Thursday 29 July 2010
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teenytinyturkey/sets/72157600306898110/
Tuesday 27 July 2010
http://www.designspongeonline.com/category/before-and-after
Sunday 25 July 2010
http://www.iateapie.net/
Mini Egg White Frittata No-Recipe Recipe
A Frittata is described as an Italian omelet that usually has the ingredients mixed with the eggs rather than being folded inside, as with a French omelet ... An omelet is cooked quickly over moderately high heat and, after folding, has a flat-sided half-oval shape. A frittata is firmer because it's cooked very slowly over low heat, and round because it isn't folded (source).
Frittatas are super easy to make, and my (mostly) egg white mini frittatas (get out your muffin tin), are perfectly portioned bites of deliciousness.
Recipe for Mini Egg White Frittatas
INGREDIENTS(makes 3 servings of 2 frittatas each)
- Egg whites (4)
- Egg (1 (whole with yolk))
- Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)
- Baby Spinach (1/2 cup)
- Bell Pepper (diced - 1/4 of 1 medium size yellow)
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese (1/2 cup)
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
PREPARATION- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Beat egg whites & whole egg together.
- In a skillet, add olive oil and heat for about 3 minutes on medium. Add spinach and cook until wilted (about 5 minutes).
- Add the spinach, cheese & bell peppers to the egg mixture.
- Use a measuring cup, pour the mixture into the holes of a muffin tin, filling each a little over half way.
- Place the muffin tin in the pre-heated oven, and bake for 30 minutes.
NOTES
* This is a no-recipe because you can add anything to the egg mixture, mushrooms, Canadian bacon, sun-dried tomatoes!
* Do not fill the muffin tins all the way up as the frittatas will rise during baking.
* You probably could just add the raw spinach to the egg mixture instead of cooking it first.
Saturday 24 July 2010
Yljana
Why are you gaining weight?
If you start taking in more calories than usual or cut back on exercise, you wouldn’t be surprised if the numbers on the scales crept higher. But what if you're doing everything the same as you always do and your weight still goes up? It's time to delve a little deeper into what might else be going on.
Lack of sleep
There are two issues at work with sleep and weight gain. The first is intuitive: If you're up late, the odds are greater that you'll eat some late night snacks that will increase your calorie intake. The other reason involves what's going on biochemically when you're sleep deprived. Hormones that affect appetite take over, making you hungrier the next morning. These hormones also make you feel less full after eating.
Stress
When life's demands get too intense, our bodies go into survival mode: Cortisol, the 'stress hormone,' is secreted, which causes an increase in appetite. We may also reach for high-calorie comfort foods in times of stress. This combination is a perfect breeding ground for weight gain.
Antidepressants
An unfortunate side effect from some antidepressants is putting on weight, which may occur in up to 25% of people taking them long-term. Talk to your GP about changing to another drug if you think your antidepressant is causing weight gain. But remember that some people experience weight gain after beginning drug treatment simply because they're feeling better, which leads to improved appetite.
Corticosteroids
Anti-inflammatory steroid medications are notorious for causing weight gain. Fluid retention and increased appetite are the main reasons. Although weight gain is common, the severity of this side effect depends on the strength of the dose and length of time taking the drug. Some people may also see a redistribution of fat while taking the drug -- to places like the face, back of the neck or the abdomen. If you have any concerns about the side effects of a medication, talk to your GP.
Other drugs that may cause weight gain
Several other prescription drugs have been associated with weight gain. The list includes antipsychotic drugs (used to treat mood disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorders), as well as medicines to treat migraines, seizures, high blood pressure and diabetes. You and your GP should be able to find a medication that treats your symptoms without disrupting side effects.
'The Pill' does not typically cause weight gain
Contrary to popular belief, combination contraceptive pills (oestrogen and progestin) do not usually cause weight gain. In fact, some women on the pill lose weight, primarily from nausea. If you're still concerned about possible weight gain, talk to your GP.
Hypothyroidism
If your thyroid (the butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck) is not making enough thyroid hormone, you're probably feeling tired, weak, cold and gaining weight. Without enough thyroid hormone, the metabolism slows, making weight gain more likely. Even a thyroid functioning at the lower end of the normal range might cause weight gain. Treating hypothyroidism with medication may reverse some of the weight gain. If you have any concerns, please talk to your GP.
Stress management diet
Stress management can be a powerful tool for staying healthy. There's evidence that too much pressure doesn't just put you in a bad mood. People who are under constant stress are more vulnerable to everything from colds to high blood pressure and heart disease. Although there are many ways to cope, one solution is to eat stress-fighting foods. Read on to learn how a stress management diet can help.
Stress-busting foods: How they work
Foods can fight stress in several ways. Comfort foods, like a bowl of warm porridge, actually boost levels of serotonin, a calming brain chemical. Other foods can reduce levels of cortisol and adrenaline, stress hormones that take a toll on the body over time. Finally, a nutritious diet can counteract the impact of stress, by shoring up the immune system and lowering blood pressure. Do you know which foods are stress busters?
Complex carbohydrates
All carbohydrates prompt the brain to make more serotonin. For a steady supply of this feel-good chemical, it's best to eat complex carbs, which are digested more slowly. Good choices include wholegrain breakfast cereals, bread, pastas and porridge. Complex carbs can also help you feel balanced by stabilising blood sugar levels.
Simple carbohydrates
Dieticians usually recommend steering clear of simple carbs, which include sweets and fizzy drinks. But these foods can provide short-term relief of stress-induced irritability. Simple sugars are digested quickly, leading to a surge in serotonin.
Oranges
Oranges earn a place on the list for their wealth of vitamin C. Studies suggest this vitamin can reduce levels of stress hormones while strengthening the immune system.
Spinach
Popeye never let stress get the better of him – maybe it's all the magnesium in his spinach. Magnesium helps regulate cortisol levels and tends to get depleted when we're under pressure. Too little magnesium may trigger headaches and fatigue, compounding the effects of stress. One serving of spinach goes a long way towards replenishing magnesium stores. Not a spinach eater? Try a salmon fillet, also high in magnesium.
Oily fish
To keep cortisol and adrenaline in check, make friends with oily fish. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish like salmon and tuna, can prevent surges in stress hormones and protect from heart disease. For a steady supply, aim to eat about 85g (three ounces) of oily fish at least twice a week.
Black tea
Research suggests black tea can help you recover from stressful events more quickly. One study compared people who drank four cups of tea daily for six weeks with people who drank a tea-like placebo. The real tea drinkers reported feeling calmer and had lower levels of cortisol after stressful situations. Coffee, on the other hand, can boost levels of cortisol.
Pistachios
Pistachios can soften the impact stress hormones have on the body. Adrenaline raises blood pressure and gets your heart racing when you're under stress. Eating a handful of pistachios every day may lower blood pressure, so it won't go as high when you have an adrenaline rush.
Avocados
One of the best ways to reduce high blood pressure is to get enough potassium -- and half an avocado has more potassium than a medium-sized banana. In addition, guacamole offers a nutritious alternative when stress makes you crave a high-fat treat.
Almonds
Almonds are full of helpful vitamins. There's vitamin E to bolster the immune system, plus a range of B vitamins, which may make the body more resilient during bouts of stress. To get the benefits, snack on a quarter of a cupful every day.
Raw vegetables
Crunchy raw vegetables can fight the effects of stress in a purely mechanical way. Munching celery or carrot sticks helps release a clenched jaw, which can help ward off tension headaches.
Bedtime snack
Carbohydrates at bedtime can speed the release of serotonin and help you sleep better. Heavy meals before bed can trigger heartburn, so stick to something light like toast and jam.
Milk
Another bedtime stress buster is a glass of warm milk. Researchers have found calcium can reduce muscle spasms and soothe tension, as well as easing anxiety and mood swings linked to PMS. Dieticians usually recommend skimmed or low-fat milk.
Herbal supplements
There are many herbal supplements that claim to fight stress. One of the best studied is St John's wort. Some studies appear to show some benefits for people with mild-to-moderate depression. Although more research is needed, the herb also appears to reduce symptoms of anxiety and PMS. There is less data on valerian root, another herb said to have a calming effect.
De-stress with exercise
Besides changing your diet, one of the best stress-busting tips is to start exercising. Aerobic exercise is the most effective, because it increases oxygen circulation and produces endorphins -- chemicals that make you feel happy. To get the maximum benefit, aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times a week.
Understanding low blood pressure - diagnosis & treatment
How do I know if I have low blood pressure?
Your doctor can diagnose you with low blood pressure. Symptoms of dizzinessand light-headedness when you stand up don't necessarily mean that you have postural hypotension, or low blood pressure. A wide range of underlying conditions may cause your symptoms. It is important to identify the cause of low blood pressure so appropriate treatment can be given.
Your doctor will look at your medical history, age, specific symptoms, and the conditions under which the symptoms occurred. He or she may perform repeated evaluation of your blood pressure and pulse rate -after you've been lying down for a few minutes and within two to five minutes after you stand quietly.
Other tests may be performed, such as an ECG (electrocardiogram) to measure heart rate and rhythm problems and an echocardiogram (an ultrasound test to visualise the heart). You may also have blood tests to look for anaemia or problems with your blood sugar levels.
More sophisticated home ECG monitoring (a Holter monitor or "event" monitor) may be necessary to check for heart problems that occur intermittently.
An exercise stress test or electrophysiology test (EP test) may also be helpful.
Serious forms of postural hypotension may require a test called a ‘tilt table’ test. This test evaluates the body's reaction to position and changes in position. The person lies on a table, is safely strapped in, and the table is raised to an upright position for up to an hour. Blood pressure, heart rate, and symptoms are recorded. Often, medications are given to help guide treatment.
What are the treatments for low blood pressure?
If you have an underlying medical problem that causes low blood pressure, seek treatment for the underlying condition. For many people, chronic low blood pressure can be effectively treated with diet and lifestyle changes.
Initially, your doctor may advise you to increase your blood pressure by making these simple changes:
Eat a diet higher in salt.
Decrease your intake of caffeine.
Drink lots of nonalcoholic fluids -- a minimum of eight glasses per day. Sports drinks that are high in sodium and potassium are recommended, especially during exercise or in hot weather.
Drink more fluids during hot weather and while sick with a viral illness, such as acold or the flu.
Have your doctor evaluate your prescription and over-the-counter medications to identify any that may be causing your symptoms.
Get regular exercise to promote blood flow.
Be careful when rising from a lying down or sitting position. To improve circulation, pump your feet and ankles a few times before standing up. Then proceed slowly. When getting out of bed, sit upright on the edge of the bed for a few minutes before standing.
Elevate the head of your bed at night by five to 20 degrees, by placing bricks or blocks under the head of bed.
What are the treatments for low blood pressure? continued...
Avoid heavy lifting.
Avoid straining while on the toilet.
Avoid prolonged exposure to hot water, such as hot showers and spas. If you get dizzy, sit down. It may be helpful to keep a chair or stool in the shower in case you need to sit; to help prevent injury, use a nonslip chair or stool designed for use in showers and bath tubs.
To avoid problems with low blood pressure and lessen episodes of dizziness after meals, try eating smaller, more frequent meals. Rest after eating. Avoid taking low blood pressure drugs before meals.
If needed, use elastic support (compression) stockings or tights that cover the calf and thigh. These may help restrict blood flow to the legs, thus keeping more blood in the upper body.
Medications for low blood pressure
If these measures don't lessen the problem, you may need medication.
The following medications have been proven effective in treating low blood pressure.
Fludrocortisone. Fludrocortisone is a mineralocorticosteroid that appears to be effective for most types of postural hypotension, or low blood pressure. It works by promoting sodium retention by the kidney, thereby causing fluid retention and some swelling, which is necessary to improve blood pressure. But this sodium retention also causes a loss of potassium. So when taking fludrocortisone, it's important to get adequate amounts of potassium each day. Fludrocortisone has none of the anti-inflammatory properties of cortisone or prednisone and is not a muscle-building agent.
Midodrine. Midodrine activates receptors on the arterioles (smallest arteries) and veins to produce an increase in blood pressure. Studies show that it's effective in improving standing blood pressure in people with postural hypotension related to nervous system dysfunction, such as those with Shy-Drager syndrome.
Wednesday 21 July 2010
How To Be Creative
Do you ever get asked ‘Where did you get that idea from?’ in any of your projects or pieces of work and you couldn’t answer the question? Well, I have actually come across that a few times and it made me think to myself, where do I get my creativity?How do I get my creative juices flowing? How do I boost my creativity?
I made a short list of where I usually got my ideas from and came down to two things I always did to get my creative juices flowing, that being mindmapping and finding inspiration. I then compared my ways to other creative individuals on the net but we will get to that in a bit.
Mindmapping
So what? Everyone has heard of mindmapping but are you doing it in the best possible way – the way that suits you best? The key to perfecting mind-mapping iscreating your own personal style.
- Do you use keywords? Images? Both?
- Do you use a variety of colours?
- Do you use a hierarchy system? A number system? Outlines? Circles?
- Do you use random words for inspiration or do you relate words? Both?
- Are all lines & thoughts connected? Or do you loiter off into new mind maps?
You must find the best method that suits you, as the key to getting great ideas and getting your creative juices flowing is by perfecting your own personal style, as not everyone has the same way of doing things.
Finding Inspiration
If you are really stuck for ideas (even after mindmapping), I have always found that by getting an idea of what other people have done and what has succeeded (or failed) is a great way to get your feet off the ground again.
Try looking in books, magazines, newspapers, on then internet, journals, and any where else you can think of! Check this post on where to finddesign inspiration.
Although mindmapping and inspiration are two great ways of getting creative, there are many other ways to help you out. For example, a creative blog by the name of Think Simple Now outlines in an article how to get to your inner creativity. See below.
Other Creative Methods
Have you ever tried practicing any of the methods below? Give it a try, you’ll be surprised.
- Get Relaxed – Take a moment to do something that makes you happy; that brings you joy; that you love; that centers you. Meditate, take a walk, go for a swim, read something that puts you in a good mood, write a diary – writing down your thoughts.
- Give Gratitude - Thinking about all things you are grateful for produces a positive energy flow and vibration. As you feel the love in your heart for all the wonderful blessings and gifts in your life, you will instantly relax and feel all warm-and-fuzzy inside. In that moment of warmth and love, you are open to creative energy.
- Tickle Your Imagination – Imagination is highly visual. Try closing your eyes, and imagine that you are in a scene, any scene. Okay – pick your ideal scene, practice seeing the details of your environment in this scene. See the colours, the textures, touch something. What does it feel like? What do you hear? What do you smell? What is the temperature like? Etc. This makes you more relaxed and gives you gratitude also.
- Be In the Moment - Every outstanding musician or artist will tell you that when they are creating great music or art, there are no thoughts, they are completely in the moment, and experiencing flow. Athletes call this ‘being in the zone‘. You can practice present moment awareness by giving full attention to whatever you are doing: eating, washing dishes, making your bed, etc. Meditation helps tremendously. The book “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle is also highly recommended.
- Be Inspired - Practice seeing beautiful things that moves you emotionally. Flip through a book containing thought provoking images, go to an art gallery, read something inspirational, talk to someone who calms you.
- Draw - This may sounds funny, but one of the effective ways to practice getting in touch with your creative side is to start drawing. Drawing forces you to see things differently.
- See Alternatives - Be curious. Practice asking yourself how to do something differently. When seeing the solution to a problem, ask yourself, “What are some alternative ways to doing this?“. Develop the mental attitude that “there is always another way” even when alternatives seem ‘impossible’.
- Be Open - Never shut down any idea that comes your way, do not make judgments about it. Appreciate any idea that comes to you, even ones that seem “stupid” or “obvious”. This way, you encourage more creative ideas to surface from your being.
- Think on Paper - With a bunch of loose paper, start jotting ideas down. Write everything down that comes to your head: random words, phrases, ideas, thoughts: sometimes you might want to circle things and draw lines to connect ideas. When an inspiration hits, follow it. If you suddenly have a different idea, jot it down somewhere on the page or in a new page.
Try looking in books, magazines, newspapers, on then internet, journals, and any where else you can think of! Check this post on where to finddesign inspiration.
Six Thinking Hats
Students Talking While Others Are Talking Or Teaching
Using the Six Hats allowed my class to look at the problem from different angles. Use 6 pieces of chart paper (and the 6 different colors of felt pens) as you apply each hat.
- White Hat: state the facts
- students are talking when Mrs Dyck is talking
- there is noise so that others are distracted or can't hear
- students don't know what to do after Mrs Dyck has given directions
- many students get silly or off task - Red Hat: states the emotions
- Mrs Dyck feels offended
- Students are frustrated because they can't hear directions
- Those talking enjoy joking around and being heard - Black Hat: negative aspects
- time is wasted
- learning is compromised
- those who legitamently have the floor feel that listeners don't care about what they are saying
- chaos in the classroom - Yellow Hat: positives of the situation are examined
- everyone gets to say what is on their mind
- it can be fun
- you don't have to wait until you speak and therefore don't forget what you what to say
- not just the "smart" kids get to speak - Green Hat: creative ideas that come with seeing the problem in a new light
- Mrs Dyck will be more aware of the amount of time that she "talks"
- Mrs Dyck will try to include interaction from many different students, not just the "smart" kids
- students will work on resisting the need to say everything that comes into their mind. They will ask themselves if this is "on topic" and"if this needs to be shared at this time. There needed to be further discussion on "how" students would work on this problem.
- students will think about whether their comment will interfer with other people's learning
- we will keep these charts up so that we can refer back to the learning of this moment and reassess how we are doing. - Blue Hat: Sum up what is learned
- Mrs Dyck learned that she needs to limit the amount of time she uses "Talking" as a form of teaching
- Mrs Dyck needs to involve all students in discussion. She needs to look for the one who rarely offers comments or is quietly waiting to be picked to answer.
- Mrs Dyck needs to realize that some students need "think time" before they are ready to contribute to a discussion. Allowing time for these students to think is important part of class discussion so they don't tune out.
- students now realize that when they talk when others are talking it makes the person talking feel like a fool or unappreciated.
- students realize that just to "get the laugh" of the moment, they are jeopardizing other people's learning
- students learned that speaking whenever you want show a lack of self-discipline and that not everything that goes through our minds is worth sharing.
- teacher/student needs to revisit this topic and check how we are doing
When I did this exercise with my students I fully expected the process to show that "they" were at fault in this situation. It was humbling to hear them share that they sometimes called out because I didn't choose them to share their ideas or that I moved so fast they didn't get a chance to think. Students were blown away when I shared what I felt like when I had planned a long time for a particular lesson and then one silly comment "threw water" on my lesson- ruined it because the class got silly.They never viewed it as offending me and because we had a good relationship they were anxious to work on this problem. Because I cared about them I was willing to take some responsibilty for the problem as well. Student/Teacher ownership added to the power of this exercise.
Some teachers may say this process takes too long. It would be better to "read the riot act" and move on. I have to say that it saved me piles of time in the long run. My class and I went through this process in November. Not only did their behavior improve but during the times they slipped, I would say "Remember the Six Hats...." and they go "Oh, yah..." and they'd click into the strategies that we established during the "Green/Blue" hat time. You have to realize that doing this exercise with students isn't stopping students from learning- it IS the learning.
My staff has used the Six Hats in staff meetings to problem solve. Really all it is is getting all viewpoints out on the table. I hope this explanation gives teachers a glimpse of how they might use it in their classroom.
CONTRIBUTOR: Brenda Dyck, Master's Academy and College, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
How To Boost Your Creativity
I have previously written an article on how to be creative however, it didn’t tell youhow to boost your creativity.
Below are some great ways of stimulating your brain to get great ideas – fast.
Change Your Environment
Decorate a wall with old product packages, put up king size posters of your favourite designers, rip out pages of a colour catalogue and pin them up, find music that inspires you, create interesting lighting by sticking distorted paper in front of the lamps and – if you own the place – redecorate in an inspiring manner. Alternatively, cover the walls with paper and let yourself go with paints and brushes. It is a fact that decorating a work environment with flowers increases the generation of new ideas by 15% (Roger Ulrich, Ph.D., Behavioural Scientist, Texas A&M University, 2004).
Why, Why, Why Technique
Ask ‘Why?’ several times until you explore undiscovered parts of the problem you’re working on. You’re creating an advertisement. Why are you creating an advertisement? Because they need one. Why do they need one? Because they’ve got this interesting product to show off. What makes the product interesting? It glows in the dark. Why does it glow in the dark? Because (:). Suddenly, you’ll find yourself with more information to spin around.
Use Different Mediums
Got process colours? Go mix them and paint something. Draw something. Take whatever ideas you’ve got, redraw them by hand, and see if they turn out different. If possible, cut it into pieces and put it together another way.
Write Your Own Brief
Write your own brief, and include as much information as possible. Try to define the problem clearly. If you’ve got one from a client, rewrite it in your own words.
Edward De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats
- White – State the facts and figures
- Red – State the emotions.
- Black – State the negatives. Use judgment and caution.
- Yellow – State the positives.
- Green – Ideas that come by seeing things in a new light. Suggest alternatives, proposals, provocations.
- Blue – Sum up what has been learned. It controls the debate. To see it in action.
What if? Technique
If you’re stuck half-way in a design, let your mind wander. What if this was seen mirrored? What if these two switched positions? What if I inverted the whole thing? You could also go further by making stories and creating characters. What if this illustration could come over and give its opinion? Sounds too much like an acid trip for me, but some people have success with it. What if it was (put in whatever adjective you can think of)?
Use mind maps
Brainstorm, preferably with a partner, and draw a mind map. There is nothing that is as effective as mind mapping, as it has a tendency to grow and grow as you explore the topic. This can of course be combined with other techniques. Mindomo is a great web based app. Freemind is another good alternative, written in Java.
Don’t be critical
You can’t both be creative and critically judging at the same time. These are two difference processes that should take place in two different phases of the process. Write down everything, no matter how badly you’re trying to tell yourself it sucks. Get it down. There are no bad ideas, just bad decisions.
Criticism belongs later in the design process, when you’ve got so many ideas and concepts that you can begin being selective.
Osborn’s Checklist
Apply the following check list and see if it generates any new ideas or perspectives.Try to avoid being held back by assumptions of how things should be done.
Put to other uses? As it is? If modified?
Adapt? Is there anything else like this? What does this tell you? Is the past comparable?
Modify? Give it a new angle? Alter the colour, sound, odour, meaning, motion, and shape?
Magnify? Can anything be added, time, frequency, height, length, strength? Can it be duplicated, multiplied or exaggerated?
Minify? Can anything be taken away? Made smaller? Lowered? Shortened? Lightened? Omitted? Broken up?
Substitute? Different ingredients used? Other material? Other processes? Other place? Other approach? Other tone of voice? Someone else?
Rearrange? Swap components? Alter the pattern, sequence or layout? Change the pace or schedule? Transpose cause and effect?
Reverse? Opposites? Backwards? Reverse roles? Change shoes? Turn tables? Turn other cheek? Transpose ‘+/-’?
Combine? Combine units, purposes, appeals or ideas? A blend, alloy, or an ensemble?
Force associations and connections
Pick a random word from a dictionary, a magazine, a website or wherever, and try to force connections between the word and the problem you’re solving. This could and should be combined with mind mapping and sketching.
For further creative techniques visit MyCoted.
How To Design A Logo
Want to know how to design a logo like a professional and have all the resources you need in just one post? Then this is the post for you… Learn professional logo design in just 5 steps!
If you are after a professional logo design I am currently available for hire. Click here for a free quote.
1. Learn What A Logo Is & What It Represents
Before you design a logo, you must understand what a logo is, what it represents and what it is supposed to do. A logo is not just a mark – a logo reflects a business’s commercial brand via the use of shape, fonts, colour, and / or images.
A logo is for inspiring trust, recognition and admiration for a company or product and it is our job as designers to create a logo that will do its job.
One must know what a logo is before continuing.
For further reading on what is a logo check out Wikipedia’s Definition.
2. Know The Principles of Effective Logo Design
Now that you know what a logo is supposed to do, and what it should represent you now must learn about what makes a great logo aka; the basic rules and principles of effective logo design.
1. A logo must be simple
A simple logo design allows for easy recognition and allows the logo to be versatile & memorable. Good logos feature something unexpected or unique without being overdrawn.
2. A logo must be memorable
Following closely behind the principle of simplicity, is that of memorability. An effective logo design should be memorable and this is achieved by having a simple, yet, appropriate logo.
3. A logo must be timeless
An effective logo should be timeless – that is, it will stand the test of time. Will the logo still be effective in 10, 20, 50 years?
4. A logo must be versatile
An effective logo should be able to work across a variety of mediums and applications. For this reason a logo should be designed in vector format, to ensure that it can be scaled to any size. The logo must work in just one colour too.
5. A logo must be appropriate
How you position the logo should be appropriate for its intended purpose. For example, if you are designing a a logo for children’s toys store, it would be appropriate to use a childish font & color scheme. This would not be so appropriate for a law firm.
For further reading on the rules and principles of great logo design I highly recommend to read the logo design tips from Logo Factory before continuing and also the articleWhy logo design does not cost $5.00. You may also wish to read How NOT To Design A Logo.
3. Learn Off Other’s Successes & Mistakes
Successful Logos
Now you know what the rules of logo design are, you can distinguish the difference between a good and a bad logo… By knowing what other logos have succeeded and why they have succeeded gives a great insight into what makes a good logo.
For example, lets look at the classic Nike Swoosh. This logo was created by Caroline Davidson in 1971 for only $35 yet it still a strong, memorable logo, effective without colour and easily scalable. It is simple, fluid and fast and represents the wing in the famous statue of the Greek Goddess of victory, Nike – something perfect for a sporting apparel business. Nike is just one of many great logos, think about other famous brands that you know about and check out their logos – what makes them successful?
For more quality, lesser known logos I recommend checking out Logo Of The Day or going to your local book store or library and looking at a logo design book.
The Not So Successful Logos
We can also learn off logos that have not been as successful such as the ones in the above picture or these bad logo designs. As seen in that post linked, some logos can depict things that may have not always be noticeable to the designer (as in the middle logo above) or they could just be plain bad design, as in the logo to the right.
4. Establish Your Own Logo Design Process
Now that we know what a logo is, what the principles and rules of logo design are and what makes a successful logo we can now finally begin the design process. This it hardest part of the 5 steps and is its own topic in itself – Each person’s logo design process is different and experience usually is the key factor in creating your own logo design process however check out The Secret Logo Design Process Of Top Logo Designers for a better idea.
In short, a logo design process usually consists of
- The Design Brief
- Research & Brainstorming
- Sketching
- Prototyping & Conceptualising (See Step 5)
- Send To Client For Review
- Revise & Add Finishing Touches
- Supply Files To Client and Give Customer Service
If you ever get stuck before or during your design process check out this great article on How To Boost Your Creativity.
5. Learn The Software & Complete The Logo
After you have got your design process sorted out, it is usually a good time to begin mastering your software (Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard) but remember you can’t design a logo by just hopping straight onto the computer… brainstorm and sketch first.
After you have got your initial ideas and sketches from brainstorming you can then usually jump onto the computer to start digitising your logo. After you have got a great concept(s) digitised you can send it to your client, get revisions, and eventually complete the logo and thus, you have successfully created a professional logo.