Logo Design
Logo design is an important area of graphic design and one of the most difficult to perfect, as it is the image embodying an organization. Because logos are meant to represent companies’ brands or corporate identities and foster their immediate customer recognition, it is not a good idea to redesign logos. For example McDonalds, every child knows that the large Red M represents chicken nuggets and chips, imagine if they changed their logo to McD!
Color is considered important to brand recognition, but it should not be an integral component to the logo design, which could conflict with its functionality. Some colors are formed/associated with certain emotions that the designer wants to convey. For instance loud primary colors, such as red, are meant to attract the attention of drivers on highways are appropriate for companies that require such attention. In Ireland Green, White and Gold is often used in logos for companies that want to project patriotic feelings as are the shamrock and harp. For example Aer Lingus uses the Green Shamrock, NDP use a white harp on a green background, Environmental, Community & Local Government use a green harp, the Irish Government use a Gold Harp, Irish Aid use a Blue Harp. Green is often associated with the health and hygiene sector ( Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food use a blue, green and gold harp, and light blue or silver is often used to reflect diet foods. For other brands, more subdued tones and lower saturation can communicate reliability, quality, relaxation, or other traits.
Logo Design is one of the arts modules at Ennis Art School. The main reason that I use Logo Design is to show the students how art is incorporated into the industrial sector. For this module the students design their own logo, a graphic designed symbol that represents them as individuals. This design can than be printed onto t-shirts or used in letterheads.