Design trends for this year
We recently shared with you how minimalism is taking hold in logo design and encouraged everyone to take a look at their logo. There is no need for some legacy brands to change as their logo may be outdated but is well known (unless fonts change, but that’s about it).
But if you’re an independent brokerage or you’d like for your team to have its own logo, it is tempting to hire your cousin’s sister’s uncle’s son’s neighbor to resale a stock logo to you, or you can buy sets online or have them designed by a modern designer.
Logo changes can really improve a brand or can leave the world laughing (just ask Gap), so before printing any new logos, hit the streets with it and ask your friends, critics and consumers what they think of it.
The 21 design trends of 2011
Well known designer Jacob Chase outlined the 21 trends he is seeing this year and we would note the minimalist impact of all of the logos, so we reiterate that you don’t need a 30 word tagline, clip art or multiple elements in your logo.
The 21 trends are outlined below followed by some sample images, we encourage you to check out Chase’s article with corresponding examples:
- Gradient
- Juvi
- Vibrate
- O
- Earth
- Monoline
- Series
- Brown
- Dandruff
- Concentric
- Loopys
- Banded
- Comma
- Buckys
- Fruit
- Back Again
- Isometric
- Black Hole
- Pick Up Sticks
- Reactive
- Medallions
Spotting bad logo design:
What is wrong with the logo below?
If you mentioned the use of Papyrus font, the irony that there are no details in the car logo, the outdated clip art slash 1980s paint brush effect, poor balance, etc. then you are spot on! The logo above is outdated and should only be used in the event that you have a time machine and wish to send yourself back 30 years.
The logos in the trend examples and on Chase’s blog are all clean, minimalist and implement special effects that make it unique unlike the useless logo above. Tell us in comments which of the 21 trends you like the most!
Bonus: If you love cuss words and are a font snob, check out this hilarious monologue about comic sans and this open letter to bad fonts.
Ben Fisher
May 9, 2011 at 8:29 pm
Great timing for this article. Been thinking about doing a custom logo for myself and my branding recently and this will be helpful. Thanks!
SitePunk
May 12, 2011 at 5:10 am
Great article – thank's for sharing! I like the Comma's most!