DESIGNING A BAND LOGO

SUBJECT: GRAPHIC DESIGN

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

What is a logo? What are the elements of effective logo design, and how have musicians and bands used logos to brand themselves?

OVERVIEW

In 1969, Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones contacted the London Royal College of Art in search of a student who might design the poster for the band’s upcoming tour. Graduate student John Pasche took the job. Pasche’s design so impressed the band that Jagger enlisted him to create a logo for the record label they were preparing to launch.

In 1970, Pasche spent a week developing the Rolling Stones logo, considering what image might best reflect the band’s status as the “bad boys” of Rock and Roll. While designing the logo, Jagger showed Pasche an image of the open-mouthed, red-tongued Hindu goddess Kali. While this might have played a part in inspiring the logo, Pasche later recalled feeling equally fascinated by the facial features of Mick Jagger himself. “Face to face with him,” said Pasche in a 2008 Rolling Stone magazine interview, “the first thing you were aware of was the size of his lips and his mouth.”

A preliminary, one-inch version of Pasche’s design was sent to Craig Braun, who was developing the cover to the band’s upcoming release, Sticky Fingers. Braun and his associate designers took Pasche’s initial design and made some modifications before enlarging the logo to cover the entire inside cover of the album.

Whether inspired more by the rictus of Kali or Jagger, Pasche and Braun’s design, “The Tongue,” was a success. It is still used by the Rolling Stones almost fifty years later.

“The Tongue,” wild though it may be, followed certain basic principles of design. Pasche wanted the logo to represent the spirit of the band in a manner that could be “easily reproduced and…stand the test of time.” A representative of the London Victoria and Albert Museum, who purchased the original “Tongue” artwork for $92,500 in 2008, described the logo as “one of the first examples of a group using branding and…arguably the world’s most famous rock logo.”

During the pre-Internet era of print, logos such as “The Tongue” served several important purposes. Most fans discovered music through the radio, from which they received no images. Until MTV launched in 1981, listeners had to see a band either in person or in the pages of print media, where space was limited. A clear, memorable logo could leap from the page and lodge itself in a fan’s psyche. A well-designed logo often could be easily reproduced by fans–on notebooks, desks, lockers, clothing, even human skin. In the era before the internet and one-click sharing, a good logo “went viral” via a pen and the closest canvas, exposing bands to new audiences in a way paid advertising never could.

In this lesson, students explore band logos as examples of graphic design, and consider how logos derive meaning through association with the bands they symbolize. Guided by a handout that introduces the Five Principles of Effective Logo Design, students study images of band logos and analyze their effectiveness. Armed with a new sense of what might make logos effective, students then design logos for their own fictitious or real bands.

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this lesson, students will:

1. Know:

   • What the meaning and function of a logo is

   • Basic principles of semiotics and associations

   • Principles of effective logo design

2. Objective:

   • Through the analysis of images and through group discussion, students will be able to identify and understand principles of effective logo design, and apply their knowledge by designing their own logos.

Mr. DeAscentiis' Graphic Design Decoded Podcast 

IMAGES

Swoosh Logo Can You Guess these logos?

ACTIVITIES

Motivational Activity:

1. • What is a logo?

   • Can you picture any logos in your mind?

Students will draw a logo they know, and see if the rest of the class can guess what the logo represents.

Procedure:

1. Students identify with logos through the associations that our brains subconsciously make when we see them.

2. Show Image 1 – Swoosh, and ask students:

   • What brand does this logo represent? 

   • Does this logo make you think of anything beyond the brand? (Encourage students to think of what else this might represent: “sports,” slogans such as “just do it,” “fitness

3. Image 2 – Superhero, and ask:

   • What does this logo represent?

   • Where might you see it?

   • Does Batman appear in just one place, or many? Does his logo change? (Students will likely note that Batman is in comics, TV shows, movies, and elsewhere, but his logo remains largely the same throughout.)

   • Why do you think the Batman logo stays roughly the same regardless of the medium in which the character appears, or the actor who plays the character?

3. Display the Gallery Walk 1 images around the classroom (if desired, teachers may also display logos from the Supplemental Handout – Additional Logos). Break students into groups and distribute one copy of Handout 1 –  Gallery Walk 1 Questions to each group. Have students study each of the images, and then record their group’s answers on the handout. Discuss their answers as a class.

4. Distribute Handout 2 – 5 Principles of Effective Logo Design and read it aloud as a class.

5. Have students return to their groups. Display the Gallery Walk 2 images throughout the classroom, while keeping on display the images from Gallery Walk 1. Distribute Handout 3 – Gallery Walk 2 Questions to each group, and have students analyze the logos using the 5 Principles of Effective Logo Design. Then, allow each group to share their answer to one of the questions.

6. Pass out one copy of Handout 4 – Design Your Own Logo to each student. Upon completion, have students share with the class their band’s identity and their custom logo.

Summary Activity:

1. Student Questions:

   • In what way are logos helpful in developing a group’s image?

   • In your own life, can you recall a time when a logo made you interested in looking into a brand or band that you otherwise wouldn’t have? What was the logo, and why did it appeal to you?

   • What band/product logo do you find works especially well in representing the product it is selling? Does that logo adhere to the principles of effective logo design?

Band Logo Design Vocabulary

Core Design Terms

Logo - A special symbol or design that represents a band and helps people recognize them instantly. Think of famous logos like the Rolling Stones' red lips and tongue, which fans can spot from across a crowded concert venue, or how you can identify McDonald's golden arches from a highway. A successful band logo works the same way - it becomes a visual shortcut that connects fans to the music they love. The logo appears on album covers, merchandise, social media profiles, and concert posters, creating a consistent brand identity that builds recognition over time.

Template - A basic pattern or example framework that provides structure while allowing creative customization. It's like having a detailed coloring book outline that gives you professional proportions and layout guidelines, but you fill in the colors, text, and personal details. Many online design platforms like Canva or Adobe Express offer hundreds of music-themed templates with different arrangements of text boxes, decorative elements, and background designs. These templates save time and ensure your logo has balanced proportions, even if you're not an experienced designer.

Font - The specific style and appearance of letters, including their thickness, slant, curves, and overall personality. Comic Sans feels playful and childlike with its rounded, informal letters, while Times New Roman appears serious and academic with its traditional serif details. Rock bands often choose aggressive, angular fonts with sharp edges that suggest power and rebellion, while acoustic folk bands might select flowing, handwritten-style fonts that feel intimate and personal. The font choice immediately communicates the band's musical personality before anyone hears a single note.

Genre - A distinct category or style of music with its own cultural expectations, visual traditions, and fan communities. Each genre has developed specific visual languages that help fans quickly identify music they'll enjoy. Heavy metal logos typically feature jagged, Gothic lettering that might look carved from stone or forged from metal, often in black, red, or silver. Pop music embraces bright, cheerful colors with smooth, approachable fonts that appeal to mainstream audiences. Country music favors rustic, western-inspired designs, while electronic dance music uses futuristic, digital-looking elements.

Symbol - A meaningful graphic element or icon that represents concepts, emotions, or ideas related to the band's identity. Musical symbols like treble clefs (𝄞), eighth notes (♪), or sound waves immediately connect to music. Nature symbols like mountains, trees, or stars work well for outdoor or folk bands. Abstract symbols like geometric shapes, arrows, or decorative flourishes can add visual interest without literal meaning. The key is choosing symbols that enhance your band's story and resonate with your target audience.

Visual Design Elements

Bold - Text formatting that makes letters significantly thicker and heavier, creating a strong visual impact and commanding attention. Bold formatting works like turning up the volume on your visual message - it makes text jump forward and demands to be noticed first. Rock, punk, and hip-hop artists frequently use bold lettering because it conveys confidence, strength, and authority. However, using too much bold text can make designs feel overwhelming, so it's best used strategically for band names or keywords that need emphasis.

Spacing - The deliberate control of empty areas between letters (kerning), words, lines of text, and design elements. Proper spacing creates visual rhythm and makes text comfortable to read, while poor spacing can make even beautiful fonts look unprofessional. Tight spacing creates intensity and urgency, perfect for aggressive music styles. Loose spacing feels more relaxed and elegant, suitable for jazz or classical ensembles. The spacing around your logo (called white space or negative space) is equally important - it gives your design room to breathe and prevents it from feeling cramped.

Contrast - The visual difference between design elements, most commonly between text and background colors, but also between font weights, sizes, or styles. High contrast combinations like white text on black backgrounds or black text on yellow create maximum readability and visual punch. Low contrast combinations like gray text on white backgrounds feel subtle and sophisticated but may be harder to read from a distance. Strong contrast helps logos remain visible when printed on various merchandise colors or displayed against different backgrounds.

Outline - A border or stroke drawn around the perimeter of letters, shapes, or design elements. Outlines serve multiple practical purposes: they help text remain readable against complex or colorful backgrounds, create separation between overlapping elements, and add a polished, professional appearance. Thick outlines create a bold, cartoon-like effect popular in punk and alternative rock, while thin outlines provide subtle definition without overwhelming the design. Colored outlines can add extra visual interest - imagine black letters with bright red outlines for a dramatic rock band logo.

Shadow - A darker duplicate of text or graphics positioned slightly behind and offset from the original, creating the illusion of depth and three-dimensional space. Drop shadows make flat designs appear to float above the surface, adding sophistication and visual hierarchy. The shadow's direction, distance, and blur amount all affect the final appearance. Sharp, close shadows create subtle depth, while distant, blurred shadows suggest dramatic lighting. Colored shadows can create interesting effects - try a blue shadow behind orange text for a vibrant, energetic look.

Color and Style Terms

Neon - Intensely bright, saturated colors that appear to glow with electric energy, mimicking the appearance of neon gas tube lighting. These colors include hot pink, electric blue, lime green, bright orange, and vivid purple. Neon colors work exceptionally well for electronic dance music, synthwave, pop-punk, and any genre associated with nightlife, clubs, or high-energy performances. They photograph beautifully under stage lighting and create eye-catching merchandise. However, neon colors can be overwhelming in large amounts, so they're often used as accent colors against darker backgrounds.

Metallic - Colors and effects that simulate the appearance of polished metals like gold, silver, copper, bronze, or chrome. Metallic effects suggest luxury, success, permanence, and high quality - qualities that established bands want to communicate. Gold implies prestige and achievement, silver suggests modernity and sophistication, while copper and bronze feel more organic and handcrafted. True metallic effects require special printing techniques for physical merchandise, but digital versions can simulate the reflective, gradient-rich appearance of metal surfaces.

Earth tones - A palette of colors directly inspired by natural landscapes and organic materials. This includes warm browns like rich soil or tree bark, various greens from sage to forest, blues from sky to ocean, warm oranges and reds from sunsets and autumn leaves, and neutral beiges and tans. Earth tones feel authentic, grounded, and timeless, making them perfect for folk, country, indie rock, and acoustic artists who want to emphasize their connection to nature or traditional values. These colors photograph well in outdoor settings and appeal to environmentally conscious audiences.

Vintage - Design aesthetics that deliberately reference specific historical periods, typically from the 1920s through 1980s. Vintage styles might include Art Deco geometric patterns from the 1920s, bold poster designs from the 1950s, psychedelic swirls from the 1960s, or distressed textures that make new designs look aged and weathered. Vintage approaches often use muted color palettes, classic typography, and nostalgic imagery. This style works well for bands playing retro genres or wanting to tap into the emotional appeal of "the good old days."

Futuristic - Visual styles that suggest advanced technology, space age aesthetics, or imagined future societies. Futuristic designs often feature clean geometric shapes, metallic gradients, circuit board patterns, holographic effects, and fonts that look like computer displays or sci-fi movie titles. Colors tend toward cool blues, electric greens, and stark black-and-white combinations. This aesthetic perfectly matches electronic music, techno, synthwave, and progressive rock bands who want to emphasize innovation, technology, and forward-thinking creativity.

Music Style Categories

Rock - A broad category of music characterized by electric guitars, strong rhythmic foundations, and powerful vocal delivery. Rock logo design has evolved through decades of subgenres, from classic rock's bold, readable fonts to metal's elaborate, almost illegible Gothic lettering. Common visual elements include lightning bolts suggesting electrical energy, flames representing passion and intensity, skulls symbolizing rebellion, and angular letterforms that look carved from stone or forged from metal. Color palettes typically emphasize black, white, red, and metallic tones that photograph dramatically under stage lighting.

Pop - Mainstream popular music designed for broad commercial appeal and radio play. Pop logos prioritize accessibility, friendliness, and mass market appeal over artistic complexity. They typically feature clean, readable fonts with rounded edges, bright and cheerful color schemes, and playful decorative elements like stars, hearts, musical notes, or geometric patterns. The goal is creating designs that look equally good on a teenager's bedroom wall and a grocery store display rack. Pop logos often incorporate current design trends to maintain relevance with young audiences.

Hip-hop - A cultural movement encompassing rap music, DJ techniques, breakdancing, and graffiti art. Hip-hop logo design draws heavily from urban street art traditions, featuring bold, blocky letterforms that look hand-painted or spray-painted. Many designs incorporate graffiti-style techniques like wildstyle lettering, bubble letters, or tag-inspired scripts. Color schemes often reference urban environments - concrete grays, brick reds, spray paint colors, or high-contrast black and white. Authentic hip-hop design celebrates the DIY aesthetic and street credibility over polished commercial appearance.

Country - American roots music emphasizing storytelling, traditional instruments, and connections to rural life and values. Country logo design draws from western and Americana visual traditions, featuring fonts that evoke old saloon signs, vintage rodeo posters, or hand-painted barn advertisements. Common decorative elements include cowboy hats, boots, horseshoes, lassos, stars, eagles, or vintage truck imagery. Earth tone color palettes dominate - browns, tans, deep reds, and faded blues that suggest aged leather, weathered wood, and prairie landscapes.

Electronic - Music created primarily using electronic instruments, computers, and digital production techniques. Electronic music logos embrace digital aesthetics with geometric shapes, circuit board patterns, waveform graphics, and fonts that reference computer displays, LED readouts, or futuristic interfaces. Color schemes often feature electric blues, neon greens, bright magentas, and stark black-and-white contrasts that suggest digital displays and laser light shows. The overall aesthetic should feel precise, technological, and forward-looking while maintaining enough personality to distinguish one artist from another.

Design Techniques

Stacked - A vertical arrangement where text elements are positioned one above another, creating a tower-like composition. Stacked layouts work particularly well for longer band names that would be too wide in horizontal arrangements, or when you want to create a more compact, square-shaped logo that fits well in social media profile pictures. Each line can use different font sizes to create visual hierarchy - perhaps the band name is large on top with a smaller tagline below. Stacked designs also allow for creative typography mixing, where each word might use slightly different styling while maintaining overall cohesion.

Horizontal - A side-to-side arrangement that creates wide, stable compositions perfect for website headers, stage backdrops, and merchandise like t-shirts, where horizontal space is abundant. Horizontal layouts feel grounded and professional, making them popular for established bands or those wanting to project stability and confidence. This format works best with shorter band names or when you can creatively abbreviate longer names. Horizontal designs often incorporate decorative elements on either side of the text to balance the composition and fill empty space.

Vertical - An up-and-down arrangement that creates tall, narrow compositions ideal for specific applications like book spines, banner ads, or architectural signage. Some bands create vertical versions of their horizontal logos by rotating the entire design 90 degrees, while others redesign the layout specifically for vertical spaces. Vertical arrangements can create dramatic, towering effects that suggest strength and ambition. They're particularly effective for bands with short names or single-word identities that can be arranged letter-by-letter in a vertical stack.

Decorative - Ornamental elements added to enhance visual appeal and reinforce the band's aesthetic identity. Decorative elements might include flourishes around letters (like swirls or botanical elements for folk bands), geometric borders (for electronic or modern rock acts), vintage ornaments (for retro-styled groups), or custom illustrations that relate to the band's name or musical themes. The key is ensuring decorative elements support rather than compete with the text - they should enhance readability and brand recognition rather than creating visual confusion.

Customization - The process of modifying existing design elements or creating entirely original components to perfectly match your band's unique identity and musical personality. Effective customization goes beyond simply changing colors - it involves adjusting letter spacing for optimal readability, modifying font characteristics to match your genre, selecting colors that photograph well under stage lighting, and ensuring the design works across all applications from tiny social media avatars to large concert banners. True customization creates logos that feel authentically connected to your music and couldn't easily represent any other band.

HANDOUTS

Gallery Walk 1 Gallery Walk 2 Handout 1 – Gallery Walk 1 Questions Handout 2 – Five Principles of Effective Logo Design Handout 3 – Gallery Walk 2 Questions Handout 4 – Design Your Own Logo Supplemental Handout – Additional Logos

STANDARDS

National Core Arts Standards

Creating

• Anchor Standard #1-Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.

• Anchor Standard #2-Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.

• Anchor Standard #3- Refine and complete artistic work.

Producing

• Anchor Standard #4-Analyze, interpret, and select artistic work for presentation.

• Anchor Standard #5-Develop and refine artistic work for presentation.

Responding

• Anchor Standard #7-Perceive and analyze artist work.

• Anchor Standard #8-Interpret intent and meaning in work.

• Anchor Standard #9-Apply criteria to evaluate work.

Connecting

• Anchor Standard #10-Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.

• Anchor Standard #11-Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural and historical context to deepen understanding.

• 
  

Career Technical Education Standards – Arts, Media and Entertainment Pathway Standards

Design, Visual and Media Arts (A)

A1.0 Demonstrate ability to reorganize and integrate visual art elements across digital media and design applications.
A1.1 View and respond to a variety of industry-related artistic products integrating industry appropriate vocabulary.
A1.2 Identify and use the principles of design to discuss, analyze, and create projects and products across multiple industry applications.
A1.3 Describe the use of the elements of art to express mood in digital or traditional art work found in the commercial environment.
A1.4 Select industry-specific works and analyze the intent of the work and the appropriate use of media.
A1.5 Research and analyze the work of an artist or designer and how the artist’s distinctive style contributes to their industry production.
A1.6 Compare and analyze art work done using electronic media with those done with materials traditionally used in the visual arts.
A1.7 Analyze and discuss complex ideas, such as distortion, color theory, arbitrary color, scale, expressive content, and real versus virtual in works of art.
A1.9 Analyze the material used by a given artist and describe how its use influences the meaning of the work. ia, and Entertainment |

A2.0 Apply artistic skills and processes to solve a variety of industry-relevant problems in a variety of traditional and electronic media.
A2.1 Demonstrate skill in the manipulation of digital imagery (either still or video) in an industry-relevant application.
A2.2 Demonstrate personal style and advanced proficiency in communicating an idea, theme, or emotion in an industry-relevant artistic product.
A2.3 Apply refined observation and drawing skills to solve an industry-relevant problem.
A2.4 Use visual metaphors in creating an artistic product.
A2.8 Plan and create artistic products that reflect complex ideas, such as distortion, color theory, arbitrary color, scale, expressive content, and real versus virtual.
A2.9 Create a multimedia work of art that demonstrates knowledge of media and technology skills.

A3.0 Analyze and assess the impact of history and culture on the development of professional arts and media products.
A3.1 Identify and describe the role and influence of new technologies on contemporary arts industry.
A3.2 Describe how the issues of time, place, and cultural influence and are reflected in a variety of artistic products.
A3.3 Identify contemporary styles and discuss the diverse social, economic, and political developments reflected in art work in an industry setting.
A3.4 Identify art in international industry and discuss ways in which the work reflects cultural perspective.
A3.5 Analyze similarities and differences of purpose in art created in culturally diverse industry applications.

A4.0 Analyze, assess, and identify effectiveness of artistic products based on elements of art, the principles of design, and professional industry standards.
A4.2 Deconstruct how beliefs, cultural traditions, and current social, economic, and political contexts influence commercial media (traditional and electronic).
A4.3 Analyze the aesthetic value of a specific commercial work of art and defend that analysis from an industry perspective.
A4.4 Analyze the relationship between the artist, artistic product and audience in both an existing and self-generated project.
A4.5 Analyze and articulate how society influences the interpretation and effectiveness of an artistic product.

A5.0 Identify essential industry competencies, explore commercial applications and develop a career specific personal plan.
A5.2 Explore the role of art and design across various industry sectors and content areas.
A5.3 Deconstruct works of art, identifying psychological content found in the symbols and images and their relationship to industry and society.
A5.4 Predict how changes in technology might change the role and function of the visual arts in the workplace.
A5.7 Synthesize traditional art work and new technologies to design an artistic product to be used by a specific industry.

Performing Arts (B)

B2.0 Read, listen to, deconstruct, and analyze peer and professional music using the elements and terminology of music.
B2.2 Describe how the elements of music are used.
B2.5 Analyze and describe significant musical events perceived and remembered in a given industry generated example.
B2.6 Analyze and describe the use of musical elements in a given professional work that makes it unique, interesting, and expressive.
B2.7 Demonstrate the different uses of form, both past and present, in a varied repertoire of music in commercial settings from diverse genres, styles, and professional applications.

B8.0 Deconstruct the aesthetic values that drive professional performance and the artistic elements necessary for industry production.
B8.1 Critique discipline-specific professional works using the language and terminology specific to the discipline.
B8.2 Use selected criteria to compare, contrast, and assess various professional performance forms.
B8.4 Use complex evaluation criteria and terminology to compare and contrast a variety of genres of professional performance products.

Production and Managerial Arts (C)

C6.0 Understand the key elements of developing and promoting a production from creation to distribution.
C6.4 Create a promotional example using electronic media.

Handout 1 - Gallery Walk #1 Questions

1. Do you notice any similarities about how these logos are constructed? If so, what?

2. How do the logos differ?

3. Do any of these logos seem more or less effective to you? If so, why?

Handout 2 - Five Principles of Effective Logo Design 

What is a logo?  

A logo (also called logotype) is a symbol or graphic representation adopted by a business or  organization to represent them and their product and/or service. In and of itself, a logo has no  meaning, but through association with that which it symbolizes, it becomes identifiable and thus  functions as a conveyor of meaning.  

A logo identifies.  

A logo conveys meaning.  

Every effective logo has a strong concept and clear execution.  

Concept = the idea or message that the designer wants to convey.  

Execution = how the idea is visually communicated through design.  

What makes a logo effective?  

5 PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE LOGO DESIGN  

1. Simple. A good logo is clear and straightforward. Excessive detail and color can obscure the message or idea behind the design.  

2. Memorable. A good logo is relatable yet unique. It is easily understood, yet distinctive and appealing in such a way that sticks in one’s memory.  

3. Timeless. A good logo is not affected by trends, because trends come and go. An effective logo continues to be relatable, identifiable, and effective. Great design is timeless.  4. Versatile. A good logo is functional.  

a. It works in any format (e.g. vertical/horizontal)  

b. It is scalable, but still legible at small sizes. (Logos are normally designed in vector format which allows them to be scaled infinitely without pixelation).  

5. Appropriate. A good logo is relevant to the purpose which it is serving. Color, shape, and typeface are important to consider in this regard. However a logo does not need to show what the business/organization sells or the service it provides; it's job is to identify.  

1. The logo is simple and straightforward. It does not have excessive detail or color, and could be recognizable in other colors as well.  

2. The logo is easy to relate to because everyone has a mouth and tongue, however it is cheeky and daring (like someone sticking their tongue out) which makes it memorable.  3. Though the logo was created by Craig Braun and John Pasche in 1970, it could easily have been designed today. This makes it timeless.  

4. Because the logo is very graphic, with clean and simple lines, it works in many formats and can easily be made smaller or larger without losing recognizability. Recent tour posters illustrate the versatile quality of this logo (see below).  

5. It is said that the logo was inspired by Mick Jagger's mouth. Whether that is true or not,  the logo continues to be appropriate in its function as the symbol for the Rolling Stones and everything they represent.

Let’s try and apply these principles to the Rolling Stones logo, “The Tongue,” designed by Craig  Braun and John Pasche in 1970 and currently still in use… 

1. The logo is simple and straightforward. It does not have excessive detail or color, and  could be recognizable in other colors as well.  

2. The logo is easy to relate to because everyone has a mouth and tongue, however it is  cheeky and daring (like someone sticking their tongue out) which makes it memorable.  3. Though the logo was created by Craig Braun and John Pasche in 1970, it could easily  have been designed today. This makes it timeless.  

4. Because the logo is very graphic, with clean and simple lines, it works in many formats  and can easily be made smaller or larger without losing recognizability. Recent tour  posters illustrate the versatile quality of this logo (see below).  

5. It is said that the logo was inspired by Mick Jagger's mouth. Whether that is true or not,  the logo continues to be appropriate in its function as the symbol for the Rolling Stones  and everything they represent.

Handout 3 - Gallery Walk #2 Questions

1. Which logo(s) seemed most effective when evaluated using the 5 principles? Why?

2. Were there any logos that, in your opinion, did not follow the principles? Why?

3. Can logos that do not follow the principles be effective? How and why?

4. Do logos need to follow all of the principles in order to be effective?

5. What might the Rock and Roll Notebook image suggest about the power of an easy-to-draw

logo?

Handout 4 - Creating a Band Logo

With its bright colors and playful design, the “Tongue and Lips” logo perfectly encapsulates the rebellious attitude of the Rolling Stones, who were considered the “bad boys” of Rock and Roll.

In this activity, you will imagine your group is a design firm hired to make a band a logo.

Step One: Establish what kind of band has contacted you to create a logo. What is the name of the band? What kind of music do they play (Rock, Rap, Punk, Heavy Metal, Pop, etc.)? What do they wear onstage? What kind of attitude do they portray in public (rebellious, serious, scary, cute, wholesome, political, dangerous, playful, etc.)? Be prepared to explain to the class what kind of band has contacted your agency.

Step Two: Once the group has established what type of band you are working with, each individual drafts a logo for that band. When creating the logo, consider the principles of design and how the logo represents the band’s image,

Step Three: Nominate 1-2 students to present their design to the class. In the presentation, address the band’s general image and attitude, and how the logo reflects that. Also, address how the logo adheres to the principles of design. Or discuss which principles of design are broken, and for what reason.

Handout - Hip Hop Logo Gallery Walk Worksheet

Fill in the blanks below for each image you examine.

1. Circle your answer: the logo used more: Straight Lines Curved Lines

2. The shapes this logo uses are:

3. The colors this logo uses are:

4. Three adjectives I would use to describe the logo are:

5. The outfits worn by the musicians have the following colors:

6. Three adjectives I would use to describe the artists fashion are:

7. Something else I noticed about the logo or photograph is:

8. Based on the logo and photograph, one adjective I would use to describe this group’s

personality is:

Run-DMC

1. Circle your answer: the logo used more: Straight Lines Curved Lines

2. The shapes this logo uses are:

3. The colors this logo uses are:

4. Three adjectives I would use to describe the logo are:

5. The outfits worn by the musicians have the following colors:

6. Three adjectives I would use to describe the artists fashion are:

7. Something else I noticed about the logo or photograph is:

8. Based on the logo and photograph, one adjective I would use to describe this group’s

personality is:

Salt-N-Pepa

1. Circle your answer: the logo used more: Straight Lines Curved Lines

2. The shapes this logo uses are:

3. The colors this logo uses are:

4. Three adjectives I would use to describe the logo are:

5. The outfits worn by the musicians have the following colors:

6. Three adjectives I would use to describe the artists fashion are:

7. Something else I noticed about the logo or photograph is:

8. Based on the logo and photograph, one adjective I would use to describe this group’s

personality is:

Wu-Tang Clan

1. Circle your answer: the logo used more: Straight Lines Curved Lines

2. The shapes this logo uses are:

3. The colors this logo uses are:

4. Three adjectives I would use to describe the logo are:

5. The outfits worn by the musicians have the following colors:

6. Three adjectives I would use to describe the artists fashion are:

7. Something else I noticed about the logo or photograph is:

8. Based on the logo and photograph, one adjective I would use to describe this group’s

Modern pop band logos

Gallery Walk 1

Gallery Walk 3

Materials for this lesson were provided by: TeachRock. (n.d.). https://teachrock.org/