Both multimillion dollar companies used the same graphics. This faux pas depreciates their brand.

Don`t get me wrong, from a designer`s perspective, it`s great to see your stuff in print. But mass producing illustrations depreciates your value as artist and even more so to their branding.

Crikey!!

Companies can grow overnight, becoming multimillion dollar giants and their tenure will be short lived when at least part of that sale depends on the branding already established. If a sale is commenced, the symbol that represents that company better be as valuable as the company itself.

This is a lot like the guy who goes out with dirty and ripped undies and he has an accident. I am almost sure that the nurses won`t laugh at the holes and stains- that much.

I wonder if any plastic surgeons have thought of using the McDonald`s logo for their breast enhancement practice. McDoctors! I thought of other ones and they were not proper.

Plastic surgery anyone??

But because obviously that is not realistic, here are 10 tips to “spread the word” on your logo,

1. Iconize that- Yep everywhere you go, you are asked to upload a picture or an icon to your profile. So why not a mini version of your logo? It`s the simplest way to go when telling people your brand rocks.
2. Be your own avatar- A little different than an icon, an avatar is a mini YOU. So if you had an illustration made to your likeness, you may want to grace the pages of your facebook with you,  illustrated.
   

   Ruta Fox, owner of Divine Diamonds NY makes an illustrated appearance with her sexy and sassy avatar

3. Master (or mistress) of your MySpace-Regardless of the social network you have chosen to deck out in your “business attire”, business pages always look better branded with your logo and graphics that match your site. When consistency is key, make sure ALL of your graphics at least have the same theme.
   

   My MySpace page all decked out.

4. Email me pretty-Yes, even your email can have all the wrappings of your site and more. Why send a plain email? You could be sending links to your store, blog and even social network pages inviting them to further interact with you. The very action of emailing your identity within your email, establishes rapport with your receiver, thus creating branding and clearing the way for a possible sale!
5. Show me your badge!- Have you ever gotten a glittery badge wishing you a happy day? Why not have one with your LOGO? This is just another way in which you can send someone a nice sentiment, branded with your logo.
6. Adorn your Sign up box-That`s right! if you`ve got the right designer, he or she will know how to make your sign up more that pretty, but so cute everyone will want to sign up.
   

   Please enter your name- You know you want to!!

7. You are my Fave!- Favicons are another way to make that branding stick. They come in a variety of styles from animated to scrolling with text. Pick a style and brand!
8. Background graphics- That background may not be the same one in your site, but it surely can carry your message. I love Old Navy`s background repetition of their initials. It`s a bit subliminal, yet effective at delivering what they intended, their branding into your head.
9. Your e-John Hancock please-Okay besides what you may be thinking, I really mean your signature. Forums and networks allow users to create sigs, an image with your information and hyperlinked to your site. Do I have to say what you could be doing with it??? I think you get the idea.:D
10. A different kind of Icon- From RSS feeds to email me graphics, these can all have a little something that makes it feel like they belong to your site. They are easily recognizable and maintain that much needed continuity.

I apologize for being repetitious, but if there is something you must do when creating branding, is trying to keep as much consistency within all the pages that have your name. Happy branding!

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… C: wait… SD: wait…