Branding is one of my favorite things about being a designer. There are a lot of designers that forget the power of sketching first. I always start with a pen and some paper and write down all my ideas about a company and create a strong concept around my thoughts. Once I have created a few mind maps I start sketching the first things that come to my mind to get all the cliches out on the table first and foremost. Once I can wrap my mind around an idea that works, I always like to work with letter forms to see if there is some way to incorporate the typography with the logo.

The computer is just a finishing tool to refine the work that began on paper.

The logo that I created for Foster Exteriors Window Company (a local company that specializes in Energy Efficient Windows) has a new, clean look to it while incorporating the "F" and the "E" in the window. It took quite a few sketches to get it just right but in the end I think I finally pulled it off. Of course my first instinct was to look at a window for a logo but I needed to create something out of this window that made it unique. After many sketches and critiques; Curtis, Travis, and I could see the letterforms in the window and we were having trouble combining the two elements (window & letters) into one cohesive mark. After much trial and error we finally came to an agreement on the final mark and I must say that we are all quite happy with the end result.

Sketching first is always the way to create a successful logo. The computer is just a finishing tool to refine the work that began on paper. Never forget the power of a pen and paper...its a great way to impress a client when you can sketch something for them on the spot.