It’s easy to underestimate the importance of a logo. Some residential design-build firms think that if the logo looks decent and is recognizable, they’re in good shape. That’s a good place to start, but a distinctive logo goes further by conveying a sense of brand identity.

A logo is the face of your company. It’s often the first interaction potential customers have with residential design-build firms, and it leaves the first impression. More often than you might think, people choose a firm over its competition based on the logo alone. 

Five Elements of Good Logo Design

Simple

Think of some of the most famous logos in the world, like Nike’s or Apple’s: They’re clean and simple. A logo that’s too busy confuses customers. Avoid too much text, crazy fonts or using more than two fonts.

Memorable

Simple does not mean boring or unoriginal. Your logo needs to be unique; it shouldn’t look like anyone else’s. When customers think of your company, they should be able to clearly picture the logo in their heads. Residential design-build firms should also strive for a logo that allows customers to instantly identify the company on the web, in emails or advertising. It's called a mnemonic and if you can answer the second line of this phrase, then you'll know exactly what it is... "My Bologna Has a First Name... (Click here for the rest)

Versatile

Your logo needs to look good whether it’s on your website, a T-shirt or a billboard. Logos should look good in color or black-and-white, too. You’ll need a vertical version and a horizontal version in most cases.

Attractive

The logo should be eye-catching and attractive. Residential design-build firms are in the business of creating beautiful things; the logo should suggest that. Ugly logos can do significant damage to your bottom line - and you will never even know it when prospects don't call.

Timeless

Aim for classic, not trendy. You don’t want to pay for a logo that will look out of date in a couple years. Avoid fonts, patterns and color schemes that tend to go in and out of style.

Choosing a Graphic Designer

Asking for references is one way to start. Talk to residential design-build firms with logos you like about who they used. Or, you can do your web research. It’s always a good idea to view the work of several designers before you select one. Or, just call Means-of-Production and we will do the research for you.

Like any other artist, graphic designers tend to have their style. Choose someone whose previous work you find appealing. A designer can always tell you the logo will be amazing, but you’re likely to be disappointed if his or her previous work just isn’t your style.

A good graphic designer always has a conversation with you before doing any work to learn more about the company, your needs, and your ideas. If the designer doesn’t want to listen to your ideas, move on to someone else. He or she should also be willing to make revisions if the logo isn’t quite what you imagined the first or second time around.

One alternative to selecting just one designer is our preferred method,  crowdsourcing a logo. In recent years, residential design-build firms have increasingly gone this route to get a dynamic logo at a reasonable price. A general idea for the logo is conceptualized, and then designers are invited to compete for the job by submitting logos. When you have more options, you’re more likely to find a logo that’s a perfect fit for your business.