Trending pictures – How can companies avoid fads?

Trends in nearly every industry come and go. For example, how many ladies have burned pictures from the 1980s featuring large permed hair? And guys – have you ever ripped up photographic evidence of a Flock of Seagulls-inspired coif? Hair, jewelry, music, clothing, modes of communication – trends are often fleeting.

That's why companies that indulge in logo design tend not to base their symbols on the latest crazes. What is popular now might not be cool five years from now, and might even be considered taboo. That is not always the case – some classic styles can come back into favor and be equally as respected years from now.

As such, designers need to decide whether or not they should follow the current crazes or carve their own paths when picking an image to represent their firms. If they do decide to rely on passing styles to earn favor with current clients, how can they make sure they choose ones that can still be pertinent decades from now? With a few easy steps, business leaders can decide if they want to jump on the stylistic bandwagon or rely on classic logo ideas.

Pick trends over fads
There is a definite difference between the definitions of trends and fads. According to designer blog 99designs, creators should never simply rely on fads, because they are really only a flash in the pan and are unlikely to come back into favor. On the other hand, trends have staying power and will only slowly fade from public preferences, if at all, the source noted. As such, if companies want to try their hand at crazes, they should stick with ones that have the potential to last.

If stylistic, pattern or color fads are the basis of the creation of a logo, 99designs reported, chances are they will be overused or outdated within even a year. Valid trends include classic or fun fonts, solid blocks of color and the homemade look.

Consider colors  
One way to make sure the logo is long lasting is to rely on black and white color schemes, Smashing Magazine reported. This is a basic guideline many companies incorporate into their design strategies, as this can ensure the image is effective when featured on black and white documents, like files, records or memos.

Smashing said keeping the colors basic allows creators to focus in on drawing the best logo possible. Moreover, the source said the more hues appear in a symbol, the more expensive it will be to print the image in the future.

Balance the popular and timeless
"Logo designers have to balance creating a symbol that will be memorable and catch the eye of potential patrons, and one that will be basic enough to always be relevant," explained Cono Fusco, creative director of LogoMojo. "Advertisers should consider using basic shapes to form their designs, rather than using current events or fads to make an involved pattern. Also, rather than relying on current phrases or cliches, companies should just feature the name and maybe company motto in text, at most."

If firms do decide to follow trends, they should create the design in the most minimalistic way possible, explained a Logo Design Works blog. The source said the most successful logos are simple yet appealing to the eye, because the main purpose of a symbol is to show the corporate message.

Creators can use examples of other classic designs to base their symbols off of. For instance, look at Coca-Cola – they've used the same basic shapes and script as their logo, though they've been around and very successful for more than a century.

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