Here is the end result of this design process. 3 True Mint Blueprints Logos.
The True Mint Blueprints Emblem and Logo Process.
This process began with the desire to create a Main Logo. We began with no idea what we wanted. Normally we start with sketches and ideas (not shown here) and this time was no different. We basically doodled using different shapes and ideas. We attempted incorporating different elements as well deciding on a more focused direction regarding branding. In the end we decided that a shape of some design tool was the best decision. While we were at first targeting a combination mark logo in the end it became our emblem. We also came up with the idea of extracting a different logo from the original. Within the emblem (the original) which is part of its true design, can be found a letter-mark logo that cohesively translates our brand while providing diversity and consistency. Also within the Emblem there is our name which became similarly extracted into our main wordmark. We ultimately decided to enhance the wordmark beyond the name in the emblem as opposed to our decision to simply extract identically the lettermark, but this was just at first. In the very end we also chose to enhance the lettermark logo after a variety of attempts. This overall style is done for variety and other print options as well as a means to test market design.
In this instance of design we decided not to enhance the sketches with good copies and instead headed into the computer for trial and error idea generation.While generating ideas we began to play with the idea of creating a different logo for each style in an effort to showcase examples for clients, all of which can be found in this article. <add link[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1506799421456{margin-right: 50px !important;margin-left: 50px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”9″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]We used some clipart on file and some ugly coloring and undesirable font to quickly give us an idea of what the visual affect would be. We at first chose not to enhance it with original design, nice color and proper font selection in an effort to put the shape to test and evaluation. Knowing we were going for simple and bold color, we chose not to sketch it.
In most cases we do not present clip art with ugly coloring to the client unless specifically requested or else it comes up within conversation and the client wishes to use this technique.
Evaluation
We found that while the colors and the font along with the general clipart nature of the shape were overall unattractive and unappealing, the strength of the basic shape and general idea was enough to cut through even the most hideous and hack design.
This gave us the confidence to go back and begin the process of creating our final design.
We ultimately decided to avoid drawing it by hand or computer and instead chose to Photograph a real design tool and then transfer it to a photo editor and finally a vector program to result in a simple clean original and bold logo.
While there are numerous solutions and various techniques in this case we chose a standard whiteboard.
Needing a flat surface to shoot straight down on with good enough lighting and contrasting colors to help define a good border this method worked great.
We decided to use a real compass that we actually use in design projects for our main shape. We took our 24MP Photographs using a SONY a6300 of a Staedler compass.
We prefer using this method to create or re-create these types of logos unless of course the branding calls for something different. Sometimes it starts and ends with hand sketches, oftentimes the sketches lead into other techniques to ensure the right end result, this was the latter.
We took multiple photographs to ensure we would get the quality we needed. Even though we knew we were taking it into a photo and vector software programs we wanted to make sure we took high quality photos to make the digital manipulation easier.
We took the above photos and transferred them into a Photo Editing Program for cleanup. While this method of transferring speeds up the process of editing it almost always requires working pixel by pixel at some point to do it properly. There are other manipulations that can be done to superimpose a border however we often prefer to keep it authentic and more traditional in nature.
Here you can look at the before and after of the photographs. These were then exported as PNG Files to be taken into a Vector Program.
This was our first exported attempt at our emblem logo. You shouldn’t have to look closely to see vast differences in not only the comparison from the first iteration but also to the finished one being used today.
If you click it to view it large you can see it still needs a lot of work. While we won’t ever send a client a logo in this condition, we oftentimes will render it out so we can view it across different applications before going ahead and doing the finite cleanup work.
We chose some colors and fonts and gave it some time to see how it worked.
This was our first exported attempt at our lettermark logo. As you can see it is a bit different then the current logo in use.
If you notice it is essentially taken from the top of our Emblem logo and then just modified a bit to give it some character.
This is the second rendered version for evaluation.
If you notice there are some changes that can be seen. For one it is significantly cleaner albeit still not in its fully finished state.
Mostly we decided to change the colors and had to take a step back and rethink things. We were going to utilize the web to display vibrant bold colors using RGB. In the long run after some research and study as well further planning we ultimately decided on unifying our brand and scheme across all mediums. We started by choosing finite specific colors and fonts. We also made a long-term decision to stay with CMYK across both mediums. Now it will print as it should and look the same nearly everywhere.
Not even this logo made it passed our final test and Eventually we would change a few things including the font.
Not having liked the initial lettermark we went back to the drawing board. We also wanted to incorporate the “B” in the lettermark and add a bit of interest and depth. We decided to clean up the circle and shape and ultimately make a stronger stand alone lettermark logo.
Eventually we were unable to accept the fonts degradation and overall felt a different font made for a better branding.
Here is the final result.
We decided on three CMYK Color Values and solidified our Typeface of choice. These are decisions that are important to deliberate on as they could be the font/colors of the company and brands whole lifespan.
From the emblem logo creation we were able to extract, modify and enhance a main wordmark logo.
We simply took the text and enhanced it bringing it to the forefront of visual impact. This is actually our advertised and marketed main logo. Because of this we chose to incorporate a subtle yet noticeable emblem design into our wordmark to help carry it across mediums and branding. It allows for more flexibility and diversity while communicating the same message.
We also extracted, modified and enhanced a lettermark logo from our emblem logo. Taking the top circles design of the compass as inspiration we made a circle lettermark utilizing similar design and the same typeface and color scheme. This is a great peripheral logo to display and print offering diversity and options while maintaining a consistent style and branding.
