Keep in mind that your symbol does not need to be a literal representation of your product, but it should have a strong connection with your brand. For example, having a shoe as your symbol might be too literal if your product is shoes. Instead, you might represent what the shoes allow wearers to do with your symbol, such as run faster or enjoy the outdoors more. If you are designing a personal symbol, then focus on images or objects that might represent important aspects of your personality, heritage, or the message that you want to send. For example, if you are Irish you might incorporate the shamrock or some elements of Celtic design into your symbol. [2] X Research source
As you sketch, try to keep your goals for the symbol in mind. What message do you want to send?
Try showing your sketches to different people and see which one they prefer. Make sure to ask them why they prefer this image as well. You can use the input to adjust your symbol if needed.
Some examples of simple yet effective symbols include the Nike swoosh, the Olympic rings, and the Microsoft windows.
If you are using multiple colors in your symbol design, then make sure that they complement one another. For example, you might chose two polar opposites such as black and white, or two shades of one color, such as light blue and dark blue. Other colors can be jarring if placed beside each other, such as orange and pink. Experts in the psychology of color argue that we have emotional responses to certain colors. [4] X Research source Consider this when choosing colors for your symbol. For example, red can signify energy, power, passion, anger, and blood. [5] X Research source
Is it simple and appealing? Does it communicate your message well? Do the colors work? Is there anything (big or small) that you’d like to change about it?
Before you get started, think about why you are creating a logo. For example, do you want to include a logo on your job application materials or personal website to help you stand out?[6] X Research source Or will this logo appear on your products? You should also consider who will be viewing your logo and for what purpose. What might appeal to this audience? For example, will the intended audience respond better to some modern-looking or something more traditional?
If you decide to use an abbreviation, then you may need to add a symbol or a design element to make sure that your audience knows that the symbol represents you or your business.
Try checking the fonts that are available in your word processing software or check out online databases of fonts for ideas and inspiration. [7] X Research source If you decide to use more than one font, try to keep the number of different fonts to a minimum. Experts recommend using just one or two.
Adobe Illustrator is one of the most popular graphic design software programs. You are usually required to pay for these programs, but it might be a worthwhile investment if you need a high-quality logo or if you are planning to produce multiple logos.
As with symbols, color is important. For example, if you are designing a logo for an all-natural face cream, then you might choose earth-tones to communicate to your audience that the product is natural and free of artificial ingredients. [8] X Research source In contrast, bright neon colors might send your audience the message that the product is more artificial or high-tech. Try joining the letters together in an aesthetically pleasing way. For example, you can use shared strokes to link the letters together.
Make sure that the image is still recognizable if it is inverted as well. If you are using the logo for printed materials then print out the logo and look at it as it would appear on paper. This might help you to identify flaws easier than when you look at it on your computer screen.
Try to find a designer who specializes in creating logos for your particular purpose. He or she may have some great ideas about what will work best for your needs. [9] X Research source
Keep in mind that trademarks, copyrights, and patents protect different types of intellectual property. Trademarks are used to protect symbols, logos, and designs that distinguish your company’s products from your competitors. [11] X Trustworthy Source United States Patent and Trademark Office U. S. government agency responsible for registering and protecting patents and trademarks Go to source
You can search for similar trademarks at: http://www. uspto. gov/trademarks-application-process/search-trademark-database
Sound. Even if your logo is spelled differently than your competitor’s logo, the way the words in the logo sound can be grounds for rejecting a trademark application. For example, if your competitor’s product is called “J. Time,” you could not call your product “Jay Thyme. ” These both sound the same when you say them. Appearance. Trademarks also cannot look the same. Therefore, you could not use “J. Time” as your logo with a different font. For a symbol, you could not use an image that looks similar to one of your competitors. Meaning. Logos cannot share meaning either. For example, you could not have a brand logo called “Fortunate” if your competitor’s logo bore the name “Lucky. ” These words mean almost the same thing. Commercial Impression. You also cannot use a symbol or logo that might lead to confusion for your customers. For example, you could not use the same symbol as a competitor and just leave out the words in the logo. The image would confuse customers about whether or not the product was made by your competitor.
You can file your application online by visiting: http://www. uspto. gov/trademarks-application-process/filing-online
For the plus form and the reduced fee form, you will need to authorize email communication. You have to complete a full application for the plus form, which offers the lowest filing fee ($225). The TEAS regular form is ideal for those who do not want to complete the full application right away and do not want to receive correspondence via email. [14] X Trustworthy Source United States Patent and Trademark Office U. S. government agency responsible for registering and protecting patents and trademarks Go to source
