
Hehe...oh man!
To all the critics:
"Every little boy can step on a bug and kill it but all the scientists of the world can´t rebuild it."
Ilker - I like your logo! It´s kicking ass.
And Josh:
"Lastly, it just doesn't mean anything. There's no message. It's just a star and an emoticon with some cheap effects. Is it for new software? Is it for a boy band? Maybe it's a new diet drink?"
Did you ever see the Apple Logo? Virgin or Starbucks??? Of course those logos have a crystal clear message what exactly the company is doing righ?!?
Branding has nothing to do with sending out a message - sorry.
It´s what the company does that gives a logo meaning and power.
But it´s easier for a meaningless cool logo to become powerful then for a company with a dumb ass name like " myinterview" with a logo that has a microphone or something else obvious related to interviewing people.
That´s branding 1x1.
Much power to all of you!
Looks like Steli is the only person to understand about brand and marketing.
Josh, what message does McDonalds golden arches, Nike swoosh, or stylized Coca-Cola logo have?
"Is it for fast food? Is it for sports clothes? Maybe it's a new diet drink?"
NONE! Yet they are some of the greatest and most prominent brands the world has ever seen.
Why? Oh nevermind.....
This is a great logo indeed! As for the critics, only Wayne provides some constructive feedback while the rest is just jealous thinking:
"How come I didn't think of that first?!"
My, you have several critics today! Some jealous I suppose – LOL. Others just don’t understand the concept of taking the entire site into consideration when designing a logo, as mentioned in your post. I’m confident in you as a person of strong character and thus know you welcome and can accept constructive criticisms. First, the logo is professional and ideal for their site. Second, Peopleized will make their own mark on the logo in time, as McDonald’s and all logos have. Nonetheless, this is ‘the thinking blog’, and to each their own thoughts! In re to Peopleized, Thank you for introducing your Readers to this ground-breaking site!
Thanks to all the criticism, views and suggestions.
@Anonymous 1: I think the logo will grow along with the website and adapt to people's expectations. If it is already a great logo then I don't think anyone will wait for a change. Also thanks for mentioning Carls Jr, I've never heard of it before (and the Paris Hilton commercial they made :S).
@Josh: Different colors and shades can have different effects on people because of color association. The color scheme selected is done according to the website and I think it is rather different from all the yellow/red logos associated with fast food.
Moreover, there is a black and white version of the logo as well that is not displayed here because initially the logo will be used on the web and digital environment only.
I would expect lots of different perspectives on a post titled "The Design Process of a Great Logo" but bear in mind that it is NOT titled "The Design Process of the Greatest Logo Ever!"
@Wayne Smallman: Since the website is geared towards bloggers and long time internet users, I don't think people will have a difficulty understanding it.
Anytime someone types :P in a chat session, they will immediately be reminded of Peopleized (that is, assuming the website takes off and the brand becomes commonly known). As far as I'm aware, I haven't seen any business use this emoticon before, whereas :) is used by many.
Though, I have to agree that the "face" of the star could be made more joyful by morphing the eyes and the "P" just a little bit. Your suggestions are really good and thank you for sharing your thoughts.
@Steli Efti: I think you did a good job to in describing what branding is all about. Very well said:
"
Branding has nothing to do with sending out a message - sorry. It´s what the company does that gives a logo meaning and power.
But it´s easier for a meaningless cool logo to become powerful then for a company with a dumb ass name like " myinterview" with a logo that has a microphone or something else obvious related to interviewing people.
That´s branding 1x1."
Much power to you! :P
Oh and this post was not meant to be a comprehensive guide to great logos. It is just my personal point of view as I developed this particular logo with bits of advice in between. For further reading check out the Anatomy of a Logo.
Best brands are ripened slowly. Ilker Yoldas is a freakin genius on sale! You better work with him now before he gets too famous for your pocket.
I think you did a great job Ilker!
Hopefully Peopleized will be a global brand with some local touch. Just like Google search page logos in different countries and languages, you may then change the logo for adding some local flavour. Which is a piece of cake for you.
This is my vision about Peopleized. I can clearly see its true potential.
Steli, you summarized very well. You are super cool all the time :)
Ilker, i learnt a lot from your article. And i am sure you will design much better logos in the future.
Greetings from Istanbul to all!
Much better logo designs in future, hmm now way. He has got a clause in his contract which forbids him to design much better logo´s as the Peopleized logo in future.:P Sorry guys you have missed the bus. hahahahaha
You did improve the logo and it is easily recognizable. I appreciate your sharing the design process with us.
We use a gradient so I'm partial to it's visual impact. (and aware of the printing/reproduction issues.)
(I saw the Hardees resemblance too. But that might be good---their burgers are great)
Oh dear, it appears that "constructive" criticism aren't allowed today.
Never mind.
Which is even more unfortunate given I was asked by Ilker for "[my] criticism, advice and comments."
Given that I'm a designer by trade, I've written a few corporate guidelines documents in my time, as well as designing several corporate identities.
So there I was, thinking I might know a thing or too!
More fool me, eh?
I'll come back when the comment police have left...
Whenever I see a colon followed by a letter my 1337 skillz translate it to some sort of smile face.
This logo now looks like a star, sitting on its side, sticking its tongue out at me.
Not something I would want as my logo...
What good timing I must have...I am trying to design a Mommy's Getaway logo. I have been working on it for the past couple of days. Thanks for posting the article as well as the link to the previous article! I will keep working on my logo!
@Wayne Smallman: I was confused by your last comment.. I hope you didn't misunderstand me. Your excellent comment was very constructive and I'm always open to criticism.
In fact I especially thanked you in my previous comment for "your suggestions.. and.. for sharing your thoughts."
@Everyone: Design can be very subjective and what makes a good or bad piece of art is in the eye of the beerholder. So, I'm looking forward to hear your point of views.
when I look at that logo, I see PORN STAR!!
Anonymous, i think you should see a doctor, your eyes are misleading you. If that P reminds you a Porn Star, then i am so sorry for you :)
Or you are desperately in need of sex, which is not the right place to beg for...:)
If you have something to say, please comment on my blog directly, don't waste Ilker and his dear readers time. I am available anytime, i am just a newcomer, i need some traffic, come and visit my blog :)
@Merkal: I think Anonymous is just kidding. Though, you are right. I would like to see more constructive comments.
@Wayne: As you can see there is no comment police here.. all for free speech! =)
Improvement over the original, but not a "great" logo. Derivative of Carl's Jr., only lacking the casual fun of that logo. I liked the idea of playing off the smiley "P" though :P
ilker, i find your logo mildly offensive. it is sticking its tongue out at me!
/sarcasm
i think people need to chill out on criticizing the logo and look at the website that it represents. you guys did a great job at it!
The final logo looks great, and it's great to see your thought process. I can tell you puts tons of thought and care into the design. Also, it seems you were able to sell the idea very well, nicely done. It looks great on the site too.
I think it looks great! I enjoyed seeing the thought process and work that went into it, and I really like the finished product. It's modern, clean, and memorable. Good job!
Brilliant blog! Love the logo design too. I read your interview on Peopleized, and it's great. Certainly writing a good blog takes a lot of deep thought and time. Thanks for yours!
Well, coming strictly from a consumer's point of view/someone who knows nothing about graphic design, I think it's great, catchy and easy to remember.
Whether it's technically sound is up to all you experts.
This was a really nice write up on both the new site and the wonderful new identity. As a designer I truly appreciate the path you took and enjoyed reading how you went through your process. Unfortunately I don't think enough designers take the time to write up how they go through their own process and that is truly ashame. Obviously we don't want to give it all away but I believe sharing promotes better design all around. What you have done here is a great for design and will be inspirational to others going through a similar process.
Congratulations on the top notch logo and congrats on Seth's thumbs up approval. That definitely has to feel great!
Now I must venture over and check out this new site. This was a great promotional piece for the site and for yourself.
Keep on sharing!
Nice touch
Thank you all for contributing with your experience/point of view about this sincere exposition of building a logo. I am also fond of this subject.
I consider it a complex job since graphics dessigners live of this job and normally it is very well paid.
But the world is so big and when people expose their ideas about building logos they are expressing their experience in the part of the world where they are living.
Europe uses to communicate a lot with logos. But USA communicate with advertisements. So, logos mean different things in those countries. Nevertheless, you mostly mentioned american multinationals as examples.
I like the logo, but consider that experience is the most valuable thing to collect from this article and from all the comments.
I would like to read more about this subject, wouldn't you?
That was a lot of noise over each other.
Ilker I think the logo rocks, and of course after time may need a nip tuck, Ilker and Halil don't worry we (humans) age easier than brands.
The force be with you!
Ooo... Cool logos. I'm having trouble with getting my ideal logo as well. Do you have any suggestions with any good online logo design site out there? I've heard lots about LogoDesignCreation.com, LogoWorks and the likes. But do you have any recommendations?
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What do you think? Post your thoughts..