Exploring logos and slogans

A logo is an image that is connected to a brand or company.

For example, Coca Cola products have a logo or picture on all their products that helps people know the product is made by the Coca Cola Company.

Many companies, sports teams, restaurants have logos. Which ones can you think of? If you think of the restaurant McDonald’s, does any image come to mind? You may have thought of the yellow M that is on their packaging. That is their logo.

A slogan is words put together as a phrase or sentence.

For example, McDonald's (a fast food restaurant) uses the slogan “I’m Loving It,” and Nike (shoe company) uses the slogan “Just Do It.”

Examine the following options and decide if they belong in the category of “Logo” or “Slogan.” Select your answer, then press ‘Check Answer’ to see how you did.

Press ‘Discovering the logos and slogans’ to find out more information.

The logos and slogans that you just explored represent the following companies:

  • Option 1 represents the logo of the sandwich chain, Subway.
  • Option 2 represents the logo of the Canadian professional basketball team, Toronto Raptors.
  • Option 3 represents the slogan of the educational media organization, TVO.
  • Option 4 represents the logo of the toy company, Lego.
  • Option 5 represents the logo for TVOKids, the brand for the children’s programming at TVO.
You may have recognized some of these popular logos and slogans. Each company/organization used images or phrases to create a brand identity that make them unique.

Source: Dunne, Nick. "Why this Ontario town is taking a pop at ginger ale." TVO Northeastern Hub, TVO. 10 Aug. 2020. https://www.tvo.org/article/why-this-ontario-town-is-taking-a-pop-at-ginger-ale

Photo of a green Temagami soda bottle made of glass. The neck of the bottle has the text “Temagami Dry” and underneath it, the smaller texts “Delicious. Healthful. Refreshing.” The middle section of the bottle has a rectangle with a silhouette of pine trees reflected on the water. The background of the rectangle has the text “Temagami Dry.” The silhouette of pine trees has the text “Pale Ginger Ale.”

Features of a logo

Identifying features in a logo

To review, a logo is a picture or a symbol that helps people to identify a product. Logos are often used in advertisements, commercials, on billboards, posters, packaging, and clothing.

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

Think of examples of popular logos.

  • What are some of the features you notice?

Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.

Have you noticed that most logos feature the following elements?

  • symbols or other visual graphics
  • letters or simple words
  • slogans or a short catchphrase

Examine logos on products that you use at school and at home (e.g., crayons, food packaging, sports equipment, or magazines).

Task: Designing a logo

It's time to create a design for your own logo! Imagine you had your own company, what kind of products or services would you provide? Create a logo that shares the ideas of your company.

Brainstorm

Planning your logo

Use the following questions to guide your planning process:

  • Will your logo include a symbol or image?
  • Will your logo include letters or simple words?
  • Will your logo include a specific font?
  • Will your logo include specific colours?

Complete the Logo Brainstorming Chart in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document to organize your ideas for your logo.

Logo Brainstorming Chart

Press the Activity button to access the Logo Brainstorming Chart.

Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)

Consolidation

Create your own slogan!

Now that you have designed a logo, it's time to create a slogan for your company! In the Minds On, we learned that a slogan is a short phrase or sentence used by companies to advertise their products.

For example, McDonald's (a fast food restaurant) uses the slogan “I’m Loving It,” and Nike (shoe company) uses the slogan “Just Do It.”

You can write or draw your slogan, record an audio clip or use another method of your choice.

Student Tips

Considerations for your slogan

Things to consider as you create your slogan:

  • Keep it short and catchy!
  • Think about who your audience is and what type of slogan would appeal to them
  • Use verbs and rhyming words
  • Add music or sound effects

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity?  Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.