What Kind of Logo Design Do You Get For $5? It Just Might Be the Litigious Kind.

I recently consulted with a client about branded t-shirt design for her growing virtual cycling and fitness business. This client already had an established logo and branded color palette but wanted to find a creative approach to how the messaging on her t-shirts would appear. She wanted to elevate the overall design and style from what she was currently selling.

Here is a representation of the logo and not the actual logo.

We met on Zoom and I asked her about the logo and branded guidelines that she received from her on-line designer. All she had received was a singular page showing the CMYK and HEX color breakdowns in addition to receiving transparent PNG files (PNG – Portable Network Graphics) of the logo. This is the first red flag that came up. She should have received EPS (EPS = encapsulated-postscript) files with the fonts outlined in at least CMYK mode. Pantones should have been an option as well and RGB eps files should have been prepared.

The logo looked great at full screen but not so great scaled down onto a smaller space. The Britany font proved difficult to work with for t-shirt design and was abandoned.

The second and third red flags came next. The scalability of the finalized logo was not taken into consideration for application on future identity systems. When we screen shared, I saw the PDF presentation of her logo as given by the designer and there were no comps showing a scaled down version of 1 or 2 inches. The dimensions of a standard US business card is 3.5 x 2 inches. One of the contributing factors to the lack of scalability was that it incorporated a 2-font system and the hand-rendered font called “Brittany Signature” (See example) is not very scalable, in addition to not being very legible due to its overall light-weight structure. If a business sponsored an event and the space allocated for the display of sponsor logos was limited, that logo may not have any legibility.

While on Zoom, we worked together on some rough sketches for potential t-shirt designs that utilized her trademarked phrases. The portions of text that was written in Brittany Signature was illegible. I asked her if she really wanted to continue with this font within her brand, pointing out the overall foreseeable issues with reproduction and this is when the third red flag came up. She told me the designer said she used DaFont (www.dafont.com) to source her fonts for this project and she informed her that “all the fonts are free to use.” Wrong! They are not always free and each font comes with a “read me” text file and/or disclaimer within the posting. Brittany Signature is not free to use and the note from the author says “By installing or using this font, you are agree to the Product Usage Agreement – This font is already FULL VERSION and ONLY for PERSONAL USE. NO COMMERCIAL USE ALLOWED!” There is a link to purchase the font from the foundry for the mere amount of $23USD. What kind of designer does not take into consideration the potential copyright violation this poses? The kind of designer you get for $5.

What kind of designer does not take into consideration the potential copyright violation this poses? The kind of designer you get for $5.

– Linda Modica, Creative Director of LMI+D LLC

I advised my client to purchase the font from the foundry to avoid any potential future issues.

Still considering a crowd-sourced logo to save money? You might want to rethink that and to remember the saying “penny wise and pound foolish.” What guarantee is the seller giving when designing your logo, which is considered intellectual property? What happens when your logo contains copyrighted material, or worse, stolen material? What rights have been transferred, if any? And how does one transfer copyrights? While I am not an attorney, I can not give legal advice on this subject but to rather bring up these issues about the logo, or intellectual property you will be purchasing and using to represent your business.

Linda Modica Innovation + Design LLC has a “warranty of originality” clause within each contract in which the first sentence within that clause states: “Linda Modica Innovation and Design LLC warrants and represents that the work assigned hereunder is original, has not been previously published and is free from copyright violation.”

In conclusion, that logo might look good but it might also be potentially litigious. Don’t cut corners and work with a qualified graphic design professional. You do get what you pay for.

#SMSSummit First Responders – Logo Design

#SMSSummit First Responders – Logo design

LMI+D creative studio designed a badge-style logo for the Social Media Strategies Summit First Responders conference. LMI+D has been branding the @smssummit events for over a decade by first starting with the social media icon globe.  The challenge for this new brand for the #SMSSummit was to incorporate the social media icon globe into what would take the form of a universal badge.

Here is the badge logo with the event title.

 

Conference brochure design (cover).

 

#smssummit #SMS #creativity #content #socialmediaconference #socialsummit #socialmediasummit #firstresponders #socialmedia #socialmediamarketing #logodesigner #iconglobe #smss #graphicdesign #brand #branding #branddesign #publicagency #badgelogo #identity #identitydesign #conference #conferencedesign #virtualevent #eventdesign #digitalmarketing #digitalmarketingagency #digitalmarketer

IS IT TIME FOR A LOGO RE-DESIGN? BrandStrat – Case Study

Current BrandStrat conference logo designed by Linda Modica of LMI+D LLC

The event organizer for the BrandStrat conference wanted to redesign their event logo to represent its marketing initiative which was temporarily ushered into the virtual event space because of covid19. The logo was redesigned to be more modern and a bold and to fit better within the digital space than physical space (conference centers). The redesign was accomplished by changing the font, color palette, and creating a mark. The color palette was updated to using a brighter cyan and solid black to bring the visual identity to the next level. The tagline was then added to the logo to further brand the mission of the conference.

LEFT: Logo before // RIGHT: Logo after the re-design.

 

If you have been considering redesigning your existing logo here are four key questions to ask yourself to help you determine if this is the direction you should take.

1. Has your business expanded or changed?
   If your business has recently added a new line of new products, your logo should be updated to reflect this change. If your business has expanded from a small business to a medium or a large business or if your business has expanded its consumer offerings, it could be time to consider updating your logo as well. Can your current logo cover all these changes?
2. Do you have new competition?
   You were the only one in town, at least for a good duration of time, and suddenly you have competition. You look at their visual presence and feel a little intimidated. A logo redesign can help by showing existing customers and prospective customers that you invest in your business and stay up-to-date.
3. Do you want to expand your business into new demographics?
   You already have an established loyal customer base and want to speak to a new demographic with your new services and products. Are you ready? A logo redesign will help you connect with your new customers while still maintaining your existing ones. As your business grows so should the personality of your logo. It should reflect the business you are doing right now.
4. Did your business have a shift in its values or mission statement?
   As businesses grow they evolve. And so does its ideology. If the business ideology has shifted, changed, or widened to incorporate a new set of values, your logo should reflect these changes. Customers respond to positive growth. Your logo be an integral part of your visual story. In a consumer-fueled world: Change is good!

Brand Identity Basics – the color palette, font usage and messaging.

BrandStrat website hero image.

I love discussing design.

If you are want to talk about your logo or any design project, please schedule your complimentary consultation by sending an email to: linda@lmid.co.

Linda Modica is the founder and creative director of LMI+D [Linda Modica Innovation and Design LLC]. She is a graphic designer, art director, brand ambassador, animator and strategist with over 20 years of proven experience designing visual identities and brands. Linda Modica Innovation and Design LLC is a WBENC certified woman owned business.

www.lmid.co // Follow LMI+D on Instagram @lindamodica_LMID

#SMSSummit for Public Agencies & Government

LOGO DESIGN
Social Media Strategies Summit Public Agencies & Government

Branding and identity development for the Social Media Strategies Summit. This logo was developed for the Public Agencies & Government portfolio of the #SMSSummit series.

I developed a circular badge style logo to share that same familiar presence as the presidential seal.

Shown against both dark  and light backgrounds.

Social media of the past [left]  versus social media of today [right] for our presidents.

#SMSSummit // Social Media Strategies Summit Public Agencies & Government is a virtual event for 2021.

 

Branded Stories // Selected works from LMI+D Creative Studio

Late Summer 2020 – A Typographical Presentation

The latest works from the LMI+D creative studio are presented here through animation and static imagery.

A new logo for BrandStrat Conference using bold colors choices in black and cyan along with a more modern font updated the previous look from a few years past. The client, GSMI, was pleased with the result and the look of the logo reversed while it occupies the website.

The “Direct Connect” logo was created for a member benefit for members of the NCIA – The National Cannabis Industry Association.  You can see the logo in place here:  DIRECT CONNECT.

Finally, Marchesi, which was launched earlier this year, was a design based upon modern luxury using gold foil throughout the application of the logo on labeling.

The back cover of “Branded Stories” in using a positive palette.

The front cover of “Branded Stories” in using a traditional all black palette.

 

Request your PDF of this presentation by visiting LMI+D Studio  and requesting one. Or send the studio a request through this form:

 

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Interactive Conference Sponsor Sales Guide for the Virtual Event Platform

Innovative + Interactive Conference Sponsor Sales Guide – Graphic Design

As the conferencing industry shifted from live events to virtual events would sponsors find value in investing in the virtual event platform space?  The value of a well-designed sales guide can offer that advantage of showing how comprehensive your virtual platform really is.  You can create a strong sales piece  for your sales team to discuss with prospective sponsors. (Don’t send just a word document!)

Design adds value faster than it adds costs.
– Joel Spolsky, web programmer, writer, and creator of Trello

 

LMI+D studio designed an interactive PDF sponsor sales guide for MVP Media and its associated brands:  #SMSSummit Social Media Strategies Summit, @SRSConference Social Recruiting Strategies Summit, #EBrandCon Employer Branding Strategies Conference, #TAW Talent Acquisition Week, and Lincoln Health Network, leaders in pharmaceutical events.

The problem contains the solution.
– Michael Bierut

The interactive PDF has built in navigation, clickable email links with a pre-filled subject line and tap touch phone numbers for those viewing on a mobile device. Our current pandemic situation created the solution of the virtual event space. Conferences are still taking place. Create confidence in your brand offerings by providing sales guides for prospects that reflect the level of quality that you deliver.

Static page view describing what the platform allows along with sponsor sales contact information.

Static page view describing sponsor benefits along with all the rooms that sponsors and attendees can interact in.

LMI+D can design a sales guide for you to sell your brands in this new virtual space.

 

 

LMI+D is now a certified Women Owned Business (WBE)

I have been approved for the WBENC Certification!!!!

Linda Modica Innovation and Design LLC is certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation’s largest third party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women in the US.  WBENC recognizes the commitment to supplier diversity that is embraced by corporations and government agencies today, which can add diversity to your supply chain.

Linda Modica Innovation and Design LLC provides brand development, visual story telling and innovative design solutions to your high-profile conferences, events, and trade shows. Contact: http://www.lmid.co // linda@lmid.co //

I decided to start the certification process last September. I downloaded all information in PDF format from the WBENC website and started to gather the information that was required. My business needed a DUN number and applied for one for free through the Dun and Bradstreet website.  My journey to certification meant  a trip to my bank to notarize a sworn affidavit and to obtain a copy of my bank signature card. I hadn’t updated my resume in years, so I did that. I created a visual history of my business and submitted that as well.

LMI+D Visual History PDF here>>> LMI+D History

Tax returns, PNL statements, photocopies of my passport and drivers license (proving that I am indeed, a female) as well as copies of my formation papers for my LLC and finally a signature on the weblink user agreement was what I needed to start the application process. I did need to create a SAM account (Systems of Award Management) and have it in the active status.

The entire document gathering process took about 6 weeks and I completed the application just before Thanksgiving. I had my interview on March 2nd which completed the certification process.

To celebrate my certification, I have created  a 3D sandwich type rendering and placed it with the Women Owned Logo.  LMI+D is a Women Owned Business!

Basic LMI+D logo with the WBENC Certified Logo. So proud of this achievement!

Me just being happy with both logos to celebrate this certification.

 

#womenownedbusiness, #womenownedsmallbusiness, #wosb, #wbenc, #wbenccertified, #WomenOwned, #BuyWomenOwned, #WBENC, #WBENCnetwork, #femalefounder, #femalefounders, #womenentrepreneurs, #ownit, #SupportWomen, #smallbiz, #InnovativeWoman, #WOSB, #procurement, #supplierdiversity, #graphicdesign, #graphicdesigner, #branddesign, #conferencedesign, #eventdesign, #tradeshow, #tradeshowdesign, #cannabisdesign, #cannabisgraphicdesigner, #winelabeldesign, #businesscardsdesign, #identitydesigner, #logodesigner #3dtype, #creativedesign

FutureSense + NCIA – 2019 Cannabis Compensation Survey

Did you take the survey? TAKE THE SURVEY   >>  HERE  <<

I provided creative direction and graphic design for this interactive PDF about cannabis salaries. I organized the salaries into a bar graphs to visually depict the salary ranges for the different professions within the cannabis space.

The 2019 Cannabis Compensation Study: The Inaugural Survey powered by FutureSense in collaboration with the NCIA. Download the Report HERE.

Be counted!  TAKE THE SURVEY   >>  HERE  <<

Cover design for the joint survey between FutureSense and the NCIA.     

Customized quantification of the salaries display the results that instantly tell a visual story.

Cannabis Safe Vaping Consumer Report – White Paper Graphic Design

Safe Vaping Consumer Report – NCIA

I provided the art direction and graphic design for a white paper titled  “The Key to Consumer Safety: Displacing The Illicit Cannabis Market Recommendations for Safe Vaping” by the NCIA – National Cannabis Industry Association. You can download this PDF file directly from their website HERE.

This was a 20 page, white paper report for the purposes of print publication & digital distribution.

   

You can download this PDF file directly from their website HERE.

JONI: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell – Creative Direction & Design // Marketing Promotion

Creative Direction & Design for the Marketing Promotion of “JONI: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell” by Selina Alko

I had the recent privilege of working with Selina Alko, a children’s book author and illustrator, on her promotional piece for her latest work about the legendary Canadian singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell. She wanted a circular piece to celebrate the style of vinyl records and the announcement of her forthcoming book.

You can pre-order this Booklist, red-starred review from Amazon here: JONI

Follow Selina on Instagram, Twitter  @selinaalko

Visit her website to see all her books and illustrations.  www.selinaalko.com