The logo design field is vulnerable to copy-cats, breach of rights, cheats and plagiarizers. Especially with the evolution of the online logo design technique, malicious practices like these are more rampant. Every passing day, we come across logos that make us ponder…“Where have I seen this before?” This makes us think whether it’s a downright copy or just a mere coincidence.

Today I wish to discuss on a very pressing issue that has been bothering hard-working logo designers all over the world. Of course no one would like to see his works featured somewhere else with someone else’s name, would you? The menace of intellectual property stealing has been prevalent in all forms of online businesses, some of which include content stealing, logo copying, idea theft and post raiding. But I will be focusing only on the logo design aspect of the issue and its impact in the UK market.

1) Plagiarism – The art of copying:

Picture this. A student had an assignment to make. He found a research on the internet, and without reading it, replaced the name of the owner with his name and submitted it. A few days later, he received an “F” on his assignment. Why? Turned out, the research he copied from the internet was his professor’s work. That is what happens when you do a copy-paste job. Plagiarism in the logo design world refers to snatching others logo design ideas and thoughts. An example of identical logos in the UK market is given below. Is it a copy or coincidence? Your call!

2) Inspiration – Impetus to innovation:

A duplicate logo design can still be identified, but what about the logos that are ‘inspired’ by other similar logo designs? In some cases, when a logo designer sets out to design a corporate logo, he studies the logo design trends that are prevalent in that particular industry. This gives him a fair idea of what the industry stipulates. While doing just so, his subconscious mind induces him to use some of the designs he scrutinized in the process of making his clients logo. Although it’s not a copy, it has some elements that were induced from other logo designs. An example in the UK logo design world is shown below. See if you can make out if it’s an inspiration or plagiarism?  

3) Coincidence – By chance:

What if two logo designers, sitting at two opposite ends of the world come up with the same logo design at almost the same time? Although this is a rare exception, but don’t you think it’s possible? As the old adage goes…great minds think alike, I believe creative minds think alike too. But the question remains…how to identify which is copy, inspiration or a coincidence. Exemplifying the discussion, here is a comparison between the UK space agency logo and the UK space rocket group logo. The UK space agency was one of the UK logo redesigns of 2010, designed by the design agency Folio Creative. Do you think it is merely a resemblance?  

You have loads of talent and a fair bit of experience working on logo design projects but still lack the exposure in the designing world? The answer lies within the question. It is because you haven’t exhibited your creative skills and works to the prospective clients. How to do that? Simple! You need to create a personal graphic design portfolio where you can showcase your abilities and projects for clients to peruse.

Elements of an Ideal Graphic Design Portfolio:

1. Choose an attractive portfolio case.
2. Select an appropriate background design and color for your portfolio case.
3. The placement of your work in the portfolio should be consistent.
4. Position your best works in the start of the portfolio.
5. Keep updating your portfolio from time to time

Here are 20 remarkable examples of graphic design portfolios of UK designers:

Will Bartlett

Tim Baggley

Scott Pollard

Richard Nabarro

Richard Milne

Radim Malinic

Mike

Kev Adamson

Greg Ashley

Gareth Dickey

Dudley Wild

Dean Sawyer

Danny Haines

Colse Leung

Chris Spooner

Carolina Jesus

Carl Rosekilly

Bradley Sharp

Attitude Design

Alastaire Allday

We rarely understand the significance of mathematics until we step into the practical life. Even in the field of logo design, arithmetic and mathematical signs come in great use. Logo designers can exploit mathematical signs within logos to evoke a meaning. Additionally they can play with numbers to create digital logos with hidden messages. For example they can use the ‘π’ symbol to denote a pie in a confectionary logo design.

There are several mathematical symbols each possessing their own significance and denotation. The most commonly used signs are the + , – , ÷ , × and =. Each has a certain meaning attached to it. For example, the plus sign (+) can be used in a merger logo or as a sign of advancement. Similarly a multiplication (x) sign denotes the speed of progress and the multiple growth rate of a company. The job of a logo designer is to understand the correct meanings of the signs and interpret their usage within a logo design.

Following are 24 inspirational logos that contain the mathematical symbols. Each logo induces a unique meaning in a clever and intelligent way.

+Skillz

Lemon Plus

+Factor

CodeMau5

Add Heart

Code Fish

Plus Minus

Negative

E=mc2

Egalminds

Exact

Exhaust

Helvetic Brands

Leo Mega

Math

Math Attack

Multiply IT

Net Plus

Numerical Man

One Plus

Words Images

Supgeek

The Intersection

Two Way Communications

The most pressing issue for graphic or logo designers these days is the salary predicament. How much logo designers should be paid? How to figure out the exact figure that approximates to the designers labors. Bear in mind that almost every designer joins the field of logo design to exhibit their passion and extreme zeal for the work rather than the lust for earning pounds. Today, I wish to help graphic and logo designer of UK to evaluate what they are earning right now is what they rightfully deserve.
According to Salary Track, UK’s prime salary calculator, the average graphic designer salary is £25,000.

But there are certain aspects that must be considered before ascertaining salaries of logo designers which the clients should understand. Following are some of the important criteria on which a logo designer’s salary should be based.

• • The level of skills and the creative caliber of the graphic/logo designers.
• • The number of years of practical experience and respective position attained by the designer.
• • The quality of work rather than the quantity.
• • The amount of time involved in completing the design project.
• • The testimonials from old clients and word of credit in the market.

Insight on UK Graphic Designers Salaries:

Following are graphs presenting a complete distribution of the wage rates of graphic/logo designers in UK. Also shown are the average salaries of UK logo designers by region and industry.  

• Distribution of Graphic Designer Salaries

• Average Graphic Designer Salaries by Region

• Average Graphic Designer Salaries by Sector

The BP Logo redesign finally comes to an end, concluding perhaps the most controversial logo design contest in history of the branding world. Greenpeace UK, which launched a logo design contest to redesign BP three months ago, has finally picked out the a logo for BP that reflects the disastrous consequences of the company’s irresponsible ambitions to extract oil at the expense of the environment.

All in all, there were over 1,500 entrants who together submitted more than 2,000 logos. In the recent three months, the logo design contest had generated more than 2,000,000 hits to the website and spread the competition around the globe. More than 25,000 people took part in the voting process. The competition winners were categorized into the following broad groups namely; People’s Choice, Judges Choice, Wildlife, Slogan and WTF!

Following are the respective winners of each group with their winning logos:

BP Logo Redesign – Popular Choice:

Designer Laurent Hunziker Location Paris, France Votes 16,463

BP Logo Redesign – Judges’ Choice:

Designer Alexander Hettich Location Nuremberg, Germany Votes 4,193

BP Logo Redesign – Wildlife Logo:

Designer Jessica Barnes Location Seattle, USA Votes 4,353

BP Logo Redesign – Slogan Logo:

Designer Radio Signals Location USA Votes 2,740

BP Logo Redesign – WTF?! Logo:

Designer Etcetera Location - Votes 1,458