Minds On

Logos

Do you recognize any of the following logos? Based on the logo, what product or service does each company or organization sell or provide?

How many did you guess correctly? Can you picture any other logos in your mind? What do you think is the purpose of a logo?

Press the ‘Answer’ button to access the information about logos.

A logo is a symbol that is used by a company or an organization to identify its products or services. Its job is to be unique, stand out, and to leave a lasting impression on a potential consumer. Although a logo is only one piece of a brand's identity, it is an important one.

What makes a logo design effective? Consider the logos we just examined. What is it about the logo that appeals to you?

Slogans

Do any of the logos have slogans? What is a slogan?

Press the ‘Answer’ button to access the information about slogans.

A company or an organization may choose to have a slogan for the same reason it has a logo: advertising! A slogan is a catchword or catchphrase that represents a product or service. And much like a logo, a slogan is intended to attract our attention (the potential consumer).

Can you think of a slogan that you have heard before? What makes an effective logo and/or slogan? Come up with five “must-have” features that we’ll use as the Success Criteria for our designs. Write these features in your notebook.

Action

Logo and slogan guidelines

As we’ve learned, there’s quite a bit of planning that goes into designing an effective logo and slogan. Here are a few basic guidelines to consider as you design a logo or slogan.

Logo:

  • simple design
  • easy to understand and view from far
  • uses 1-3 colours
  • a small amount of writing that is easy to read
  • includes a simple drawing or symbol

Slogan:

  • short and catchy
  • says the name of the company or brand
  • uses simple language
  • can be written or recorded

Task 1

Explore your learning space. Find a logo that appeals to you. Then, answer the following questions about the logo you have selected:

  • What company does the logo belong to?
  • Is it an effective logo?
  • Describe the elements that tell you about the company and/or its service or product?
  • Does the logo communicate any of the company’s values?

Alternatively, think of a slogan you have heard before. Then, answer the following questions about the slogan you have selected:

  • What company is the slogan for?
  • Is it an effective slogan?
  • How are words and sounds used effectively to convey information about the company or product?
  • Does the slogan communicate any of the company’s values?

Task 2

You are now going to design your own logo or slogan. Create one that best represents you. Think of two things that are important to you or two things that make you unique. How will you represent these two things in your logo or slogan? Use an audio recording, paper, the computer, or the following graphic organizers to plan your design and/or slogan.

Complete the Plan Your Logo graphic organizer or the Plan Your Slogan graphic organizer in your notebook or by using the following fillable and printable documents.

Press the ‘Activity 1’ button to access the Plan Your Logo. 

Activity 1(Open PDF in a new window)

Press the ‘Activity 2’ button to access the Plan Your Slogan. 

Activity 2(Open PDF in a new window)

Consolidation

Logo/Slogan reflection

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

It’s time to reflect. Go back and examine the logo or slogan that you created.

  • What are two things that make your logo or slogan effective?
  • What’s one thing you would do differently next time?

Overall, do you think it’s an effective logo or slogan? Why or why not?

Finally, exchange logos or slogans with a partner and complete a peer assessment. What are two things that made their logo or slogan effective? What’s one thing you suggest they do differently next time? Overall, do you think it’s an effective logo or slogan? Why or why not?

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

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

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