Nobody Likes To Be Duped

Source: 50plus.com

These days there are tons of logo design companies out there competing to grab a slice of the online designing pie. Who could blame them? As we are heading towards a more digital age where most business transactions are carried out digitally and on the Internet, this opens up a huge and untapped opportunity for designing firms to offer design services online – diverging from the traditional brick-and-mortar design studio. But as consumers, how do we actually select the best online design service provider that would meet our needs with quality designs? Well, checking out the awards and recognitions conferred to the company might be a good benchmark to start with. That’s what anyone would typically do as it allows for a more objective comparison aside from customers’ testimonials.

However, there exists a minority of design companies which is somehow misleading the public of its awards and industry recognitions by putting up huge award titles under the ‘Awards’ page such as the Red Dot Award and the Summit International Awards but do not have the actual awards to prove it. Not only will this give the wrong impression about the company’s past history, it will also impinge on customers’ expectations on the designs that they will be receiving. In order to prevent any such misgivings in the future, carry out the necessary research before committing with a particular online design service provider as what TheLogoBuzz had preached over and over again on this blog.  

Another issue worth mentioning is the use of VeriSign authentication seals. Most individuals, including myself, feel more comfortable doing online transactions at websites which are VeriSign certified but in some cases forgery of the seal does happen. To avoid the risk of having your financial credentials being compromised, I would recommend you to click on the VeriSign seal which should pop open a new window with relevant security information.  If the VeriSign certificate is genuine then the web address will begin with this: https://seal.verisign.com while on the other hand, if the web address does not begin with that aforementioned address then the certificate is a dubious one. Immediately report any fake VeriSign certificates to VeriSign and try to avoid doing business of any kind with a website that displays a fake VeriSign certificate. It is too risky to put your credit card information that might fall into the wrong hands…

I hope that these pointers would help you in your decision in choosing the right online design service provider that is not only legitimate and trustworthy but can provide quality designs as well. Until next time! 

Sites to avoid: http://bestlogocreation.com/awards and http://www.marvelwebdesigns.com

Sites we recommend: http://www.logodesigncreation.com, http://www.logocompany.net and http://www.logobee.com

Mother's Day Contest at LogoDesignCreation.com

Want to win something awesome for Mother's Day? Join this contest by LogoDesignCreation.com!

Terms & Conditions:

1) This competition is open to all.
2) You have to click "LIKE" LogoDesignCreation.com fan page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/LogoDesignCreationcom.
3) Participant can email or message the photo in JPG format to the message inbox or to joey@logodesigncreation.com. Email subject must be: Mothers Day: DIY HEART-SHAPED GIFT Contest.
4) Photos will be automatically uploaded to www.facebook.com/pages/LogoDesignCreationcom for public viewing.
5) Content ends on May 14th 2012.
6) We will announce the winners on May 14th 2012.
7) Winner will walk away with Amazon $100 gift card.
7) 2ND - 5TH winners will be rewarded with consolation prize: $30 gift voucher from LogoDesignCreation.com.
8) LogoDesignCreation.com reserves the right to change / modify the contest or terms and conditions at any time at its own discretion.
9) For further information, please email to joey@logodesigncreation.com.

Remember to click LIKE LogoDesignCreation Facebook fanpage first!

Good Luck guys!!!

Great offer at LogoDesignCreation!

 

We found great offers at LogoDesignCreation!

A VOUCHER WORTH OF $50 FOR BEING THEIR CUSTOMER! How generous of them.

PURCHASE with LogoDesignCreation nowand get this voucher for your next order.

THIS IS ONLY A ONE TIME OFFER SO DON'T MISS IT OUT!

*This gift certificate will be valid for purchases above $100 only.
*This gift certificate is only good within the next 24 hours.
*Collect the gift certificate on the design panel.

Start thinking of refreshing your logo, a new website or perhaps a brochure to promote your business. Remember, a successful business starts with a strong visual impact. Therefore, improving your branding outlook is a MUST! Take this opportunity, hurry up and get started now.

How to Validate and Test Your Designs for the Mobile Web

The mobile industry is ever expanding with users who use their mobile device to surf the online world. Due to this increasing use, many users want to access abundance of websites right from their mobile devices but are often turned down from websites that are not working on their devices.

Many web developers and designers do not actually know of many tools that can help them test their websites on different platforms, which can often cause frustration. They should be more aware of the tools that will help make websites more mobile friendly across many platforms.

Once website is implemented, designed and optimized, it is time for validation and usability testing. Validation and testing may not be the most exciting areas in web design, but they are just as important in ensuring everything looks great.

This provides means of correcting any problems before revealing your site to the public. There are several ways to validate your website. Most importantly, you should validate your HTML, CSS and SEO, as well as ensuring that you have no broken links or images.

Code Validation:

At times the error associates more to the codes used besides just a few misplaced HTML tags here and there.

In this case, the W3C validator can be used to find simple markup errors. This validator is the quickest and easiest way to check your website or mobile website to see if it is mobile friendly or not. Once you have received the green light from several validators, you will need to get a few different types of phones to perform some actual tests.

Browser Compatibility Testing:

Make sure your website looks the same on all of the major browsers i.e. Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari and Opera. It is also important to test previous browser versions since many web users are still using them. Additionally, you may want to test our your site on mobile web browsers as well, for example using mobiReady. Making your site easily accessible through mobile devices is becoming more and more important.

Usability Testing:

It is crucial to have people other than yourself test your website. This can reveal problems that are not obvious to the designer. Be sure to have the users explore the website fully, and have them give feedback in terms of the design, colors, content, navigation, layout and performance of the site.

In conclusion, validation of websites is a good practice. It is one hidden secrets of an effective and quality web design. Make sure you validate your website today before it hits the general public!

QR codes on the rise

A lot of people are still oblivious about the existence of QR codes. More and more people are now aware of the codes but many may not yet have actually used one. It is not everyday you stumble upon such technology.  There has been rapid adoption of smart phone technology by other countries such as Japan, United States, Australia amongst others in the past two years, prompted the introduction of the first QR codes. QR codes have been used for years in countries like Japan and Korea where smart-phones are already widely adopted.

What is QR code? QR Codes (printed square labels looking a little like a crossword puzzle), also known as “quick response codes” are part of a whole new way of connecting with consumers via their smart phones and mobile devices.

A sample look of a QR code. Give it a try! Scan it using your mobile phone.

 In 2008, airlines started to implement the codes on boarding passes. Mobile phones are then equipped with the technology to allow two-dimensional bar codes, which can be used as electronic boarding passes.

source: http://2d-code.co.uk

source: http://blog.ovrdrv.com

Present day, QR codes are being used almost everywhere: including websites, signage, stationeries, decorative items within the home and etc.

QR codes can be read using camera equipped smart phones loaded with the appropriate application, taking users through to relevant information coded inside. The barcodes can store a variety of data, which includes: text, URL, telephone number, SMS/MMS message, email, contact entry also known as vCard, and calendar entry. Storing URL presents many possibilities besides just loading a web page. You can actually play a video, download a mobile app, check-in on Foursquare, update a Twitter status, Like a Facebook page, display map directions and many more.

Once the barcode image is created, it can be printed on nearly any surface and location for e.g. the newspaper, TV ads, billboards, product packaging, clothing labels, cake frosting, an more. This method enables marketer or business entrepreneurs to drive traffic, interaction and conversion from anywhere.

QR codes can be used for nearly any function, logistically, advertising, customer service etc. To list a few:

• Best Buy uses QR codes on in-store price tags for quick access to online reviews.

• Gold Digest uses Microsoft Tag in their magazine for tips with interactive video.

source: http://2d-code.co.uk

• Real estate agents use QR codes on “for sale” signs providing potential buyers access to virtual tours.

• LogoDesignCreation.com included a QR code onto their marketing brochure, containing discounts which allows their consumer discounts if they purchase an order on their website.

• Time Warner’s HBO used a blood-soaked QR code in its television ads for the third season of vampire drama True Blood.

• Macy’s decked out its department stores with codes that brought up videos of Tommy Hilfiger and Martha Stewart doling out fashion advice.

• Vibe used codes in fashion spreads to send readers to sites where they could buy clothes pictured in the magazine.

• Other brands using codes in innovative ways include Coca Cola, Delta, Ford, Gap, Home Depot, Starbucks, and Verizon to name only a few.

Some tips on how you can use or create your QR codes properly:

• TIPS#1: Use with caution when placing QR codes online. They should always enhance the user’s experience. The codes content should provide special value for the customer. It is a hassle to scan a codes, so users have high expectations as to what content they will find. Reward the user with discounts, exclusive content, or useful tips relevant to the code’s context.

• TIPS#2: If a user could click on a link, don’t make them scan a code to complete the same task. Also bear in mind that the location must be easily scannable too. Plastic frames and packaging can reflect light. Kindly consider all factors that could impact the scanning experience.

• TIPS#3: QR codes can be created for free on the Internet. There are free QR code generators and online creators out on the net. Feel free to create QR codes ready to print or to add onto a t-shirt or mugs. Try it out at QRcode.com, qrcode.kaywa.com, and qrstuff.com to name a few.

• TIPS#4: Include a QR code on a business card that links to a vCard would be a lot easier than the user manually entering the contact report.

QR Codes are set to become the next big thing. The codes indeed make grabbing information much easier these days. It lessens the use of paper and saves time, definitely one of the best thing every invented for a smarter and faster world today. Include a QR code for your business today!

LOGO DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2012

It’s the new year once again and of course the logo design industry has always something up its sleeve, now let’s take a quick peek at what 2012 has in store for logo  design enthusiasts. With the new year comes a new start. Designers are constantly trying to find the newest design trends which are likely to sweep the world of logos this coming year.

Last year, Logo Lounge released logo design trends for 2011, based on their half yearly performance of the logo design industry. These trendy logos will guide the designers in the right direction explaining the trends being followed and accepted in the branding business.

Some of these are continuations of the sorts of things the designers did last year; others are totally new and could well see their popularity rise.

So, what is the logo trend for this year?

Firstly, lets talk about colors. We have seen a lot of bright colored logos (rainbow colors). Most of them are eye catchers and evoke a good feeling with their clients. On the other side, limiting the color choice is part of the logo design process because some logos have gone too far over the top with the colors used.

The year 2011 gave us more gray and brown logos. These logos are bit more subtle then the harsh black ones and the tone ranges very from sepia to chocolate.


ANIMALS

It seems like in 2011 we unleashed the entire zoo onto the world of logos. There have been so many animals in logos: monkeys, owls, dodos, lions, whales, mooses. The reason: most of the animals listed here have attributes that we would like to associate with a business: aggressive, powerful, dominating, strong, top of their class. It’s a psychological thing.


FRUIT


Nowadays, you will often hear brand names that are inspired by a fruit. Popular examples of famous logos are Apple and Blackberry. These allusions to the fruit depict a sense of freshness and sweetness for the brand identity. The fruit inspired shapes are now being considered as an iconic representative for brands to represent purity and wholesomeness. Bananas, apples, the lot. All these corporate identities are (probably) in some way related to nature or are sustainability oriented.


THE TRIANGLE

Combining many triangles into a larger shape.


UNUSUAL SHAPES

 
Traditionally, logos have been focused around squares and circles, with the occasional triangle thrown in for a bit of visual interest. 2012 is where that changes. Now people will be using much more free form shapes. Brush up on your pentagles, guys.


BUTTONS AND BUBBLES

The prevalence of Facebook’s like button and Digg’s digg button has totally changed the way that most people interact with the internet. It’s also changing the logo design world, with more people deciding to incorporate press buttons and speech bubbles into designs in 2012.


GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK

Those massive strokes people used to use in logos are no more. Now sleek, ink-shy logos are the way forwards, with lighter weighted fonts and grays and browns replacing the harsh blacks. Very few people are moving towards #000000 on their  color wheel.


GOING GREEN

The environment has always been a concern for ethical logo designers. 2011 saw a lot of greens coming into the average designer’s palette, and 2012 will see this trend continue. Expect to see earthly tones to make big companies seem a little more conscientious.

All these trends have affected many logos (for the good and the bad). It also affected the way clients wanted their logos. Personally, we think that too many designers followed these trends and the upcoming years will show that some of these logos will have an outdated look and clients will be looking to update their logo, because customers fail to recognize their logo. So what I hope to see in 2012 is a lot more variation and we hope that designers will be less affected by trends and will develop a tone of their own.

What do you think that 2012 will bring?

Branding, Identity and Logo Design

Source: justcreativedesign.com

Most people in business have a hard time distinguishing between the terms Branding, Identity and Logo Design. They use them interchangeably in the business world, which is a huge mistake in marketing your company. Logo design, Identity and Branding all have different roles of their own. They have to work together to form an recognized image for a business or product.

BRAND

Source: edibleapple.com

The word Brand on dictionary defines brand identity as “the outward expression of a brand, including its name, trademark, communications and visual appearance.”

Most of us will never get to be recognized to that degree like McDonalds, MAC, Facebook etc, but we can still be identified in our own realm if we take the time to do it correctly. The first thing to be done is to create and identify your brand.

“Your brand is your company's personality.”

A brand identity represents what your business stands for and how you will ultimately be known. That is why it is very critical for businesses and companies to have a striking, memorable and timeless brand identity. Successful brand identities are able to evoke a desired set of feelings from the public, instead of just looking good.

Source: guardian.co.uk

As an example, let's look at the well known beauty product company, The Body Shop. The Body Shop inspired by nature has ethically produced more than 900 natural beauty products at the same time committed to social causes. They support innovative global projects working in the areas of human and civil rights and environmental and animal protection. These values of their business dimension are prominent throughout everything they do from their innovative products, advertising and promotion, right through to their customer service. The Body Shop is an emotionally society brand that connects with people. People can feel part of the brand as they can connect and feel towards it. It is this emotional connection that creates their brand, not purely their products.

IDENTITY

Source: ibtimes.com

Corporate identity refers to all of the visual parts of your brand including logo, color palette, tagline, font, etc. A talented art director or graphic designer can help you create these, but not until you have answered the key branding questions for your company.

“Corporate identity refers to all of the visual parts of your brand.”

Your company identity is the ultimate goal. If you're recognized, it is assumed people gravitate to you. The more they see your logo, the more they trust you. For example, everyone wants the recognition the gold arches brings McDonalds, the f that stands for Facebook or the apple with the bite taken out of it which is unmistakably MAC.

LOGO DESIGN

Now think of your brand as a toolbox containing all the tools you need to promote your business and its identity. In that toolbox are all the advertising you use whether it is online, television or printed material as well as coupons and promotions. But the most important tool in there is your logo because you want people to see it and recognize it. You should have an impact so as soon as people see it they will think of your business.

“The logo identifies a business/product in its simplest form.”

Your logo design is a vehicle to get your brand/company known. It is a visual representation of the company or product that expresses your brand in a memorable way.

It is important, before you do anything else, even before you get your logo designed, is to define your brand identity. What do you want your company to be known for? How do you want to appear in the public's eye? Make sure your logo represents what your business is all about-that it's compatible with your brand and company identity.

We hope this helps to distinguish between logo design, brand and your company's identity!