(Some interesting advice from the professionals)
By Les Vogt
Developing A Logo
You need to alert people that you're a professional that cares about your image. That's what good publicity materials will do. All your promotional materials should be professionally printed and reflect an instantly recognizable logo...
A logo is a symbol, a graphic message that tells people at a glance that they are reading about you. A logo may be as simple as your initial set in distinctive typeface, or it may be a more complex design incorporating a photo, silhouette or elements of your music, your name or personality, or even a distinctive slogan.
The logo is a shorthand way of identifying yourself... just as, at a glance, you recognize PBS, ABC, CBS, or NBC from their corporate symbols. Since this logo will be used on all your publicity materials, and, hopefully you'll be using it for years, spend enough time and money to be sure it represents you as well as possible.
A good logo is simple. The simpler your logo is, the more memorable it will be and the more it will stand apart from all the others. Here are some guidelines...
1. Your goal is to devise an emblem - a symbol that will be recognized at a glance on your envelopes, business cards, perhaps even T-shirts and stickers for instrument cases. Resist the temptation to add busy details, elaborate curlicues, or complex designs. Stay away from typefaces that are hard to read, no matter how "creative" they appear. People won't take the time to figure out an illegible script or slogan.
Use a pad and pencil and your imagination to brainstorm the idea of a symbol for you and your image. Does, your name give you ideas? Think about the parts of your name. Would just a first, or last, name do? It worked for Elvis, Cher, and Pavarotti. Johns or Susans, however, should probably look a little further than this.
What about using just your initials? That's certainly simple, and, with the right graphic touch, it might provide a memorable logo. It worked for CCR, BTO and ELO... even one letter with a curlicue underneath might be effective.
2. If you already have an established name, you still need to work on developing a logo. A rock artist will probably want to be more energetic, hip and trendy... perhaps even with an icon-style approach. Use your image idea sheet and consult with others to come up with the logo. Bands should brainstorm as a group to devise an appropriate logo. An identity can sometimes be difficult to pin down. Work on this until you're satisfied that your logo design represents the spirit of your personality or group. Don't rush this task no matter what... or you'll regret it later.
3. Show business is filled with strong graphic elements, and if you can find one that accurately reflects your own performance, make it part of your logo. Consider the graphic possibilities of a black & white keyboard, the music staff, and the shapes of most instruments... perhaps the gentle curved lines of a guitar, stand-up bass, or saxophone will trigger an idea for your logo. A close-up view of a microphone, spotlight, or almost any tools of the trade can bring interesting graphic possibilities.
4. Every printer has a supply of standard symbols and may suggest using one of them on your printing for a small fee... possibly even for free. If you let them talk you into that out-dated, mediocre keyboard on your business card, you'll look just as mediocre as the thousands of other piano players who've used the same symbol. Don't take the quick and easy way when you're working on your logo. Spend whatever time and money it takes to professionally reflect your image and your talents.
Work on you logo design until you're really pleased with it. Then put it aside. Come back in a week or two and take a fresh look. If you still like it... go ahead and produce it. If it just doesn't look or feel right, go back to the drawing board. You are special and your talent is unique. Your logo should reflect your uniqueness. Work on it until it is perfect... you'll be pleased that you did!
Author's site: http://www.members.shaw.ca/lesvogt
Les Vogt is an independent producer, promoter and entertainment consultant.
(Originally posted on iSound.com)
Covering San Antonio's music scene since 2005