Designing an effective logo is not a quick or easy process; it goes beyond being just “Pretty”. In order for your logo design to be effective, it requires research, thought, care and awareness to details (visual clues) and an understanding of the ownership’s psychology to ensure the final logo design targets the correct market and broadcasts the correct message. A poorly designed logo will have a negative effect on the perception of your business; however, a carefully designed logo can transform a business by attracting the customers you desire.

For the perfect logo design that targets the correct market (audience) and broadcasts the correct “Branding” message, I will need to grasp an understanding of your business and its intended audience. To do this, I’ll usually send you to my “Client Brief”, that has been created to find out as much as possible about YOU, your business and intended audience. Based on your responses I’ll usually create a list of objectives that need to be met by the logo design that we agree on before proceeding further… “The Process”. This list of objectives forms the design brief, which will be used as a foundation for the decisions and approvals made during the design phase (Process).

It’s Tired but True; You Only See a Small Tip of the Work that is Required

One of the most important parts of any design process is understanding what the customer “Wants” and then determine what the customer “Needs” via research and discovery, or by way of my 30-Plus years of Design experience. This work (Process) ensures that I understand your business, so I’m able to design a logo that best represents the Business: Product, Service or Information that you provide for your customers and clients.

Design Process, Scott Sakamoto, Ronin Studios

The Process in a Nutshell:

  1. Understand what the Design Objective “IS”
  2. Discovery & Research
  3. Incubation, Concepting, Generating Ideas, Designing
  4. Presentation
  5. Final Design and Support

Good Design is a Process; Process Takes Time; Time is Money

Your final logo design is ONLY the Tip of the Iceberg.

Next: Part Three: DIY Logos or “Online Jobbers”
“I want to see lots of design ideas but I can’t afford it” or, “I’ll know I’ll like it when I see it”. Just so you know, I will Fire You if I hear you say this.

It’s YOUR Time or My Time. My Time is Expensive; You Choose.