Design Your Own Logo & Business Card
Logo Design is an art form which many people take very seriously. Individuals and corporations pay, at times, thousands of dollars, to have a logo which the public will like. A logo is the first impression a person or company makes, thus professionals are needed to design something unique and attractive.
If you had your own company, what would your logo look like? What colors would it have? What text will it incorporate?
If you had your own company, what would your logo look like? What colors would it have? What text will it incorporate?
What is a Logo?
A logo is a symbolic picture or design which provides an idea of what the company or person does. Some logos use the company name, while others show an activity, or the service it provides. Basically, a company's image starts from the second the public sees the logo.
Can a company have a bad logo?
The answer -- YES!
Companies that have a poor public image (the public thinks bad about them) will spend millions of dollars to have its logo redesigned. Then more millions are spent to advertise the new logo. Eventually, the public will forget the old logo and anything that came with it (bad press) and develop a new idea about the company. All thanks to the new logo.
What company had a bad logo? Walmart.
Walmart is one of the most successful business in the world with 8,500 stores in 15 countries. Yet, some people refused to shop there because of what they heard through the news media. The company had a bad image and it needed to do something to convince the public otherwise.
Companies that have a poor public image (the public thinks bad about them) will spend millions of dollars to have its logo redesigned. Then more millions are spent to advertise the new logo. Eventually, the public will forget the old logo and anything that came with it (bad press) and develop a new idea about the company. All thanks to the new logo.
What company had a bad logo? Walmart.
Walmart is one of the most successful business in the world with 8,500 stores in 15 countries. Yet, some people refused to shop there because of what they heard through the news media. The company had a bad image and it needed to do something to convince the public otherwise.
In the 1980s and 1990s Walmart used the happy face as part of their advertisement campaign. Although they didn't invent the smiley-face, they used it to promote their stores and promotions. Even the employees wore a smiley-face on their uniforms.
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However, in the early 2000s, the company faced a lot criticism. It was accused of paying their employees low wages, provided little or no health benefits and partnered with companies that used cheap-labor and child labor in other countries (Nike, Adidas, Apple Computers, Firestone, etc).
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In order to change its public image, Walmart changed their logo. They abandoned the smiley face, changed the layout of the name (font style) and the star was modified.
What do you think? Does the new logo give a different impression of the company? Or will people continue to criticize it? Almost all successful companies have changed their logo at one time or another. Click here to see who else changed theirs. |
These companies also faced criticism for their actions on the public
BP - British Petroleum (Gulf of Mexico oil spill)
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Nike Co. (Using sweatshops to produce their products)
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American Airlines (Poor customer service)
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McDonalds (unhealthy food)
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Designing Your Business Card
What is a Business Card?
It's a small card (approximately 2" x 3") with contact information about the business or person such as:
It's a small card (approximately 2" x 3") with contact information about the business or person such as:
- Full Name
- Business Name
- Logo and/or slogan
- Telephone
- Website address
Are there rules to designing a business card?
The answer? No.
Business card design is an art form in itself. Text and pictures can be placed in any way, shape or form. People will hold on to cards longer if it "stands out". The only down side is color business cards cost more to print due to the ink and the type of paper used. A hundred cards will cost around $25 compared to $10 for 100 b&w.
Business card design is an art form in itself. Text and pictures can be placed in any way, shape or form. People will hold on to cards longer if it "stands out". The only down side is color business cards cost more to print due to the ink and the type of paper used. A hundred cards will cost around $25 compared to $10 for 100 b&w.
Sample ideas
In class we will use "Business Card Factory Deluxe" to create and print your own BC. If you need some inspiration, here are some cool samples:
Click on the thumbnails to zoom in.
Click on the thumbnails to zoom in.
This is a vertical design.
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Simple look but creative
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Classy look
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A tiny pencil within the card!
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Who said cards have to be rectangles?!
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Yes, this is a business card!
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Your parents heard music on tapes like these
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Don't eat these business cards
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Metal design
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Old time radio
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Not sure of what type business you want? Use your personality to find out...
What type of business do you want?
Scientists have figured out what career a person might have by the personality they demonstrate.
This cool website shows you the possible careers you could have by your personality type. This only works if you're honest.
For example: If you consider yourself to be a "Guardian", your possible career path could be a police officer, judge, military, or business manager.
This cool website shows you the possible careers you could have by your personality type. This only works if you're honest.
For example: If you consider yourself to be a "Guardian", your possible career path could be a police officer, judge, military, or business manager.
Mr. M's Examples...
In class, we will be using a software to create your logos. Here are examples of logos using similar information:
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The Task
Mr. M's sample. Where does the design come from?
You've opened a business in your community, but still lack a logo and a business card to represent it. Instead of spending money hiring a graphic designer, you are going to design them yourself.
The logo and design should resemble what the business does. Look at Mr. Muñoz's sample. Where does the idea come from? What kind of business does this card project?
Now, think of your design. What colors are important and what information will you share?
Please NOTE:
Do not share private info. Your first name and initial of your last name is ok. Make up the rest.
The logo and design should resemble what the business does. Look at Mr. Muñoz's sample. Where does the idea come from? What kind of business does this card project?
Now, think of your design. What colors are important and what information will you share?
Please NOTE:
Do not share private info. Your first name and initial of your last name is ok. Make up the rest.
Rubric Score
Your logo and business card design will be scored with this rubric. Make sure you've fulfilled the requirements. If you have questions, please ask.
| Criteria | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Total |
| Logo Design | Attractive, concept pertains to the business idea. Use of color is appropriate | Good concept is adequate to the business, color use is appropriate | Clipart is used as a logo. Some text is applied to enhance the concept | Clipart or downloaded image is used with/ without text | |
| Mock Contact Info | Includes business name, student’s name and initial of last name, some arbitrary info is used. Text is legible | Business name, first name and initial of last name, some arbitrary info, but text is illegible | Only the business name and student name is visible | Only business name or student name is used | |
| Format/ Layout | Exceptionally attractive and eye-catching, easy to read, text and graphics well placed | Format is well done, easy to read, text and graphics well placed. Some issues with color or misspellings are present | Adequately attractive but could use some improvement | Not attractive, font hard to read, inadequate or missing graphics and visuals | |
| Overall Design | Flawless, exceptional! | Good job; only one error noted | Fair; two errors noted | Needs work; three or more errors noted |