Metal badges are emblems that tend to last a lifetime. Manufacturers today use state of the art molding and finishing technology to produce the best quality badges in a range of materials — including the ones made of metal.
Remember that badges can serve as a logo for your business. They can be used as a powerful branding tool. That is why the process of designing metal badges to match your company image can produce amazing results.
The badges that you produce should encapsulate your brand’s identity. It is that part of your business that people will become familiar with. If you have created a positive brand image then your badges may also influence customers to trust your company.
Metal badges and company logos are essentials for established companies that are revamping their brand strategy. They are also beneficial for new businesses as well.
The following are important factors that you should consider whenever you design metal badges for your business.
Minimalist Design
You don’t want to cram too many details in your badge design. What will happen is that your badge will look like a cluttered mess. If you have your company logo on it, then the entire thing will look too confusing.
This is especially true if you are producing small badges. However, do take note that even larger metal badges will also suffer from this same defect if you jam too many details into its design.
As a rule of thumb you shouldn’t use images and photos on your badge that has text in it. Those are too fine a detail that they won’t be recognisable. They will just reduce the clarity of your overall design.
Note that the text and fine details can also become irrelevant as your business and branding strategy develops.
TIP: choose a simple symbol or shape to represent your brand and stick with it. It will be a clearer option and it tends to last longer.
Choose Appropriate Design Elements
The design elements like colours, shapes, symbols, figures, fonts, font size, and others should be appropriate and relevant to your brand. You may also want to stick to the same colours that you used in your official company logo.
The symbols should also be something authentic to your industry. The symbols and colours provide a strong connection to your audience. They also influence how people will perceive your services and/or product offerings.
Take Into Account the Meaning of the Colours You Select
Remember that colours will always carry certain meanings. This implies that you should learn and review a bit of colour theory. For example, the colours yellow and orange instill feelings of energy and fun.
If you want to produce an aura of authority, mastery, and power that people can trust, then you might want to use the colours gray and blue. Sometimes it is not just the colours that provide a lot of meaning in your badges.
Sometimes it is the gradients, shading, and other effects that carry the message. For example, if you want to create a bold impression then use neon colours. But if you want to symbolize softness and beauty then you can use pastel colours.
Maintain Clear Graphics — Don’t Touch It
Clear graphics serve a different purpose when you’re designing metal badges to match your company image. If you include a clear image in your badge design, it can be used as the centre piece or as the background.
If you are tempted to add details to that clear graphic, then follow this piece of advice—don’t do it. Bevelling patterns, shadows, and other effects only distort whatever you think will make the badge look fancy.
A solid and clear graphic imposes authority and higher quality. The lack of embellishments displays purity when compared to the clutter of the competition.
Keep the Design Dynamic and Responsive
The overall design of your badge should be able to work well with a variety of different dimensions. Doing it this way will help reduce your design costs. Plus it saves you time since you can use the same design over and over again for different applications.
With a dynamic design, you can use it for smaller metallic pins that can be worn on the cuffs or lapels. You can also use it for larger badges that can be placed more conspicuously on the chest, shoulders, and other areas of your clothing or fabric.
With a design that is easy to scale, the graphics will look more professional since it is going to be the same brand on display wherever it is needed. Make sure that when the badge is resized that no part of the patterns or shapes will get distorted.
Again, if you kept everything simple then the logo and other details won’t have to be redone when the badge is blown up or shrunk down to size. Choose simpler fonts since they remain very legible no matter what the size you select.
Company Brand and Logo Integrity
If you are going to use or incorporate the company logo or your particular brand in the design of your metal badge, make sure that you don’t obscure any part or detail. Protect your company logo at all costs.
It should look great and easily recognisable no matter what size of badge you are creating. No part of the logo or brand name and symbol should be distorted in any way.
You should also pay attention to the RGB and CYMK details when working on the colors. Some colors may be a bit difficult to transfer and scale when they are applied to metal badges.
You should ask the manufacturer if there would be any problems about the colour of the badge when applied onto metal surfaces. Other than the colours, you should also pay attention to the white spacing of the elements of your official logo.
Your company logo should be at the forefront of the overall design and not covered up in part by other design elements. The prominence of your brand or official company logo should be emphasised in every way.
Conclusion
As discussed here there are many different factors that you should consider when designing metal badges to match your company image. Pay attention to the details and make your badge design dynamic.
