Here are some logo design tips that I’ve learned in my time being a designer (Derek Kimbell)

1. Don’t worry about adding colors to your logo until after the design has been established.

2. Keep your design balanced.

3. Understand the meaning behind colors. You can read more about this in my post on Color Psychology.

4. Stay away from logos that are too wide or too tall. Try to keep the design compact.

5. A font choice can make or break a design. Chose one that fits the company you’re designing for. Also make sure the font goes well with the rest of the design.

6. Sketch out your ideas before you even touch a computer.

7. Your logo’s outline should be distinct.

8. Any logo should look good in black and white.

9. Don’t use lines or strokes that are really thin.

10. Avoid using too many colors. There are exceptions to every rule, but try to limit your color choices to 3 or less.

11. Research the company you are designing for, as well as it’s industry and competition.

12. Be unique and original rather than following the obvious or cliche route.

13. Avoid using too much detail or creating designs that are overly complex.

14. The logo needs to be distinguishable when viewed or printed at smaller sizes.

15. Create a design that communicates well.

16. Stay away from neon or extremely bright colors when ever possible.

17. Avoid the cliche/overused marks and symbols such as the “swoosh”.

18. Logos based around type should not include more than 2 fonts.

19. Create in vector format only.

20. Not every logo needs a mark (symbol).

21. If your design includes both a mark (symbol) and text, then make sure they compliment each other well.

22. Get your friends or family’s opinion on a logo before submitting it to a client.

23. Know the audience or target group you are creating the logo for.

24. Learn your software so it doesn’t hold you back.

25. Play around with shapes and typefaces if you are having trouble sketching out ideas.

26. A logo doesn’t always need to say what a company does.

27. Don’t design around trends. A logo should be timeless.

28. Chose fonts that are easily readable at large and smaller sizes.

29. Take advantage of the excellent online resources and books available on logo design.

30. A logo should be memorable.

The logo of the Office of Multicultural Affairs. It has a nice ethnic, simple look. Very colourful and pretty.

The typography works well and the design simple yet effective. Multicultural logos tend to have the same themes but then the subject matter is limited hence the lack of diversity and originality of ideas.

Multicultural Logo

Multicultural logo design in cmyk, utilising browns, yellow, orange, red and grey. Also features a small cup or trophy in the ‘i’ symbolising acheivement or competition or winning. In the background is the second word of the title faded behind like a watermark in grey. Suitable for a two word title or company name.

Luis Vuitton Logo

Louis Vuitton Mallettier, usually shortened to LV is a French leather goods and luxury fashion brand and company, one of the main divisions of LVMH, the world's largest luxury goods conglomerate. The Luis Vuitton logo was first introduced in 1896 and it has been synonymous with luxury ever since. The famous signature Monogram Canvas was created as a way to prevent counterfeiting. Ironically, the brand is known today as one of the most heavily counterfeited in fashion history, with just over 1% of the items in circulation considered authentic.The company's graphic symbols, such as flowers and quatrefoils (as well as the LV monogram), were based on the trend of using Oriental and Japanese designs in the mid-Nineteenth Century.In 2001, the new Art Director of Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs decided to invite nine designers, architects and artists to add their own visionary approach to the brand. Collaborations included Takashi Murakami's cherry blossom design and Stephen Sprouse's graffitied logo. The “Icons” exhibition unpacked itself at the dedicated gallery space in the Louis Vuitton flagship store in Paris. In today's world, Louis Vuitton brings up thoughts of the extravagant, posh lifestyle of the socialites and celebrities who carry bags and purses emblazoned with the Louis Vuitton logo design.

The famous fashion house of Gucci was founded in Florence, Italy in 1921. It is the biggest selling Italian brand in the world, operating 425 stores worldwide as well as selling designer items through franchises and department stores. It was not until around the 1960s that the famous GG Gucci logo came into being.

Although some claim that Coco Chanel created this logo herself in 1925, others dispute this and say the logo was created for her. One thing is for certain; this logo for The House of Chanel is striking, yet classy and timeless.
It is a simple black and white design with the double “C’s” that interlock one another back to back and boldly stand for the initials of Coco Chanel as well as this iconic brand name. Because it is strictly a letterform mark using the two sans serif “C’s”, the logo relates a brand message of class and simplicity. It emanates the elegance and understated strength and resilience of the female within a harsh world. The Chanel logo has helped propel the Parisian haute couture fashion house into a household name, enjoyed by the rich and famous and now sought out by the masses in the form of counterfeits.