The Nike “Swoosh” and the Adidas “Three stripes” are two well-known brands that are defined by their corporate logo. When Phil Knight started Nike, he was hoping to find a mark as recognizable as the Adidas stripes, which also provided reinforcement to the shoe.

In 1971 company founder Phil Knight was supplementing his modest income from his fledgling Blue Ribbon Sports, Inc., by teaching an accounting class at Portland State
University. There he met Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student, who was working on a drawing assignment in the hallway. Knight offered to pay her a couple of bucks an hour if she would do some design work for his small company. He hired the young student to design his logo, paying her $35 for what has become one of the best known marks in the world (she was later compensated again by the company).

There must be very few people who do not recognize the Nike Just Do it logo. The company takes its name from the Greek goddess of victory, Nike.
The logo represents the wing of the Greek Goddess.The Nike logo is a classic case of a company gradually simplifying its corporate identity as its frame increases. The company’s first logo appeared in 1971, when the word “Nike,” the Greek goddess of victory, was printed in orange over the outline of a checkmark, the sign of a positive mark. Used as a motif on sports shoes since the 1970s, this checkmark is now so recognizable that the company name itself has became superfluous.

The solid corporate logo design check was registered as a trademark in 1995. The Nike logo design is an abstract wing - an appropriate and meaningful symbol for a company that marketed running shoes. The “JUST DO IT” slogan and logo design campaign communicated such a strong point of view to their target market that the meaning for the logo design symbol evolved into a battle cry and the way of life for an entire generation. Isn’t it amazing how a small symbol we call a logo design can make a company into a huge success.

Source: www.nike.com / www.dinesh.com / www.answers.com
 

Logo design is commonly believed to be one of the most important areas in graphic design, thus making it the most difficult to perfect. The logo, or brand, is not just an image, it is the embodiment of an organisation. We endeavour to make your brand unique from the rest and stand the test of time. We will always produce something creative but it is essential that we get as much information and input from you as possible as to what you are trying to achieve.

View our portfolio for samples of previous work we have done. Whatever your product or service we will always deliver the best possible design for your business.

Contact us to receive a quote for your logo - whether it be brand new for a new business or a revamp of an existing logo - or just some advice on how you can make your logo and branding work better for you!

A good logo:

  • is unique, and not subject to confusion with other logos among customers
  • is functional and can be used in many different contexts while retaining its integrity
  • should remain effective reproduced small or large
  • can work in “full-color”, but also in two color presentation (black and white), spot color, or halftone.
  • may be able to maintain its integrity printed on various fabrics or materials (where the shape of the product may distort the logo)
  • abides by basic design principles of space, color, form, consistency, and clarity
  • represents the brand/company appropriately

When designing a logo, things to consider are:

  • use few colors
  • avoid gradients (smooth color transitions) as a distinguishing feature
  • produce alternatives for different contexts
  • design using vector graphics, so the logo can be resized without loss of quality
  • be aware of design or trademark infringements
  • include guidelines on the position on a page and white space around the logo for consistent application across a variety of media (a.k.a. brand standard manual)
  • do not use a specific choice clip-art as a distinguishing feature
  • avoid photography or complex imagery as it reduces the instant recognition a logo demands
  • avoid culturally sensitive imagery, such as religious icons or national flags, unless the brand is committed to being associated with any and all connotations such imagery may evoke
 
 
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