Welcome to BrandNewName! We are so excited that you’ve chosen to be part of our logo design community, and participate in our logo design contests.
We here at BNN want to do everything we can to help you succeed (and win contests). To that end, we’ve put together a quick guide to creating a logo that both fits each contest's unique requirements and follows general design best practices.
Step 1: Read the Brief
People who purchase a logo design contest are looking for an amazing logo for their business. They are your client. So if you want to win a contest, the first thing you should do is get an understanding of who your client is, and what they are looking for in a logo.
Your starting point is the creative brief. The creative brief is a questionnaire filled out by the contest holder outlining what their company does, and what they are looking for in a logo.
Read the brief carefully, paying attention to all the details provided by the client. This will help you design a logo that is as on target as possible, which will give your logo a better chance of being chosen as the winner!
Step 2: Research
The creative brief will give you an idea of what the client is looking for, but if you really want to set your design apart from the pack, take the extra time to do some quick research online.
Here are a few things we suggest researching:
Client’s Existing Website - If the client has an existing website (provided in the brief) you should visit it, to match the style of what the client likes.
Client’s Style References - Look into any stylistic references that are mentioned in the brief. This will give you insight into the style and tone that the client prefers.
Client’s Industry - You’ll also want to research the business industry the client is in. Having a basic understanding of the industry will help you design a more relevant logo. This is especially vital for industries you aren’t already familiar with.
Client’s Competitors - You may also want to browse other companies in the same industry, so that you have a better idea of what that particular industry’s norms are design-wise.
Step 3: Design Guidelines
You've read the brief, you’ve done the research. and you are ready to design a stunning logo, or 2 or 3! Remember the more entries you submit to the contest the better your chances at winning.
Before you get started, here are a few general logo design guidelines to follow:
- Follow the current design trends.
- Avoid drop-shadows and beveling.
- Use gradation only with modern colors.
- Don't use any type of clipart.
- Pay attention to typeface - it should match your design style.
- Do not use more than two typefaces in a logo design. (One is recommended.)
Step 4: Submitting Your Design
Once you’ve completed your designs, the next step is to submit them to the contest.
You’ll need to upload three files for each submission:
1. A thumbnail image of 360x200 pixels with a transparent background in .png format.
2. A preview image of 640x640 pixels with a transparent background in .png format.
3. The logo source file (Illustrator only).
Also, make sure the logo takes up most of the space with the specified padding as described in the image below.
Step 5: Getting Feedback
Great! You’ve submitted your designs. Now the client will have the opportunity to give feedback and you will be notified in email if they do.
This feedback is invaluable, as it further clarifies the client’s vision for their logo. Use this feedback to revise your initial submission to better fit the client’s needs and upload new variations or completely new designs.
Design Away!
We hope this guide helps you approach future logo contests with confidence, and increases your chances of winning as many contests as possible. All that’s now needed is your creative spirit. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!