Project 1: Original Logos

My UTravel logo represents the website because it will be geared more towards people looking for the perfect vacation for themselves or their family. I think the palm tree and hammock symbolizes a desire for relaxation and that it what taking a vacation is all about. I used two palm trees on either side to frame the logo and draw attention inside to the name of the company. I also made sure the leaves and coconuts were different so it wasn't too symmetrical. I kept the textures smooth except for the tree trunks to give just a realistic hint to the logo and make the logo stand out that much more.

Seahorse Calligramme

5 Effective Logos

#1 World Wildlife Fund


WWF's logo encompasses all of the great logo basics. First, it's not too detailed so as to be recognizable at any scale. Secondly, it's extremely relevant to what the company stands for and is striving to protect. Lastly, it's effective even without color to distract from the message. I like how it always appears black and white with a white background because I think adding color to it can get too subjective. The fact that they chose a panda as the symbol of their company was smart because it touches viewers of any age, and adding a variety of animals would have been overwhelming and not as personal.

#2 Disney

Disney's logo has proved to be timeless due to it's consistency over the years. The logo works because the image is a castle that almost anyone can understand symbolizes the real castle seen at Disney World. This ensures an automatic sense of happiness when people of all ages see this logo. It's also unique because its a stylized version of Walt Disney's actual signature.

#3 Nike


Nike's logo is effective because it's one of the most simplistic logos out there. I once heard that the man who created Nike asked a girl in one of his college classes to draw him a logo and since she was in a bad mood she scribbled down this check on a piece of paper, little did she know she had just created a symbol that would represent a multi million dollar company and be recognizable worldwide. It may not have been intentional, but this logo doesn't need anything else to it- no color, no detail. It's scalable and straightforward.

#4 Toys R Us


Toys R Us' logo is fun, silly, and ultimately age-appropriate to their targeted audience. I think it wouldn't be half as effective if it was in black and white. Further more, I like the colors the company chose because they aren't geared towards one gender in specific. It's playful and appeals to all children. I think it was a smart decision to reverse the R and put a star in the center to make it not as boring. Also, since the R is backwards it almost looks as though a child wrote it which adds that much more uniqueness to it. 

#5 Playboy

Playboy's logo has also shown it's effectiveness in how memorable it is. I think the number 1 criteria for a logo is that it be good enough that a consumer will be able to spot the icon anywhere and know the name attached. What is interesting about the playboy logo is that they took an everyday animal and added a bow tie, yet today the playboy bunny image is iconic. I assume this is also the reason logos of rabbits are incredibly rare. Companies understand that Playboy has branded themselves so well that any other picture of one might trigger a connotation to Playboy instead. 

5 Company Ideas

1. This company would sell makeup thats tone changes based on what season it is. You would never have to look orange in the winter or pale in the summer because the color would automatically vary based on what season it is. There would be an online website where the customer would answer some questions and be able to customize the looks they are trying to achieve. The technology may have to be heat-sensitive or UV-sensitive so that the makeup can tell what season it is.


2. This company would run a social media type website where each page is a different country and people can subscribe to different pages based on where they are interested in traveling. On each page photos can be uploaded, people can post their experiences and different places they went, and also advertising can be bought by hotels and airlines.


3.This company would be a high fashion photography company based completely underwater. The locations would vary from rivers in the amazon to deep in exotic oceans. The purpose of placing this with high fashion photography is the drastic juxtaposition and unexpected look. People's attention will be drawn to this page in a magazine and this style will begin to be known as solely from my company.


4. This company would sell music players like iPods thats purpose is for working out. It gets frustrating when you're running and a slow song comes on and you have to stop to change the song. This device would offer technology that syncs with your body to tell how fast you're going to change the song accordingly.


5. This company would offer the ability to rent domestic animals for up to 1 week. The reason this would be successful is because many people, for example, don't know what kind of dog they want. If they rent one for a few days, they can get to know that breed's behavior, if it sheds, etc. It would also be profitable because there would be an ability to buy that animal after the rent period is up. There is a strong change these customers will get attached and be persuaded to buy that new pet.

About Me

Welcome to Shannon's blog!

I am a sophomore student at the University of Tampa studying Advertising and Public Relations. I hope to learn as much as possible out of my art and communications classes so I receive a well rounded education on the creative and technical aspects of advertising. 

Although originally from Maine, I enjoy spending time in warm Tampa weather- going to the beach, bike riding, and relaxing anywhere with a great view:)

After graduating, I hope to travel to the west coast and make a career out of my studies in advertising. My ideal job would be at a successful advertising agency or working as a creative director of a magazine.

I am a fun loving, outgoing individual but even more so, down to the earth, independent and highly dedicated to preparing a life after college at a thriving business!