How to design a logo for an expedition
So, you've just decided to embark on a significant expedition and find yourself uncertain about the first steps to take. Should you reach out to potential investors, acquire necessary equipment, locate suitable team members, or tackle all of these tasks simultaneously?
Fortunately, we have created a helpful guide on how to effectively address the crucial initial aspect: establishing your expedition's brand identity.
The branding we designed for the Frozen Dagger expedition that sets out in winter 2023
The Importance of a strong logo for an expedition
A strong and professional brand identity instils confidence and credibility among potential investors. By crafting a well-designed brand, you create a positive perception of your team, showcasing professionalism, values, and a commitment to excellence. This, in turn, builds trust and makes your team a more appealing investment opportunity.
Furthermore, a visually appealing and recognisable brand identity produces valuable marketing assets that can be leveraged to attract sponsors and partners. Companies are more inclined to associate themselves with a team that possesses a strong brand presence and a dedicated fan base. Such an association offers greater visibility and potential marketing opportunities.
Steps to Design Your Expedition's logo.
When designing branding for your expedition, it is crucial to create a strong and memorable identity that resonates with fans while accurately representing your team's values and culture. Here are the steps you should follow when designing your team's branding:
1. Understand the Expedition: Begin by gaining a thorough understanding of the expedition's mission, goals, values, and target audience. Consider the expedition's theme, location, objectives, and unique characteristics. This will help you create a logo that accurately represents the expedition.
2. Research and Inspiration: Conduct research on similar expeditions, outdoor activities, and relevant imagery to gather inspiration. Look for visual elements that resonate with the expedition's theme and evoke the desired emotions or associations.
3. Concept Development: Brainstorm and sketch different logo concepts based on the insights gained from your research and understanding of the expedition. Explore various visual representations, symbols, typography, and styles that reflect the expedition's essence.
4. Choose the Right Typography: Select appropriate fonts or typography that align with the expedition's personality and theme. Consider factors such as legibility, readability, and the emotions or qualities the typography conveys. Experiment with different font combinations to find the best fit.
5. Select colours: Choose a colour scheme that reflects the expedition's spirit and appeals to the target audience. Consider the psychology of colours and how they can evoke specific emotions or associations. Ensure the colours harmonize well and work effectively in different applications.
6. Sketch and Refine: Take your initial logo concepts and create more refined sketches using digital tools or graphic design software. Focus on creating a balanced and visually appealing composition. Refine the shapes, lines, and typography to ensure clarity and visual impact.
7. Digital Rendering: Transfer your refined sketches into a digital format using vector-based design software. This will allow for scalability and versatility of the logo across different platforms and sizes. Pay attention to details and ensure the logo remains visually consistent.
8. Test and Evaluate: Test the logo in different sizes and contexts to ensure its legibility and effectiveness. Consider how it looks on various backgrounds, in different applications, and whether it retains its visual impact and clarity. Seek feedback from colleagues or target audience members to gather valuable insights.
9. Iterate and Finalise: Based on the feedback received, make necessary adjustments and refinements to improve the logo. Iterate the design until you achieve a visually compelling and representative logo that effectively communicates the expedition's identity.
The logo we designed for the Inspire 22 expedition
10. Prepare Logo Variations: Create different variations of the logo to accommodate various applications and platforms. This may include variations with different colour options, simplified versions for small sizes, or alternative layouts for specific uses.
11. Create Logo Guidelines: Develop a set of guidelines that document the proper usage of the logo. This includes specifications for minimum size, clear space, color usage, and any restrictions or guidelines for maintaining the integrity of the logo.
12. Save and Deliver: Save the final logo in appropriate file formats (such as EPS, PNG, or SVG) for different purposes. Provide the logo files to the expedition's stakeholders, including web designers, printers, and other team members who may require it for promotional materials or digital platforms.
Remember, designing a logo is a creative process, so allow yourself to explore different ideas and iterate as needed to create a logo that captures the essence of the expedition and resonates with its audience.
