Logos and Branding Archives

Tips for a Good Logo Part 2 – What Logo Files Should You Get

April 8, 2020

by ceindydoodles Design Logos and Branding

Have you read part one, where I start talking about what makes a good logo? Regardless of the price point you’re looking to spend, I believe that every designer should provide their client with these types of files when they are delivering your logo files:

Logo File Types

An .eps file: This is a vector file type that allows you to work with printers and other designers in the future. A vector logo file is many things, but the main point is this/; it can be scaled indefinitely and not lose it’s line quality. This is very important in a logo.
A high-quality PNG: this gives you a logo on a transparent background. These logo files are super handy, so make sure you get one of those.
A high-quality JPEG/JPG is also nice to have, as that’s one of the typical files you will use. The only downfall is that there is always a background color.

Logo Files with Mulitple Color Formats

On top of these files you should be receiving your logos in different color formats.

CMYK – This is the color profile for print, so think your business card, flyers, posters, etc.
RGB – This is the color profile for digital, so think social media, your website, digital ads.
ONE COLOR – This is typically black, but a one color version is nice when you have a very limited color palette to work with, i.e. embroidery or black and white ads
WHITE – all white logos work really well on dark backgrounds, so be sure to get yourself one.
PANTONE/SPOT colors – This is usually needed if you’re screen printing. A lot of times a CMYK blend is applicable too.

Logo Files with Variations

The For the Love of Pets logo above is a standard logo delivery system. The screenshot above shows all of the different variations of their logo.

Main Logo
Main Logo with Tagline
Just the Emblem
Secondary Logo Format

This variation allows for easy use across different platforms and mediums. And as you can see, each variation is also played out in all the different color variations. The colors do not change, but they easily relate to one and is all a part of a cohesive brand.

Bonus!

Responsive logos are becoming essential across all the different platforms we use daily. Think about it: you wake up to your phone, maybe an smartwatch, and then you have the tablet or computer, or laptop. Then you walk by a billboard or a flyer. One size doesn’t fit all, which is why the next big thing is a responsive logo.

I do believe a lot of the logos I’ve created can be scaled down, but this is something I am becoming more and more conscience of as I design new logos.

Lastly, I think all good logos should be loved.

Seriously, if you are a client – you should LOVE your logo. And if you’re a designer, you should be PROUD of the logo you made and happy how it makes your client feel. I believe that if you approach logo design with open communication, professionalism, and with a strategy and audience in mind, both client and designer can be very happy.

A Graphic Designer’s Tips for a Good Logo

February 24, 2020

by ceindydoodles Design Logos and Branding

“What should I expect when I’m getting a logo?” I’ve learned a lot since working as a graphic designer and here are some of my tips of what is a good logo.

Not every logo is going to be literal and symbolic. In fact, your logo should be identifiable, but it doesn’t need to explain every aspect of your business.

The best logos work in one color and in varied sizes. You want to see instances of this before approving the design.

If you plan on using your logo on a tshirt, banner, or button – a designer should be showing you mock ups of how it will look in these instances.

If you decide to have a logo with a lot of color variations/shading, be sure to have a “flat version” of a logo. This is because there will be instances that require your logo to have flat colors, for example screenprinting a t-shirt.

You want to be sure that it will stand out between your competitors. Don’t be the 5th photographer in the area with a letter and some leaves around it 😉

And we’re in the age of movement and scalability. Bonus points if your logo can animated.

Lastly, I know a lot of people want a logo that’s easily recognizable, but what they don’t understand is that your brand is what will make your logo recognizable. What designers create in a logo can only go as far as you pushing your brand. So instead of making it something that you find super special, make it feel ownable and yours – and your brand will do the rest.

Hopefully these tips for a good logo will help you feel more informed when interviewing for the right designer for your business.

Want to see a little behind the scenes of how I create a logo? Check out this blog post.

Are you a designer that wants to learn more about creating logos? My favorite resources are videos by the futur.

Featured Work: Wonder Warrior Tribe Logo

January 19, 2020

by ceindydoodles Design Lettering Logos and Branding

The Need

Sometimes a logo is needed for a new business, sometimes it’s needed because the old logo doesn’t resonate their brand. This time, it’s a passion for a coach who wants to inspire others in her accountability group.

Meet Ashley

Ashley and I actually went to middle school together; I remember her being the first friend to call me at my new house in Virginia. We went on to high school together and stayed friends and I remember her being such a strong young lady, full of opinions, and always stood her ground.

So I’m not surprised at how well she’s adulting. She is a super mom of two kids, super wife, and she also rallies for a small group of women (including yours truly) to work out and eat well as a coach for Beachbody. Monthly coaching calls, weekly meals plans, and daily check-ins are what you can expect in this group. And if you have a question, she will find you an answer. Such a Facebook Group always has a little picture, a moniker that tells the rest of the social media group, a tribe you belong to.

And in that, lies the need for a logo.

The Logo

This logo needed to be versatile, personal, and inspirational. It needed to represent the strength of a warrior and also be approachable. The Beachbody videos are all different, but they all run on the basis that you can do it at home with minimum equipment. So, it also needs that personal touch.

As always, we start with some sketches. Here are some I came up in the beginning, thinking of ways to incorporate a bow and arrow – a graphic chosen by Ashley to represent the Wonder Warrior.

From there, I worked on my Ipad and straightened the lines, cleaned up some ideas and presented them to Ashley. And in that, we found that- she really loved two.

Can you have two logos?

Yes and no. I wouldn’t normally recommend a business to have two logos, but in this instance, we found that it’s truly a personal brand more than a business. In this case, why not have an alternative for T-shirts, stickers, and things like that? We kept a consistent color palette to keep it all cohesive.

Wonder Warrior Tribe Sticker on Bottle Mock Up

It’s been a fun new year to be a part of her group and see how well everyone is doing – and the encouragement is fucking awesome, especially since you’re alone, at home, trying your best. I can’t wait to see how far these graphics will go this year!

If you want to read more about my logo process, I detail the how I created the Strong Not Sorry logo.

Have a need for a logo? I’m your girl! Let’s chat: ceindyton@gmail.com

Strong Not Sorry – Logo for Personal Trainer Aubrey Mester-Webb

November 11, 2017

by ceindydoodles Design Lettering Logos and Branding

I was so excited to work on Aubrey’s new logo and business card for her business Strong Not Sorry.

My favorite part about working on this logo was Aubrey. She’s a personal trainer, a power lifter, and an avid Starbucks drinker. She’s amazingly strong in every way and she motivates others to not only exercise and lose weight, but to find inner confidence. Her work as a personal trainer is customizable for anyone, a newbie beginner or someone who’s been working out for a long time. Also, she taught me how to pick my dirt bike up when I fall (which is very often)- now that is seriously priceless.

I wanted to create a logo that represented this confident woman who made working out fun and approachable.

The Strong Not Sorry logo-making process took a few steps.

We start with sketches.

I basically draw the words Strong Not Sorry as many different ways as possible (the sketches shown are my favorite ones). Aubrey chose two at this point to explore further.

Next, we took it to refined sketches.

My first exploration, using tracing paper to try a lot of different variations.

These are marker sketches to show the client.

The final step in the Strong not Sorry logo were the colors and digitizing.

Her previous business card was purple and black and she really loved that color. I decided to punch it up with some neon green, to create a friendly, spunky, and fun color scheme.

Then we took it a step further and applied this new, awesome logo to business cards.

Lastly, we worked on a flyer to promote her personal training program.

What the client had to say-

Ceindy made me the most badass business cards! I came to her wanting a revamp to my original cards that were made at a local print shop… she listened and was able to create the perfect card… I never could’ve imagined and created on my own! I wanted something softer, fresh and funky, and she killed it. I will recommend Ceindy Doodles to anyone who wants custom lettering or logos!

Ceindy Doodles

Posts in category: Logos and Branding