Logos have a vital role to play for businesses and their branding efforts since it is the point of contact for potential customers. For this reason, it is important to design a logo that represents your brand well and connects with your target audience at the same time.
Several characteristics go into logo design, and they can vary depending on your needs and requirements and the industry you are a part of. Despite this, the best logos share five primary qualities, regardless of the differences that make them stand apart from each other. Those five primary qualities that make a good logo are as follows:
If you take some of the most successful businesses into account, they all have one thing in common – simple logo designs.
From Nike to Apple, their logos are simple and easy to remember. You need to understand as long as logos are simple, they are easier to remember for your target audience.
Since consumers have a short attention span, you will need a simple logo that is easy to recall later on. Moreover, a simple logo also reflects your brand’s personality effectively and concisely.
Another quality of a good logo is relevance. Great logos are relevant to their companies’ target markets. Most importantly, they clearly communicate a brand’s identity and personality.
For example, a company that sells toys will use bright colors to communicate excitement, fun, and energy in its logo design.
Other essential components include the word mark or font being used and choosing the right symbol. While fonts communicate a brand’s values and tone, a symbol acts as an anchor for your logo.
A good logo has to be memorable, especially from the first time your target audience sees it. The idea of creating a good logo is to form a connection with your audience to generate interest for your brand.
The easier your audience finds it to recall your logo, the easier it will be for them to connect with your brand.
Memorable logos combine the qualities mentioned above, but they also balance textual and visual aspects.
Lastly, a memorable logo needs to be unique; it is really that simple. Think of it this way, would you remember a bland logo?
The best logos stand out from the rest of the crowd because they tend to stay adequate and relevant for several years.
It may be tempting to design a logo using existing design fads and trends, but that is a terrible idea.
Using existing fads and trends to create a logo may work at the moment, but they will become outdated. Then, you will need to redesign your logo all over again, which is easier said than done.
To solve this problem, it is recommended to design a timeless logo that does not become outdated soon.
While designing a timeless logo, the idea is to focus on quality rather than quantity. Remove unnecessary ideas and elements and strictly focus on what works.
This usually means you will need to focus on your brand’s values and ideas to develop a logo that will remain relevant for years to come.
Lastly, a good logo design needs to be versatile. There is no point in having a striking logo if it is limited by how you can use it. For example, if you have a logo with one size and no other, you will not reach your target audience worldwide.
You will need a logo that can be printed, resized, and used on different platforms to increase your brand’s visibility.
By focusing on the qualities mentioned above, you will design a good logo with ease. Remember, these five qualities need to come together for you to develop a logo that will do wonders for your brand, so give them equal importance during the logo development phase.
Read moreYou must have heard that ‘imitation is the best form of flattery’. While this is repeated often, no one talks about the quality of imitation. Would a cheap knock-off be the ‘best form of flattery’? Because if that is the case, which brand had cheaper copies than Adidas? One estimate said 10% of all Adidas products in Asia might be fake. This excessive counterfeiting of the German brand is due to two reasons: first, their products are top class, and second, anything with an Adidas logo on it sells like a hot cake.
The logo is more than just a visual mark; it’s a representation of a lifestyle, a commitment to excellence, and a connection to a global community. The Adidas brand identity transcends borders and cultures. It is a universal symbol of sport and lifestyle. Whether on sneakers, jerseys, or hoodies, the logo continues to inspire and resonate with people worldwide.
Behind this immense popularity is Adidas’ brand history full of collaborations with artists, designers, and celebrities that keep the brand fresh and relevant. Customers associate it with iconic athletes, memorable moments, and personal victories.
We haven’t forgotten the brand’s collaboration with Kanye West for Yeezy. The partnership resulted in the creation of the Yeezy line. Its sneakers featured innovative designs and technology and became highly coveted and sought-after worldwide.
Then there are also collaborations with Lionel Messi, Beyonce, Raf Simmons, Alexander Wang, Pharell Williams and a number of other celebs we drool over.
The Adidas logo is a powerful symbol that encapsulates the brand’s essence and resonates with customers worldwide.
But it wasn’t always the Three Stirpes or the Trefoil we know today. Adidas logo evolution has spanned over decades as the brand grew from a small family-owned business in Germany to an apparel and sportswear juggernaut.
Adidas was founded by Adolf Dassler in 1949, it primarily produced sports shoes. It launched its first logo in 1949, and it consisted of a shoe hanging between the two “d” alphabets. Underneath the logo was written the German word for “sports shoes,” “Sportschuhe.
If you look closely, there is one other very subtle detail – the three stripes. However, in this design, the symbology wasn’t part of the logo but etched on the shoe sitting between two ds.
These strips will now feature on every logo the company will be designing in years to come.
The story behind the iconic telltale stripes is also interesting. Although people believe that the three stripes have some numerological meaning, the truth is that they were initially there only for design purposes and later became associated with the brand.
The founder, Adolf Dassler, tried many numbers of stripes but he concluded that only three stripes stand out in terms of design and appear prominently in photography. Since then, the design has become a world-famous trademark that symbolizes Adidas.
In 1972 Adidas expanded from a shoe seller into an apparel company. This diversification also called for a new logo to represent the company’s expanded products.
This led to the creation of the Trefoil, designed by a German creative agency. It drew inspiration from florals as the new logo featured three leaf-shaped foils. The iconic Three Stripes found their place in this logo as well, and this time, the stirpes ran through the three foils.
The Trefoil logo was printed on every clothing manufactured from 1972 and on shoes from 1976. However, in 2000, the company decided to use the Trefoil on its Originals products only as a mark of respect to the brand’s heritage.
In 1989, the brand decided to create a new logo. It sought the help of a designer and creative consultant for a new logo. This led to the creation of the Adidas Equipment logo, inspired by the brand’s commitment to providing athletes with the best gear possible.
The new logo was released to the public in 1991. It had the trademark Three Stripes arranged in the form of three bars.
Adidas Neo was a sub-brand launched by Adidas in the early 2000s. It aimed to capture a younger and more fashion-forward audience by blending sportswear with street style. The Neo line featured casual sneakers, apparel, and accessories that resonated with urban aesthetics. It was all about comfort, versatility, and a dash of trendiness.
The Neo logo was an innovation to the Adidas logo design, and it underwent several transformations during its existence. The early logo retained the iconic Three Stripes but with a twist. It incorporated a more contemporary font and often featured a stylized “Neo” alongside the stripes.
The Neo logo exuded youthfulness, often appearing in vibrant colors. It aimed to resonate with the energetic spirit of its target audience.
However, around 2018, Adidas made strategic decisions to streamline its sub-brands. As a result, Adidas Neo gradually phased out, and its products merged into the broader Adidas Originals line.
The Adidas logo is a prime example of minimalist design. Its typography embodies simplicity, which has stood the test of time. Adidas uses a sans-serif font because they are clean, modern, and easy to read, particularly in small sizes often used on clothing labels or logos. This choice reflects a focus on functionality and a clean aesthetic, aligning with the brand’s image of performance and innovation.
Using all lowercase letters creates a more casual and approachable feel. It suggests a brand that is relatable and not overly formal. This aligns with Adidas’ desire to connect with a broad audience of athletes and everyday people.
The consistent use of the same typeface across all branding materials reinforces brand identity and creates a sense of unity.
The Adidas logo or, Adidas symbol or Adidas emblem – whatever you want to call it – has always exuded a sense of consistency. It always featured the stripes, which became the brand’s identity.
Not only that, but the company has also always tried to use its logos for subtle messaging and spreading the values that it stands for and express its commitment to providing its customers with the best quality products.
The Adidas logo resembles a mountain meant to convey the idea of individuals overcoming obstacles and pursuing their goals. As for the logo with a round emblem, it represents the world and adapts to changes quickly.
The iconic Three Stripes logo carries several meanings that evoke the brand’s identity and resonate with customers:
The Three Stripes logo has been a consistent element of Adidas branding since the 1990s. This longevity symbolizes the brand’s deep-rooted heritage and tradition in the sports and athletic apparel industry. Customers recognize and trust the logo as a symbol of quality and performance.
The Three Stripes themselves represent the brand’s commitment to performance and excellence in athletic wear. Adidas has a long history of providing high-quality products designed to enhance athletic performance, and the logo serves as a visual reminder of this dedication to quality.
The Three Stripes logo is instantly recognizable and distinguishes Adidas from its competitors. It has become synonymous with the brand and is a powerful tool for building brand recognition and loyalty. Customers associate the logo with Adidas’s reputation for innovation, style, and authenticity.
The design of the Three Stripes logo conveys a sense of motion and energy, reflecting the brand’s dynamic and progressive nature. This resonates with customers who are actively seeking products that help them perform at their best.
The simplicity of the Three Stripes logo allows it to transcend cultural and language barriers, making it universally recognizable and appealing to customers worldwide. This global recognition strengthens Adidas’s position as a leading international brand.
The simplicity of the Three Stripes has handed the brand immense advantages. These are easily recognizable even from afar and can be reproduced on various scales and the lack of complex details allows for various interpretations, adding a layer of intrigue and fostering brand association with different values.
The Adidas three bars logo joins the ranks of iconic logos like Nike’s swoosh and Apple for several reasons. It has had a significant cultural impact, transcending its origins in sportswear to become a symbol of fashion, lifestyle, and urban culture. It has been embraced by athletes, celebrities, and consumers around the world, cementing its status as an iconic emblem of style and athleticism.
Despite several iterations of the Adidas logo over the years, the typography has retained its essential characteristics, maintaining a sense of timelessness. This consistency in typography reflects the brand’s enduring heritage and tradition while also allowing for evolution and adaptation to contemporary design trends.
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Web designing trends are changing constantly, and it should not come as a surprise that new web design trends will be popping up in 2020. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, you will need to adopt said web design trends. But which ones are the best? To aid you in your cause, here are the essential web designing tips you need to follow in 2020 without fail.
Seeing how everything is about dark mode these days, why not integrated it into your web designs? Dark mode has an ultra-modern look, and it comes with design elements and colors that pop. Since they are easy on the eyes, it ensure internet users stick around for longer than usual.
With dark themes, you will make it possible for internet users to save power and extend the life of their devices. If that is not enough, dark themes also sit well with the dark and moody colors with dystopian and futuristic styles.
Believe it or not, minimalist designs have been trending for mobiles for years now. The design choice is long-lasting and reliable. It has proven its worth time and time again, and it will easily stick around throughout 2020 as well.
When it comes to minimal designs, they do not have to be boring. You can still use bright, bold colors with heavy fonts and overlapping sections. As long as it works for your brand, there is no harm in it.
Minimalism is more about providing a user friendly experience by cutting away the excess. If you do take this route, you should make use of white spaces, all the while exclusively focusing on form and function to prevent visitors from jumping ship because they were overwhelmed.
If you have a lot of content, and you want to keep your visitors interested by having an uncluttered look, then you should offer support for split screen content. How it works is that you split your screen in the middle, giving each side equal opportunity to shine.
This web design breaks the traditional rectangular design in two. If you want to take things further, you can make each half behave differently. For instance, you can make use of scroll effects by making each side move at a different speed. You could also introduce an element at the very center of the screen, where the two halves are supposed to meet. The elements could be anything from a CTA (call-to-action) or your logo.
Previously, it was a chore to include background videos in websites, largely because they affect loading times negatively. Fortunately, this is no longer the case due to the wide variety of video optimizers and theme builders out there. With these handy tools, it is a lot easier now to include background videos. If that does not work, you can always convert videos into GIFs for better optimization.
It goes without saying it is good practice to design your website keeping mobile in mind. Mobile optimization should be given top priority, especially considering the fact that a majority of users around the globe access the internet via their mobile devices i.e. smartphones and tablets. For this reason, it is imperative you optimize your website according to mobiles first and foremost.
Rather than designing for desktop computers and adjusting them accordingly for mobile devices, you will need to design for mobile devices first, and then adjust them accordingly for desktop computers instead. By adopting this strategy, any website you design will resemble an app, which will in turn make omnichannel marketing a breeze.
Since three dimensional designs come in numerous forms and shapes, there is absolutely no reason why you should utilize them while designing websites. 2018 and 2019 was all about complex three dimensional illustration, but this year, it is going to be about flashy and straightforward designs.
The number of web designing tips to look into are plentiful, but not all of them will work for you. For this reason, you will need to do a bit of homework in order to determine which tips will works best for your website in particular. A simple Google search will provide you hundreds of tips, but they will be of little use if they are doing more harm than good, which is why you cannot design your website on what you think works and what does not.
One thing is for certain though, the tips mentioned above are trendy in 2020, and are necessary if you want your website to stand out from the rest of the crowd. Not only will you be able to communicate effectively without your target audience, but your design choices will keep them coming back for more, which is always a good thing.
Read moreThe YMCA is a worldwide youth organization which is located in Geneva, Switzerland and has over 64 million beneficiaries in more than 120 countries. Originally founded by Sir George Williams in London on the 6th of June, 1844, it aimed to put into effect by promoting a healthy “body, mind and spirit”. The YMCA has one of the most widely recognized logos in the world beside giants such as Nike, Apple, Adidas and others but it also has some of the most interesting and rich history behind their logo.
A meeting for the Eighth Conference of the World Alliance of YMCAs was held in Geneva, Switzerland and one of the things that they wanted to do was to come up with a “distinctive international badge of the Associations”. In the next conference, this logo was revealed.
While the circle is divided into five parts, it embodies the oneness of mankind. The five parts have the names of the five parts of the world (or what they were called at the time). Inside the circle are two Greek letters, Chi and Rho (XP), which are the first two letters of the word Christ, symbolizing that Christ was at the center of the movement.
The logo was redesigned in 1891 by Luther H. Gulick. Luther was a firm believer in physical fitness and transformed the role of sports at the YMCA. His idea for the logo was a red equilateral triangle with the words “Spirit”, “Mind” and “Body” written on it.
The logo was changed again in 1895 when the Canadian and American met at the convention. Luther H. Gulick’s red triangle logo was added to the original logo, combining the two.
A few changes were made to the logo in 1896. The most noticeable change was the addition of a second ring to the logo. The text inside the logo was made hollow and was not filled in with color any longer, amongst other changes. It is commonly thought that the second ring was added as a sign of infinite friendship and love amongst individuals.
1897 saw quite a major change to the YMCA logo. The circles and text inside were dropped entirely with the new logo only consisting of a red, equilateral triangle with a black bar going across the triangle, showing the letters “YMCA”. This was one of logos that remained unchanged for the longest, lasting from 1897 to 1967.
For seventy years, essentially the same logo had been used in some variation or combination with only minor changes being seen. John Root, the general executive of Chicago, had a new design made. The design used a bent bar and a triangle which together made the symbol of “Y”. This design brought a fresh aspect to the logo while also retaining Luther H. Gulick’s traditional red triangle.
In 2010, there was a massive change for the organization. There were big changes made which included the name and logo of the organization. The organization no longer goes by “YMCA”, now simply being known as “The Y”. Three of the main focuses of the organization now include youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The logo was also designed and chosen accordingly, now showcasing the letter “Y” in a bold manner. There are no set colors for the new logo and often a combination of colors is used. This look is used to promote the diversity of the organization. However, the logo still includes the iconic triangle that it has been associated with since 1891. It pays homage and shows that the organization is still the same at its core but has come a long way from where it started.
The YMCA was and is one of the most widely known and recognized organizations in the world with a logo that people can immediately discern. Throughout the years the logo has had symbolic value to the people and the organization. Every change was carefully planned and thought out, often with a vote being taken before any sort of change was allowed or implemented.
The current logo is often used when launching activities. The organizer will upload the designed logo to the internet and customize a batch of enamel pins, for events, festivals, exhibitions, and other occasions. Such small, beautifully crafted pins are the best choice for promotions.
With time, as the world has changed and media has grown, the organization has also made changes to stay in the limelight. The most recent change to the logo was perhaps the most obvious and bold one ever made in the organization’s history but it sends a strong message about how the organization is still what it was years ago but has managed to keep up with the times and focus on current issues instead of staying set in its ways.
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If you are looking for a logo designer for your business, you will come across plenty of options to choose from. This may make it complicated for you to decide which logo designer to opt for. It’s important to note that good logo design companies share a certain characteristics that you can notice. If you make sure to check for these during your hunt for the right designer, there’s a good chance that you’ll find the perfect logo design solution that meets your needs down to the tee.
If you want the best logo designer, look for candidates that have a considerable amount of experience. Think of it this way: a new logo designer will not understand what you are aiming for and thus will not be able to deliver the quality of work you want.
That won’t be the case with an experienced logo designer, as their past experiences will guide them to make fewer mistakes and deliver exceptional work time and time again.
A great way to determine if a logo designer is worth your time or not is by verifying if their work has been published in any books or magazines. Find out how recognized a logo designer is in the industry. Also, if they have accumulated any awards, it will testify that the logo designer is worth doing business with.
You can tell a lot about a logo designer based on their reviews and testimonials. If a logo designer has a positive track record, it just goes to show they genuinely care about their work. Additionally, by going through reviews and testimonials, you can learn how a logo designer works and whether they will be the right fit for your business.
The last thing you need is to start working with a logo designer only for them to stop responding to your emails and calls. The logo designer of your choice has to be present and should be available to communicate with you when you need it.
Great logo designers provide exceptional customer service throughout the process, from the initial email to sales support. Keeping this in mind, there is no reason why you should look for anything less in a logo designer for your business specifically.
The cost of the logo designer will reflect their service. While the statement “you get what you pay for” is accurate to some extent, it should not be taken as the only factor for top-notch quality service from a logo designer demanding top dollar for your work.
While you may be wondering how much a logo costs, the prices vary depending on the required work. For this reason, you should stick to a logo designer that goes the extra mile by drawing up a customized quote for your business.
The factors mentioned above are the most prominent ones that need to be considered to choose the right logo designer for your business. While there may be other factors worth considering, the ones listed in this blog will exceed your expectation in finding an exceptional logo designer for your business.
Read moreA logo is the epitome of any brand which strives for longevity and loyalty. Over time, this image is stuck in a consumer’s mind and becomes synonymous with the ‘brand identity’ globally. Hence it is crucial to know what makes the most effective and striking brand logo which resonates with audiences all around. Let us take a look at a particular family of logo: The Wordmark.
Keeping things as simplistic and minimalistic as possible, Wordmark (or logotype) refers to fully textually based logos which omit any illustrations, symbols, mascots or thematic elements. The only tools at work here are the vibrant or graceful colors and the font that do the job of typographically displaying the name of the brand itself.
Using a Wordmark type logo design for your business, regardless of the nature of the service it provides, hosts a number of benefits. Thanks to their simplicity and minimal design, these logos are easy to remember and identify your brand with. Since there is not much complexity involved here, the production and modification of these logos over time require less creativity, thinking or effort. Thus little variations will keep the brand’s logo intact and flourishing for years to come.
Lastly, it might be very intuitive to think that Wordmark logo designs are especially visually appealing for one-word or short-named business brands. This is because as we add more elements and concepts into the logo, it can become cluttered however some businesses with long string of characters in their logo have made it successful too, like the New York Times. So all in all, it shows us the versatility and the universal ease of use of the Wordmark Logo design.
It is no doubt, Wordmark logos are preferred by titans in the industries around the world with the likes of Disney, Coca Cola and Nintendo utilizing them. This idea further cements their neat design and effective approach at enamoring and capturing the observer’s interest and curiosity.
In every field and category of products, the Wordmark logo is prevalent. A glimpse into electronic families show no shortage of this design as companies like Sony, Haier, Toshiba, Panasonic and Phillips have stuck to this approach for years.
Moving over to social media and e-commerce giants like Facebook, Amazon, eBay and Google, we can see the same pattern of Wordmark logo designs. Among clothing retailers, the trend continues with Marks & Spencer, Zara, Prada and Calvin Klein, brands which have made a huge impact and influence in terms of fashion around the world.
Part of their appeal comes from the sense of promoting professionalism. This is ideal for respected and credible editorial and financial sources including New York Times, Forbes, JP Morgan and TIME all of which boast a simple Wordmark logo approach.
Now that we have looked at the pros of Wordmark logo designs and some inspiring examples to go along with them, it is time to shed some light on good practices when designing the logotype.
Right off the bat, it should be apparent that color palette and font are the most crucial elements to an effective Wordmark logo. Striving for excellence in both of these aspects will result in the creation of an ideal logo. The typeface or font matters a lot to not just the overall look, but feel and vibe of the logo.
Its’ boldness/thickness determines how valiant of a picture it needs to strike while the space between the letters indicates a stylistic choice and further plays into the elegance of the logo. A narrowly spaced logo can strike a sharper image while widely spaced kerning can muddle viewers. Thus, it is good to strive for the perfect balance when it comes to kerning.
The font type itself also varies from businesses to businesses with most preferring the Serif type. Experiment with some fonts and their stylistic elements until the tone and personification of your business aligns with the outlook of the logo.
For colors, the theme of “what suits your business best” is reiterated. For a more vibrant and lively approach, especially when it comes to toy brands, toddler products or fast-food chains, a diverse spectrum of colors mean the real deal. For a professional touch, especially in terms of media giants or tech-related disciplines, it might be more fitting for a monochromatic color scheme. A good mix-and-match would also be to blend different colors for a single name, like FedEx.
Again, your color choice should take into account the demographic of the audience you are targeting, including their gender and age stats.
Modifying certain characters of your business name string either by upper or lower casing or accentuating them can make a lot of difference too. What this does is highlight certain parts of the text and brings them to spotlight, so an observer can readily make out the brand logo just by a few letters. Mix-and-matching between upper and lower cases for the Wordmark logo is a stylistic choice and will often work.
Lastly, you can further highlight or put emphasis on certain characters in a logo by enclosing them in a circle, rectangle or any other shape for that matter. BBC is a great example in this regard, almost resembling a simple, timeless clock or calendar whose dial will keep switching but never cease.
Shopify’s Hatchful is a good starting point for creating brand logos, which is free but has additional extensions for $8.99. Meanwhile, Designhill also has an extensive library of tools to work out and experiment with various tools, starting out at $250. Wix.com has been an emerging talent in this field too, so they can also cater to tailor-made business logos where you can hire a professional designer too.
A Wordmark logo design can do wonders for your minimalistic approach to promoting your brand image. It is the working of many careful factors like font weight, color, spacing, casing and playing around with shapes. Keeping your audience in mind while designing these logos and resorting to current examples of big brands and feedback from audience is the ideal way towards an effective Wordmark logo.
Read moreNow the logo of a company, business or organization is a standing point and face of the company. Having a good logo can gain the company good recognition. Branding is an integral part when starting a company should it be a small-scale or large-scale company. Branding can reach people far and wide and can make your company or brand quite popular. During branding, you will have to make your logo which will be the face of the company and will be seen by people around the world. The two types of Logos are quite popular to use, Text Logos and Abstract Logos. Now, if you have chosen a professional graphic designer to create your logo and help in branding then that can help you make a name for your company and attract more customers.
The majority of the popular multinational technology companies have iconic logos that make them well known and if anybody sees their logo, they will recognize the brand without any thought. Both Text and Abstract Logos are used by almost all of the big organizations. Now the debate comes when selecting which logo you should choose to represent your company. Both logos can prove beneficial for your company, but you must bear in mind what each logo represents, and which will suit your company best.
Text Logos are pretty basic to understand. The logo itself has the name of your company in it and attracts potential customers. Many popular companies like Coca-Cola, NASA, Dell, BBC, etc use Text Logos in which the name of their companies is easily noticeable. Obviously, the logos can be made in different shapes, sizes, and font of the name of your company can be of your choosing in such a way that it is charming to the audience. Now if a brand starts getting popular its logo will stand out more and a text logo’s main purpose is to get immediate recognition. Text Logos are simple in the way they look and how they present themselves to the people. People can easily memorize the name of the brand unless it’s a name that can’t be pronounced easily. The logo portrays the name of the company thus the person doesn’t have to go deep into the meaning of the logo and can just appreciate its powerfulness.
Talking about abstract Logos, these are totally different from Text Logos. Instead of your company name, a symbol or icon is used to represent your company. Now Abstract Logos tend to attract the customers more as every company has a unique Abstract logo which can deep meaning behind it. Abstract Logos are also used by many popular companies such as Nike, Apple, PlayStation, Microsoft, etc. Abstract Logos make people constantly think of their logo which is not the case with Text Logos. For example, people might constantly try to find out the meaning of the design of why the apple in Apple’s logo has been taken a bit off. Many Abstract Logos have numerous interpretations which can leave the person thinking for quite some time.
In all honesty, both logos are quite different from one another, but their purpose is the same. Both can be used to attract more customers and make more sales. To conclude, which logo is better is not up to us to decide but rather it is upon the person choosing it. The nature of your company can decide which logo better suits it.
Read moreLike every year, retailers expect robust sales during the holiday season this year, mainly because many people have been stuck at home, which means increased savings. However, the coronavirus could bring this holiday season to a halt. But what can businesses expect from a COVID-19 stricken 2020 holiday season? Will they have to brace for impact, or can they adopt new strategies to prevent a disaster in the making? To find out, read on.
According to the National Retail Federation, sales are estimated to grow anywhere from 3.6% to 5.2% from the beginning of November to the end of this year. This translates to $755.3 to $767 billion in spending. Apparently, consumers are very engaged and are looking for opportunities to celebrate the Christmas season despite the rising damage of COVID-19.
Americans with extra money lying around due to federal relief checks granted at the beginning of the global pandemic, lower overall spending, and lower gas prices could end up creating a shopping uptick. On the other hand, millions of Americans have remained jobless for quite some time, making it difficult for the economy to recover after a cascade of shutdowns to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Moreover, as COVID-19 cases rise across the globe, lawmakers have been forced to impose new restrictions. These restrictions can have severe consequences, as the road to recovery for the economy could be set in reverse.
As dire as things may seem, consumers are showing up to prepare for the holiday season. The concept of holiday-time resilience is a factor that cannot be undermined, nor can it be ignored.
2020 will be about tangible gifts since spa visits, travel, and other expenses on services that require physical movement will be off the table. Think of it this way; grandma won’t visit the family, so she will send gifts instead. Since she will not be spending money on airfare, she will have more money to spend, meaning she will spend more on gifts than she usually would.
This holiday season, the consumer electronics sector will likely see a colossal increase in numbers, with Americans looking to upgrade their tech and gadgets to work from home productively, and even entertain themselves. NPD group estimates an 18% increase in sales for consumer electronics due to the stay-at-home lifestyle from October to December. People will need to keep finding new ways to keep themselves and their families entertained and avoid the emotional exhaustion caused by long periods of lockdowns.
The pandemic could be challenging for many businesses as they prepare for an unprecedented retail landscape. Due to the pandemic, people have changed their shopping habits, of which some could be permanent. Even when the pandemic is removed from the equation, businesses had prepared their supply chains to ensure timely deliveries during the holidays for greater customer satisfaction, increased brand loyalty, and of course, more sales. Given the complexity of logistics and production this year, planning and preparation need to be given enough importance to ensure a successful holiday sales season.
Businesses can expect the following shopping trends due to the ongoing pandemic:
Due to financial stress and economic uncertainty, consumers will most likely decrease their holiday spending.
The retail industry has been hit hard this year but ecommerce is growing exponentially. In fact, ecommerce will continue to grow as more consumers have permanently shifted towards online shopping.
There will be a considerable amount of pressure on businesses during an already troubled holiday season with changing consumer behavior. Ecommerce stores will have to prepare their supply chains to meet the increasing demand, while retailers will have to move their resources to fulfillment centers to process a mounting number of online orders.
As businesses prepare for the Christmas and the holiday season, here are three effective strategies that could turn things in their favor:
1) Understand the Entire Product Timeline
To have a successful and profitable holiday season, businesses will need to understand their entire product timeline from product manufacturing to delivery to distribution centers. By determining how much time each step in the product timeline takes, businesses can come up with a well-planned schedule for holiday season sales.
2) Manage Costs
Many businesses consider offering striking product combinations and packaging for the holiday season but these can add costs quickly. To determine what products to sell, businesses need to consider all costs, i.e. materials, design, transportation, etc. and plan everything accordingly.
3) Customizing Offers
Businesses need to be careful not to exhaust their budgets to deliver custom orders. Customization increases costs, requires additional time and could result in an unsellable product. To prevent this, all expenses need to be evaluated for a custom design or product, which will allow businesses to determine whether the customization is worth all the extra costs and effort.
To successfully make customizations for the holiday season, here are a couple of tips worth considering:
While the holiday season this year is unpredictable, businesses will need to alter their strategies according to the factors mentioned above to stay afloat and perhaps even increase sales compared to the holiday seasons of yesteryears. As challenging as it may seem in light of COVID-19, all projections and research suggests that businesses are in for a pleasant surprise this Christmas.
Read moreChristmas and holiday season is just round the corner and it calls for some exciting changes to greet the festive occasion with all the anticipation it warrants. One of the easiest yet compelling ways you can tailor your branding for Christmas is by embellishing your existing logo with animated effects.
Thankfully, the design industry is continuously evolving due to innovations in digital technologies. As trends change, brands need to stay at the top of their game to keep up with changing customer expectations. This year has been all about motion design; animated elements have cemented themselves as an integral part of innovative ideas that bring the logos of brands come to life.
Animated logos can be utilized as important component of a company’s brand identity and marketing activities. Motion designers transform static logos into something unique, particularly on special occasions like Black Friday or Christmas sales. Today, prominent brands share animated versions of their logos with their target audience. But this begs the question: “why should companies invest in logo animation?” To find out the answer to this question and how animated logos offer a fresh start for Christmas and New Year sales in 2020, then read on.
Logos serve as the heart of any brand identity. It represents a product or company’s personality and holds considerable significance in the development of a branding strategy. An innovative logo can connect a brand with its target audience by effectively telling their story. When graphic designers do their jobs right, logos can serve as an effective brand image, positively affecting their marketing strategy.
Although static logos are still outstandingly popular and are largely used by some of the biggest brands in the world, animated logos work exceedingly well as temporary placements when you want to draw attention to changes during a special occasion, such as Christmas. For instance, most websites change their themes on Christmas and Holiday season. Animating your logo during the week of Christmas can create a great impression and implicitly communicate that you have something special in store for your customers.
Introducing changes in the appearance of your website is an excellent way of portraying that you’re an active brand that adapts itself to different occasions. Can you imagine a website that’s been using the same website themes and logo for years, without at all changing form for any season or event? That’s an example of a brand that you must avoid turning into at all costs!
Animated logos are a dynamic and modern way to present a brand, which shows character and delivers the right message to attract the target audience. Additionally, it makes it easier to stand apart from competitors, mainly because animated logos are all about originality. Although 2020 has been generally depressing and lifeless, there’s no reason why your logo and website themes should be the same, especially during occasions as wholesome as Christmas.
So here are some benefits of animating your logo this Christmas and ornament your brand in line with the spirit of peace and happiness that this occasion brings:
It is a common experience to see that the logos of most brands share similar traits with their competitors. It may not be intentional and those similarities may only exist because some recognized elements are required to explain a brand effectively. But during sales season, smaller businesses tend to get so invested in promotional offers and deals that they forget they tend to forget the branding aspect of their business, which is something that a creative logo can greatly help with.
Originality might sound daunting at first but when you think about it, all original ideas are merely a conglomeration of different ideas put together creatively. When original graphics are combined with different animation effects on your existing logo during a given occasion, you’re essentially telling your customers that your brand is alive and kicking and ready to surprise them with exciting offerings. Even something as simple as using an animated snowfall effect on your logo for Christmas can do wonders if you want to refashion your brand temporarily, capturing the conventions of the occasion in your website’s logo and theme.
Dynamic images and video content fare better than static images, simply because they mimic real-life much better than static images. We’re used to seeing things in action, filled with life. An animated logo conveys that fact of life in a way that static images could never.
To connect with your target audience and communicate that you’re ready for the Christmas season, an appropriately animated logo can be surprisingly effective.
This Christmas and New Year, you will need to leave a strong first impression on your target audience if you wish to reach your business goals. The year has been tough for all of us and there is a general air of fear and uncertainty in the minds of most people due to the devastating effects of COVID-19. This is why it is particularly important for businesses to do something different for the holiday season this time and inspire customers with the confidence and hope that our present struggles will end and life will get back to normal. It might take a while but we’ll get there.
The great thing about animated logos is that they can create positive first impressions and serve as evidence that you’re doing something different for the given occasion; all this without being requiring you to make any time-consuming or expensive changes. Consider the fact that it takes a few seconds for your target audience to decide whether they like something or not. Since your logo is the face of your brand, it is your one opportunity to leave strong impressions on your potential customers and convey the idea that you’re a premium brand of value that your competitors might lack.
By tweaking your animated logo just a bit, you can make it a part of your storytelling process. Think about it; an animated logo can better explain your business than a static image. It can serve as a short video that tells the unique story behind your business or capture the theme of the occasion or event you’re targeting your customers for, such a Christmas.
Like video content, animated logos make it easier for businesses to create emotional connections with their viewers. Moreover, they can also be shared across the web, meaning more people can understand what your brand stands for just by seeing your logo.
Christmas and New Year are occasions that bring people together. There’s a general aura of compassion, love, and bliss. If your logo isn’t attuned with the occasions that are happening in the outside word, you’ll fail to resonate with your customers and engage them emotionally.
With animations, you can design logos that trigger a wide range of positive emotions like intrigue, joy, and excitement; all perfectly evocative of the festivities of Christmas and the holiday season.
If your animated logo triggers positive emotions in your target audience, then they will not only remember your brand, but they will be most likely do business with you. Furthermore, they may even associate your brand with pleasant and happy thoughts, and that is something the whole world is desperately in need of given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
If you were not sure how to take a fresh start for your Christmas and New Year campaigns this year, you now know what needs to be done.
What is really impressive about getting your logo animated is how easy and affordable it is that all you need to do is add simple but interesting effects to your logo in line with the sales event you’re targeting, and that will do wonders for you in terms of customer engagement, leading to better conversions. However, enough emphasis cannot be placed on the fact you will need to do a bit of research, as you can’t make do with just any animated logo. To make this happen, here are a couple of tips worth considering:
If you follow these tips, you can really stand out among your competitors and resonate with your customers for better engagement, and of course, profits this holiday season. And therein lies the power of animated logos.
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