We all fail sometimes. This can be by having done a job that isn’t good enough, or having taken bad choices. Your logo should be one that you feel like sticking with for years to come. Realizing this is not the fact, can be a hard thing to admit. But better than sticking to a logo that doesn’t work for you, is taking the first step to have it redesigned. In this article we will have a look at some reasons to why this could be the case for you and how to get the process going.

Picture by Aprilbell

Why would you want a redesign?

The reasons for wanting to get a logo redesigned can be many, some bigger than others – but all should be taken seriosuly. Remember that your logo is a vital part of your business and you should never settle for something that doesn’t work properly. Some reasons could be:

- It doesn’t look professional, it’s poorly executed.
- A part of it, such as the font, a color or a graphic element doesn’t appeal to you anymore.
- It just feels outdated.
- It’s too similar to another logo/design.
- It gives your clients the wrong message/association, or no message at all.
- The company has been reorganized in some way, and wants the look of the logo updated to fit in.
- Business is not going so well, and you want to try rejuvenate it with a fresher look.
- and so on.

The reasons for wanting a redesign can be many. If you’ve followed every rule for how the logo should be made in the first place, it’s less likely that you will get to this point – but sometimes it’s necessary to get it done either way.

The Process

Picture by Ivan Prole

If you’ve thought things over and decided that there’s no way back, there are some things you’ll need to consider.

What do you want to keep (if anything)?

A redesign can be defined differently. Some people think that this involves keeping some of the feeling and content of the original logo, while others claim it just means to get a logo designed all over – completely fresh. In your case, you should define it the way you feel is right. Marketing-wise it can be a good idea to keep either the colors or some of the elements you already have – to keep the level of recognition. I’d say that you should do a complete analysis of the logo. Tell yourself what works and not and change it. No need to fix what isn’t broken. If you love the colors or the font – you can still get a completely new and fresh look by changing the things you have doubts about.

Who’s going to do it?

Picture by Aiyaz Kidwai

As you could read in our previous article, Why Should a Professional create your Logo?, you probably should have a professional graphic designer do this job for you. Many times the reasons for being in need of a redesign could be that it wasn’t done professional enough to begin with. Make sure that’s not the case this time! Give them all the important information, like what you like and dislike with your old logo, why the old logo feels wrong, what kind of impression you’d like to make on new clients and so on. The conversation ahead of your designer starting to make a new design, can be just as important as the design itself. If they don’t understand where you’re coming from, they wont be able to give you what you need.

Get Feedback

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Make sure to think through the different options before deciding on which final logo to go with. Ask others to help you out. Remember that you don’t want a logo that gives the wrong impression. Use the time needed to feel 100% sure that you’ve chosen the right one this time around.

Asking for more options = allowed!

It’s always important to get a logo that gives you that good gut-feeling you’re looking for. If the options your designer brings to the table just don’t do that for you – let them know! You really don’t want to get yet another logo that doesn’t work for you. This point is extremely important. Focus on thinking through what you don’t like and try express it as good as possible to make it easier for your designer.

Don’t

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- go for something just because its “IN” right now
- forget that all rules for a logo will apply (size, colors, versatility, + +)
- make things too complicated
- forget the originality or good elements that’s already in the old logo
- rush

Introduce it with a Boom!

Picture by Ivan Prole

Take charge of the logo redesign and decide what this will mean for you. Make the “re-launch” into something positive for your business. Send out some sort of marketing mail/brochure/offer to all of your former clients. Give extra discounts when your new logo airs – or just inform people that your logo is brand new. Either way this is a great opportunity to show existing (and new) clients what your company is about. By maximizing this process you can get a lot of good PR along with some new projects!

These were some general tips on the logo design process, and what should think through.

Depending on your niche, budget and other things – there will be a number of other things that can be important too.

To sum things up I’d say that it’s important to make sure you don’t do the same mistakes over again, that you give yourself the time you need and try to make all of this into a positive experience for your business!

Good luck!