Color on the Brain
Colors do more than enhance your brand's appearance. They evoke emotions, shape perceptions, and affect how people connect with your message. Color theory provides a framework—like the color wheel and…
The Problem with Using Clip Art in Logos
The Problem with Using Clip Art in Logos
If you're starting up a business or just need to refresh your brand, it can be tempting to grab some clip art, do a little tweaking of it, and call…
Why Canva and AI Logos Aren’t Legally Yours
Why Canva and AI Logos Aren’t Legally Yours
There are design tools available, which make logo design easy, but intellectual property rights become complex issues. Websites such as Canva or AI logo design will help you create a…
Simplicity isn’t plain, It’s powerful
Simplicity isn’t plain, It’s powerful
We’ve all seen that logo that tries way too hard. Shapes everywhere, colors competing for attention, and effects layered on like sprinkles on a sundae. It’s what happens when clarity…
When to Send a Cease and Desist Letter for Logo Design
When to Send a Cease and Desist Letter for Logo Design
At O'Dell Design Co., we know how much time and creativity go into building a logo that truly represents your brand. Your logo isn't just an image; it's your business…
Scale Your Brand Smarter
Scale Your Brand Smarter
A good logo is great wherever your brand is represented. A logo should look great on a small social media icon and also on a billboard. This is achieved by…
Understanding Design Hierarchy
Understanding Design Hierarchy
Visual hierarchy is how designers organize elements to ensure that your eyes move to the correct places first. Visual hierarchy provides flow to the design by taking your eyes from…
Why a Good Logo Is Only the Beginning
Why a Good Logo Is Only the Beginning
A logo is usually the first thing people notice about a company. It lives on your website, your packaging, your social profiles, and your storefront. It is what people recognize…
A Logo Should Adapt, Not Hold You Back
A Logo Should Adapt, Not Hold You Back
A logo is not just a logo anymore. In real life, it has to live in a lot of places. Websites, social posts, packaging, signage, email footers, ads, merch, and…
Why Original Logo Design Matters
Why Original Logo Design Matters
When businesses commission a logo, they usually want two things. Something that looks great and something they fully own. Where many brands run into trouble is misunderstanding how copyright and…
The Typeface Is the Voice of Your Brand
The Typeface Is the Voice of Your Brand
Logo icons are designed for impact. They catch the eye, trigger recognition, and give people something to remember. But once that first impression is made, most brand interactions move quickly…
The Power of Owning a Color
The Power of Owning a Color
Think about the last time you saw a Tiffany blue box, a brown UPS truck, or a hot pink T-Mobile ad. You probably knew exactly what brand it was before…
Why More Color Usually Makes Logos Worse
Why More Color Usually Makes Logos Worse
If you look at some of the most recognizable brands in the world, you’ll notice a common pattern. Their logos usually stick to just two or three colors. This is…
Timeless Design Over Temporary Style
Timeless Design Over Temporary Style
A logo has one job. Be remembered. That’s it. Not to impress other designers. Not to show off the latest effects. Not to chase whatever style is flooding Instagram this…
Built on Hard Work, Backed by a Strong Logo
Built on Hard Work, Backed by a Strong Logo
When you raise cattle or sell beef in bulk, your name means something. People want to know where their beef comes from and who stands behind it. A logo helps…
Politicians Loved Eagles, Flags, and Terrible Typefaces
Politicians Loved Eagles, Flags, and Terrible Typefaces
Let’s not dance around it. Political campaign logos were rough for a very long time. Not charmingly retro. Not accidentally cool. Just straight-up ugly. If you looked at campaign branding…
84, Yes Eighty-Four
84, Yes Eighty-Four
It is the one email I look forward to receiving every year. It is the one email that makes all the hard work seem worth it. It is the one…
Tools of the Trade
Tools of the Trade
Every artist has a set of unique tools in which they love to create, mine happen to be those of an architect student, turned graphic artist. Over the past few weeks,…
Quick Interview: This Design Life
Quick Interview: This Design Life
Recently I had the privilege and honor of being interviewed by Chris Green, from This Design Life. This Design Life brings you hand-picked quality design and inspiration from all over…
LogoLounge 2018 Trends Report
LogoLounge 2018 Trends Report
This past year I was honored to have 3 of my logos included in the 2018 LogoLounge Trends Report by Bill Gardner. Every year LogoLounge does a comprehensive analysis of…
The New Website is Live
The New Website is Live
The portfolio of Bart O'Dell. I finally did it! After having my old domain taken over by an Asian gambling website. Largely in part to the fact that the email…