How to design a logo for your brand- a step by step

Welcome to my step-by-step on how to design your own logo. Your logo is one of the first things the world sees when they are introduced to your brand. People will make a snap judgement about your brand from this logo and of course- you want it to firstly, be a good one! And secondly, be in complete alignment with your brands ethos because that’s what’s going to attract your audience.

I studied the power of branding in university so I applied some of that knowledge to create the logo that I use today and these are the steps I took to create it. So let’s get to it!


1. Brainstorm

Start with writing down your brand name. If there's more than one word, leave plenty of space around each so that you can branch off of them. Write down words that associate with those of your brand name and even branch off of your associated words too so that you have a collection of words that link to your brand in some way.

Example: My brand name is Luna Eden so I would branch off of 'Luna' with;

-Moon > Shine> Darkness
-Planet > Space > Galaxy > Stars
-Artemis > Moon Goddess

And then I would branch off of 'Eden' with;

-Garden > Nature > Wildlife
-Trees > Leaves > Flowers
-Sunlight > Growth

You can then circle or highlight any of the words that jump out at you. It might also help to dissect your tag line too if you have one.

2. Write down a list of shapes/ objects that relate

Now look at the words you have written down and see if you can pick out any shapes that would relate to them. Draw these too as it will help you to put shapes together and form ideas in your head.

Example:

-Moon > Full circle or crescent
- Planets/ Stars > Lots of small circles scattered
-Leaves/ Flowers/ > (duh!)
-Trees > Branches

At this point I would research different shapes of leaves and flowers that resonate with my brand and sketch them loosely.


3. Write down key words

Write down around 5 words that sum up your brand. Is it feminine? fun? luxury? quirky? These words will help you to create the right logo because any logo that doesn't resonate with your key words, won't resonate with your brand. It is crucial for people to see your logo and 'get' what your brand is all about.

4. Have a play around with words and letters

The trick is to not overcomplicate the design but also to make it memorable and interesting. A good way to do this is to see if there are any clever ways in which you can connect either the initials or whole words of your brand name. Again, the best way to do this is to sketch them so that you can physically see what looks good and what doesn't. Here are some great examples from Pinterest!

5. Write a list of appropriate colours 

The colours you choose for your logo and more importantly- your business card, will make a massive difference to how your brand is received. Colours have their own subconscious connotations so choose wisely! Have a look at the words you wrote down from step one and see if there are any colours that connect. If not, take a look at your 'Key Words' and think about what colours would best represent these.

6. Create a mood board

Pinterest has some amazing branding and packaging images BUT I have specifically put this step after the others because it's very easy to copy other's work (even if it is subconsciously). However, it's really useful to be able to note what you do and don't like, what you think works well and what doesn't. Put together a collage (very easy to do on Pinterest) of the ones you like with some colour reference images so that you can really get a clear feel for what you want yours to look like.

7. Research fonts

The font is quite easy to get wrong when it comes to branding. Alongside colour, the font too plays a big part in the initial reception. There are plenty of online font websites whereby you see your brand name written out in hundreds of different styles. Remember to keep checking back with your 'Key Words' when picking out fonts because it's easy to get distracted by what you personally like rather than what personifies your brand.

 This is also a good part to get feedback on. Ask your friends and family what vibes they get from the letterings you've picked out and when one matches those of your 'Key Words' (more or less) - you've cracked it!

8. Piece it all together 

Now that you've got all the components that each resonate with your brand, it's time to put them all together! Sketch out these ideas. You'd be surprised at how many variations you can create by adjusting small parts but those small adjustments could be just what you need to make the perfect logo. I personally like to start with shape and font and leave the colour until last. Again, get some feedback from your nearest and dearest.


I hope you found this step-by-step useful! Happy creating guys,

LUNA EDEN x

The Instagram Illusion- How to free yourself of false connections to happiness

Be aware of who and what is sucking you in

We've heard the social media spiel so many times it's enough to make you want to tear your own eyes out- I know I do. My grandma says things like "It's so tough for youngsters with the social media. All that pressure..." And yes, it's true. We all know that Instagram is unrealistic and more than likely damaging in one way or another. We know about the 'highlights reel'. We know models and bloggers get bad skin too, that they have bad days too, that they are real people just like us- they tell us this because they're accused of making people unhappy with the unattainable lives they advertise. They quite literally sell us a life filled with picture perfect moments. 

At first, these confessions spilling out of every influencer that they are in fact human and they experience the same downfalls that we do was a relief, a breath of fresh air. "Wow!" I thought to myself. "Louise Thompson suffers with anxiety too!" and "Estee Lalonde has days where she can't get out of bed too!" As sad and concerning as it is to feel good about someone else's misfortune, it has made hundreds, if not thousands of people feel less alone but has it changed the way we feel about ourselves, about our lives? I don't think it has. 

Where we used to look at the lives of beautiful people living what looks like a beautiful life, we now see depressed/ anxious/ unhappy, beautiful people living what look like beautiful lives. The problem with Instagram is that everything about it is aesthetic. From the planned arrangement of images that share the same colour hues and 'theme', to perfectly positioned and colour coordinated breakfast spreads, beauty products and outfits that compliment the scenery. These mesmerising images whisper to a tiny part of our brain that genuinely believes we need these things in order to be happy and we use the excitement and joy we experience after buying something new to back up this belief. 

The happiness when we buy something new is short-lived and so we try to make this last by buying more stuff. Take a look at the things you own and try to remember how they made you feel when you first got them, do they still make you feel this way? Probably not. Which is why you will always find something new to buy, a new excuse as to why you 'need' it. There is nothing wrong with buying things for yourself- I am in no way telling you to never buy anything ever again but there is a problem if you're using this short-lived high to disguise unhappiness because things will never fill that hole. 

The truth is, Instagram is only part of the problem so deleting the app won't solve all your problems but what will help is firstly awareness and secondly, making a conscious effort to not get sucked in by the illusion. So, here are some tips to help!

1. GO ON A DETOX

The first thing you can do is to control the content you're absorbing. Take some time to go through the accounts and people you're following and be honest with yourself- do these posts make me feel positive or negative? If it's negative, then get rid. 

2. GO ON A BREAK

If you can't stomach leaving Instagram for good the at least challenge yourself to delete the app for a week or for longer if you like. This is a great way to determine how much of an effect it has on your life and scarily illuminates just how addictive it is too! This might help you to delete the app for good as anything addictive is controlling your life in some kind of way and it's up to you whether you want to let it.

3. BUY CONSCIOUSLY

If you buy a lot and often, make a conscious effort to really assess every item before you buy it. You know whether you need it or want it. Really listen to what your mind tells you and try to decipher whether it's a purchase well spent or just spending for the sake of it. Ask yourself- am I buying this to fill a void?

4. STRIP BACK

This might be a bit of a controversial one for some but look at the cosmetic procedures you do whether its eyelash extensions, hair extensions, false nails, fake tan, lip fillers and challenge yourself to strip them back. If theres one or two that you really can't give up then that's fine but if you don't love yourself without all the glitz and glam- do you really love yourself? Maybe you could use the money you would usually spend on these procedures and use it for some TLC- get a massage, go to a day spa or just indulge in some bath bombs and candles and have a relaxing bath.

5. REDUCE SCREEN TIME

Think about how many hours you spend on Instagram on a week and think how else that time could be used to really benefit you. Is there a habit you want to pick up that you could insert every time you want to scroll? For example, if you find yourself scrolling first thing in the morning for 5-10 minuets- use those minuets to meditate or to journal. This is a really effective use of time that will benefit you for the good. If you find yourself scrolling on the bus- bring a book with you that you've been wanting to read.


I really hope you all found this post really useful. This is not a hate post about Instagram and this is not a hate post about materialism or cosmetic procedures. It is simply a reminder that if we all spent less time looking at other peoples lives and more time learning to love ourselves, we would all be so much happier!

LUNA EDEN x

NEW YEAR- Learn how to ACT on your resolutions

2019 IS GOING TO BE OUR YEAR

Hello to all and to all, a 'Hello!'. Yes, it has been an incredibly long time since my last post here. I've been thinking a lot this year about me writing, how much I enjoy it and what I should be doing about it so here I am! But more info on that later on, when we discuss my 'resolutions' or 'goals' or whatever else you like to call them. I'm personally not a fan of either of those terms so feel free to comment with other alternatives for me.

TO RESOLUTE OR NOT TO RESOLUTE

resolute

adjective

1. admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.

   
   

   
   

So, a lot of you might have made the odd new years resolution in the past that didn't go to plan and now you scoff at the sound of them. 'Yeah, yeah Leah. New year, New You- you said that last year and you're still a lazy bint who still can't stop bitching about people the moment their backs are turned.' Maybe you've never even made a new years resolution.. because it's a load of rubbish, right? Well, you carry on the way you are, sprinkling your negativity like rabbit droppings and experiencing the same year over and over again until you die.

Okay so maybe I was a little dramatic there but I LOVE the new year and I LOVE 'resolutions'. I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to make changes to better your life, to better yourself as a person BUT you have to really want those changes. If you tell yourself every year that you're going to the gym 4 times a week but you actually don't mind your love handles and you hate being in public places on your own and you don't own any gym wear- WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN? So stick with me and we'll go through some tips on how to make shit happen in 2019!

DISCLAIMER: THESE TIPS MAY BE EXTREMELY RECYCLED AND OBVIOUS BUT THEY ARE CRUCIAL AND IF YOU HAVEN'T MADE YOUR RESOLUTIONS HAPPEN IN THE PAST ITS BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T PUT THESE TIPS INTO ACTION


1. What is going to bring you joy?

Before thinking about what you need to do or what you should be doing, think about what you want. If you really hate going to the gym then you're very unlikely to be able to keep your new years routine up. If you hate the taste of kale there is NO point in adding kale to your weekly shop- because you'll eat it once, gag and then curse yourself and your stupid resolutions.

This year, I've not bothered to set myself health goals because honestly? I just don't care enough to make the commitment! When you're setting your resolutions, ask yourself- do I care enough to commit? Because if you don't care, you're not going to have the determination to carry it through. Instead, ask yourself what commitments you can make to yourself this year that are going to make you a happier person. Do you love learning something new? Make a commitment this year to read more books, to go to classes or even just to watch informative videos/ documentaries. Do you love adventure? Make a commitment to visit places you've been wanting to- even if it's just a national trust in your area. Make a commitment to book in exciting excursions like Zorbing, sky diving or water sports.

I love to create and I love to write so two of my resolutions this year are to create a platform in which to sell my art (so that I can make an income out of what I love to do) and to write frequently. What brings you joy?

2. Be precise and be realistic

You need to find a place for these new commitments in your life and if you get clear on exactly what you're doing and when, you'll be more likely to follow them through. If your resolution is to read more books- set a time frame in which you're going to dedicate to reading. Whether its on every lunch break at work, for half an hour before you go to bed or for two hours on weekend days. If your resolution is to eat healthier- decide what areas of your diet you're going to change, make a list of meals you could make and get the ingredients for them. Decide whether there's anything you're going to cut out and write it down. Whatever it is, get clear on when, what and for how long.

3. Less is more

It's very easy to get carried away with how many goals you set yourself when you're wrapped up in the excitement of a new year and a (hopefully) new you but we all know that the more things we set our attention to, the more likely we are to get overwhelmed or lose focus. Less really is more when it comes to resolutions so I suggest that you set one primary resolution which will be your main focus when all else fails, and two (only if you want to) secondary resolutions that you can work on when momentum is rolling.

You want to set your primary goal as the most important to you. What is really going to add to your life? What is really going to make you happy? My primary goal this year is to invest more time into my art business and to make money from it because to make money from doing something that I love is the most important thing I can make happen for me right now.

The idea of having one primary goal and one or two secondary goals is to know where to put your energy when times get tough. Let's not pretend that the magic motivation we experience in January lasts all year round because sometimes, it doesn't even last until the end of the month! When you're feeling lacklustre or you've fallen off the motivation waggon, you can at least do something towards your primary goal- and you shouldn't forget what that is because it's supposed to be important!

4. Break it down

Resolutions look pretty simple when they're tightly packed into a nice short sentence but don't be fooled! Write a list of all the small steps you need to take in order to complete your big goal. Let's say your resolution is to go to the gym 3-4 times a week. Your smaller steps might be... 1. Sign up to the gym 2. Buy or wash gym wear 3. Find a water bottle, sweat towel, padlock for your locker 4. Set up a playlist 5. Find a gym partner. These steps often take way less energy than the big goal which makes them way easier to complete and once you have completed them, you'll feel more motivated to make the big move.

5. Plan and track progress

Planning is probably one of the most important things you can do if you're serious about making your goals happen and yes- that means writing things down. You may have heard it a thousand times but it has been proved in a study (google it, I dare you.) that goals written down are far more likely to be attained. So DO IT.

Getting a weekly planner is really good because after you've broken down your big goals into smaller steps, you can start assigning them to certain days. But, don't forget to be realistic. Don't write down that you're going to go to the gym after uni on Tuesday when you know your friends are going to drag you out for drinks and don't bite off more than you can chew. If you set yourself easily attainable goals in the week, you'll be more likely to complete them and you'll feel amazing ticking them off at the end of the week which will give you MORE motivation!

The last important thing you can do to make your goals happen in 2019 is to track your progress. This is easy to do if you're checking off your previously planned pages but take ten minuets out of your Sunday to write down what you've accomplished that week and really let yourself be proud of you. This is also a great time to plan out the week ahead.

I hope you all have a really successful January!

LUNA EDEN x