Hillary Clinton Logo – A Design Perspective

Does the Hillary Clinton logo means she is moving to the right and becoming a Republican?

Is it the FedEx logo?
(The creator of the FedEx logo described the Clinton design as “disappointing, amateurish, clumsy and decidedly static.”)

Is it a hospital directional sign?

Is the campaign sponsored by the History Channel?

Wikileaks tried jumping on the bandwagon, but we have no idea what they are talking about. They are probably desperate for attention.

The new Hillary Clinton campaign logo has divided our office, but most have come down on the side of ambivalence. Our CEO was the first to notice it on April 10th. What did he think? What did the team think?

Arkside Opinions on the Hillary Clinton Logo

Here is what some of our staff had to say about the logo. Other than Nathan, this was the first time each of them had seen it. They were advised to put aside any personal political opinions and evaluate the logo as a logo alone.

“A little plain for a Presidential campaign, but that certainly speaks to current trends in design. Flat and simplistic will receive criticism. In the end, it could give the campaign more flexibility in how the logo is used.” –Nathan Greenberg, CEO

“I think its a misalignment. Not impressed.” –Cal Haney, Lead Graphic Designer

“Seems simple but effective.” –Ryan Robbins, Marketing Consultant

“Need to think about it.” –Marc Lemus, Marketing Consultant

“I think she tried to hop on the “Presidents get logos” bandwagon and didn’t do a good job of it.” –Amanda Johnson, Digital Coordinator

What Makes a Good Logo

Arkside is largely underwhelmed. Other experts have weighed in with everything from adoring praise to cringeworthy criticism. But let’s look at other aspects. Generally speaking, what is it that makes a good logo? We have compiled a list of inspiration, ideas, and implied meanings from a collection of design professionals.

1. Planning – Be prepared to invest significant time and effort into this process. A logo will represent your company, staff, reputation, and mission for years, if not decades or centuries. You should have a clear understanding of what you want the logo to project to all audiences.
2. Unique – Most necessary is a unique identity and impression. It needs to separate you from and above all others. You can’t afford to be confused with another company, let alone a competitor. “Symbols are more basic, foundational and fundamental than any written and spoken language. We’re hardwired to respond to what we see,” says visual communication scholar Keith Kennery about the Hillary Clinton logo. Be distinct and positively memorable.
3. Proper Visual – According to designer David Airey, a logo doesn’t have to advertise the product. “The Mercedes logo isn’t a car. The Virgin Atlantic logo isn’t an aeroplane. The Apple logo isn’t a computer,” he blogged. Don’t be afraid to step out to something unconventional. Find a new shape that grabs attention while avoiding overused images like stars or ovals.
4. Fresh Perspective – This can be a challenge. After seeing multiple versions with a variety of colors, shapes, and fonts, you and others need to have an immediate and positive reaction to the final piece. Step away for a few days and come back with a new attitude to see if your opinion stays the same.

The Perfect Logo

Forget this concept. Now. Like most things in design and advertising, there is no such thing as perfect. A logo needs to be good and that means effective. Reliability, affordability, trustworthy, and any other emotion you seek to convey can be achieved in a myriad of ways.

There is no perfect shade of whatever color you’re looking for.

There is no perfect font for the elegant or sporty text you’re looking for.

There is no perfect angle or curve for the shape you’re looking for.

You can waste time trying to find the “perfect” thing that will make your logo perfect…or you can get out and actually sell your product or service.

Professional Logo Design

As always, we recommend you seek the help of a professional who can guide you through the process of logo creation and brand development. There is a science behind the art, psychology, emotion, and creation of a great logo. You can focus on your job and trust a professional to deliver a great logo that will properly represent your business far into the future. If you are interested in a free consultation with with one of our Marketing Consultants and designers, please contact us today to schedule an appointment.