I Am President (Logo Research) 5

I found these examples randomly and thought it was key to add to my context blog. I have taken these 3 images to show the final development of a band logo taking place.
I also took the example because i really like the font used and the layout the designer has come to use through experimentation.
Looking at the final resolution - it has come a long way from the series of designs below which must have been some of the later concepts.
This series of examples gives me confidence and inspiration to carry on with the design process.

I Am President (Logo Research) 4

Here are 3 logos which i found during my search. These logos all offer different design techniques which are mainly based around the typography.

• The Paramore logo is a very simple yet affective. Its both bold and eye-catching with a haggard finish (the design is very much influenced by the genre of music and the fans who support them when touring and purchasing murchandise etc.
• The Evanescece logo is very much the opposite to Paramore. The font is of a better quality - it consists of smooth, flowing lines, some added extras to tails of some letterforms which all adds character to the design. Although this is a flat black and white copy of the logo - it is key to say that this is the colour pallet used by the designer. Again like the Paramore logo the colour pallet is essential to relate directly to the followers of the band.
  
• The Steepwater Band's logo is a bit different from my other 2 examples. This logos font seems to have been hand rendered (which is very good) with a large outlined stroke to compliment the text. I like this design - and feel that although the font is not suitable for my bands genre of music - the concept of hand rendered type is a possibility.
  

I Am President (Logo Research) 3

Mash Creative are leaders in terms of producing iconic identities. When i recently went onto their site i was overwelmed with the amount of logos they had produced for brands in the past. Below are some of the examples which i took to show you.
Some of the logos i will be using for inspiration. These examples dont give me an idea of colour pallet etc, however they do help me in terms of type, layout, image etc.

I Am President (Logo Research) 2

This is some of the work from Paul Rand. He is a very experienced designer with an online portfolio that speaks for itself. Although these identities are not for brands and are seen (or have been seen) in the commercial genre.
I have used these examples to show how simplicity works. He uses very simple fonts, clever layouts and vibrant colour pallets which all together produce some very eye-catching and memorable work.
The example immediatley below 'Servador' is one piece which i will be using for inspiration. Band logos tend to have the same look, bold, in your face, etc. This will do the same but with a twist on the titles layout.

I Am President (Logo Research) 1

Decided to start my research with the basics. I searched band logos rite away and found these good examples. At this stage i wasn't bothered about looking indepth at colour pallets, fonts, layouts etc - I just wanted to get some general idea into the identities around at the minute.
These examples are really good - next im going to look into designers who have done some clever designs using type and colour.
However from these examples i have got some ideas flowing in terms of the type and colour pallet.

Letterheads (Arbormann: Research)

'Here i Am' is a graphic design agnecy based in stockport. After searching letterhead layouts in google this design agency was one of the first sites to pop up in google - and it is clear to see why.
Here i Am are a branding/identity specialist who produce stationary sets for the majority of their briefs. Below are several examples of their work which i really like.
The colour pallets are minimal, the type i affective and legiable while the layouts are complimentary and simple.
Although the Arbormann logo will not work in the same way - i still like the layouts that this design agency use.

Stationary Sets (Arbormann: Working as a series)

I simply put these examples up to show how i would like my stationary set to work as a series. These examples are very simple in terms of design and layouts.
Looking at these designs i am purely looking at how the colour pallet, logos and type work together and across the range. My designs will be slightly different due to the imagery which i have used and plan to incorperate in the stationary set.

• I dont like plain white paper. Imagery i feel is neccasary for my stationary set.
  

Stationary Sets (Arbormann: Flexfinity Media)

Flexfinity Media is a corporate branding agency which specialises in identity and stationary sets for businesses worldwide. This is a selection of clients final resolutions i am using for inspiration.
I have to admit the majority of the designs im not a big fan of. However the design below is my favorite and one which i feel will help me with my designs. The margain on the right hand-side of the design works really well - and i feel this would work well with my business card design and colour pallet.

• Presentation wise - i like the layout and the final logo on the right hand side of the sheet. This will also be inspiration for my final presentation boards.
  

Stationary Sets (Arbormann: Research)

Finally completed the business cards. Now its time to complete the stationary set. I decided to take a look into several designs which use layout and the colour pallet to their full potential.
I want to bring the portrait format from the business card into the rest of the stationary set to make them work as a series. I have already experimented with the layout - and so far im struggling so i really do need some inspiration.
Im taking note from these designs how they use the layouts and position the logos and contact details.
However i think more research is needed for inspiration.

Business Card (Arbormann: Final Format)

Now i have designed the logo for Arbormann and have a selected typeface for the contact details etc - its time to sort out the final format for the business card.
Because the brief is for an Arborist - i decided to experiment with the layout after seeing these designs which i have used for inspiration. Instead of having the standard landscape layout - i decided to go with a portrait business card. On top of that i decided to bring the width down to emphasis the 'height' factor of the image i am using on the front side of the business card.
The designs below really were my inspiration - I love the designs and the print finishes used on theses great examples.

Business Card (Arbormann: Layout and Format)

Just looking into the layout and format of the business cards - i found these examples which cover a range of different printing techniques and finishes.
The first example below uses embossing finish with flat matt colour. The stock is also a nice choice with more of a texture to show off the design. I dont think my design will be heading in this direction, however i thought this would be a good example to show.
'Optimum fotography' is a very simple yet affective design, using imagery with the layout and type - the designer has produced a very unique and affective design.
Howlfire is a very original design - one which i have never seen before. The type is minimal yet legiable and affective while the print finish is of a high quality. The finish is different because of this burnt affect on the top - this relate directly to the client and the brief. Vey affective.

Business Card (Arbormann Research) 2

While researching business card layouts i found these examples. The immediate examples below I like for the print finishes. The black SA card uses a spot varnish which is one print finish im currently thinking of using. While the blue business card uses a flat matt print. Both examples are finished well and look very proffessional.




I had to include this example. Purely because of the clever, humorous design. The business which the car represents is a second hand store - and the designer has produced a business card which represents the second hand brief perfectly. I really do love this design. Brilliant

Business Card (Arbormann: Print finishes)

The print finish for my business card is very important. Not only does the colour pallet come into the finish, but also the stock choice, spot varnish or flat coat prints etc.
Below i have gathered together some of my favorite examples - the majority of which use ebossing along with minimal colour pallets.
I want my design to be unique and innovative. So the print finish really does need to be looked into. At the minute im very happy to design with the idea of my business card gettin lasercut at some point. However the more i look into designs which use embossing i find the finish is much more proffessional.

Print finishes i will be considering when producing my design:

• Emboss
• Laser cut
• Spot varnish
• Flat matt

Business Card (Arbormann: Colour pallet)

Because i have already looked into existing arborist identitys i decided to look into random business card designs which use vibrant and rich colour pallets.
Im not certain of what colour pallet i will be using in my design just yet - although i think it will be a limited pallet of 2 or 3 colours.
The type im the majority of the examples below is fantastic. They tend to be minimal using good space and vey well developed layouts.