OLFA SENIOR FOUR GRAPHIC DESIGN

IDENTIFICATION SYMBOLS

The design and production of corporate symbols is a part of graphic design. The identification symbols are: logos, trademarks, emblems and coat of arms. These symbols should be designed in such a way that they could be used on letter heads, envelopes, vehicles, packages, carrier bags, badges, buttons, buildings and coins. The symbols should be designed to be produced in both two and three dimensional forms.

Identification or corporate symbols acquire an image that is inseparable from the company, corporation or institution that it represents. If a company manufactures certain products the corporate identity becomes a symbol of the products. If it deals with people’s safety then it becomes the symbol of security. Specific identification symbols and the procedure for designing them are given below.

 LOGOS

Logos are letters derived from words which they represent. Since they are brief, simple and bold, they become powerful symbols of corporations and companies. A logo is a summarised symbol which does not include the full name and motto of the organisation. A logo is creatively designed to appear as a unique symbol.

The procedure for designing a logo is as follows:

1. Obtain the names of the corporation.
2. Study the objectives of the corporation and its aspirations.
3. Make several rough sketches of symbols made from the letters derived from the name of the organisation.
4. Discuss the roughs with the teacher. Examples are KENOL (Kenya Oil), KIE (Kenya Institute of Education) RIAT (Ramogi Institute of Technology). Use these letters to compose a beautiful design based only on letter forms.
5. Keep it simple.
6. Produce the final design using ink on paper.

Watch this video to understand the different types of logos

TRADEM MARKS

These are devices, words and visual symbols used by manufacturers to distinguish their products. Trademarks are legally registered and protected by law. If another company produces goods and copies a trade mark which already exists it can be sued in a court of law.

Trademarks are designed as an exercise in graphic work. If you look at advertisements in the newspapers, magazine, and at actual goods, trademarks are easily noticeable. Observe various manufactured goods and various companies such as soap, cooking fat, pens, bicycles, publishing houses, cars, banks, exercise books and so on. The illustrations given below are some of the trade marks that are used by companies.

The procedure for making a trade mark is as follows:

1. Get the product or the company in question and study its nature. If it is a company or a corporation then study its objectives.
2. Get the trade name.
3. Make several rough sketches.
4. Compose a trade mark that can symbolize the product or the company.
5. Discuss the composition.
6. Keep it simple.
7. Refine it and produce the final design.

EMBLEMS

Emblems are visible symbols which are used to identify corporations, associations, trade unions, religious denominations and non-governmental organisations. In Christian denominations the cross is used as an emblem. In sports the five circles joining each other are used to represent the five continents and thus symbolise olvmpic. a worldwide movement. A red cross is used as an emblem of the Red Cross movement.

Examples of emblems are illustrated below:

COAT OF ARMS

This is a distinctive beautiful bearing of a corporation, school, government, armed forces, police or clubs. Coat of arms are beautiful designs which are made on flat surfaces as well as in three dimensions. If you look at a five hundred shillings coin, on one face it has the coat of arms for Uganda. Other bodies that have a coat of arms are the  bank of uganda. Look for more examples as you walk around town or the country side.

When designing coat of arms remember that it consists of visual images and a motto. For instance our national coat of arms consists of Mt. Kenya, two lions, shield, spears, cock carrying an axe and the national motto: HARAMBEE.

The procedure for designing coat of arms is as follows:

1. Get the name of the organization and examine its nature.
2. Study its objectives and aspirations.
3. Make several rough sketches.
4. Compose the coat of arms.
5. Discuss the composition.
6. Keep it simple.
7. Refine it and finalise it for presentation.