“The strongest logos tell simple stories.”
Sol Sender, Marketing & Branding Expert
What a month that was! February is always a joyous time of year filled with many birthdays including my own and also the absolutely fabulous and incredibly special Mardi Gras Parade. It was our pleasure to once again be involved in the organisation and running of the 2024 Oz Queer Hags community float. For all the pics, see below!
But enough of the social stuff, let’s get back to business. This month I want to share some insights into our all-important business logos. What makes a logo memorable? What makes it resonate with the viewer and how do you know if your logo is hitting the mark or needs a tweak or a full rebrand? Making a great first impression is vital, and your logo is the most important asset you have, so let’s make sure you’re doing it well!
Warmly, Alysha
Owner, Wow Studios
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Exciting News – Oz Queer Hags Rock Mardi Gras
Let’s Talk Branding, Part 1 – Great Logos, what makes them great?
Let’s Talk Branding, Part 2 – Is it time for a new logo?
Let’s Talk Branding, Part 3 – Good design fundamentals
Past Stories – More blogs about branding
Client Spotlight – Meet Katrina from MC Partners
Feel Inspired – The Art of Banksy Sydney “Without Limits”
EXCITING NEWS
For the past eight years, Wow Studios has been a proud supporter of The Oz Queer Hags, Sydney Mardi Gras community float. Offering our time and skills to help bring this magical group to life. From concept development to costume design, float building, fundraising and everything in between, our founder, Alysha is right there in the thick of it every year.
Fundraising Update: Thanks to the generosity of the Sydney community, including some of our very own wonderful Wow clients, we were able to raise the much-needed funds to pay for the generator and contribute towards the lighting and sound bill for the truck. It is only thanks to your generosity that we are able to make this incredible float a reality every year, so we thank you!
Pics: Want to see them in action, check out the gallery of pics. Special thanks to the super talented photographer, Phil Desveaux from idontweargoggles.com.au. If you’re in need of an event photographer, look no further. Phil goes above and beyond every year to capture all the special moments behind the scenes and during the parade.
LET’S TALK BRANDING
Your logo is way more than just a pretty visual, it should reflect the heart and soul of your business. It needs to represent the essence of your brand and showcase your businesses brand personality. And of course, it needs to stand out and be memorable as it’s often a huge part of how you make a great first impression when you make contact with potential customers.
Sounds like a big ask from one little visual element, doesn’t it? It can be, if your logo is not done right, however if you have taken the time and invested in getting your logo right, it can absolutely help make your business shine!
So, what makes a logo great?
SIMPLICITY
Keep it simple. If your logo is overcrowded it gets lost in the sea of visuals, we are bombarded with every day. Simple logos are memorable, versatile, and most importantly easily recognisable. A few good examples include Nike, McDonalds, and Target. Without even seeing a picture you already have the visuals in your mind and if you see them, you instantly know what they represent!
VERSATILITY
Your logo needs to be able to be used across a variety of mediums and applications. It needs to shine in your marketing, look great on your product packaging and then still be capable of fitting into those tiny social media profile circles. It needs to be usable on both dark and light backgrounds, look great on a screen and in print and be scalable to any size. This might mean having a logo that can be simplified for smaller spaces or a design that can be scaled up and down without losing clarity.
ORIGINALITY
If you want your logo to be memorable and easily recognisable, you need to be original. If everyone in your industry uses red or they all have a circular element, do something different! You want to stand out, not blend in. Do your research first and try to avoid cliches.
TIMELESS
Current design trends are great, and they absolutely have their place in marketing, but when it comes to designing your logo, its important to make sure it will stand the test of time. You don’t want to be looking at it in two years and thinking it already looks outdated. Keep your colours uncomplicated and your logo simple and uncluttered. Less is always more.
Did you read the last article and think, maybe I need to refresh my logo. How do I really know if it’s still resonating with my audience? Read on…
Even the big brands recognise that over time logos can become outdated. Trends change, perceptions change and the players in your market also change. If you agree with any of the following points, then it might be time to consider a rebrand.
IT LOOKS OUTDATED:
What was cool ten years ago, might not be in fashion anymore or may even be taboo. Look at it objectively. If you put your logo and your top 5 competitors’ logos all on one page, does your still look good or is it a bit old fashioned?
ITS NOT SCALABLE:
In today’s digital world, your logo absolutely must be scalable and vectorised. Finding it hard to use your logo sometimes or finding you don’t have the right file types. You absolutely must have a vector file like a PNG in today’s world.
IT LOOKS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE:
Over time, your industry has gained a lot more competitors and everyone seems to have the same colours or visuals. Give yourself the advantage by standing out from the pack.
IT’S HOMEMADE:
When you start out, saving money by creating your own logo can be really helpful, as you grow, so too should you’re branding. Make sure your business looks professional and polished.
IT’S JUST NOT YOU ANYMORE:
Has your business grown and changed? Do you still target the same customers or has your market shifted to a new audience. You need to make sure you’re connecting with the customers and generations in today’s world.
WANT TO GIVE IT A TRY?
Here a few simple design tricks to help ensure your new logo looks great!
Just remember you MUST have a vectorised file so if you’re attempting to do it yourself you need to ensure the program you use can provide you with a vector output like a PNG. If not, it really is best to spend the money and use a designer. You will thank yourself later!
USE EMPTY SPACE:
Keep it simple and ensure your design has plenty of white space. It should be uncluttered and easy viewing for the eye. Get rid of any unnecessary elements.
THINK ABOUT COLOURS:
Colours evoke emotions. Do you want your logo to make people feel calm and peaceful or get them revved up for an adventure? Are you bombarding them with too many colours in one visual? Have you considered using shades of the same colour or just one pop of colour? If you’re not sure, speak to a professional for some advice. Colour is a very important component to a great logo.
KEEP IT LEGIBLE:
If people can’t read the font easily from a distance, don’t use it. Make sure you test your logo out on a few people. We have all seen those meme’s online where someone meant to say one word and it reads like something else entirely to others. The font you use can make or break the design.
ENSURE ITS BALANCED:
Does it feel top heavy or lopsided when viewed from a distance? Does it feel harmonious and in proportion. Logos that look good are balanced.
TEST IT:
Test your logo in a variety of scenarios before jumping ahead and using it in real life. Does it look good on your merchandise and product packaging? How about on the signage outside your store? Does it look good on social media, especially in those little profile pics? Have you tried including it in your advertising flyers or digital ad designs? Did you test how it looks on a light and dark background?
These basic design fundamentals should help you determine if you’re on the right track with your logo design. If your still unsure, seek advice or help from the professionals. Your logo is absolutely worth investing in!
WANT TO LEARN MORE, CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR PAST STORIES
Whether you’re talking about your personal brand or your business, your brand is your reputation. It’s often unspoken and not something your consumers consciously decide on.
While it may feel like a lot of upfront effort and an investment of your precious time, the benefits of proactive marketing & branding will absolutely make it worth it!
When we think of branding as small business owners, many of us often hold the belief that it’s a marketing strategy reserved just for the big boys, however that couldn’t be further from the truth.
CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
This month’s client spotlight is one of Wow’s partnership brands, MC Partners. Wow works regularly with MC Partners on creating beautifully branded presentation decks and handouts that add that little bit of extra pizazz to their client’s offerings. We have been thrilled to come on board as the lead designer and really enjoy the challenge each new job brings.
Tell us a little about your business?
Media and Capital Partners operates at the intersection of media relations and financial communications, offering a unique blend of services designed to elevate our clients’ market presence. Our expertise spans strategic communications, media outreach, and capital market advice, ensuring our clients achieve both visibility and financial growth.
What makes your business different?
Our difference lies in our dual expertise in media and capital markets, allowing us to provide comprehensive strategies that address our clients’ needs from both a publicity and financial standpoint. We pride ourselves on our ability to translate complex financial data into compelling stories that resonate with both investors and the broader public.
What brought you to Wow?
After a recommendation to use Wow for some initial design work on a client’s presentation, I was further drawn to Wow because of their remarkable portfolio and their reputation for pushing the boundaries of design and branding. Their work demonstrated a deep understanding of how to visually communicate a company’s substance, which was exactly what we were looking for.
What was the collaboration process like?
Collaborating with Wow has been an incredible experience. Alysha goes above and beyond to truly get to know the business and objectives. Alysha is incredibly open and iterative in her process, welcoming feedback and refining concepts to ensure the final product not only meets but exceeds expectations. I have never worked with anyone who will jump on to a project immediately, and finalise the project in no time at all with the quality of her work second to none. Her creativity, professionalism, and dedication to storytelling through design have made this partnership invaluable.
Any last words?
My collaboration with Alysha to date has been an absolute pleasure. To anyone considering a partnership with Wow Studios, I would definitely say: prepare to be amazed.
FEEL INSPIRED
The Art of Banksy Sydney “Without Limits”
Graffiti art and lettering are big design trends in 2024 so why not get out and see what its really all about.
The Banksy exhibition is well put together with some incredibly powerful pieces on display and its just extended it’s Sydney show dates.
If you have not seen it yet, now is the time to go along! You won’t be disapointed.
CREATE THE UNEXPECTED, DELIVER HAPPINESS!
WOW STUDIOS – WE BRING YOUR CREATIVE IDEAS TO LIFE
Back to Top