Published by Programme B
In the age of social media, the idea of developing an online presence seems relatively simple. In reality, it’s not easy, especially for Canadian businesses who are trying to compete with their American industry-dominating counterparts. There’s a lot more that goes into it than people think. For instance, there’s web design — do you go with a simplified interface or an intricately designed one? — and logo design, which should visually represent your brand identity.
Fortunately, there’s a lot of advice out there to steer businesses in the right direction. Typically people say figure out what your brand stands for and then decide how you want to convey that through your design. Again, though, this is one of those “easier said than done” situations. Even the best entrepreneurs who know what they want still need some inspiration when it comes to design. With that, we’re going to explore different ways to find logo inspiration.
Finding Logo Inspiration Has Never Been Easier
The most affluent people in the world credit those who came before them. Steve Jobs, for instance, cited Clayton M. Christensen for his belief that Apple needed to adapt to cloud computing. It’s hard to imagine where society would be if Steve Jobs had not pushed for this transition.
When it comes to logo inspiration, perhaps one of the best ways to find what you’re looking for is to look at big brands, such as FedEx and Microsoft, which has an office in Vancouver, British Columbia. As these companies only hire the best, isolate what works and what parts need improvement. Big brands are recognized globally, and their logos can help illustrate what trends the general population favours.
Similarly, look at logos within niche markets since different colours and shapes attract specific people. For example, the online gambling industry in Canada, which topped $17.1 billion in revenue in 2017, has a specific target audience. In addition to offering various bonuses, some of the best online gambling sites in the country have created audience-specific logos that represent their interests and the interests of their customers. For example, Cash Cabin, an online casino that features in-house games, has a logo enclosed by mountains. Naturally, this attracts a Canadian player, but Cash Cabin also targets New Zealand, another location characteristically known for its mountain ranges.
Lastly, looking at your competitors indicates how to design your logo. Of course, you want to stand out, but since your business has the same goals as your competitors, there are lessons to be learned. For example, there’s a reason why the logos for Bank of America, Chase, Citi Bank, and Barclays all have blue in them. According to colour psychology, blue represents trust, which is crucial in the financial industry.
No one will think less of your ideas if you were inspired by another’s as long there is originality, and this rings true when it comes to finding logo inspiration. Gather up as many ideas as you can and use them to collaborate with the ideas and concepts you want to convey to your target audience.