Come Back Again, To Here Knows When

Continuing on the subject of the last post, of art in relation to music, I've considered the importance of a band mark or logotype. With my bias upfront, that I am a designer as well as a musician, I still feel there's a general importance towards how musicians brand themselves graphically that is often overlooked. A logo, logotype or mark helps create a visual identity that extends beyond just the aural experience of music. We live in a culture where fans try to increase exposure of the music they love by adorning band t-shirts, pins, stickers, and so on.

With that tradition well-established, musicians should recognize that their music is being represented in such ways and try to devote a little more care and attention to this extension of their music. For example, by simply using your mind, try and visualize what the logos of KISS, AC/DC, Metallica, The Rolling Stones or even The Misfits look like...

Were you able to recall them without Googling?

Now slapping together any old typeface and giving it a little flare may work for some, but smart, well thought-out designs fare much better in the long-term. That being said, the question becomes how do you make a "smart" band logo? Well, that's a question that's definitely up for interpretation. Let's first consider some non-music or artist-related logos. Below are ten examples of, in my opinion, truly smart corporate/business logos and marks.

(Gotham Books logo designed by Eric Baker
See: top of Empire State Building in NY & open books)

(Rocket Golf logo designed by Ethereal
See: two golf tees & rocketship)

(Wine Searcher logo designed by Gareth Hardy
See: reading glasses & two wine bottles)

(Wiesinger Music ~ Piano Service logo designed by Patrick A.
See: "W" and "M" & piano keys)

(Pencil logo designed by Reghardt Grobbelaar
See: pencil shape via type)

(On Wine logo designed by Piotr Chrobot
See: full wine bottle shape via type)

(One Constructions logo designed by Nido
See: building silhouettes & the number ‘1’)

(Gerber Reigler logo designed by Benoit Design
See: conversing speech bubbles for each consultant name)

(Lochness logo designed by Navy Blue Design
See: silhouette of Lochness Monster with water reflection via type)

(Guild of Food Writers logo designed by 300million
See: pen tip & spoon)

Now, to me, a good band logo should do one of four things (if not more than one): 1.) be consistent with the bands musical-genre style 2.) be consistent with the bands personal style 3.) be iconic and unique enough to standout 4.) be engaging enough to continue thinking about after you've stopped looking at it. The below ten marks and logotypes are just some that I could think of which exhibit at least one of the previously mentioned qualities. Some have already proven their lasting strength over time, while others are far too new to really make cases for.

(The Horrors Winklepicker logo designed by Ciaran O'Shea)

(Murder City Devils Skull logo designed by Nate Manny)

(Modest Mouse Anchor Balloon logo designed by Christian Helms)

(Sisters of Mercy Star Head logo designed by Andrew Eldritch)

(Queens of The Stone Age Q Circle logo designed by Hutch)

(Public Image Limited Ransom logo designed by Dennis Morris)

(Crass Cross logo designed by Dave King)

(Conflict Circle N logo designed by Paul Friday)

(The Dead Weather logotype designed by Alan Hynes)

(Male Bonding Suicide/Slash logotype designed by [?])

These visual cues, for better or worst, link music to a visual spectrum that surrounds us all in our daily lives. Whether it be in record stores, on wheat-pasted posters covering walls of busy streets or big bus bench billboards; we're steeped in it. My advice to musicians, while it may not be the most critical component of your music - it can only serve to help you gain a wider audience if your logo is done right.

For further reading on band branding, check out these site here and here.