Tips

Our biggest hurdle in meeting customer expectations is understanding what it is that they like or what creatively. Part of that is customer communication and feedback on the design services we provide, that is why I decided to share today the most amazing logo feedback we have ever received after building hundreds of website logos (and website designs) over the last decade. This is in response to 8 logo concepts...

I like the logos. Some more than others, but Here is my review of each:

Logo 1: I like how the font is two tone and the logo is appealing, but appears to 'fitness' and less holistic, though. The font is mediocre.
Logo 2: Less appealing logo than 1 but I prefer the side by side logo and words.
Logo 3: Excellent use of logo and name. However, I fear that the logo will not be sufficient standing alone.
Logo 4: I didn't know that was a tree. LOL. I'm not a fan of the red, but the logo is good (minus tree). Also, we are not fans of the stacked words.
Logo 5: Alien logo? Font is killer, though!! Logo I could do without.
Logo 6: Perfect. My partner still needs convincing on this, but I love it. It's very creative, fresh and alluring. I am inspired by the logo, font and color coordination. I would love to see this in grey instead of black with sherbert orange accents somewhere, though. Can we do that?
Logo 7: Very 'magazine' Great for print, bad for web. Seems motorsport looking. I love how you are not afraid to utilize shading and fade. Overall, I like where you were headed with this one.
Logo 8: Very eye catching and memorable, but same as 7, as it appears motorsport. Put that font on a motorcycle exhaust and I'll buy it. Maybe this look would be good for muscular health or strength training products for us, though.

Let's see some modifications based on these comments, as well as a closer look at logo 4,6, and 7 in particular.

Moving forward with this feedback we were able to create 8 more concepts and from those the client selected a few that were 'amazing' to mock up in the template design we began working on and the final logo was selected based on a combination of what looked best in the design as well as on a business card.

Being a Web Development firm at our core, we create a lot of big projects from the ground up. The most affordable, successful, complete, on time projects always start with a detailed specifications sheet. Literally a 10 page, outline format description of every view and page on the site that a visitor would see. There are multiple reasons for this...

• To get an accurate price quote quote before committing to the project and development team.
• Something to point to if later there is a question about what was going to be done for the money being paid.
• The web designers would use this as a basis for creating all the screen shots and UI for your site.
• The developers would use this to make sure they have a clear view of all features needed for initial planning.
• To show your investors or later your purchasing party for a better valuation of the company & website.
• Most important, it allows your team to get all your thoughts together in one place.

The only thing that could be done to improve on this, for pre-production documentation is a full set of wire frames ensuring information architecture is ideal. This is a service we offer, regardless of if your planning on using us or putting out the spec for bid.

We're always asked by our new clients if there is anything they can to to help our Web Designers through the process of creating their online presence. To that we reply with an enthusiastic and resounding YES! Of course you're hiring us to take care of the whole process, but the more direction we have the better the end result will be.

• Decide what style website you want - retro, future, art deco, classy, simple, contemporary, web 2.0, glossy, organic.
• Take note of other sites that you like or dislike, what about your competitors websites or even websites you visit every day?
• Take great care filling out our Website Design Questionnaire.
• Create your own basic flow chart on how you want the site to flow. Figure out what content pages you must have. Figure out how want a visitor to flow through the site? Are you going to have video, a blog, photo gallery. Planning these sort of site characteristics opens up creative doors at the beginning of the process and are much easier to implement sooner than later.
• Gather design elements and images that you would like to have on your site. If you see a great photo, or a perfect texture or graphic, collect them send them to your designer so he/she can incorporate them into the web design early on.
• Take an active role during the design process. Create a wishlist and push the envelope on what you think is possible. Let your website design team know if they are going in the right direction or sailing into left field. Be active, ask questions, give feedback and input. Don't be shy, this is your website!