I noticed a highly linked-to post on Fizbang web design that covered how to re-touch and update a logo. Interestingly enough, Matt just re-made the logo for SEOmoz (for our new business cards and new website - on its way). Check out a walkthrough:
Here's our old logo, which shows why SEOs shouldn't be logo designers. The colors work, but there's not sparkle to the SEOmoz "flower" - it's a bit boring and the curve on the box surrounding it is a bit off. Let's see what Matt's done:
The updates are subtle, but the overall effect is terrific (IMO). The gradient background gives it a very polished look and the bigger flower to text ratio size helps to brand the icon as being important in the logo. I also like the drop-shadowing on the internal star and the border box. The impression I get from the new logo is that of a more professional and design-oriented firm - certainly a positive image to convey in this industry.
Two questions for discussion/posting:
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Any logos that stand out to you in the SEO/M space?
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Anyone else re-design their logo lately?
It's crazy how just the smallest things can make ALL THE DIFFERENCE. A gradient here, a scale up there, a few drop shadows, sharper lines and WHOA, it's like a whole new logo and looks 3 times as good! Great example!
Is there any chance of a high quality PNG version of the icon?
I've got SEOmoz set up as a desktop web app thingy and my icon is rubbish :(
Thanks
Awesome!! We actually just redesigned our logo for LinkCaffeine. Before I created something I did not really care for, but it worked for the time I was just doing freelance work. Now that we have grown into a full-service Inbound Marketing Agency, a new logo was needed. Check them out and please let me know your thoughts!
Before: https://www.guru.com/GuruFiles/pro/1150402/linkcaffeine_official_logo_smaller.19b625bd.v2c2n4vqp1u.19b625bd.wug4e3h3nck.19b625c9.bkvlqa30r55.jpg
After: https://offers.linkcaffeine.com/essential-guide-internet-marketing
We are also redesigning our website too which should launch by the end of the month. Pretty excited about it!
Thanks,Darren
I'm interested to know how many people are or would be aware of the differences without bringing it up here and how many are sensitive to logo designs.
I'm not one of those people. My ex-wife is a designer and advertising person. We interacted with designers all the time. It has to be a dramatic change to grab my attention.
I've always wondered as to the number of people affected and aware of a logo change such as the one done for seomoz.
One thing you need to think about in logo design is that simple is better. They talk a lot about this in the article you mentioned. Your logo redesign looks great there but how will it look in 2 colors or black and white? Those effects will not show up.
One solution, rather than scrapping it, would be to design an additional logo using the same elements that will look good in 2 colors and black and white. It can be done very easily.
"The impression I get from the new logo is that of a more professional and design-oriented firm - certainly a positive image to convey in this industry."
In all honesty, for me, the logo is like ads in a newspaper or magazine; I don't even see them as I read. I know graphic design people spot that stuff right away, but it's hard for me to believe it really makes much difference.
This comment is very true, even for graphic designers unless we are looking at designs SPECIFICALLY at the time... HOWEVER, I believe that people notice design on a subconscious leve and can judge how "professional" a logo looks at a glance without even knowing why...
I think that donna needs a hypen in the banner so that seoscoop.com doesn't get her traffic
One worth mentioning is Donna's re-working of her entire site at www.SEO-Scoop.com - She did an awesome job of keeping the same theme and colors. I am really glad to see that she stuck with the same color - It makes her stand out, IMHO. Maintaining the same feel is important when updating your image (at least if the old image was working).
Over at www.searchenginejournal.com Loren Baker updated his over site's logo about a month ago from a very old 2d logo to the current one! The new one looks much better than the old one!
Nice work Donna and Loren!