For any business entity, the hardest thing is to keep corporate logos  relevant. This is because consumer preferences alter on a daily basis. The identity that once used to appeal to your target audience may not attract them after a few years. Even though it is not advised to change your business logo every now and then, some circumstances push a corporation into rebranding its identity.

Redesigning your Logo – When & Why?

The hallmark of successful corporate logos is that they are everlasting and have a longstanding effect on the customers. We have a perfect example of Nike corporate logo that has hardly ever changed since its inception in 1971 by Carolyn Davidson. With the exception of a few minor tweaking, the Nike Swoosh has remained steadfast over a period of four decades.

Redesigning corporate logos is not an easy task as a lot of factors are at stake. Issues like consumer loyalty, relevance and public reaction are some of the many things that hinder a revamping effort. That is why it is imperative to read the signs confirming that a logo redesign is necessitated.

1. Confused Identity:

The purpose of a brand identity is to make the target audience aware of your business and clear any confusion that they may have regarding your entity. But if your identity is considered to be confusing and vague, then it a futile practice altogether. Case in point is the London 2012 Olympics Logo that has been criticized as being perplexing and irrelevant to the Olympics brand identity.

2. Change in Ownership:

In the competitive world of business, corporate mergers are commonplace. Every year, companies collaborate or merge in order to survive in the business environment. But when this happens, it means your customers must also be signaled about this change in ownership with a redesigned logo. When JPMorgan and Chase Manhattan Bank joined forces, it merged with a new name called JPMorgan Chase. This also resulted in unveiling of a fresh corporate logo in order to inform the customers of the merger.

3. Change in Focus:

When a company seeks to expand its operations or change its area of focus, it must also aware its customers of the transformation too. For instance, an increase in product line or brand extension will lead to a modification in company’s business purpose. Case in point is Starbucks, who unveiled a redesigned logo on its 40th anniversary. The reason for the corporate identity revamp was that they were introducing a variety of new products. Hence, it required a fresh identity that can reveal its change in focus.

4. Customer Objection:

Customers are the biggest source of brand power. They have the ability to greatly influence the mechanics of every entity. Hence, you cannot afford to make your customers cross over any unwanted changes. If customer’s start objecting to your corporate logo, then rest assure than there is some overhaul to be done. Consider the example of Gap, who redesigned their logo after 40 years without proper market research. The brand lovers started revolting against the new identity hence Gap had to revert to its old logo.

5. Widespread Imbroglio:

For a corporate entity, reputation in the market is a crucial quality to protect and preserve. It is an extremely sensitive business as the slightest of mistakes can cause a company to get stuck in a widespread imbroglio. There is no better example than British Petroleum that tarnished its corporate image by creating an enormous oil-spill. The oil-refining giant has faced several controversies and has had to redesign its corporate logo in order to revitalize its lost image.

In a couple of days, the curtains will drop on yet another year. It seems like just yesterday that 2011 started. With every coming year, come new challenges for small business and start-ups. You can never be too sure about financial conditions of an economy for the business environment. Inflation, unemployment and recession are some of the few indicators that hinder the growth and progress of any small business.

Most small business failure is attributed to lack of planning and forecast. Since small business owners aren’t skilled in risk mitigation techniques and crisis management, they often fail to analyze the imminent threats to their business in the long-run. Today, I wish to emphasize 8 healthy tips that will help you bring your small business and start-up on track in the year 2012.

1. Keep SMART Goals:

In the next year, instead of setting objectives which are unrealistic and impractical, keep SMART goals. That is whatever business targets you wish to accomplish in 2012 must be Specific, Measurable, Active, Realistic and Timely. Small business owners make a mistake of going wayward with their future prospects. Rather than going for an all out approach, set a few but achievable goals for your business.

2. Run an Identity Check:

Customer preferences are erratic and prone to change over a period of time. That is why it is crucial for a company to run an identity check on their corporate logos and ensure whether the current identity system accurately reflects the values to the customers. It isn’t always necessary to redesign your logo every year. Just a minor tweak and adjustments can also do the job. So make sure that your brand identity is not outdated for the year 2012.

3. Blue Ocean Strategy:

Every year, companies try to compete with one another for an already existing market space. But they often overlook the huge unidentified gaps left in the market that can be served. Finding this unknown and uncovered space in the market is called blue ocean strategy. This is the strategy that you must follow in 2012to gain leverage over your competitors and increasing your client base.

4. Acknowledge Your Mistakes:

Human beings, by nature, are imperfect. No matter how hard you strive for perfection, it is hard to avoid mistakes in small business. But it is well said that all the life’s precious lessons are learned the hard way. So instead of fretting over past blunders that cost you losses in business, one should acknowledge all their errors and take lessons from the year 2011.

5. Take Cost-Effective Measures:

If you wish to stay alive in the cut-throat competition, you must think of creative techniques of correcting your cash flows. In the coming year 2012, follow “A penny saved is a penny earned” principle. Take all possible cost-effective measures in order to minimize overhead expenses and eliminate unnecessary operating cost. Another options include divesting resources that are redundant and outsourcing all secondary business activities. Be advised that downsizing is never a good option, so instead you should try to reposition your resources efficiently.

6. Clock Your Business Wisely:

When it comes to business, time is money. Many a times small businesses don’t give their business due attention it deserves. So in 2012, try to clock your business wisely and schedule it to increase your productivity. Also, keep some time for regular planning and envisaging corrective measures for your business for future.

7. Go One Step at a Time:

You must have heard of the phrase, “Haste Makes Waste”. It accurately depicts small business owners who get anxious and try out everything at the same time. So in 2012, go one step at a time and don’t rush things as it damages your concentration and focus.

8. Say No to Pessimism:

Last but not least, make a promise to yourself that whatever may happen, you will say NO to pessimism. Facing minor setbacks in small business is a common phenomenon but one should remember that falling down only gives you a resolve of getting back on your feet in a stronger and better manner. Crying over spilled milk has never helped anyone in fixing issues. Instead, be optimistic and stay positive so that you work with determination in the year 2012.

In order to have professional corporate identity, your corporate logo should be balanced from all angles. This is because corporate logos are the cornerstone of every branding procedure. Not only does it require equilibrium of logo design elements, it also necessitates a symmetrical layout. Now you must be wondering what symmetry has to do with corporate logos.

Symmetry in logo design involves creating a logo with a mirror image in both the halves. To put it in simpler terms, these logos are designed by flipping one side over the other in equilibrium. This can be achieved by flipping the symbol or the fonts in corporate logos. Firms that employ these types of logos exhibit that their business is stabile and steadfast.

Here are 22 brilliant examples of how symmetry is used in designing corporate logos:

Mixedpome

LoveDoves

Technofly

Equestrian Clothing

Teknex

Mammo

Stronghex

Blu Leone

Corrida

Lion Bird

Henland

Africa Unite

Medical Cannabis Delivery Inc

Moneyledge

Goldielock

Trifecta

Resonance

Music production company

xhosa

Coviam

Augusto Villa

Sky of Love

Most clients perceive that logo designing is a one step job of drawing a symbol or emblem. But the reality is extremely different. All the corporate logos that exist in the business world have undergone a rigorous logo design process. This is because a logo isn’t just the name of a figure or a shape. Rather it embodies the complete essence of your business into a single identity.

One crucial thing distinguishes an average logo designer from a perfect logo designer one is the process that they employ. Those who create logos without a course of action, often end up making ineffective business logos. The correct way of fabricating a corporate identity is to follow the steps in a logo design process in sequential order. Even the slightest of mistakes can ruin your corporate logo.

Start with the brainstorming session followed by a thorough research on the company and its industry. The next phase involves selection of logo design elements which include corporate fonts, colors and symbols. Then you move onto the execution stage which involves numerous revisions and finalizations.

For your inspiration, I bring you 6 comprehensive examples of logo design process that will help you brainstorm your way into creating your own identity.

1. Grooveshark Logo Design Process:

This logo design process was done for a company named Grooveshark. It is a global peer-to-peer music podium, created around an online social network. It lets you stream unabridged songs, make playlists and share them with your friends.

2. JMR Insurance Group Logo Design Process:

Another masterpiece process done for an insurance company called JMR Insurance Group. Situated in the State of Florida, the logo concept was devised around their motto “Protecting Your World”.

3. A-List Blogging Bootcamps’ Logo Design Process:

This logo was designed by Jacob Cass for the company, A-List Blogging Bootcamps. It is an online business that provides a variety of live courses to educate bloggers.

4. HotBox Studios’ Logo Design Process

HotBox Studios is a media agency situated in southeast England that focused on creative animation and design.

5. DANZK Logo Design Process:

DANZK is an imminent blog that seeks to explore the lifestyle aspect of Denmark, including culture, food, art and design. It intends to educate the Danish customs to locals a well as tourists from abroad.

6. Apple & Eve Logo Design Process:

Here is another creative logo design process explained by Jacob Cass which shows how to make the logo for ‘Apple & Eve’ company.

Holiday season is a great time for small business owners to promote their business products and services. It is a time when the customers are emotionally responsive to the marketing activities. Taking advantage of holiday seasons like Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter, many companies tweak their corporate logos in order to blend with the occasion. This provides them with the emotional connection with their customers that gives a sense of belonging.

Christmas, the year’s most awaited and celebrated holiday is round the corner. This gives a great opportunity for companies and small businesses to redesign their corporate logos and infuse their business image with the Christmas spirit. This shows a sign that you are connected with your clients and share their joys and happiness with them on all occasions.

Following are 20 festive logos that are inspired by the Christmas season:

Xmas Time

Joy of Java

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar

Meu Melhor Natal

Christmas Media

Kids Santa Letters

Angel Tree

My Team Tree

Perfect Puds

X-mess tree

raindeer

NorthPole

Merry christmas

Merry Xmas

Genius Christmas

Universal City Christmas Ho-Down

Santa Christmas

Totally Christmas

Ski-King

Snowflake