McDonald’s is one of the most well known restaurants and franchises in general around the world. The logo itself is easily recognizable and it does not take long to know what it is associated with. The McDonald’s franchise had a surprising start and a lot of major changes throughout its journey from the beginning to where they are now.
Originally called “The Airdome,” even their name had a drastic change once the McDonald brothers took over their father’s restaurant. Not many years later were the golden arches formed and the face of what once was The Airdome changed forever.
1940
Originally, McDonald’s sold more barbecue items than just their famous hamburgers and cheeseburgers. Starting out as a roadside hotdog stand, they expanded their menu with burgers and an additional 25 barbecue items. Something so simple would soon change the face of the restaurant business entirely.
1948
Removing barbecue items from their menu required McDonald’s to remove it from their name and sign. When it was shown that burgers were giving them more profit, it was decided to remove those from the menu thus creating the hamburgers and cheeseburgers they are so famously known for around the world. The winking cook known as “Chef Speedee” in their logo is a sign for their quick service that they were, and still are, offering.
1953
This is when they changed their name to just ‘McDonald’s’ thus needing a change in their logo. With McDonald’s not being as big of a chain as it is today, they needed a logo that was clear to read but also had some of their signature color palette. It was important to have a logo that was a clear image of what their name is and who they are as a company. The red and yellow combination are so well known today, and this was the first logo created to include one of their signature colors. In 1952, the golden arches were designed in part of their new building by Stanley Meston. Though it would not be thought to be used in a logo until 1962 by Jim Schindler.
1961
This logo is the first of the many McDonald’s logos to feature the famous golden arches. First shown in the early architecture of their buildings, McDonald’s was known for those giant yellow arches on either side of the building. Incorporating that into the logo solidified the familiarity of those arches with the McDonald’s franchise.
1968
This was the first logo to turn the golden arches into an ‘M’ shape versus just the two arches with a line through. This design started what we now know today as the McDonald’s logo. Not only was this perfect to continue to incorporate the golden arches into the logo, but to also have it shaped like an ‘M’ for ‘McDonald’s’ made it known globally what franchise this logo stands for.
1993
A few minor changes to the logo happened in 1993. Taking out the word “McDonald’s” on the logo itself and instead adding a black shadow behind it allowed for a logo that would be used for almost twenty years. This is the first logo that they developed that did not have “McDonald’s” incorporated somewhere on it. The golden arches by now were mostly associated with the McDonald’s franchise that words were not even necessary to have such a successful image. Which is why it was able to be used for so long.
2003
2003 is when the slogan “I’m Lovin’ It” rose to fame. The original shape and color were changed just a bit along with adding the “i’m lovin’ it” slogan at the bottom. They added some shading to give a more three dimensional aspect to the yellow part of the logo. The campaign for this slogan was so successful, it is still used today as well as the majority of society knowing who this phrase belongs to shows just how successful this campaign actually was. Even today we still see signs of this slogan in McDonald’s advertisements or commercials.
2006
Creating a more modern and simple look, this is the logo that we are familiar with today. A slightly different shade of yellow without the black background on a plain white background gives it a chic look that McDonald’s has been using since 2006. A simplistic look that has the versatile abilities to be used for multiple marketing platforms as well as the popularity of the golden arches in today’s society allows McDonald’s to be successful with such a simple logo.
2018
This version of the design is the same yellow emblem, but it’s placed inside a red square with rounded corners. The current logo remains very much the same, some with no background, some with red, sometimes the name is included in black or white, but over the years the logo has remained recognizable around the world.
Here is a custom label mockup created for a client by Flocksy team member Airice.
All custom illustrations/brand designs/marketing materials on Flocksy are created completely from scratch by one of our extremely talented graphic design creatives.
Start a graphic design project today and see results in just hours!
by Flocksy writer Rachel E. You’ve come to the right place to read tips on how to master writing fast, while still keeping your work coherent and professional. There are a few great ways to implement efficient writing habits that will have you meeting your deadlines within a timely manner. continue
by Flocksy writer David G. For recruiters who are always on the lookout for great talent and quality candidates to fill their open positions, a polished and professional resume is very much sought after. It’s one thing to do the hard work on your resume, but it’s another thing to do it in a thoughtful manner. So with that in mind, here are a few great ways to get your resume noticed. continue
by Flocksy writer Kasey V. As much as 93 percent of internet experiences begin with a search. Think about how often you turn to your favorite search engine, whether it’s to find a hot new restaurant or to get the answer to your burning question. Right now, people are searching for answers to their questions. Are you ranking high enough for them to find you? continue
by Flocksy writer Matt G. Google has a tool which helps you create better and more favorable content more easily, called Google Trends. This tool is great for keeping your content fresh and up to the minute. It also contains many features to check on competition and enhance your existing your content. Here are five ways you can use Google Trends in your favor. continue
There’s nothing in the sporting world like a great sports logo. They come in all different shapes, sizes, and color, and inspire emotions as diverse as fear, happiness, or awe. In honor of the many designs ingrained in the collective consciousness from sports teams, here are fifteen great sports logos, in no particular order.
This logo was introduced in 1975 to evoke the spirit and energy of Seattle. This great retro logo has the look and feel of the era and sports the buildings and icons of the city, including the Space Needle. The skyline can mostly still be seen to this day, making this a timeless and classical logo all at once.
One of the greatest NBA logos in history, this design forewent sleekness and modernity to bring The Raptors back to their prehistoric roots. This is a mishmash of color, funky geometry, and points to strike fear into the opposing team. The raptor on the design is still the first thing most think of when they think of The Toronto Raptors.
One of the oldest and most varied universities in the country, the University of Notre Dame has been called the fighting Irish for nearly the last sixty years. To commemorate the name, this great logo of a fighting leprechaun was designed. Not one of the meanest logos, this little guy is still one of the fiercest; would you want to fight him?
One of the oldest logo in American sports, the St. Louis Cardinals logo evokes a feeling of warmth and comfort, as well as fury and bitterness for opposing team players who have had to face their mighty bats. No other graphic logo looks as classical or streamlined as the St. Louis Cardinals logo.
One of the all-time great logos in sports, The Longhorns logo needs little detail or texture to be feared and remembered. Simply an orange longhorn silhouette, the Longhorn’s logo is known throughout the world as a symbol of pride and admiration in Texas. A perfect orange dominates the logo and sends opponents packing early.
Although this logo looks like it belongs in the early 20th century, it was actually designed in 1960. What’s great about this logo is the texture and details in Pat the Patriot’s face and uniform. He’s ready to play ball and snarling at the enemy team with glee. Though it was dropped in the nineties, no Patriots logo will ever top Pat the Patriot.
This is a divisive logo to some, but there’s substitute for the colors, energy, or relevance the Houston Rockets’ logo offers. Houston is the home of NASA, and the logo pays homage to the city’s pride by featuring an angry rocket at the top. The text itself is big and bold it all rotates around a basketball designed to look like the Earth. Perfect.
One of the all-time classic soccer logos, Manchester United is also one of the most significant. The team is one of the most dominant and iconic in European soccer history and their logo is imbued with the boldness and fresh aesthetic of the players. The devil at the center is the cherry on top, as most opposing team fans can attest to.
There’s no logo in sports like the Pittsburg Steelers logo. The logo was adopted by the team in the 1960s, near the peak of the industrial spirit in America. The logo is actually the only logo in American football to be worn on only one side of players’ helmets, making it extra unique. It’s sleek, dominating, and minimal, just like the team itself.
Easily the most recent logo on this list, the Seattle Kraken logo is inevitably destined to become a classic. It’s minimal but evokes a feeling of the deep sea. The S itself is molded into the shape of a monster with a curled eye staring down the opposing players’ souls. The texture of its spine is a nice addition as well.
This sharp logo was introduced in 1991 and adopted by the fan base immediately. There are few mascots as fear-inducing and commanding as a shark, and this logo takes full advantage of this fact. The shark of the logo has always been a menacing logo and is contrasted nicely with the triangle and broken hockey stick within the logo.
The Detroit Red Wings logo has an interesting history. It was actually introduced because James E. Norris, owner of the team in 1932 when the team was introduced, was a member of the Amateur Athletic Association, which was a cycling club. The logo pays tribute to his history and the team by combining red wings with a literal bicycle tire.
Although the Padres logo has been changed and altered throughout their history, this remains the all-time most unique logo in their history. This swinging friar is a great tribute to the Spanish missionaries who settled the area in the deep past, while staying light and fun. Who doesn’t want to see a padre pay baseball? Stay holy.
This iconic logo was introduced in 1969 and has not been altered since. On the surface it may seem like a plain logo, but the color combination and presence of the large G makes it unique. The Packers are a prideful and classic franchise, and the logo evokes their spirit well. This logo may never change again.
One of the greatest things about the short-lived AAF were the team logos, and none were cooler than the San Diego Fleet. Combining a sleek minimalism with the feel of San Diego and its military history, this logo anchored the team and led them to success before the unfortunate shuttering of the league.
Here is a custom character design mockup created for a client by Flocksy team member Alberto.
All custom illustrations/brand designs/marketing materials on Flocksy are created completely from scratch by one of our extremely talented graphic design creatives.
Start a graphic design project today and see results in just hours!
by Flocksy writer Sophia Editing videos can be a timely process. Yet, video editing is so necessary for marketing your business and reaching your audience. You may be considering how to hire a youtube editor for your business. continue
by Flocksy writer Rachel Estes If you are researching inspiration for impactful, yet simplistic, logos for your new tech start up, this list has some amazing ideas. Read on to discover 14 clever logos from well established tech companies. continue
by Flocksy writer Rachel Estes Studies have found that businesses that implement remote work policies see increased productivity, efficiency, and fulfillment from their employees, which in turn means your business will benefit greatly. continue
by Flocksy writer Kasey Van Dyke Understanding the differences between branding and marketing is crucial in developing effective strategies and strong tactics. continue
We now offer an easy way to share work done with your clients without showing any of the Flocksy branding.
This is great for agencies that want to share work with their clients without showing that Flocksy did it.
If you are on the Access Plan, simply go to the project and click the share button above the work. Then simply toggle off “Flocksy branding” and you are good to go.
Sam Ryan … and the rest of Team Flocksy!
Featured Team Member Design Of The Month:
Here is a blog post design mockup created for a client by Flocksy team member Sunardi.
All custom illustrations/brand designs/marketing materials on Flocksy are created completely from scratch by one of our extremely talented graphic design creatives.
Start a graphic design project today and see results in just hours!
by Flocksy writer Valentine Karimi Easy and inexpensive self design platforms have simplified the process of creating sites. In fact, you no longer require coding knowledge these days. However, acquiring a website is not the problem; usability is… continue
by Flocksy writer Sophia Logos are a critical aspect of any brand; they’re what represents a brand and makes it recognizable to customers. When you think about all the top brands(Apple, Google, Target, Microsoft) a lot of times what will instantly come to mind is their iconic logos. Logos speak for their brand and are a huge part of their advertising. continue
by Flocksy writer Sophia Regardless of the size of the change, seeing redesigns that Iconic companies make are also always a fun adventure and the public is very quick to judge whether it was a success or not. Here are some examples of famous brands, and their logo redesigns: continue
by Flocksy writer Alexander Lundrigan If you are a web designer, you will likely run into a client that wants a cutesy or cool looking character design for their website. If your goal is to dazzle the client, you need to understand the best conventions when designing these characters. continue
Communication distinguishes a good marketing campaign from a bad one. You may have all the correct information, but how you present it matters. Marketing communications aim to educate and persuade customers to make a purchase.
However, its efficiency is determined by various factors. If the message, language, and media do not suit the target market. The marketing communication approach will flop. Here are some tips to improve your marketing communications.
Develop A Good Marketing Plan
A sound marketing plan is comparable to a road map, indicating a starting point and the steps necessary to reach the end goal. Launching a marketing campaign without first developing a clear marketing strategy is a surefire way to fail. A marketing plan should include,
Extensive marketing research.
The intended audience.
Advertising platforms.
A thorough dive into the competition’s marketing communication strategies.
All of these things have an impact on your communication style. For example, for youth, it may be OK to use slang, but for the older generation, it is not.
Seek Guidance From An Expert.
In all honesty, hiring someone to assist you with marketing is not always an easy decision, especially for small businesses. This could be due to financial constraints or the belief that you are the only one who understands what your company is all about, which is understandable. Juggling things on your own, on the other hand, may throw you off your game.
Suppose you employ a professional and share your vision with them. In that case, you will spend more time managing the business and coming up with new ideas while they are out looking for solutions to your marketing communication problems.
Take A Marketing Or Communication Course.
Starting a business does not demand a business degree, but having one is highly beneficial. It’s the same with marketing. You might know how to conduct market research and other basics of the field, but do you know how to effectively convey a message or put together a compelling Facebook post or an email?
You could accomplish so much more and faster if you took a few lessons. Marketing comprises more than just having an idea who to market to, it also entails understanding consumer psychology, such as grasping which phrases are likely to prompt a client to purchase and which are not.
Demonstrate Some Personality
Nowadays, the majority of businesses mimic what their competitors are doing. Even though it is beneficial to draw inspiration from your opponent, it is also important to identify methods to set yourself apart from the competition. Being different can be a positive thing.
The easiest way to accomplish this is to inject some personality into your marketing communications. It could be the tone of your advertisements or the content you post, how your business interacts with customers and potential customers, whether on social media or in person. It Makes clients feel like they have a personal connection to your company.
Build Trust For Your Brand
Suppose Clients are to believe that you are the top hairstylist or baker in town. You have to prove it to them. Don’t mislead your customers by giving them inaccurate information. Offer free samples, post real client testimonials, and encourage your consumers to evaluate and review your business. People need to believe in what you’re selling. Increased sales are the result of a good brand.
Modify Your Marketing Tactics
Have you struggled to get likes and comments on your social media posts, despite posting regularly? or are visitors not flocking to your website? It could be disheartening to see the marketing communication approach you had so much faith in, with which you had invested resources and time, provide such disappointing results.
However, do not give up yet. Attempt alternative ways or make minor adjustments here and there. You could also experiment with paid Google Ads, Facebook Ads, a podcast, free testing fair, or even paying influencers to promote your products or services rather than simply posting content on social media pages.
Regular Results Monitoring
Every marketing communication strategy must include an assessment. Did it promote awareness, inform customers about a new product, or a sale? A competent assessment system is required to determine the effectiveness of marketing communications tactics and if they should be used in a future campaign. What parameters can you use to evaluate the effectiveness of a marketing strategy?
With most marketing conducted online, it’s pretty simple because Google and social media platforms provide insights. You can see the number of people who viewed or commented on your ad, how much traffic your website received as a result of the ad, and how many people signed up for newsletters, and so forth.
Share Helpful Information
You can’t just throw anything out there. Always view your marketing communications from the perspective of the customer. If you don’t understand what customers want to hear about your business, review your social media postings to see which ones had the most engagement and go with that. You could also share content that sparks discussions or captivates customers’ interest, encouraging them to be honest about what they expect from you.
Ultimately, when devising a marketing communication strategy, know your target audience well. Then, based on the findings, customize your communication model to the customer profile.
I hope everyone had a great summer and got some vacation time in! We’ve been busy over here at Flocksy.
Here is some of what we have been working on:
Simplified starting and completing a project and made it even faster to get work done!
Added the Illustration Team to our Team Plan! (used to only be in the Access Plan) Expanded what our copywriting team offers And more…
So go check it out and let me know your thoughts! I’d love to hear them.
Sam Ryan … and the rest of Team Flocksy!
Featured Team Member Design Of The Month:
Here is a poster design mockup created for a client by Flocksy team member Airice.
All custom illustrations/brand designs/marketing materials on Flocksy are created completely from scratch by one of our extremely talented graphic design creatives.
Start a graphic design project today and see results in just hours!
by Flocksy writer Rachel Estes The design industry is ever evolving. New trends and social behaviors are always cropping up in this creative sector, and sometimes it may feel as if you don’t know where to begin as an aspiring designer. There are a few tips to consider when thinking about jump starting into a career as a digital creative: continue
by Flocksy writer William Hudson To have complete control in the design world a graphic artist must know how to alter and augment pictures at will. There are five forms of photographic manipulation a graphic designer should be fully comfortable performing. We list and discuss them below continue
by Flocksy writer David Galstyan This article will outline the best practices for running an effective virtual meeting. You might not need every single one of them, but you can use this as a general guide to run meetings that everyone enjoys. continue
by Flocksy writer Matt Gladstone If you should decide to outsource and let the experts take care of your social media marketing needs, here are the top seven benefits you’ll receive with this decision. continue
Once you take the leap to be a small business owner, you will notice immediately that you spend a lot of time jumping from one responsibility to another. Entrepreneurs must wear many hats aside from being the CEO, such as accounting, marketing, and sales.
Luckily, there are various apps available for moguls to use to make business task simpler and more efficient.
Read on below to see our list of 8 apps that every entrepreneur should know.
Accompany is an app that uses artificial intelligence to build large databases of people and relationships at companies. The app will send you notifications about the latest company news, work anniversaries and other information to keep you abreast about what’s going on with businesses that you’re interested in.
To put it simply, Accompany is an app that has information all in one space about companies or potential contractors without you having to spend time researching online.
For small business owners, staying on top of the financial aspects of the business falls solely on your shoulders. It is important to try to stay in the “green” and avoid as many monetary missteps as possible.
DisputeBee is an app that helps owners with the process of identify negative marks on their credit reports and assist with having them removed. With DisputeBee’s help, you can increase your credit score and stay on top of your credit score so that it doesn’t impact your growing business.
Are you easily distracted whenever you work? Or do you overwork yourself so much that you forget to eat or drink? It’s easy to lose track of time, or let time lose you, when you are your own boss.
Toggl is a productivity app that that allows you to track your daily work. Every day, the app sends reports to you about how you allocate your time. The app shows you where you can improve productivity and get things done on time so that your days are more structured.
Hunter prides itself in ensuring that users will be able to find email addresses in seconds. This app is great for entrepreneurs who want to find and reach out to connections via email to talk about business ideas or prospects. If you know the person’s name or company that they work for, Hunter will try and find their email contact information.
As an entrepreneur, you have a lot going on and remembering all your passwords may be easy to forget. With LastPass, you can easily access all your passwords on each connected device. This app eliminates the need to store passwords on multiple devices or platforms.
The Asana app is perfect for entrepreneurs with remote teams consisting of freelancers or contractors.
Asana is a cloud-based project and task management tool that will help you manage and organize assignments, communicate, and collaborate with remote workers. It’s initiative, easy to use and best of all, free for small teams.
Canva is a great app for creating promotional posters, infographics, and web design content. It’s also perfect for creating logos, thumbnails, and post for social media content.
The best part of this app is that you don’t have to be a design professional to use it. Canva provides you with hundreds of ready-to-use templates that are all customizable. If you want more template choices and more design features, consider upgrading to the paid version.
Gone are the days of scrolling through various news outlet until you find something that’s interesting. The pocket app is a news app curated specifically for you!
Save articles, videos and stories from any publication, page or app that has to do with your business interest Curate your own space filled with everything you can’t wait to learn.
Ever wondered what makes a perfect logo? Recognizability is obviously important: your logo is a crucial tool for developing your brand. But what makes a logo recognizable? It’s usually a blend of design simplicity, compelling visuals, and iconography that aligns with your brand values.
The best way to understand the art of logo design, and to find the perfect visual identity for your own business, is to review the world’s best corporate logos. These are the designs that have endured in the public imagination, which means they’re ideal study material for developing your own memorable logo.
Nike’s famous “swoosh” expertly communicates the brand’s core values: dynamism, accomplishment, and simplicity. Designer Carolyn Davidson was inspired by the company’s namesake Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. The eye pleasing design makes excellent use of the golden ratio (1.618:1).
The swoosh’s curve corresponds to a Fibonacci spiral, a shape that grows by a factor of 1.168 with each quarter turn. A final upward stroke evokes feelings of movement and motivation, yet aligns perfectly with the initial point of the curve.
This highly recognizable logo has been hailed as one of the world’s best, and it’s indeed an achievement in stellar design!
Amazon’s famous logo combines its name with the “smile,” which doubles as an arrow pointing from the “a” o the “z.” The message is clear: Amazon has everything from A to Z. The arrow also connotes speed and innovation, both of which are crucial to the Amazon brand promise. And of course, the “smile” reflects the satisfaction and entertainment that Amazon customers can enjoy.
According to legend, the iconic Disney font seen in its wordmark is based on Walt Disney’s handwriting. It also has a whimsical and dynamic vibe ideal for the world’s leading animation company. Disney’s logo is recognizable both in the full wordmark and the abbreviated “D” lettermark.
The “D” comprises a distinctive swirl with a wandlike vertical stroke, an homage to the seminal short film “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” in the Disney classic Fantasia. Many versions of the logo also contain Cinderella’s castle from Disneyland to reflect the brand’s dominance in theme parks and immersive entertainment.
Plenty of companies earn brand recognition with lettermarks, but Unilever’s logo takes it a step further. Look closely at their “U” and you’ll see leaves, fruits, trees, starbursts, bees, hearts, and more … all symbols of their commitment to nutrition, natural wellness, and beauty. This collage of icons gives Unilever’s logo a whimsical vibe, yet the overall image is a simple, professional feel.
Based on the idea that “an elephant never forgets,” note taking app Evernote promises to help you remember everything. The visually pleasing and adorable logo features a simple green elephant head.
But look closer and you’ll see that the elephant’s ear is folded as you would fold a page in the book. This subtle yet clever design choice signifies the wisdom of the elephant and the purpose of the Evernote app.
Dropbox’s logo depicts an open box. While this may seem like an obvious image, the logo is actually quite clever. If you look closely, you see that the “box” is composed of five identical diamonds. Four of them are arranged in a square, with a diamond shaped negative space in the middle.
The fifth diamond makes the shape of the box and is dropped exactly below the open space. The resulting illusion is of an open box, but the logo’s symmetrical design and strategic spacing also perfectly illustrate this digital syncing service.
Inspired by the legends of Seattle’s seaside culture, Starbucks made a bold choice with its logo. Rather than going the obvious route with imagery of coffee beans and cups, they created the mythical and enticing siren.
The image not only taps into Seattle’s history as a port of call but also evokes ideas of magic, temptation, and wonder, all of which reflect the brand’s commitment to premium coffee and innovative recipes.
Two interlocking C’s, each a mirror image of the other, is the perfect way to symbolize coordination and balance. This makes it an ideal logo for the leading fashion brand Chanel. It’s technically a letter mark for “CC,” the initials of founder Coco Chanel. However, it’s also a simple and elegant logo that affirms the company’s sophistication as well as its historic roots.
While automobile logos all tend to look alike after a while, it’s easy to recognize Volkswagen’s. After recovering from a dark period in which Hitler’s Germany required them to use the swastika, Volkswagen rebranded to focus on its initials.
However, their “VW” lettermark subverts convention with a vertical orientation. The “V” is positioned above the “W,” with the middle point of the latter directly supporting the bottom point of the former. The “W”‘s upward strokes run parallel to the “V’s,” providing a dynamic yet synchronous design that illustrates the brand’s progressive and streamlined engineering.
Electronics logos are more than a recognizable shape to print on the devices. They symbolize the subculture that emerges around the experience of using those electronics. (Just look at Apple’s famous logo, also on this list!) One of the best known logos in the gaming world is that of PlayStation.
Composed of an interlocking “P” and “S,” this unique design has the illusion of being 3D. The curve of the “P” flows seamlessly into the top of the “S”, evoking the circuitry that makes the gaming console work. It also has a playful vibe, which aligns perfectly with PlayStation’s subculture.
With a dynamic design, bright colors, and simple shapes, Pepsi’s logo connotes happiness, community, and effervescence. This is the perfect visual complement to the soda brand’s “Pop Fizz Ahh” slogan.
The round logo comprises a large red semicircle, a swooping white shape, and a blue wave. Together, they evoke both the physical experience of opening a can of Pepsi and the patriotic, dynamic vibe of the brand.
Did you know that FedEx’s logo has a hidden arrow? Once you see it, you can’t unsee it! At first glance, it appears to be a standard wordmark with the company name. However, the negative space between the E and the X creates an arrow that symbolizes the company’s commitment to fast shipping and forward thinking. Plus, the unique combination of adjacent secondary colors (purple and orange) adds a dynamic yet balanced feel.
Abbreviated to “Cat,” Caterpillar’s wordmark is the epitome of double valence in logos. The black, tall lettering expresses power and dominance, while the yellow triangle suggests either a mound or a highway. Either way, this logo signifies construction, progress, and authority.
The striking contrast of black and yellow is unique to logos: it perfectly expresses the energetic potential of construction while evoking the strong, sturdy foundation of the company.
The Apple logo is so recognizable that it doesn’t even need to appear alongside the company name. Inspired by the classic story of Sir Isaac Newton theorizing the law of gravity when an apple fell, the logo evokes feelings of insight and progress.
Early versions of the now famous design included a rainbow pattern to symbolize inspiration and discovery. Today, the logo is minimalistic, but with its gentle curves and the distinctive “bite,” it’s the perfect icon for this seminal electronics company.
Netflix’s wordmark is quite simple. But look closely and you’ll see the streaming giant’s brand values captured in the design. With tall, dominant letters and moderate kerning, the typeface hints at Netflix’s role in the streaming revolution, as well as its seamless experience.
The words are also curved slightly downward from a center point, giving the wordmark the illusion of expanding. The platform’s animated logo enforces this idea.
A letter mark that also reflects the iconic “golden arches” used in early restaurant design, McDonald’s logo is now a globally recognized symbol of happiness. The vibrant yellow, simple strokes, and whimsical vibe capture the brand’s core values: satisfaction and playtime. It’s also a nicely open and symmetrical design that makes it very appealing to young people, especially!
A rainbow peacock doesn’t exactly seem like a suitable logo for a broadcasting company, but NBC’s enduring and highly recognizable logo has proven that assumption wrong. As a leading provider of color TV programming, NBC wanted to feature vivid colors in its logo.
Today, each of the colors represents one of NBC’s core departments. The peacock is looking toward the right to signify forward thinking, while the teardrop shaped “feathers” evoke imagery of flower petals and lens shutters. The messaging is simple: NBC promotes growth through innovative visual media.
Shell began as a seashell export company that eventually moved into oil extraction and refined. Its famous “pecten” logo illustrates both its history and its current role as a global supplier of fossil fuels. Composed of a simple scallop image with bold red and yellow colors, Shell’s logos definitely stand out on the roadside.
The thick outer trace gives the design a fresh energy, while the subtle tapered strokes evoke elegance. Interestingly, the shell’s bottom is square, with only a small caret to suggest a real world scallop. This subtle design choice connotes reliability and durability while hinting at the company’s drilling expertise.
With a bright orange hue, angled layout, and a dramatic typeface, Home Depot’s logo is the cornerstone of their visual presence. The font is cleverly modeled after stencils, with just enough space in between to suggest there’s still work to be done.
Meanwhile, the sharp 45 degree angle of the words evokes feelings of hard work and determination. Notice also that the “H” and “E” in “HOME” and the “D” and “T” in “DEPOT” extend just beyond the orange square. This is a perfect illustration of “thinking outside the box” if we ever saw one.
Abbreviated to “Mtn Dew,” this famous logo has become a cultural icon of a beloved beverage. This distinctive and zany design features the product name in complementary colors (green and red). Yet despite looking like a Christmas logo, the Mountain Dew logo evokes feelings of energy, athleticism, and youth culture.
The words are arranged at 45 degree angles, with the “M” and “W” distorted to stretch slightly beyond the core shape. Tight kerning and leading give the logo an urgent and dynamic feel.
Wrapping Up
What did you learn from these logos? Which do you think are the most enticing and effective?
The World of Graphic Design is on the rise in our digital age. It is a source of product marketing, and it also makes businesses stand out amongst competitors.
If you’re just starting out with a small business, your attention and commitment to your brand design is crucial.
If you’re looking for ways to help bring your company the attention it deserves by way of graphic design, then we’ve got you covered. Read on below to see our 8 graphic design tips for small businesses.
Online Design Templates Are Your Friend
As soon as you commit to making designs for your business, make sure that you get familiar with the various design tools that you’ll need to be successful.
As a small business owner, your money may be tight, and you may not have the funds right away to invest in a professional designer. The good news for you is that the internet has a wealth of knowledge and design tools for you to use, so you can hold off on hiring a designer and make designs yourself, at least initially.
There are logo maker tools, email signature tools, and merch design tools online. Some are even free to use! With all these tools, you can create professional graphic designs for your business in just a matter of minutes.
Know Your Story
Before you start the design process, be clear about what this design means to you and your business goals.
Firstly, does this design speak to your brand’s purpose and what your company offers? You shouldn’t create a design based off something cool that you saw on Instagram or a design that has no barring to your specific product offering. The graphic elements need to be personal to you, just like your product is.
If you’re clear on what your design’s objective is, then you can move toward creating the best design for the brand.
Identify Your Target Customer Base
Once you’ve found out how your brand design correlates to your business, it’s important to discover how it relates to your customers, as well.
Just like with marketing, your target audience will play a big part in how you proceed with your graphic design strategy. For example, are you providing a service for financial assistance or education? Are you posting vlogs about dog behavior? Perhaps you create daily food blogs? No matter your purpose, you want to have a clear view on who your audience is and from there, you can let your design speak to them.
Get That Logo Down
Your logo should be both unique and easily recognizable to your audience. They are, after all, the biggest identifiers for brands.
Although it’s great to research other companies to get an idea of how brands invest in their logos, your own should be something new and not plagiarized from bigger companies.
Get started with creating a logo by using online logo maker tools.
Choose Your Brand Colors
In graphic design, colors play a role in customers recognizing who you are amongst other companies. It also can be a deciding factor in consumers purchasing from you.
Brand colors have the power to influence and play on the emotions and perceptions of your audience toward your brand. So, use colors that signify your company. Neutral and warm tones like sandy brown, greys and whites often represent comfort and go with brands highlighting relaxation and home design. Colors like green can work for brands that promote financial help, health, or outdoor activities.
Remember, too many colors can be overwhelming and turn people away from your design and thus your product.
Don’t Go Crazy With The Design
You ever heard of the acronym K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple Stupid)? Well, that couldn’t apply more in graphic design. Simplicity in your graphic designs is key.
Now, simple does not boring or bland. A number of businesses think that too much white space in a design means that it needs to be covered up. Keeping it simple means creating something that is easy to read and interpret. This translates to limiting extra shapes, photos, and unnecessary wording.
Your Fonts Should Be Consistent
Similar to brand colors, fonts also play a crucial role in graphic design. The font and font size can make or break your ability to gain interest from customers. Make sure the fonts you use are easy to read and reflect your brand and audience personality.
More importantly, use the same font in all your graphic designs. Not only will it look better, but it will be much less distracting than having multiple fonts on one design. The rule of thumb is to stick to a maxim of two fonts for your design.
Research Other Companies
While you need to make sure that you aren’t copying other companies’ designs, consider doing some research to see what other, successful brands are doing with their graphic designs.
Take inspiration from how the put together meaningful creations to engage their audiences. Look at their colors, fonts, designs and services. Learn what works and what doesn’t work with graphic design from your peers and cultivate something unique for your business.
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