I can?t say that I always agree that less is more. I mean, less chocolate definitely does not equal more, who in their right mind only wants a little bit of chocolate? Less coffee does NOT help you get moving and shaking (in fact, it can give you one major  headache, which I do not need more of). But I do have to say that less is ALWAYS more when it comes to creating logos.

You?re probably wondering how I can make a statement like that about logos, let alone anything in life. You might be asking, doesn?t it depend on the subject matter? Doesn?t it depend on the target market? Doesn’t it matter what the latest trends are? And my reply is a resounding NO (no, no no?).

Designing logos is a labor of love and often one of the most difficult,most inspiring projects that we do. And I’m not ashamed to say, it sometimes results in a few hours of banging-my-head-against-the-desk-in-frustration. Logos are personal, reflecting both the company/product and the person (or people) behind the company/product. Often times, customers want to cram everything that they can into the logo, believing that the more they include, the stronger the logo will be. Boy, are they wrong.

It might be hard to imagine why exactly that is. Let?s pretend for a minute that we?re making a pizza (mmmm, pizza). WAIT! Before you run out to order a pizza, hear me out. I LOVE veggie pizza. Black olive, tomatoes, green peppers, onions (but never, ever mushrooms). But I also love ice cream, chocolate, peanut butter, pretzels, french fries, blue corn tortilla chips, and coffee, just to name a few. Now, just because I love all of these foods, and all of them are important to me, doesn?t necessarily mean that will should be combined into one sticky, melty, cheesy, crunchy, drippy, sweet mess. In fact, I think it would be rather disgusting (although I do know one or two people who would be willing to at least try it). The same concept goes for logos. Just because you like a design style, or two, or three, doesn?t mean that they should all be combined into your logo. And just because your product provides many fantastic services, it doesn?t mean that your logo should include a piece of each service in it. Just like pizza, simple is better.

©Apple, ©Nike, ©Starbucks, ©Target

Think of some of the most successful, most recognizable logos out there. Apple, Nike, Starbucks and Target are just a few of the most obvious and most well know companies and logos. And why is that? Because they have simple, easy-to-recognize and easy-to- remember logos (oh yeah, having great products doesn?t hurt either).

So when you need a new logo, or possibly a logo redesign, keep this in mind: Less is more. Simple is the key.Simple makes your logo easy to remember. Simple makes your brand easy to recognize. After all, isn?t that what you want for your brand?

If you are in the market for a new logo, or if you have any other print or web design need, visit our web site to find out more about what we can do for you.

Did you ever truly love something and had no idea why? This ?thing? you love doesn?t match your personality or your normal genre of interests. It might even be something you?re embarrassed of (for instance, I love the movie Princess Diaries ? I am NOT ashamed!). I didn?t say ?like?, as in ?I like tofu? or ?I like brownies? or ?I like to watch Ashley dance? (and I do like all of these things, a lot). I?m talking about L-O-V-E. Well, that is what web programming is for me, an odd love in a dirty-laundry-list of odd loves that make me so, um, (fill in the blank). Make sense? Let me explain.

Graphic designers are visual people, some entering this field to make money as an artist (or maybe that?s just me). It is mostly visual beauty in the form of colors and fonts and textures, and tactile beauty with papers and coatings. Programming code doesn?t appear to fit the typical artist mind. (I get to this conclusion from talking with my fellow designers about code?you?ve never seen a person?s eyes glaze over so quickly!) Now, before anyone get?s all unhinged saying that programmers can also be amazing creative artists (which they can), let me be clear: I love the code. Yes, all those lines of numbers and letters and symbols often morph into a beautiful collage of working art. (This beauty does not extend to entire files of code that are one solid chunk of run-on sentence without bathroom breaks.)

Programming, for me, was a secondary thought after I was already working as a designer. I fell into it several years ago, wanting a job that required the ability to program (which I may have stretched the truth a bit about my skills to get), and I am forever grateful for this turn of events. Since then, I?ve taken classes for programming, but truly learn the most from just doing it. Finding websites I think are interesting, and looking at the code or finding tutorials and trudging through them. But it?s my love for the code that keeps me coming back time and again.

It makes me weak in the knees to know I get to program a website, using tags and CSS and maybe a function or two. I love taking the static files of the site layout and bringing them to life. I love figuring out how to get all of the details to work, details requested by people who don?t have the first clue on whether it?s easy to code or not. I love getting websites to work in all the different browsers. (Ok, maybe that last one is just something I tolerate for my art.) The point is, I love it. Love love love it. And when you love something, you are always striving to learn more and be great.

If you want to find a good web programmer, find one who LOVES to program. People who love what they do, weather it be a baker or mechanic or designer, will want to create something great doing what they love. Just look for the L-O-V-E. You are almost guaranteed to get your money?s worth?or more!

At Moxie, we are here to serve our clients, to help YOU SUCCEED!
www.thinkmoxie.com

? Post written by Cristy Wiza.

Good morning, good afternoon or good evening! It?s a new day and a new beginning for the Moxie blog – The Moxie Mash! We?ve been dabbling in blogging for a few months now and have finally decided to dig our feet in and make this thing a success. Won?t you join us?

So what changed since the initial launch of the Moxie blog? Well, to begin with we have a new domain, our very own blog address. We?ve stepped it up from Blogspot, which was a great starting point when we just wanted to get our feet wet and see what this blogging thing is all about. But we quickly realized that we like, no NEED, options. Options for how our blog looks, for how the content is organized and what features are included. Add-ons, plug-ins and widgets, OH MY! Where do you go when you crave so many options? WordPress of course! It?s super easy, there are a million options, and you can completely customize everything about your blog. Just like a knight in shining armor, it was our dream come true! With our new found options, we did a complete overhaul of our blog. New design, new content (check out the photos!) and who knows what we will add in the future? Audio? Video? Events? Who knows where this will take us.

You?re probably asking yourself, ?Self, what can I expect to see on the new Moxie blog?? I’m glad you asked! We?re going to give you a little bit of everything. From Moxie updates (she did what?) to industry news, case studies to tips on working with graphic designers, our blog will be an ever evolving source for some wacky stuff! We?re going to be posting more often (our goal is 4 times a week), with more bloggers and more topics. And we?d love to hear from anyone and everyone! We?ll respond to comments, questions or suggestions. After all, this is a group effort, and we want to make sure that everyone is involved and interested in what we have to say.

Check back soon and check back often. Or even better, subscribe to our blog (click on the cute red RSS icon in the top left corner of the page) so you don?t miss any of the creative thoughts, ideas or musings of the Moxie Creative Studio staff.