image via thedieline.com
I’ve always enjoyed design on packaging, and though it wasn’t my strong subject in school, I still enjoy looking at it an admiring the differnt styles of packaging, especially when it’s designed well. I came across this blog called TheDieline.com that has tons of very interesting packaging, be sure to check them out.
I hate to focus on the negative but Smashing Magazine has an article dedicated to the 10 most common mistakes made by people when choosing a logo, most notably relying on current logo trends and also relying on color for your logo. Everytime I personally design a logo I always work in black and white because, I was taught that if a logo works in black and white, it’ll work in color.
Also many people seem to follow trends such as the current ‘mac’ trend where they want to refelct everything they see, or put a shine on it, but 5 years from now you’ll need a new logo because there are always new trends. You want your business identity to stay with you for a very long time, look at Coca-Cola, they don’t change their brand very much.
A great way to market yourself as as freelance graphic artist or logo designer is to submit your work to the dozens of contests that are going on any given day, sure you’re not going to enter all contests and some don’t even have monetary compensation but the outcome can be more rewarding. The Logo Designer Blog has a post with three different books that are calling for all logo designers for entries. Two of them have entry fees, though one includes a free book and the last one is fee-free! Be sure to check it out as the deadlines are fast approcaching.
I Heart Graphics 