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Here is a list of the biggest design mistakes that a graphic designer should try to avoid at all costs. If you make these mistakes your printed materials will turn out ruined. Good luck and make sure to save this article.

1. Using web graphics on printed material. With many young designers coming from a pre-dominantly web design background the transfer over from web design to traditional design for print can bring with it a multitude of design sins. Images supplied at 72dpi and crunched down to load fast on a website are going to reproduce very badly in print you can get away with small thumbnails but blowing things up to any appreciable size is going to be pushing your luck. There are a number of online sites offering free or very cheap quality hi resolution images which are a good source for suitable imagery.

2. Forgetting about or not allowing enough bleed. A very common error is to send to print a document or flattened image that has no bleed at all. Generally speaking you should allow at least 3mm around every cut off edge. Failing to do so will give the printers no leeway and will either crop off the side of the page or give you a white border. It is always a good idea when supplying image files to save layered psd files then if things need extending or cropping you can do this on the background layer and hopefully cut down your work.

3. Using obscure fonts and not embedding or outlining them for output. We’ve all been guilty of this at some point and things are generally fine if you are going to be the only person accessing your artwork or documents. However if someone else needs to amend the files or use your vector logo on one of there publications. Unless you package up the used fonts, they are not going to be able to open the files correctly and some software programs may replace any unknown fonts with a default. This is a particular problem when you need to dig out stuff that was created several years previously and you no longer have your old fonts installed.

4. Supplying print ready artwork using spot colours or rgb There are valid reasons for using spot colours in artwork, logos that need to reference particular pantone colours for example. In general design work however most print is sent through on 4 colour presses CMYK with occasional 5th colour for luminoius or metallic colour or for spot UV varnish. It is very common for lazy designers to just place rgb images into files and expect the vibrant colours seen on screen to reproduce in print.

5. Allowing design illiterate clients to lead you round the houses The customer is always right, goes the old adage. However it is often said with gritted teeth and a sense of patience that recognizes that these morons will at some stage be handing over a fat cheque for your troubles. It is often a good idea when first submitting visuals to throw in a couple of stinkers to hopefully get them to appreciate the design you would like them to accept. There is the very real danger of course of them loving the piece of absolute arsewipe that you knocked up in five minutes to make them think you’ve been earning your money. Still it’s a living.

horatio farquaar may be contacted at http://www.mindtap.co.uk Mindtap Graphic Design Resources is your single point entry into brochure design. A unique site where you can access information on UK graphic design, logo design, leaflet design, catalog design and web design

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Creating a New Logo Design
by Phil Barnhart

A new logo design is the visual substance of what your business represents. When you look at the Coca-Cola swoosh or the bite in the Apple Corporation logo, these symbols encompass the idea behind these individual companies. However, many companies insist on ignoring the importance of identity design for themselves.

A great company logo design can entice possible customers and is the ultimate “first impression” for your business. A great logo creates loyalty from your customers, brings your business credibility, and upholds your identity within the logo itself.

There are three types of logo designs:

Font-based logos, which consists mainly of “type”, logos that literally show what the company does(such as Burger King), and abstract logos. An abstract logo really doesn’t associate with a company until the company shows its customers what they are about… then the symbol becomes apparent! Ultimately, your customers should be able to tell what you do just by seeing your logo!

Start Designing your New Logo Design

There are some basic methods for creating a logo design…

1. Observe the logos of your competitors. Think about the type of image that they convey, and how you would like your logo to be different from these.

2. Decide on the message that you would like to convey about your business. Does your business have its own personality, and what makes it different from your competition?

3. Your logo design should be clean, and should be easily legible on business cards and other printed materials. Also, consider if the logo looks good in black-and-white so it can be photocopied or faxed.

4. Consider your color choices: Be careful, although a colorful logo may be beautiful to look at, the cost of getting the logo printed may not be cost affective. Two to three color choices should be a strong consideration for the production of your new logo design.

5. There are several logo design sites available on the Internet. The most effective way of choosing a logo company is to find one that suits your needs is to see that company’s logo portfolio. These company logo samples should have logo design samples, as well as examples of logo design in various formats. Be sure that the company that you have chosen can create the needed design.

6. Protect your new logo design by applying for a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Web site. Once you have trademarked your new design, you may use it anywhere you mention your company name.

Creating a logo isn’t always easy. Remember your customers and the type of business that you have, when creating your new logo design!

http://www.surelogos.com/ … All Graphic Design Directory … Tutorials Directory

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