Graphic Design Process, Part ONE:
The Company Logo

Overview of the Project: You will be creating a complete company identity and advertising campaign over the next couple of months. You will be given a fictitious small business, complete with the company name and the products and services offered. Later stages of the assignment will include target goals for public imaging, sales and advertising.

Rules for Creating a Good Company Logo:  Mr. B. showed a slide show regarding the six principles of good logo design.  Please review this, as needed, when working on your ideas.

Getting Started: To start, you will need to create a company logo (service mark or brand mark) for use in creating the company’s image. In the graphic design business, a customer will expect a number of mock-ups of various ideas for a design before they can make recommendations for final approval. This being the case, the first assignment is to complete a mock-up portfolio for presentation to your customer (Mr. B.)

  • Your customer is looking for a company logo that they can use in all of their business communications and advertising. A good business logo should be:
    • Relatively square or circular in proportion
    • Use fewer than 3-4 colors and be recognizable in black and white
    • Show the character of the company
    • Be visually simple and easy to recognize in any situation, be it on a business card or on a highway billboard.
  • Using pens, pencils, markers, etc., create a mock-up portfolio of AT LEAST 10 different possible logo designs for your company. Think creatively and crazily. Come up with as many dynamic and exciting ideas as you can for logos that identify your company while still keeping the four points above in mind.
    • Do not worry about artistic talent, rough sketchwork will be fine for this first step in the project. You should try to think about and include colors in your ideas, however.
    • I want to see 10 different ideas for logos! Do not use the same idea over and over again. Try using the company name in various looks, try company initials, try incorporating pictures or representations of the company product or service into the logo. Try using stylized animals or objects to catch a customer’s eye. Do not feel that you have to “illustrate” all facets of your company within your logo. Simple is better.
  • You will need to turn in this portfolio of 10 different mock-up images to Mr. B., who will select one for you to create in a final product. He will likely make suggestions for changes to the logo, colors, shapes, etc. Do what he says, he is the customer. (You will receive 10 points for each well-thought-out design that is unique, total points possible = 100)
  • Once you have received the approval of your final design, you will use your PhotoShop or Illustrator skills to create a final draft of the logo on a 700 x700 pixel canvas. This will need to look professionally created for a passing grade. (In other words, perfect= 100 points, not perfect= 0 points)
  • Once the final product has been created and approved, the student will move to the next step of the project, creation of public relations and advertising materials.

The Companies:

The Bent Spoke- Bicycles: Started as a used bicycle shop, now specializes in mountain and off road
biking.
The Feather Tree- Antiques: Owned by an older lady who specializes in collectible antiques and furniture. April Flowers- Flowers: Small flower shop specializing in personalized bouquets and arrangements. (Mariah)
The Collection:  Automobiles- Specializing in new and used high end automobiles, such as Ferrari and Lamborghini. (Robert) Bouncing Ball Books- Children’s Books: Small, cozy bookstore, specializing in picture books and bedtime stories for younger children.

The Big Sweet- Candy: All types of candy from hard candies to chocolates, all handmade in the store.

Diva Shoe Fetish-
Ladies Shoes:
High end shoes for the trendy and fashionable woman.
Game Crazy- Video Games: New and used video games and consoles for all platforms. (Tyler)
1928 Jewelry: Specializing in vintage and contemporary jewelry and wedding sets.
Parts Train- Auto Parts: New and reconditioned parts for older model cars. Hit, Run Score- Sports Equipment: Specializing in sports equipment for youth and school teams. Vicious Style- Fashion Goods and Accessories: Specializing in accessories, jewelry and bags for the fashion conscious and trendy young woman. (Kevin)
Kitty Hawk-
Kites
: Specializing in Hang Gliders, Kites, Kiteboarding and Parasailing.
Verve- Photography: Gallery specializing in Black and White and Fine Art Photography. Mo’s Smokehouse- BBQ Restaurant: Hickory Smoked BBQ on slow cooked beef, pork and chicken.
Audio Oasis- Audio Equipment: Specializing in highest end and vintage audio and recording equipment. Hanger 94- Extreme Sports Gear: Ski, Skate and Surf gear, clothing and accessories. (Jamie) Kahoots- Pet Store: Everything for your Dog or Cat, but lots of fresh and saltwater fish, snakes, spiders, turtles and other exotic pets.
The Sound Factory- Musical Instruments: Specializing in Guitars, but offering a wide range of musical instruments. (Garrett) The Raven- New Age Shop: Specializing in crystals, rocks, minerals and other metaphysical and healing products. Zazzle- Custom T-shirts: Specializing in custom and one of a kind T-shirts. 
Hot Buttered- Surfboards: Specializing in Hand Made and Hand Painted Custom Surfboards based upon classic designs of the past.