Favorite Logos of 2022
A recap of some of my favorite unchosen logos and submarks from 2022 branding projects including one of a geometric hummingbird logo and one for a health and wellness coach logo.
There were so many fun branding projects in 2022 and so many amazing clients! Since each branding process gets 2-3 fully designed brand identity options, not all logos make the cut. Even if they don’t become the final version of a logo design, the creation and refinement is still an important part of the process. The health and wellness coaching logo on the bottom left even got featured on designrush best-designs. And I’m still a little in love with the geometric hummingbird logo. 😍
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Like a logo above and think it’s the perfect fit for your business?
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Favorite Logos of 2021
A recap of some of my favorite unchosen logos and submarks from 2021 branding projects including one for an acupuncturist and a child and family counseling logo.
There were so many fun branding projects in 2021 and so many amazing clients! Since each branding process gets 3-4 fully designed brand identity options, not all logos get the green light. Some aren't quite right for the client or maybe just didn't fit as well as another option, but I have a little love for all of my logos (and maybe get a little too attached?? Eh, whatever!).
These are some of my favorite branding concepts and their variations created that didn't make the final cut.
pst…
Like a logo above and think it’s the perfect fit for your business?
Feel free to reach out for details on how to purchase!
Favorite Logos of 2019
A recap of some of my favorite unchosen logos and submarks from 2019 branding projects.
There were so many fun branding projects in 2019 and so many amazing clients! Since each branding process gets 3-4 fully designed brand identity options, not all logos get the green light. Some aren't quite right for the client or maybe just didn't fit as well as another option, but I have a little love for all of my logos (and maybe get a little too attached?).
Below are some of my favorite branding concepts and their variations created that didn't make the final cut.
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Creating a consistent brand
You’ve invested all of this time creating the perfect brand identity through logos, submarks, color palettes, and more. It is time for you (or your branding client) to keep things consistent and cohesive long after those brand files are turned over.
Develop a brand style guide
One of the main components of creating and keeping a consistent brand is through a brand style guide. This guide will provide you with brand identity standards for everything - logo, colors, fonts, icons, and more. Develop a plan for what rules you will have for how to use your brand. From how colors could be combined to the fonts you will use on printed materials - you name it. Your guide will help your brand look and feel the same no matter where you have it displayed or featured.
Create your brand messaging
Anything word related to your business, such as your tagline, mission statement, your “why,” etc. needs to be refined and fine-tuned through brand messaging. Developing your brand message can really help with wording that email, writing your about page or ways you interact in a professional setting about your business. Having this “voice” developed will help you along the way.
Identify where you will “show up”
There are plenty of possibilities of places your brand could exist and show up. I recommend taking some time to consider precisely where you plan on being a presence. This can help you determine a plan of action for those spaces, but also create a sense of how far your brand reach can extend.
Areas to consider:
Digital: where will your brand show up online or on social media?
Print: will you have printed collateral of your brand such as business cards or direct mailers?
In-person: You may have a storefront or attend conferences representing your business. You may even yourself be your brand (your business = your personal brand).
How to carry out the consistent brand
While you may think you have the capability to do all of this yourself and do it well, it can be challenging to keep up with it all. Hiring a designer or a copywriter (or both) to help you with the elements of your brand identity can be a sure way to keep your brand consistency in check. Above all else, having those resources (the brand style guide and messaging standards) can help keep things the same. No matter what platform a potential client, customer, etc. interacts with your brand - it is all the same!
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a custom LOGO?
LOGO PROCESS: EMBRACED PODCAST
This little logo process is from the branding process for Embraced Podcast, a podcast about women empowering women.
This little logo process is from the branding process for Embraced Podcast, a podcast about women empowering women. Having dabbled in the podcasting world for a hot second, I was excited to brand someone else's podcast! The branding to needed to embody women who share their strength, courage, perseverance, and self-love. Um... hell yes! Feminine strength was the design direction.
Below are several of the concepts and variations created before we nailed down the final logo.
WANT to CREATE
a custom LOGO?
Favorite Logos of 2017
A recap of some of my favorite unchosen logos and submarks from 2017 branding projects.
There were so many fun branding projects in 2017 and so many amazing clients! Since each branding process gets 3-4 fully designed brand identity options, not all logos get the green light. Some aren't quite right for the client or maybe just didn't fit as well as another option, but I have a little love for all of my logos (and maybe get a little too attached?? Eh, whatever!).
Below are some of my favorite branding concepts and their variations created that didn't make the final cut.
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LOGO PROCESS: BASH EVENT PLANNING
This little logo process is from the branding process for BASH Event Planning & Design. This was a challenging but FUN design process that included ideas like topography, layering and disco!
This little logo process is from the branding process for BASH Event Planning & Design. This was a challenging but FUN design process that included ideas like topography, layering and disco!
Below are several of the concepts and variations created before we nailed down the final logo.
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BRANDING FOR YOGA EXPERTS
Whether you’ve just launched your own yoga studio or are a seasoned veteran looking for a brand refresh, there are four main ideas to help you find your focus. I have 4 simple, actionable tips you can use for your own yoga brand.
Whether you’ve just launched your own yoga studio or are a seasoned veteran looking for a brand refresh, there are four main ideas to help you find your focus.
1. Be distinctive
What makes you unique? What is the thing that makes your yoga studio stand out from all the rest? What makes your clients love you and your approach? Are your classes challenging and invigorating? Do you specialize in restorative yoga and massage? Whatever makes you and your yoga studio stand out - embrace it!
2. Brand that thing!
How do you take your unique-ness (see above!), and turn it into the most beautiful yoga logo and branding ever?
Answer: Emotion. Find that emotional connection your yoga expertise has with your clients. A stressed out mom has been looking for that holistic and healthy time for herself. She needs that calm feeling she has after your class, which keeps her coming back. Allow your branding to reflect that calming effect you bring to your yoga classes. Show this client and any other that when they take your yoga class, your practice will will bring them clarity and connection to themselves.
You create an emotional connection through your branding based on the layout, colors and fonts you choose to marry into a uniquely perfect fit for your business. Done right, clients will have a sense of your yoga teaching style before they even step foot in the studio.
3. One step further
As the smart business owner you are, you know that the logo isn't the end of the proverbial deisgn road. Social media (header images, profile pictures, behind the scenes Instagram shoots), business cards and your website are all places to carry over your branding. Think about each client’s experience from beginning to end. From booking a class to store front signs, pull everything together and review what you have. Make sure to ask yourself every step of the way if it sends the signals to the right kind of clients. In the end, it should all be in line with your vision, mission and style.
Looking for examples of a yoga expert’s branding in action? Head on over here or here or here!
LOGO PROCESS: JANE O. COACHING
I haven't shared a logo process in a while. This logo process is from Jane O. Coaching, who is a love and style coach with an amazing colorful, bright vibe. So of course, she wanted her branding to be feminine, colorful and fun to show off her coaching niches.
I haven't shared a logo process in a while. This logo process is from Jane O. Coaching, who is a love and style coach with an amazing colorful, bright vibe. So of course, she wanted her branding to be feminine, colorful and fun to show off her coaching niches.
We ended up heading in the direction of #3, with some additional tweaks and customizations to make it fully unique to Jane. To see the full branding and web design that came from this logo process, head on over to janeocoaching.com.
And if you want to chat about your own logo or branding, holla at me!
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LOGO PROCESS: JULIA KILKENNY
This little behind the scenes of the logo process is from the branding project for Julia Kilkenny, who is a coach for creative entrepreneurs. She described her ideal brand to me as "the first blue sky day of Spring." Amazing, right?! I took that and really ran with it and created these little nuggets for her.
This little behind the scenes of the logo process is from the branding project for Julia Kilkenny, who is a coach for creative entrepreneurs. She described her ideal brand to me as "the first blue sky day of Spring." Amazing, right?! I took that and really ran with it and created these little nuggets for her.
We ended up going with #2 and brought in more of that gorgy color palette. You can see the final branding and the web design to match this logo process over at juliakilkenny.com.
And if you feel like chatting with me about your own logo and branding, I'd love for you to holla at me
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LOGO PROCESS • RLS FASTPITCH
I like to give six logo concepts to my clients, because this feels like the perfect number. It's the Goldilocks of branding ( not too overwhelming and more than just a few options ). I know everyone's process is a bit different. Some designers only give three logos. Some give 15+. But I feel like I can nail down enough concepts to get the ball rolling and have each be creative and unique with six. Too many more than six and my creative juice stop flowing. Plus, I have found that my clients often feel paralyzed by the decision if there are too many to choose from.
I thought it might be nice to show some behind the scenes details for those curious about my branding process. These are six logo concepts that I designed for RLS Fastpitch. Although we ended up going through a few more iterations before we nailed down the final logo, these were a great starting point.
I like to give six logo concepts to my clients, because this feels like the perfect number. It's the Goldilocks of branding ( not too overwhelming and more than just a few options ). I know everyone's process is a bit different. Some designers only give three logos. Some give 15+. But I feel like I can nail down enough concepts to get the ball rolling and have each be creative and unique with six. Too many more than six and my creative juice stop flowing. Plus, I have found that my clients often feel paralyzed by the decision if there are too many to choose from.
The other thing about my logo process is that all of these logos are black and white. I find that color can be distracting, especially in the beginning. Once a client nails down one or two logo concepts, I implement color in the next round. I sometimes include the color palette direction along side the black and white logos, which is what I did here. This helps give them an idea of the logos as a whole ( design + color ).
