Logo Design Choices

Logo Design History Writing Assignment: Superman Logo

History of Superman Logo

Superman is the iconic super hero character made by Golden Age Comics in 1938. No one can forget the famous Superman logo, but most people have no idea where the comic got it’s logo from. As simple and classic as the logo is, it actually has a lot of history behind it. There has been 25 different logos in the last 75 years!

Superman was the first super hero ever created and coined the idea of having a symbol for his character. Every other super hero comic made has used Superman as a foundation for their ideas. Without Superman, no other super heros would have a logo to represent themselves, without Superman there wouldn’t even be any super heros! But how did the creators of Superman come up with the design for the characters logo?

In 1945, National Periodical Publications (later simply known as "DC Comics") trademarked Superman's symbol. The Superman S symbol was inspired by a Natibe American woman’s blanket. each of the five sides of the diamond shield represents the five Iroquois Indian tribes that remained, and the "S" was a snake, considered to be a symbol of healing. Before they created the symbol, they did go through a lot of changes in Superman’s “look” and covers for all the comics.

                                 

Before                                                               After

                                          

Even though the new Superman comics are much more detailed and require much more work and money, Superman’s actual costume and physique hasn’t changed much. He still has the classic red cape and blue body suit, and he still has the big S symbol on his chest, but the logo has gone through some changes.

Surprisingly, everyone of the Superman logos have fit into the 5 characteristics we studied in class. They’re all very recognizable, the symbol is arguably one of the most famous logos ever. Not to mention, it’s also effective without color, it’s scalable, and it is also very easy to describe.

ROP Graphic Design: Portfolio Cover

Logo, Branding and Identities: Notes Part 3

Design Styles

1. Typeface Focused:This style relies on a type face to create the logo design, creativity is utilized in the proximity, contrast, color, customization of the letter forms.
2. Mixing Typefaces: This style uses 2 different typefaces to create the logo design. Strive to create a balanced design, typefaces that are too similar will lack contrast in style.
3. Typeface Plus Graphic Element:This style uses simple graphic elements in addition to the type face to create an emphasized and balanced design. Graphic elements remain abstract
4. Typeface Plus Shapes/Symbols: An even balance between art and typography is achieved in this style.
5. Graphic Focused Design: In this design the graphic elements are the focus or dominant aspect of the design, the typeface plays a supporting role.

Logo, Branding and Identity: Notes Part 2

Why do we use Vector Art?

• We create logos as vertor art because it's flexible, powerful and easily edited, this is important when clients want to make changes.
• Vector art can be scaled up infinitely without losing quality!

Pencil to Vector

• Creating a logo design requires many phases.
• Many meetings and review sessions are required to arrive at adesign that works.
• Converting a simple pencil sketch or vector art requires establishing graphic style, color, line shape and typography.

Final Art: Graphic Style

• Decide what your design style will be
• Will it be bold, simple and cute?
• Will it be sleek, technical and sedate?
• Will it be high tech and 3D?
• There is a wide range of styles to choose.
• Choose what fits your concept and market.

Final Art: Line Quality and Shape

• Line quality: refers to the smoothness and precise nature of your lines.
• We use the Pen Tool to create perfect smooth lines.
• Line shape: If you have line art in your logo your line shape is important.
• Do you want an artistic look to your line? Try a custom "Art Brush" from the brush Library in IA

Color Matters!

• Color makes a huge difference, use colors that are appropriate for your design.

Logo Design: General Rules and Styles for Designing Logo's

1. Don't pull a "GAP"!
2. Describable?
3. Effective without color?
4. Memorable?
5. Scalable?

Logo, Branding and Identity: Notes

November 25

Logo, Branding and Identity

Developing an understanding of branding framework

What is a Brand?

• Brand is the "perceived" emotional corporate image as a whole, it is the reputation both claimed and perceived 

What is Branding?

• An organizations brand or branding is essentially their public image.
• A designer can create the framework for a brand, colors, fonts, artwork, style... but the audience completes the brand through an emotional reaction with it.
• Branding example: Apple is an IT company that projects a humanists image, positive corporate ethics, and support of good causes.
• When people use the products they connect to the brand emotionally.

What is Identity?

• Corporate identity is comprised of the visual aspects that form the brand.
• Close attention is paid to executing a consistant experience for the viewer.

What is Identity Design?

• The corporate identity includes strict usage of colors, font families, graphic elements and other guidelines, usually detailed in a corporate identity guide.
• The identity can include the logo, logo variations, business cards, labels, envelopes, letterhead stationary, advertisements, tv commercials, packaging and etc...

What is a logo?

• A logo is for identification.
• A lgo is the simplest way a company or organizations can represent itself, through the use of a symbol or icon.

Summary

• Brand- The perceived emotional corporate image as a whole.
• Identity- The visual aspects that form part of the overall brand.
• Logo- Identifies a business in its simplest form via the use of a mark or icon.

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