Logos, Logos, Logos,

[D-Frag]

Alrighty, well since im a mod now and can edit other mods posts /emoticons/tongue.gif Their are currently 2 websites you can use to search for logos in vector format for FREE downloads. 1. www.logotypes.ru (http://www.logotypes.ru) which is an older site, they have been around for years, and the server is located in Russia. 2. www.brandsoftheworld.com (http://www.brandsoftheworld.com) this is a newer site, and will probably have more current logos. Both are good, I find the usablity to be a tad bit better on the russian site, just cuz i can jump to page 25 in the B section, as opposed to just hitting the next page button on brands of the world.

Anyways, enjoy everyone, if some more logo sites open up, we will keep this updated.

http://www.pillargraphicdesign.com/dfrag/newsig.jpg
http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/musik/music-smiley-014.gif digitalcamwhore (http://digitalcamwhore.deviantart.com/gallery/)

Post Edited (D-Frag) : 9/10/2004 6:53:54 PM GMT

[Drorain]

nice to see, illegal maybe, but how many of us have had to recreate other logos before, such as for school, or for portfolio projects, good resourse



<img border="0" src= "http://www.grivakisgraphics.com/images/banner.gif">



- Everyday, all the time, without fail!

[Paolo]

Regardless of legality, I know for a fact that many companies actually send designers here for their own logos. It's easier for them. LOL



If you get that big job with a company and need to run ads for them, this is the place to get the logo in vector.



In Montreal, one of our local papers ran regular ads for AT&T and as usual the company didn't provide the designer with the logo or art and all ads appeared really bitty. Can you imagine seeing the AT&T logo pixelated. Looked cheap.



Anyway, this kind of scenario, the designer could have used this site.



Thanks for sharing the link!

Design it up and then strip it down. Whatever survives is solid.

[D-Frag]

hehe yes that is site is a great resource, the logos are a little old but they work!!


glad i could help out!

Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

[shirbit]

actually the IBM logos are new, and yes, it would be illegal for you to take them from here...as a partner with IBM, knowing how strict they are about logo usage, you could see yourself in big doo-doo using these.

sb

[D-Frag]

Well if anything they are good to use for comping and reference, im sure if a company like IBM couldn't get me an .eps logo then THEY would be the ones in big doo doo, hehe, but yes like I said earlier....its illegal, so don't hold me responsible! <img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley15.gif">

Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

[shirbit]

actually, if they didn't provide you with a comp then it's not your problem, it's theirs...however, logo is theirs, they have rules on usage...I'm sure it being posted to that site hasn't been approved by IBM either...anyway typically it's always smart to go through the proper channels to get work done, maintains credibility..honesty etc.

sb

[D-Frag]

Yeah I see where your coming from, and im not arguing the fact that they own there logo anyways......but if you really REALLY wanted it, and couldn't find it on the web, then you could always just make it yourself....im just stating that there is always going to be workarounds when doing stuff, if I had access to that site when I was in college it would have saved me ooodles of time on re-designing logos for student comps (such as a mock up ad I did for Hienekin) but then again I probably wouldnt have learned so much. And I do understand the whole honesty, credibility too, I didnt say everyone should go there and use it, but I am saying it makes for a good resource, if anything its good for designers to download a "corporate" logo, then hit ctrl+y on it in illustrator and check out how it was made....I know that IBM one is extremely detailed, so if anything it is here to help us learn. IF the monitors wanna remove this topic then they can, I didnt think it was to big of a deal. sorry to offend you if i did shirbit

Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

[sister]

D-Frag: sorry to change the subject but what's the ctrl+y thing? when is it that i can use it and on what kind of files? jpeg, png, etc included??

thanks



oh and i also think that it's a cool site because seeing what already exists you can get some ispiration for a new logo....you don't necessarily have to abuse the rights of the company.

[D-Frag]

Sister, the ctrl+y only works in illustrator, and you use it when you want to see all the Hidden stuff or if you wanna see all of your outlines in Illustrator, only works in that program and only for vector created graphics.


You end up using it alot when exporting files out of Quark into .eps files, quark fills the text with these little hidden X's everywhere and you have to take those out for print....thats the only way to find them.

Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

[sister]

oh it's basically the preview view (like in Freehand),

thanks <img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley1.gif">

[D-Frag]

yup same thing <img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley2.gif"> your welcome!

Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

[Magnus]

I've had to re-draw logos of large companies countless times. And no, having the onus on them to provide me with artwork is shaky at best. IF they have an IT dept. or an art dept half the time, then the other half of the time they've contracted their design stuff out. Either way, if you get a useable logo the first, second or third time around you're luckier than me. If IBM or any other company was that worried about people stealing their logo, they'd take the proper steps to safeguard it. I seriously doubt that anyone is going to take the logo and use it commercially.

- Win or lose, it doesn't matter...but I guarantee, you will respect me tommorow morning.

[D-Frag]

I was thinking about doing some mock logos, you know like those ones that you see that say derogatory comments but look like the actual logo! Those could be fun to do some iron on t-shirt prints, they have the Hooters logo, and the harley one....thinking about doing something like "Barfly (instead of harley) "its not just there beards that smell bad" or something along those lines, could be fun

Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

[Paolo]

Legal or illegal, I think the issue was that it has its usefulness. If a designer is going to go there to rip off a logo and do something illegal then I think I can assume that we aren't condoning anything of the sort.



On the other hand, if a designer is contracted to run an ad for a large corporation and the those in charge can't get their hands on a clean version of their own logo by press time, wouldn't you think that they might give a green light to using a copy of their brand, regardless of where it came from? I mean seriously, a logo from the afore mentioned website vs. a pixelated low-grade copy direct from the company is a no-brainer.



I’m always surprised by how many companies don’t have a clean version of their logo. I’ve had to recreate a few company logos because they lost their own copy or couldn’t find a vector version suitable for print. It would have been nice to go to a website and get a vector copy.

Design it up and then strip it down. Whatever survives is solid.

[shirbit]

Since this an important topic...I decided to ask a colleague at IBM how they feel about this type of thing...good to know for future reference, I think.

sb

[D-Zine]

ROFLMFAO @ D-Frag!! man did this post get outta and or what! Dude...I think that D-Frag really was just giving the link as a RESOURCE...that is what this area is for!! All of us look at other designs for ideas, inspiration, motivation...there is nothing wrong with checkin out in Illustrator how the logo was designed...to help us LEARN new ways of doing things. I think we are all smart enough to NOT re-use the logo and call it ours...right?!! haha! But if I wanna download IBM or MTVs logos or whoevers to check out how it was made...there is totally no crime in that...danggg!!



Oh and..ROFL @ Barfly! Where can I get that shirt D-Frag?? hahaa!! <img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley14.gif">

<img border="0" src= "http://coastalcarousel.com/GDF/mataSIG.jpg">



Who says doodling isn't constructive?!

[shirbit]

Yes I totally know it's cool, great resource to use logos to mimic, avoid recreation etc...my point is this. Yes, I sound anal, and too uptight...but to quote our legal rep...the person who is posting these logos could face lawsuits up the ying yang unless they have written approval to post all these logos. You have to keep in mind, logos are proprietary, they belong to the company, where they appear is a representation of their company...it truly DOES NOT MATTER if you aren't using it to make money. I don't know why that's so hard to get across.


Sorry I'm ticking you off. Illustrator isn't going to tell you HOW it's designed...come on!


I know I'm ticking you off, so I'll end this now. I can see where you're seeing value from taking the logo...bottom line is, get written permission to use BIG company logos first.




sb

[benjo]

I would never use a company logo without written permission. I have done it in the past with small clients but I will never attempt this again. This should be common knowledge in the the Graphic Arts industry.



Now if you decide to do this be very aware of the problems that can arrise from using copywritten material.



All in all I still think this is a great referance. For conceptual use only!

<img border="0" src= "http://www.cbcamerica.com/images/webshots/benjobanner.jpg">

[D-Zine]

Hey now..no one is getting ticked off <img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley1.gif"> We meant by opening the file up in illustrator you can pull it apart and check out how it was created...what steps were taken...that is all we meant. We didn't think it would literally tell us. There is no reason to get mad or anything...we are all just discussing the matter, nothing to get upset over. The teasing is normal here...we all do it...bc its fun! <img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley14.gif">



and benjo is right...Conceptual use only...i think we all know and understand that! :o) Thanks Benjo :o)

<img border="0" src= "http://coastalcarousel.com/GDF/mataSIG.jpg">



Who says doodling isn't constructive?!

[shirbit]

Okeedokee...I seem to really say all the wrong things, now don't I? Need someone to stir things upa bit..call shirbit!! concept good...shiribt bad...I'll get ya to like me one of these days!!

sb

[D-Zine]

Its all good....we like you..no biggy :oP

<img border="0" src= "http://coastalcarousel.com/GDF/mataSIG.jpg">



Who says doodling isn't constructive?!

[D-Frag]

You know what I think is funny, we never stay on the subject unless we are debating, if this had been a post about this months "Big Picture" magazine....we would all be talking about sex by page 3.....but noooooo not this one......we just had to stay on topic!!! <img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley2.gif"><img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley4.gif"> no one is made shiribit, just discussing is all, I think we all know the meanings behind Right &amp; Wrong.....this is what is so great about this forum.

Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

[benjo]

*Big GDF Huddle*



Okay guys now lets go get them none design, good for nuthing micromanages.



*Crowd goes wild*

<img border="0" src= "http://www.cbcamerica.com/images/webshots/benjobanner.jpg">

[D-Zine]

LOL @ Benjo!

<img border="0" src= "http://coastalcarousel.com/GDF/mataSIG.jpg">



Who says doodling isn't constructive?!

It is funny you brought this logo site up. I used it yesterday for a AT&amp;T and a HBO logo for a local motel's billboard and some other signage. ;-)


Great minds think alike, eh?

Allen

Allen Harkleroad

TIEM Design

http://www.TIEMdesign.com



Get inside my head at DontFear.com

http://www.DontFear.com



<img border="0" src= "http://gmpservicesinc.com/images/HMIC.jpg">

[PrintDriver]

<pulling soapbox out from under desk>



If we do a Joe Blow wireless phone store and they have permission to use the Verizon logo, I got a whole book (called a Graphic Standard) on how I can print that Verizon logo. Header space, frontage space, footer space, spacing between multiple logos, PMS colors, when and when not to use the grade on that stupid gradient checkmark and Z, on white background, on other color background...etc, ad nauseum. Same goes for Nextel or Cingular... Pain in the ass but we gotta do it.



Now if I called Verizon for their logo and they told me, "jeez all of our servers are down all across the country, go to this website and use it", I would sure get it in writing first. Usually the big companies have a passworded online source for logos... And the passwords are project specific or time limited. Or a pdf version they can send you.



But then again, we're kinda legal-minded cuz most of our high-end clients are really big corporations and we don't want to get them pissed off by ripping their or some smaller companies logo.



<springloaded soapbox shoots back under desk toppling PD from his lofty views>

[Paolo]

I think this is a simple case of misunderstanding.



Many times over people in this discussion have given reasonable examples of how a logo could be used legally by using this resource. True, the owners of the site that house these logos are the one who will have to face the music if one of the companies decides to sue. On the other hand, legal jurisdiction, use of logos, etc. may have made the whole process mute.



Still, I understand your need to inform this community of the risks. For a long time I was very vocal about many business and ethical issues in this field but trust me when I tell you, “trial by fire” is the only way people learn. We can talk until we’re blue in the face but it won’t mean a thang ‘til something happens to them.



Bottom line:

1.Acquiring a logo for non-sanctioned work is wrong and illegal.

2.Designers will continue to use these logos so long as they are available as a form a logo and brand study.

3.Those who intend to break copyright law will probably do so despite our objections.



Case closed IMHO.

Design it up and then strip it down. Whatever survives is solid.

[iivii]

wow. nice resource.

[Paolo]

Okay, time to revive this thread! Yay!



The site has moved and is now: http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/ ("")

Design it up and then strip it down. Whatever survives is solid.

[D-Frag]

yeah ive seen that one too, i just like the russian one better.....but then again i havent spent alot of time on the one above because ive been so busy.

Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

[Paolo]

Heh. It is the Russian one. <img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley14.gif">

Design it up and then strip it down. Whatever survives is solid.

[D-Frag]

is it really? hmmmm

Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

[D-Frag]

I dont think its the same site, reason why.....they have the "hooters" logo on the russian one, but dont have it on the one you linked. <img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley4.gif">

Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

[Paolo]

Hm. I'll have to torture my source for more info.



::grumbles:: Blasted informant giving me bad info... I'll show you!

Design it up and then strip it down. Whatever survives is solid.

[morganlh85]

HAHA I like the banner ads for Russian brides...nice touch! lol

[hungreh]

I hate to beat a dead horse, but what about band logos?

I have yet to find a resource where I could find band logos in .EPS.

Anyone have any ideas?

[hu]

I like.

www.webdn.com (http://www.webdn.com)

Web Daily New!!

[Liz]

:) :) :)

[danedawg99]

I use this one alot.

http://www.webchantier.com/index_fr.html
the only problem is that it's in French. but all logos are AI9, and sorted alphabetically. :D

[gr7ap2hi0cs]

Wow that helps me a lot at least for some companies I wish there was more smaller companies up there! I'm always having to recreate logos for stuff or having to get the files. Would have come in very handy when I was in school... but then of course I wouldn't know what I know today :p

[stockaphoto]

http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/ ROCKS!!!

[m4design]

HI,

Found this forum looking for the "New" AT&T Logo, NOT on the AT&T website yet.
Crap JPG sent by client. ;-( Searched Google for "AT&T Logo .eps" and found it at
the SBC center website http://www.sbccenter.net/data/news/news_39.asp had to remove "center", but all's well now!

Another good way to find logos is...
Look for PDF files on a company's web site, lots of times there is a vector logo in there somewhere you can get out with Illustrator.

Bye,
/////ANDRE

[superlip]

Very useful post. Thanks!

[Ned]

That new "at&t" (as opposed to AT&T) logo is awful!

But, back on topic... I work for a newspaper (one of my clients), and these are websites I could make good use of, because we are CONSTANTLY making ads for companies with no decent quality logos available. There are a lot of franchise owners, dealerships, etc., who have no access to or don't know how to access their mother company's marketing material. Usually, they just don't know any better, and have always thought that what they have is just fine, and if it's not, just "grab it off the website". I can't count the number of times I've been told that, and that phrase still sends shivers up my spine.

[Jenwitch]

Oddly enough, I've seen some fonts that have logos in them. Great thing about fonts, is that when you convert to paths, boom! Instant vector. Pretty sweet. I've had luck at http://www.searchfreefonts.com. Check out the different categories of free fonts. Some pretty good stuff there. I hope to have some vector logos, (generic of course,) available at my stock site, http://www.witchstock.com eventually, but who has the time to work on thier own stuff?
...sigh.

-Jenny
http://www.photowitch.com

[PrintDriver]

Stock logos?
Kinda defeats the purpose.

[smartbunny]

Two things I would like opinions on:

1) What if my job wants me to use a corporate logo for a project (like party favors) only change it to some kid's name or something? (example: Juicy Couture changed to Amanda Couture)

2) I loathe redrawing corporate logos; it's not the REAL logo then, just my drawing of it, and it will never look perfect. Wouldn't a company discourage people from recreating their logos?

[PrintDriver]

You really aren't supposed to redraw corporate logos at all. That's why they have standards. The bigger companies get all over your case about size and spacing in a sign blank and particularly color. Oh gawd help them and their outdated PMS chips... Some even have their own special chips printed by Pantone. We call em the Logo Cops.

You should always attempt to contact the company who's logo you are using, even if it is a small one. Some may not have a vector version. Most will. And remember to allow yourself time to do it. Some of them aren't so speedy about getting it to you or you may have to deal with a recalitrant designer who thinks whatever it is you are doing, he can do better.

As for the party favor thing... I imagine it would matter more or less depending on how many, how much, and on what. You can only argue 'satire' so far.

[Crimson]

Stock logos?
Kinda defeats the purpose.


Isn't that called - Clip Art

I remember a while back there was a jesus campiagn that took famous logos and made them preach a message. Like the Ford script spelling Jesus. Not sure if that falls under the allowed parody side of copyright? I would be careful of the logo cops like PD said.

[logomantis]

Working in the quick turnaround style sign business, I can't tell you how many clients from large franchise companies coming to us and wanting signs with their logos on them and only supplying low res .jpg's. Those sights are a valuable key to the type of atmosphere I work in. When Micky D's wants a new sign they usually want it tomorrow...and I'm sorry but I have 20 other layouts for all different clients each day on a minimum, and run a rip program and then feed and operate a flat bed printer, and then cut, apply, grommet, laminate or whatever else needs to be done to completion. That's an average day, I don't have time to email corporate or talk to some shmoe for a half an hour so I can get permission to use their own companies frigg'n logo so I can put more money in their pocket...Like I'm committing some kind of fraud? Whatever, red tape bull.

[logomantis]

99% of the time those vector logo's are used for the proper intention. Unless like here in Atlanta, where the big thing for vehicle graphics here currently is people wanting reproduction of pop culture advertising logos on their car. No lie....some guy came in last week with a lime green Jeep Cherokee with like 987" rims wanting me to reproduce the tropicana orange juice logo to put on his hood. Of course we turned him down. We're to busy for little stuff.

[BrentonMailman]

as for legal stuff.. what about if a company was sponsering your event? Could you not use this for THEIR advertisement on a banner or handout or even a website?

I think it makes sites like these worthwile. Its not like someomes going to take the IBM logo and use it as their own.

[Mynock]

Where's Nova Sotia?

[Red Kittie Kat]

http://www.movingincanada.com/novascotia/NovaScotia-Map.jpg


It's just outside Upstate NY :D :p

[BrentonMailman]

i wouldnt talk about new york when describing NS to a person from the states. The closest we get to the states is maine. We're the eastern-most maritime province... not that that means much to anyone in the states... just look at her map, lol

[Ned]

I think by "Upstate NY", she means Ontario...

[reuber1]

Where's Nova Sotia?lol...

[Spaz Chicken]

I use brands of the world ALL the time. But I do a TON of work for the automotive industry, and I'm forever needing some brand logo or another. And with most automakers, they take longer to get you art than the project deadline.

SUBARU is about the only exception. They're great to work with.

[BJMRGTIVR6]

I used to work on Automotive newspaper ads and sometimes the logos we had on file in the logo booklets were old and of course the client wanted teh new logos but was never able to get to them quick enough. brandsoftheworld was great. still is for getting some ideas.

[shellebelle]

Brands of the World was great for school projects where you had to work with an actual company/product.

[MisterClips]

I've known about www.logotypes.ru for years. I hadn't heard of www.brandsoftheworld.com. Thanks for posting this topic. I've already added it to my list of indespensible links.

[Takayuki]

Apart from the one that was already posted:
http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/
http://www.logotypes.ru/

I know a few more:
http://www.webchantier.com/index_fr.html
http://www.logotypes.lv/
http://www.lalogotheque.com/
http://www.fcklogo.com.ar/
http://www.portalpublicitario.com/logos/Logos.asp
http://www.visual.gi/logoteca/
http://nordiclogo.mine.nu/logotyper/logo.asp
http://logo.tdd.lt/
http://logotypes.designer.am/
http://www.hqfl.dk/
http://www.logoed.fsnet.co.uk/index2.html
http://www.goodlogo.com/

[furiouSPEED]

worth while resource

cheers

[PrintDriver]

Just so you know, and I'm sure most of you do, none of these sites have originally approved logos from the companies who own them. And a LOT of them are really bad traces that people just upload. Best to get them from the owner. That way you get a good outline and the proper PMS colors.

[Takayuki]

Exactly as you say PrintDriver.

[Osgoodfan38]

I've noticed on the 'Brandoftheworld.com' site, that companies and such have been removing logos. I used to be able to find a lot of sports teams logos, but now, not so much. It was useful when a customer would want an image of an animal or something like that, sports teams are great for that.

[urstwile]

Strictly speaking, using another brand's logo to lift artwork from is stealing.

[Osgoodfan38]

Surely, but when the school has the same logo as a professional team, its easier to get it from a site like that. Is it any better to scan an image and then redraw it?

[frankster]

Surely, but when the school has the same logo as a professional team, its easier to get it from a site like that. Is it any better to scan an image and then redraw it?

eh? Is the school affiliated with the pro team or is the school the one that's been thieving?

[urstwile]

Just because there's a tiger in a school team's logo and one in a professional team's logo does not make it okay to take the pro team's tiger for use with the school's.

[Virgo Nightingale]

That's flat-out copyright infringement. Scanning and redrawing isn't any better; that's copyright infringement also. There's no valid excuse for it in any way, shape or form. Part of the designer's job is to come up with original concepts, not rip off someone else's work.

[reuber1]

Surely, but when the school has the same logo as a professional team, its easier to get it from a site like that. Is it any better to scan an image and then redraw it?
This has to be referring to one of the thousands of high schools out there who have a letter "G" lifted from the Green Bay Packers logo, I'd imagine. I think we played against a team with one of those.

[furiouSPEED]

That maybe useful for some influences or inspiration when drawing ours

[BJMRGTIVR6]

I have heard that some high schools have to pay the college or professional team to use the logo since most are just rip offs.

I know a school in the region that starts with a "D" and has no "G" in it but uses the Packers colors and logo for their own...very confusing if you ask me, unless their Mascot/nickname is something that starts with a "G".

[jeffcoffman]

If I know my American Football history, then the Green Bay Packers ripped off their logo from the Georgia Bulldogs. I could be wrong.






But I don't think so.

[BJMRGTIVR6]

Ahh, I wasn't sure who was first in that regard. Although now thinking about it, I should figure that the Bulldogs were first on that since the Packers are part of the NFL that wasn't around that long ago.

[DudeBoyMan]

Nice, thanks for sharing. I really have much use of this.

[palo1]

Didn't see this link up here. *boot* http://www.trademarks-logos.com/lgs_ida.htm (http://www.trademarks-logos.com/lgs_ida.htm)

[cre8ivepixel]

copyright infringement issues for using them for the wrong purposes...

[cjdevlin]

Colleges, High Schools and intramural sports HAVE to pay royalties to the perspective owner of the brand. There are significant reductions in what is paid, and some almost bargain basement prices. That would explain why little league teams can be the Joe's Hardware Mets or the Barry's Bail Bonds Pirates. The MLB, NFL and others have big monetary interests in minor and little league sports.

[budafist]

Um...I thought that Joe's Hardware paid the team to have Joe's logo on their uniforms? Isn't that how it works?

[cjdevlin]

Do you think Joe's Hardware can afford to pay royalties to the pro team? They're paying to get their logo on the uniforms so the kids don't have to spend $200-$300 to get the uniforms. The local sponsor has nothing to do with the name/logo of the team.

Like I said before "The MLB, NFL and others have big monetary interests in minor and little league sports." It's through thoses agreements that the small teams can "use" the pro's logo.

[sylvelitygraphicx_concept]

Hey everybody greetings to you all i know that we are all good graphic designers in this forum i will like anybody interested should talk 2 me let share knowledge

[budafist]

Hey everybody greetings to you all i know that we are all good graphic designers in this forum i will like anybody interested should talk 2 me let share knowledge

What do you want to talk about? There are loads of topics already running, or you can start a new topic if you like.

[Viperone]

Thanks for the great info, those sites were very helpful!

[dklickstudio]

Well i will prefer designing from scrash.. i design some for client from scrash.

[Dean-123]

<url deleted>
That's what I found some freelancers' works for a pub. I think they all do a good job. But I can not see the winning one. It's a pity!