27 January 2021

What your logo says about your product

Logos are a vital feature of any brand image. But when I decided to found Maison Gala, my knowledge of “brand identity” was scant, to say the least.

Helpful literature

So, to find the right graphic identity for Maison Gala, I spent endless hours reading about logos and their functions...

And I came to the quite natural and intuitive conclusion that what I needed was a symbol that would embody the very essence of the brand. After all, the whole purpose of a logo is to strike an immediate instinctive chord.

Professional input is a “must”

The next stage was to call on the services of an expert, a graphic designer, who could give shape to the myriad ideas bubbling in my head.

But how to explain what I wanted?

My first step was to provide the graphic designer with a detailed description of the brand and its targets, together with sketches of the product range, a copy of my signature (our signature is often the reflection of our personality) and the colors used by Maison Gala in its collections.

I also sent him pictures and photos carefully selected to illustrate the atmosphere I hoped he would create.

Properly briefing your graphic designer is essential if the end result is to live up to your expectations.

The designer needs to be able to engage with your universe and the universe of your brand to grasp the message that your logo and graphic charter are to convey through clever combinations of color and alphanumerical characters.

Alternatives to help you make your final choice

Another key factor is that your designer should offer you alternatives for various different communications approaches.

For example, the first proposal I received for Maison Gala consisted of 3 logos with 3 different creative thrusts:

CREATING WELLBEING

THE DISTINCTION OF NATURAL MATERIALS

THE SPIRIT OF THE NATIVE CRAFTSMAN

Each of these alternatives was accompanied by an explanation of the graphic design proposed and its links with the values to be conveyed.

My designer agreed to work solely with non-copyrighted material. This is vital to avoid any later risk of legal action.

Final deliverables

The brand identity delivered by the designer was multi-part, comprising:

1. A LOGO and a GRAPHIC CHARTER constructed around a series of shapes and colors to form the backbone of the brand’s visual identity;
2. GUIDELINES to set the rules, illustrate possible uses and propose a series of shapes, typefaces, colors and logotypes;
3. Last but not least, EXAMPLES of versions of the designs for use on social media, the website, blog, etc., all highly useful, practical material.

N.B.: All rights on deliverables must be definitively assigned to the client, including the right to reproduce in unlimited numbers. This is very important!

Maison Gala’s logo and what it means

From the options proposed, I finally selected the one that I felt best embodied the spirit of Maison Gala and I hope that brand followers will appreciate my choice.

Maison Gala’s raison d’être is to partner you in creating an elegant, refined and, above all, welcoming atmosphere for your guests.

The pleasure you feel when receiving friends and family is reflected in the logo with its fine, curved lines and in the range of colours recalling the natural qualities of the materials used.

The logo itself is designed as an unbroken line where balance and freedom are combined with a nod towards the craftsmanship of Maison Gala’s team of artisans.

The line loops round the initials “M” and “G” to produce a company signature that is your guarantee of hours of enjoyment in pleasant company underscored by Maison Gala’s range of unique, carefully crafted objects.

Stay safe,