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Teacher Ideas for Logo Design

Even before the computer age and since then - even more so, the logo has become a very important design and branding concept. Students really enjoy working with and understanding the basics of logo design. Logo design fits perfectly into the Visual Arts strands of 'Understanding the Visual Arts in Context, Developing Ideas, Communicating and Interpreting and Developing Practical Knowledge.

Logo design as a major class project also has strong links to Technology and English strands.

The following ideas are provided so teachers can develop their own lessons around the topic of Logo Design.

Key Ideas to Share

Logs developed from the old trademarks. A logo is a distinct identifier which can be associated with just about anything. Wherever we look today we see logos. It can be used to identify your school, identify a product, identify a company or a service …

The use of a logo gives a distinctiveness and your students are familiar with so many of them in everyday life. Have students list and describe as many logos as they can, e.g.

1. the Nike Swoosh
2. McDonald's Golden Arch
3. The BP Logo

KEY LOGO IDEAS

1. It must be very simple
2. It can be just a word or words
3. It can be a combination of words and a symbol or image

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD LOGO

1. It should be very simple
2. It should be of limited colors (Graphic designers say that a good logo will have a maximum of 3 colors and these would include black or white lettering if used)
3. It must have a relevance to and a relationship to the subject, e.g.: A swimmer for a swimming club.
4. It can be abstract or realistic.

The Resene logo uses both words and striking colors It can break the 3 color rule because colors 'are what Resene is all about and this gives it total relevance.

It has to be as striking is black and white (or gray scale) e.g.: while your school logo may be in color, it will be in black and white when it goes through on a fax.

It has to be just as clearly defined and recognizable if it is increased or decreased in size, eg: Your school logo should look just as good as a big logo on a sports shirt but clear enough as a subtle logo on a business card.

Symbols on the logo should not be intricate - make them very simple so they can be recognised when the logo is reduced in size or made black and white.

If you are using a computer to design fonts, have students stick to tried and true - easy to read - fonts (Typefaces). Students are naturally attracted to flowery and extravagant fonts that are unfortunately often very hard to read. They must remember that words are being used to get a message across.

If your students are painting or drawing letters, keep them simple and consistent in style.

A sample logo a student might design showing contrasting colours in the rectangles, smaller rectangles on top and bottom for contrast with an easy-to-read typeface (Font)

The simplicity of the logo ensures it looks just as good in grayscale

TEACHING STRATEGIES

Look through newspapers, magazines and advertising brochures for logos. Have students discuss effectiveness of colours and design

Set up a rating system (1-5) and have students rate all logos found.

Invite a commercial artist or graphic designer to talk/demonstrate logo design to the class. Prepare questions before the visit.

SUGGESTED LOGO TOPICS

• a business card for the teacher, principal or individual student
• a classroom logo
• a family stationery letterhead logo
• school library logo
• a sports team logo
• try logos that only use symbols
• try logos that use only words
• try combinations of both
• design a logo for the class web page