Creating Logos the Right Way

Logos are what makes your business what it is. There are some rules you must follow if you want to make your logo very recognizable and good looking.


1. You should be able to recognize your logo even when you can't see all of it.


You can see right away just by looking at the image below what logo it is. Your logo must be as recognizable to you as this one is without even being able to see all of it.

The Google logo cropped in

2. Your logo must be clear in both color and B&W

When your logo has too many layers over each other it becomes hard to recognize once it is black and white.

In the example above you see there are two colors on top of each other but they don't blend together terribly. You can see the difference when you make it black and white so always make sure you have 3 images for your logo: Full Color, Greyscale, and B&W

3. Always have a copy of your logo saved as a PDF

PDF's are good for distributing your logo because they keep the size and shape of the image without having to read a full vector file. PDF's are much better at displaying the image on devices used for presentations.

4. You must know the different effects a logo gives between a complex design and a simple design

When you design your logo or a clients logo you must always understand whether to make a complex or a simple logo. 

Complex logos are more detailed and can catch someones eye and attention.

Complex logo

Simple Logos are easier to remember and can be recognized much faster than complex designs.

Simple logo

Each style has it's perks so you must decide if you want to the logo to capture attention and make people want to see your business OR have your logo recognizable and easy to remember for your viewers. 

Neither one is necessarily better than the other, it just depends on how you feel you want your logo to be seen.

5. Avoid being common

Some of the most common fonts used in logos are Helvetica, Papyrus, Comic Sans, and Times New Roman. If you do use these fonts try to do a little modification to them to make the logo look unique.

Logos with similar design.

Remember that your logo must be unique, if you are comparing your logo to someone else's then you are going about this wrong. Start from scratch, pull out some paper and make about twenty sketches, choose which one you like most, then sketch ten different ways you can make that same logo, choose your favorite and run with it. To those graphic designers out there who want to focus on logos, I suggest doing this at least two times a week just to get used to sketching a lot.

6. Register Your Logo!

Always be sure that you register your logo and tell your clients to register the logo otherwise it is up for grabs and you will have to start over. This is also the best way to be seen as professional to your clients and their clients. 

Registered Trademark

Your logo is unique, don't allow other people to take that away by making similar logos, trademarking your logo prevents that from happening and protects your logo from thieves trying to steal your audience. 

All Logos shown in this post are copyright to the owners. Design Loves Coding does not take any credit for these logos, nor are we affiliated in any way.

Text Based Games

So lately I have been trying to master Javascript which a lot of people would say is not a hard language to master which is true I've been working on this language for about six months stop and go but the last couple of weeks have been nonstop which is good because I am working on making my first Text Based Game through Javascript and CSS


The game is a zombie game but I don't have a website that I could upload it to. I would like to create a bunch of games eventually and maybe host some from other creators but I really need a website so that I may host it. So go hit those shirts guys click that donate button all the cool kids are doing it! 

Anyway about the game, I have seen some text based games where you choose an option A or B and one will lead you to victory and the other will lead to death, my game on the other hand will be much more complicated because you can die but not just by choosing an option but you actually have a health bar, you have weapons to choose from, bandages to heal yourself when needed, and loads of zombies to fight that have different classes. 
There will be many routes in the story to choose from and they all lead to the epic ending but who you are and how you got there will all depend on the choices you made.
It is a turn based game which means you decide if you are going to heal yourself this turn or attack this turn, you will need a strategy. 


This game is not going to come out for a while but if you guys donate I could make this game even better and have much better features because right now I am limited on what I can do with this game, I can't have a user login, save game, or even post scores at the end. These are all things I would love to add to the game but right now it's just not practical.


I'm open for ideas so let me know what you guys think and maybe post some tips on how I could do certain things for the game.


Remember if you donate or buy a shirt it will really help with the production of this game =]

Windows Surface and what is means to YOU

We have all seen the tablets, if you don't have one chances are you've seen one and whether or not you like it this is where our technology is leading. We have to keep up with technology as Developers, Designers, Photographers, and Artists this really plays a big role in our life styles.

We have seen Adobe come out with some programs usable as apps however with the new uprising of the "Windows Surface" we will all be seeing these apps more commonly used.

Image from latestin.com

Some people ask what is the difference a tablet does everything a computer does but in reality tablets are much more practical in the sense that you can carry it with you wherever you are and still be able to perform tasks, watch videos, play games, and even read books BUT never before have we seen a tablet come with a case that is also a keypad. This is going to make the life of a Developer so much easier considering how hard it is to type on tablets. Building programs, apps, web pages and more will be so much easier now that the keyboard is brought to tablets. Not to mention that it's Windows!


With this being the first tablet to include a keyboard we will also see more image editing apps such as adobe products come up and be very useful on the tablet.

A lot of people are saying that this is what is going to kill the PC but I honestly don't think so. I feel that PC's are more useful and secure when in a set position in the household or business place. It also allows for more use of addons like more memory storage and I don't think I could ever give up my PC Gaming!


I do, however, believe that this will make lives easier for both the ability to carry this around wherever you are or to a meeting, and the ability to write using a keyboard. I know I am very excited about this and as soon as I have enough money to spend on this I will.

8 things to make you a better designer

There are many things that help make someone a better designer but here are a few to get you on the way to success in design.

#1. Adobe Suite

Yes I know it's pretty obvious that Adobe would make the list but it's for good reason. With programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, inDesign, Flash, and Dream Weaver  you can't go wrong.

These programs all have certain things that make them important to us designers. 

If you don't have the money for a program like this to help you out I know something that anyone can afford because its FREE

#2. Pain.NET

This is the program that got me started in designing and made me see the world of design through a different view. Paint.NET is a drawing program that you can use to both create images or edit images. The best part about Paint.NET is that you can download plug-ins for free that other users made. So unlike Adobe when you want an update you don't have to pay it's all free and since the users can create their own plug-ins it is virtually limitless what Paint.NET can do.

#3 Inspiration

There is more than just products and software out there that will help you become a better designer, there is inspiration. Now days you can click a link and see a beautiful website that just makes you want to design and with this much access to inspiration there is no reason why you shouldn't surround yourself with it. 


#4 Wacom Drawing Tablets
Wacom has not failed with me yet and I am very happy with my tablet. With this you can do so much with photoshop and illustrator that makes things so much better and is much easier to draw with because we are used to drawing with pencils. I use this to sketch out my designs and and with it's pressure sensitive pen you can really get creative with it.



#5 Drawing Constantly
Draw constantly either with the tablet or the pencil and paper. There is so much to learn from drawing. Practice doing realistic drawings and cartoon drawings to keep your mind open to new ideas. You can practice this everyday if you like but really just practice whenever you want it can make you a much better designer.


#6 Looking at Magazines
Yes design is not just about the image or graphic but also about the layout of a page and magazines such as Vogue really portray this idea perfectly. Don't go out and buy a magazine focused on gossip but look for a magazine that wants to represent beauty because you can really see amazing layout design within them.


#7 Watch and read tutorials
There is no limit of what you can do with design and tutorials really do help open up minds and teach you how to do things you probably didn't know was possible. 
Sometimes however there are things you just can't learn through tutorials and you have to take a class in the subject.


#8 Keep up with DLC!
We are constantly updating tutorials and videos and will always bring you awesome new things dedicated to Design AND Coding.


Be sure to always check back here for new tips ideas make sure you like us on Facebook and subscribe to us on Youtube.

Design - Noticing it everywhere

Just so everyone understands when I say "Design" I don't just mean Web Design so what I'm showing you today is that design is absolutely everywhere. As a designer I like to look all around me there is design both online and in the physical world.


Learn to be appreciative of the design around you because it's what helps make our world beautiful with a touch of the human aspect rather that natural beauty (which is still awesome).

This image is from a Denny's menu I went to last night. I saw the design and thought it was so beautiful with the colors contrasting from each other and the site of the Golden Gate Bridge. It has really good shapes that are recognizable by most all of us such as the white house right in front, then the white waves clashing against the rocks there at the bottom. 


Now I know that when I think of Denny's I think of home, partly because I live down the street from one, but mostly because it just screams America and this is what it is representing a Tour of America. Inside this awesome menu are some great designs just like this one with all sorts of different locations I really do suggest you taking a trip to your local Denny's to look at their designs if they carry the same thing. No I was not paid to talk about Denny's everything I'm saying is what I'm really thinking.


Other than the Denny's menu I see design everywhere I go. Just think of it like this, there are at least hundreds of new businesses started each year, all of those businesses will need a logo, sure not all make a logo but those who do succeed, and while the business is running it is more than likely they will make a sign for their business, a website, or anything really that has an image will need a design on it.


Another thing in design is fonts which is everywhere, yes there is design in your text it is called "typography" and is one of the most amazing types of designs, but I wont get into that now I will save that for another post. 


Keep your eyes open, if you see a design you like take a picture of it, you can send the picture to me by email at designlovescoding@gmail.com, but make sure you take something from the image, make sure you learn because there is no point in doing design if you aren't willing to continue learning for the rest of your life, design is constantly changing and adding new ways to see things and you could be one of those people who make a new style that becomes popular in design. 


Make sure you're not just seeing design you also have to live it by always opening up photoshop or illustrator and just designing, playing with colors, adding different fonts, just keep practicing.

tip: One thing I like to do to practice is find a design, put it in photoshop, and try to duplicate the effect by creating a new design with that same look. It's hard to do but it really helps you get the hang of things.


Thanks for reading guys be sure to subscribe to the feed and check back here every week for a new post and video.