Great ideas are born in everyone’s mind, it takes careful planning and powerful execution to turn them into reality. Here brainstorming enters, it is the process by which you squeeze out all ideas you can think of and from there you piece them together to come up with a plan.

The human mind is so strong that it can conceive even the seemingly impossible. No software has ever come close to the mind’s processing of creative ideas, its complexity, and fluidity. Besides, all of the wonderful structures we see both in the cyber world and the tangible world are a product human imagination and careful execution. Now let us talk about brainstorming in-depth and build things that will wow the audience.

Starting Out

Image by: Eran Becker

Before brainstorming one should know the four basic rules of brainstorming:

1. More is better

The higher the number of ideas generated, the higher the chance of producing quality, and creative, solutions.

2. Absolutely no criticism

Either alone or in a group, criticizing ideas that are formed during brainstorming is a no-no. I was once in a group discussion and our leader said “today we will brainstorm about our next project.” The project was to develop a desktop application. After the leader stated the problem suggestions were fired from every direction, some good, some goofy. What followed next made everybody in the room silent as driftwood except for our leader. He was only writing the suggestions he liked and omitting what he doesn’t. The next 30 minutes ended with only one man speaking, and he was wondering why.

3. Welcome unusual ideas

In accordance to rule 1 and 2, even the most weird ideas should be welcomed. These ideas can spark more creative ideas which can then be polished.

The idea of man flying was unusual before the Wrights. Or Earth revolving the Sun.

4. Integrate ideas

With the Wrights’ plane and Einstein’s equation comes another great invention: bombing cities from a plane. Well, that’s too macabre but a good example.

Now that the rules are laid (once again) it is now time to define the problem.

Defining the Problem

Image by: Adam Ciesielski

The need to come up with a good story with lots of twists and turns, a wonderful design that will put a “wow” in every audience’s face, construct a fascinating structure, solve a hard riddle like Sherlock Holmes, enhance an existing function. This is the start of everything, defining what the problem is that needs action.

Let Your Imagination Run Wild

Image by: Svilen Milev

Absolutely no criticism is allowed. Leave that for later. Limiting your imagination is like limiting your world to your room. Do not be afraid of contradicting ideas, contradicting ideas breed competitive thoughts. Write everything that comes to mind, no editing!

Almost every novelist wish to have the same break like J.K. Rowling had. Look at how wide the world she’s conceived, how “natural” the laws of her world are that people began to think they are a part of it, all because of great imagination.

Whenever I brainstorm I just write all the things I think of and just sort them out later, don’t mind about grammar or far-flung ideas, they popped into your head because one way or another they have some sort of relationship to the problem you are brainstorming.

Related Ideas

From the main topic list related terms/ideas that will make the topic expand. Expanding the topic is important because as it expands, the room for improvement grows bigger and better. I find the above picture very effective to use whenever I brainstorm, a network of bubbles ultimately pointing to the center bubble.

The problem: Plan a Christmas Party. Hmm, there should be candies for the kids..oh! and gifts too. Children singing Christmas carols and a deer flying all over the lawn. Now that’s a perfect party that no one would ever forget!

Alone vs. Group

Image by: arte_ram

There are many pros and cons regarding what makes brainstorming effective, but studies suggest that brainstorming alone can generate more ideas than when with a group. Suppose a group of 5 talk in turns about what they think, you can’t talk about the ideas that come into your mind because that would be plain rude unless the group is fine with interruptions while they are talking.

Although thinking alone will remove fear of criticism from others and can produce more ideas, development is limited to your own view. If you have a few heads to spare, talk to them, let them into your world. Besides, other people can think of things that you probably haven’t yet. Say you are a designer and you have two friends who are too, the three of you exchange ideas which sparks your creativity. With the diverse experience the group has, surely a creative and plausible solution will appear.

There was this poster in the company I worked in where the protocols about cleanliness and orderliness are written. It states there that if there is a piece of furniture or equipment that is no longer needed and is just in the way, “gather the team and discuss” about what to do with it. Then it is followed by “ask someone who is not a part of your team” for a fresh perspective about the matter.

Constructing The Backbone (after brainstorming)

This is the part where ideas are sorted out according to plausibility and what of those can be used. The common pitfall here is people try to give all sound ideas in one shot which makes it out of context. Limiting what is only necessary and some tangent to topics is OK, but not everything should be included. As opposed to what is stated above, here, more is not necessarily better.

You don’t have enough Inspiration Points to start brainstorming? Read Feeling Uninspired? 6 Best Ways To Find Inspiration since you really need a lot of it to get going. Brainstorming can be easy as it can also be difficult. Get inspired first!

Have you ever wondered on what is the importance of logo and how does it affects people? Logo represents or symbolizes your company or your product, it is a trademark. For instance, whenever you see golden yellow arches that looked like the letter “M”, you are thinking that it is Mc Donalds. Or if you saw a check mark, you'll say it's Nike. And that's how logos purpose is. Designing a logo is not that easy, you really need inspiration and a lot of creativity. In the world of graphic design today, line art logo is not a new technique but a new concept for designers. They create a striking logo by just using straight or curve lines.

First, I would like to tell you on what is a line art, a line art is an image that consist of straight and curved lines that is place against a background to represent objects. These line arts are usually placed on a plain background to better see the image. The image below made by Gustave Doré depicts the tales of Baron von Münchhausen in line art.

Paul Gustave Doré’s 9th illustration for Baron von Münchhausen (1862)

There are two kinds of line art logos. The first one is the open design wherein logos in this kind do not form an enclosed shape. The second one is the continuous design. Logos in this kind have lines that are continuous and form an enclosed shape. Before, designers only use black and white for line art logos. However, you can now also create using different colors. In this article, I have showcased the most creative line art logos for you to get inspired. I also put some comments and suggestions on each to help you out if you will be doing your own line art logo.

1. The Sweetest Days Photography

by: eziemac

This logo is for a photography business named, The Sweetest Days. The design is so feminine, simple but elegant.

2. Pilgrim

by: sbdesign

This Pilgrim logo is used for a travel agency. I love how the designer of this logo creatively use those curve lines to form a pilgrim.

3. Muses

by: JeNgFX

This is a very appropriate design for a boutique. It's cute in pink and very stylish.

4. Drink Dry Creek

by: jerron

Drink Dry Creek is a company that produces world class wines of distinction. The logo makes it very easy for customers to determine on what the company is.

5. Wire Bar

by: Laava

Laava made a very nice logo. I like it how the designer use lines to form a wine glass and the violet background color made the wine glass stand out. Not to mention that violet here may represent grapes where wine is made of.

6. Ramm

by: designabot

This is intended for a men’s fashion brand. The logo is very masculine, simple and clean work.

7. Photoclick

by: sbdesign

This amazing line art logo is obviously, for a photo studio. Very direct and creative in design.

8. Key Logic

by: Brandsanity

This logo is designed for Key Logic. Two thumbs up for a great concept. It also fits on the tagline, Unlock (key) & Empower (light bulb).

9. Royal Trivole Gardens

by: nitish.b

This logo is for a farm-house club named Royal Trivole Gardens, a venue for business meetings and golf tournaments. The background color makes the logo look more elegant.

10. Message! In a Bottle

by: Type08

This logo was used for a launching of private label wines in Vancouver, Canada wherein fifty percent of the profit will go charities and to indigent people throughout the province. The designer’s concept on having this as an open design is to give the message “continuous efforts” to the people.

11. Spoon

by: con3x

A nicely done spoon logo. The concept is calm and refreshing.

12. Lovelë

by: hellogo

This great work of logo is for Lovelë, a fun brand good for any business to do with care for animals (namely elephants) love or dating, children or a charitable organization. I see how nicely the lines are used here, how the designer used one line to form two elephants with trunks that form a heart shape. The elephant here symbolizes the eastern symbol of strength and national symbol in Thailand.

13. Music Junkie

by: Kleetz

In my opinion, if the background was in a dark color other than brown, maybe a white or dark blue one, it would look better. Nonetheless, the concept is very brilliant.

14. Get Wired

by: bosh

Get wired is a coffee and an internet shop combined in one store. This logo has great concept and good choice of colors and fonts, as well.

15. Emerge

by: Double A

The logo is for a religious ministry. I find the logo very good. The orange cross may represent God and the line that formed a man represents the people. It’s like the logo is saying we should emerge with God’s ministry.

16. Property Innovation Council Logo

by: wookasheen

I found this property innovation council logo on logotournament website. It was the winner for the contest. The concept was very appropriate for the company and the choice of colors of the designer really looks great on the mark.

17. Equus Estates

by: designoutloud

This one is designed for a real estate. Very simple and professional looking logo.

18. Love Clicks

by: kathariney

This logo was made for Valentine’s Day, that’s why the background is in color Red. The mark consists of two computer mouse that forms a heart shape with their wire. Very nice concept for Valentine’s Day, right?

19. Fly

by: HitByReindeer

A great concept. Maybe it would be better if the curve lines of the letter "y" were lessen to make it look clearer.

20. Kudesnitsa

by: denis_izotov

Very cute butterfly made in lines. The letters looks also great. Good job for the designer.

21. VELOsite

by: bpd_sign

The mark was done really good. Very creative to form a man riding a bicycle using lines.

22. Lion Art

by: vasvarip

This lion art logo represents strength, and potency. I think it would look better if some curves will be omitted especially on the mouth part down to the left leg of the lion.

23. Swandart

by: vasvarip

Swandart stands for swan and art logo. Very elegant and clean looking. This can be used for clothing, fashion or even arts industries.

24. Hearthread

by: Kazhis

Lines that form hearts. This very cute line art logo was fits a fashion business or maybe a clothing boutique.

25. SewPerfect

by: Logomotive

The mark is perfectly done. This one is really nice. It can be used for a sewing store or a dressmaking shop.

26. Sculptor v03

by: sbj

A great concept. It would be easier for customers to notice that they are hands sculpting if they were put sideways.

27. Mothman

by: designabot

This one is inspired by the largest crop circle in Holland. A beautiful design indeed.

28. Haragano

by: Felix Benito

This logo is for men’s shoes. Though the logo does not directly portrays that it is a shoe brand, but I like it how the designer done those curve lines to make the mark look dainty.

29. Median Wing

by: mariob

The colors and the curves of the bird blended well. This is a great logo.

30. Homespun Chili

by: brandclay

This logo is designed for Homespun Chili Company. Very appropriate trademark for the company.

31. The VIP Club 2

by: Logomotive

This one is designed for The VIP Club. Though it was not the chosen mark but I think it looks great, the concept of the designer is simple and nice.

32. Handmade Cafe

by: serhos

A logo made for Handmade Cafe in Moscow. Well done in the execution on the curve lines, as well as with the lettering.

33. CHA – Centre for HIV and AIDS

by: Black ColourBash

A logo for the Centre for HIV and AIDS. The overall design really represents the organization.

34. The Golf Park

by: mainichi

This one has a great design and color. I think it will look better if the shaft of the golf club was longer.

35. Memoart

by: vasvarip

This logo can be used for memory or board games, or anything that is related into memory or brain. This one makes me appreciate line art logos more.

36. Nostos Restorations

by: Siah-Design

The concept of this mark is there are two hands that hold a house, conveying that this company is a renovation/repair company.

37. Opera Logo

by: randyheil

This logo is for an opera, but it was never used. The combination of the curve lines and the color of the dress make the design very sweet

38. Barefoot

by: BigAl67

A logo designed for a company that specializes a carbon lifestyle assessment. It has a good combination of colors and creative concept to form the foot into a letter “B” .

39. Love Clip

by: designabot

This one is very lovely. The concept is very simple and perfect with the pink background. Suitable for a bookstore or publishing company.

40. FishLine

by: geniuslogo

The designer did a great execution for this logo. This one can be used for a fishery company.

41. Cherry on Ice

by: Type08

This one has good choice of colors, the fonts are great too. This mark is really cute for an ice cream parlor or a restaurant that sells yogurts.

42. iDream Images

by: Siah-Design

iDream Images is created for a photo studio. The logo is very unique in style, has great choice of font and colors.

43. Toro Bull

by: grigoriou

This one is a good example of an artistic line art logo. The colors and the text made it very artistic.

44. Metro Mobile

by: William © 2009

This logo has a nice concept and is very suitable on the tagline of the mobile company, which is “the city where distances are shorter”.

45. Pastamasta

by: hindmarshdesign

Pastamasta is a great piece of work, and it has good choice of colors and font. It really represents a pasta restaurant.

46. Natural Selection (logo 2)

by: Fogra

This is a logo proposal designed for a new local organic shop. The ligature of lines made it looked very natural and organic. It has also good colors.

47. Canterbury Cabin

by: BluesCue

This mark is created for a soap and candle company. The logo itself is very nice and simple.

48. Motor Sports

by: SimonFenix

A logo created for a motor club. Overall, the design is great. I think the line in the middle will look good under the 50 50 text.

49. The Leasing Studio

by: urbanINFLUENCE

This simple and clean line art logo was made for The Leasing Studio that binds landlords and tenants. It has nice choice of colors and a great concept.

50. Jo Ann Medical Center

by: IrakliG

Jo Ann is a medical center especially for children and young ones. A good concept on having a heart shape that portrays the mission of the medical center, and that is to give tender and loving care for its patients.

Tips to Ponder

Aren’t these logos look amazing? I bet you want to make your own. So, here are few tips if you will be doing your own line art logo:

• Make sure to use plain background so that the logo itself will stand out.
• If your logo has a dark color, use a light one for the background. For example, if the logo is in a white color, you may put your background into black. Or vice versa.
• Use an icon or an object that will represent your company. This directly describes your line of business. For instance, if it is a bakeshop, you might as well create a line art logo with loaf bread on it.
• Make it appropriate, direct and simple as you can. Just let that creativity flow in you.

I hope this gives you an inspiration and additional techniques in making stunning logos, like these line art logos.