New IHOP Logo for the Digital Age

IHOP has shown that it is always willing to greet the next challenge on the web. They are a 60 year old company that excels at social media marketing, blogs, and now emoticons. In fact, they even rebranded with a new logo design to keep up with the digital age.

Many logo design analysts have mentioned that the O and P of "IHOP" make a pair of eyes and nose. IHOP is now embracing that find that even added a red semi-circle to complete the face. This face Mimicks emojis found on the web.

Another great realization about this new logo is that it captures the spirit of IHOP and its customers; people go in hungry, eat delicious food, then leave happy. It's part of their tagline! Happy memories are shared by people at IHOPs and some are even created there.

Just because your business is old, or "established", doesn't mean it can't or shouldn't evolve. Businesses have to keep up with consumers or they will be left behind. If your business is in need of some updating, email or call Integraphix, a graphic design studio and creative marketing agency in Chicago.

Is Hillary Clinton's Logo Really That Bad?

This is the new logo for Hillary Clinton's 2016 Presidential run. Right away, the logo design came under fire from critics about its lack of… everything.

Some people have compared her logo to a speed bump (if you flip the logo counter-clockwise 90 degrees). Some people have said the arrow makes it look like the "I'm with stupid" shirts. One of the more clever comparisons is that the logo looks like it should be on a 90s windbreaker or sailor shirt. One of the most common comments about the logo is just how much it reminds people of the FedEx logo (because of the arrow pointing right).

The graphic designers at our Chicago graphic design studio have some input.

 Every professional logo designer knows that a logo has to look good in every circumstance. One very common circumstance to consider is what the logo will look like in B&W. After all, not everything is printed in color.

This is what Hillary's new logo looks like in B&W. You can barely tell that there's an arrow in the logo. Without the arrow, the whole messaging behind the logo is lost.

It looks like an "H" with something being pushed out of it. The colors are too similar in value for being directly adjacent with no separation.



Another thing that is wrong with the logo is that the arrow makes the logo too heavy on the right side. The "H" looks like it will take a tumble to the right, as seen in the image.

The large arrow makes the logo feel unbalanced and too heavy. A good graphic design company will tell you that the best logos have balance.

So what do you think of Hillary's new logo? (No political bias, please). Do you think it is good or could it use some tweaking? Perhaps you can recommend your favorite political logo?

Let us know! Reply in the comments or email Integraphix with your thoughts about Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign logo. 

5 Things Your Logo Needs to Be Successful

Before a business can even think about a business cards or finding an office to have office space, a business needs a logo design. The logo will compliment the business name, feature your business's color scheme, and have important design elements. It is the base upon building stationary, packaging, any advertising, or signage.

A logo needs to reflect the image that the company wants to convey. As our Chicago graphic design agency has stated before, your logo will be how people form an impression about your business before engaging with it directly and it will be how they remember your business.

The best logos in the world have these five design concepts in place. 

1. They are simple. The best way to think about simplicity is how many components there are to the logo. Look at the logo for the Chicago Cubs or Apple. Apple's logo is a simple apple shape (with the bite out of it) and is shown in black or grayscale; the Cubs logo is a simple, red "C". The simplicity of these logos makes them easy to look at. The easier information is to process, the likelier we are to remember and like that information. 
2. They are brand consistent. Your logo constantly speaks about your brand and vice versa. If there is a mismatch here, it will stand out. Your logo needs to fit with your company's overall message. Look back at the Apple logo, it speaks about the brand being innovative, futuristic, and sleek. All of these things are seen when you look at Apple's products and business operations. They pride themselves on making great tech that is easy to use, so their logo is easy to understand. Any great professional graphic designer will mention Apple's logo when they talk about brand consistent logos. 
3. They are memorable. Remember when we said that people will remember your brand from your logo? Well, that is hard to do if your logo is far too complicated and/or makes no sense. Logotype or word mark, a stylized version of your company's name (think Coca-Cola) is much easier to remember than an abstract logo. 
4. They are remarkable. This is your logo's ability to cut through the noise. This is more suitable for startups than established brands. 
5. They are market tested. While our minds and our gut can produce some good logos, no good logo hits the market without being tested, first. Getting feedback about a logo is necessary and will help you find any possible flaws. The logos that we see and think, "Who approved that?" Chances are, those logos were not put through any market tests. If your business designs its logo on its own, then this is a very crucial step, even if you think you have a good eye for design and colors. No matter what, even if a logo is designed by a professional logo designer, it is still market tested. 

Does your business need a logo? Then email Integraphix - a Chicago graphic design company with over two decades of logo design experience. 

A Logo Design That Will Wow You

Our Chicago logo design agency loves when a logo design comes out absolutely perfect. That is exactly what happened when our Chicago graphic design  team created the logo for an actuarial firm called, October Three.

October Three's logo has been one of the more enigmatic logo designs that we have undertaken. The process for designing the logo and their branding started in a rather peculiar way because the client requested a logo that looked nothing like traditional logos of the industry.

You may be asking, "How'd an actuarial firm get the name 'October Three' to begin with?" It is from the date that the founder's non-compete clause ended from his previous firm.

The logo can be read in three separate ways with the enforcement of the 3: you see it in the O3 logo mark, in the "October Three" word mark, and in the 10-3 of the typography (see the 10-3 in "October"?)

The logo is modern and nothing like what you'd see with an actuarial firm, which is great to produce a fresh logo design.

Does your business need a new logo? Then email Integraphix and see how our graphic design team can help you!

Integraphix Case Study: Logo Design for Kids Have Hope

Integraphix's graphic design agency was asked to help perform a logo redesign and brand identity for a wonderful organization, Kids Have Hope.

This was a special project for our logo design team since Kids Have Hope is a 503c Organization in Chicagoland; they're mission is to educated children and adults about abuse prevention. The organization's original logo (see below), was getting too dated and did not provide the impact that logos from other Chicago non-profits did.

Integraphix graphic designers restored the original butterfly concept, which was expressed by the client  as something to keep, and implement it into the new design. It was desired to be kept because of its tie with the organization's purpose: children.

If you look closely at the new logo, you can see that our designers utilized the negative space in the wings of the butterfly; you can see the faces of two children, which ties into the meaning of the children and butterfly.

The colors of the logo were also changed from primary colors to cooler, more elegant colors that brought the organization into a more modern style.

Does your business need a logo redesign or an overall rebranding? Then contact Integraphix, a Chicago graphic design company. 

Integraphix Case Study: Logo for Interior Design Firm

Number 4 Designs is an interior design firm that is located in northwestern Illinois. When they came to our Chicago graphic design agency, they needed a logo that was going to be a great representative of their industry and approach to design. 

The design firm uses the number "4" as a symbol for their business approach, which is to design with solidarity, calm, stability, and a "sense of home" in mind. The client wants their clients to get a sense of calm when they hire Number 4 Designs. The "4" is also inspired by the facts that there are 4 walls in a home, 4 seasons in a year, 4 elements, and four directions-- all of these things influence interior design with their colors and other characteristics. 

The client's concept influenced the logo design and the final logo was able to combine all of the previously mentioned concepts into one, simple logo and brand identity. 

The design firm also occasionally uses the number "4" solely on marketing materials to further the power of the number, even if it is not accompanied by the words, "number" and "designs". 

Does your business need a logo design and branding that give the business an impressive look and feel? Then contact Integraphix-- a Chicago graphic design company that is dedicated to making your business look its best! 

A Logo Redesign for a Chicago Dentist Office

Right around the six year mark, a long time client of our Chicago graphic design firm, Rubino Dentistry, updated their logo. Along with updating and redesigning a logo, Rubino rebranded their Park Ridge dental office.

On the right, you will see their updated logo; this design features the green branding and color scheme of the office, and the tooth symbol that was part of their old logo (below). As part of their rebranding, we altered the name from "Ross E. Rubino, DDS PC & Associates" to "Rubino Dentistry" since the former (still the official name but not operating name) was quite a mouthful. Their new name is easier to use on all forms of marketing, including print such as business cards, stationary, flyers, etc. Also, it is easier to use for digital marketing, such as social media marketing, search engine optimization, and more.

The new logo, in addition to many other print marketing pieces, such as letterhead and brochures, are able to give the company a look that is more modern yet elegant.

If you have not updated your logo or branding in the last 10 years, then it is time to update your logo. Don't want to update your logo but want to rebrand in other ways such as letterhead, slogan/taglines, color scheme, or some other way? Then contact Integraphix, a logo design agency in Chicago. 

We have designed logos for businesses in the following fields: medical, public relations/communications, marketing, landscape, legal, film, hospitality, financial, clothing, and interior design.