In today’s competitive world, it is very difficult to generate clients without proper marketing strategies. Therefore, to enhance your corporate identity and create an impact on your business clients, you need to know all the right tricks and business stationery can help you immensely to build a positive image of your company. Let’s admit it…people judge a business by its visual appearance, so, it’s important that our Letter Head, Business Cards and other stationery items portray a sense of professionalism and attention to detail.

If your stationery looks professional, your customer get the impression that you are organized, focused and you really mean business.

However, unfortunately, most of the people are unaware of the success and recognition stationery items can bring to their business. They are unaware of the fact that promotional stationery is cheap to manufacture and yet has high returns to spread name of the company.

Let’s take a look at the various stationery items you can use to increase your professional appeal.

Business Cards:

These images evidently prove that your business card should be exceptionally resourceful and attention grabbing. Always get your cards printed professionally; this will give you a great outcome that you will be happy to give to potential clients.

Brochures:

With an impressive brochure design, a company is able to win over the clients successfully and confidently. Brochures express your business goals in an appealing and impressive manner with lasting impressions.

Envelopes:

When you send out written correspondence to any of your customers, your envelope is the first thing your customer sees and the very moment starts judging about you and your business….so, why take a bad start.

Letterhead:

It is important that the design of your letterhead reflect the personality of your business because it not only provides the customer with your name and address, but also invites them to your world of business. Your stationery letterhead is one of the most regularly viewed print items that should create an impression of the type and quality of business you run.

Postcards:

Promotional stationeries are flexible and substantial which help you generate loyal customers. All these stationery items when passed into the hands of your customers generate curiosity and knowledge in return.

I do not know much about branding and advertising but I am sure that an effective logo is necessary to make a brand successful. As a self-proclaimed logo fanatic, I am deeply in love with all of these below given logos.

Mc Donald’s:

Being one of the world’s largest chains of fast-food restaurants, Mc Donald’s logo shows two golden arches’ merging to form the famous ‘M’. Created by Jim Schindler, this logo was introduced in 1962.

FedEx:

The memorable contrast of two colors in the FedEx logo marks its 24 hr service while the subliminal arrow shape in the “Ex” makes it more effective and memorable.

Nike:

I don’t think there is anyone on earth who does not recognize the Nike swoosh logo. Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student in 1971, designed Nike logo representing the wing of the Greek Goddess of victory.

Pepsi:

Being one of the most famous drinks of the world, Pepsi was originally called Brad’s Drink after its creator, Caleb Bradham. The Pepsi logo is a simple globe with the Pepsi colors in the background.

Apple:

Jobs and Wayne, designed the first logo for Apple depicting Sir Isaac Newton sitting under an apple tree but soon it was replaced by Rob Janoff’s “rainbow Apple in 1976.

Mobil:

In 1964, Tom Gesimar of Chermayeff and Gesimar, Inc. designed this durable logo of Mobil. In a similar fashion as FedEx, Mobil has established its logo as simple and to the point. The idea of using red ‘O’, in the logo reinforced the concept of being an oil company.

Shell:

This logo has become so recognizable that it often appears without the company’s name to identify it. The French-born designer, Raymond Loewy designed it in 1971 who also created logos for BP and Exxon.

Mercedes Benz:

The three-pointed star that represents ability of the vehicle for land, air and sea-usage was designed Gottlieb Daimler. It was first seen on a Daimler in 1909, and was combined with the Benz laurel wreath in 1926.

Coca Cola:

Coca-Cola is the most famous and biggest-selling soft drink in history. An amateur, Frank Robinson, designed the Coca-Cola script while the image of the bottle is among the most recognizable icons in the world.

IBM:

Designed by Paul Rand, the horizontal stripes of IBM logo make it one of the most recognized logos of the world. IBM, has been known as "Big Blue" and they have simplified their logo over the years becoming more famous everytime.

Disney:

The Walt Disney logo is a ‘stylized version of the founder’s Walter Elias Disney’s signature. It signifies the brand name and promises secure, cheerful and quality American mainstream entertainment. However, over the time, different animations and styles have been complimenting the Walt Disney logo.

Intel:

Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore created the original Intel logo with a ‘dropped-e’, 39 years ago. In 1991, the company symbolized its involvement as a key ingredient in PCs and computer technologies by introducing the “Intel Inside” slogan with the Intel Logo.

Toyota:

The Toyota mark consists of three ovals depicting the heart of the customer, the heart of the product, and the ever-expanding technological advancements.

I enjoy and admire each of these logos because they have made us understand the value a logo brings to a business.

I am sure, many more names can be added to this list, so keep adding…It will be real fun.

Always remember…Nothing better than a great logo, for a great company.

See you soon!

Like, for hairstyles and clothes, with every upcoming year we discover new trends in logo designing as well. Trend watching is must, as clients always want the best, latest and perfect stuff.

With the year 2008 almost coming to an end, I thought of listing all the logo trends which have been enhancing corporate identities through out the year. However, with lot of young and fresh minds entering the creative world of logo designing, it seems as though there has been a change in the nature of trends themselves.

Have a look and don’t hesitate sharing the trends you think have been rocking 2008 throughout. So, let’s get started friends;

These logos are labeled with the term “Supernova “or “Erupting Stars”. This graphical element explains the forward thinking and fast pacing nature of a company.

To signify the maximum potential and strength of a company, fibers and wires have been used often through out the year.

These logos mark the embellishments and fancy aspect of a business adding a classy appeal to your dealings.

Although this concept is not very new but the refreshing outlook this trend presents is miraculous. The vividness of rainbow scale brings the customers trust your company.

These logos convey the message with a positive spark, assuring the client about company’s credible services.

A swoosh is an evergreen symbol of logo designing and seems to stay here forever. It is just that it is used in different styles and looks.

These logo designs with a loop explain the flow of a closed cycle. The flexible nature of these logos signifies the ability to transform to meet the needs of the moment.

A globe in a corporate logo always delivers the international feel but this year logos have been displaying global expnasion of a business in a very subtle way.

Urban aspect in logos, is always likeable and attractive. These logos convey a feeling of youthfulness and energy to the viewer.

I am sure, you will agree that pixels cannot be extracted from logo designing. It is a trend which always expresses the corporate faces in more expressive way.

Grungy effect has been the hottest trend in logo and web designing throughout this year. Logos with this effect always stand distictively amongst others

Lately it has been seen that companies enjoy having logos which a certain percent of the population is able to really appreciate. These marks represent undefined quirkiness and joyfulness.

Do write in to share which logo trends you think will be adding to the aggressiveness of Corporate World in 2009.