When making logos and other designs, the first thing you need to do is pick a color mode. The biggest mistake that people make when they design is not taking the color mode into account. In this case, you might want to know if you need to use CMYK or RGB for your logos.

As a general rule, logos should be provided in both color modes, if possible. It’s best to use CMYK for print usage, and use RGB for digital usage.

Consider using a logo maker that suggests colors based on templates. Placeit.net has a great logo maker that we’ve used personally, and highly recommend because it’s 100% commercially usable and even allows you to copyright or trademark the logo after download.

Choosing between CMYK and RGB for a logo is often a difficult choice. The two modes are both important and useful in different situations, but it’s best to look into how they are used first so you can make an informed decision when it comes to design. We’ll give you a complete overview of CMYK and RBG colors below so you can select which to use on your logo.

Is CMYK or RGB Best for Logos?

In the field of color design, CMYK and RGB are two of the most often used color models. In order to decide between these two options, it is necessary to know if your completed design will be printed or only be available digitally.

As a general rule of thumb, CMYK should be used for printing and RGB for digital work.

If the logo will be seen mostly on a digital screen, RGB should be used. Digital markets are becoming more and more common, and RGB is becoming more popular. However, any logo that will be printed on tangible objects rather than only on a computer screen should be created in CMYK mode.

Switching Between Color Modes

It’s not uncommon to encounter logos in both digital and real-world contexts. In instances like these, choosing a color mode may be more difficult, and it may be easier to adhere to colors that are visible across both spectrums.

When designing for print or online, look for colors that are nearly identical in CMYK and RGB modes so that future conversions will be as seamless as possible. Due to the wider spectrum of colors in RGB, the switch from RGB to CMYK is more difficult. Therefore, it’s common advice for logo designers to begin their work in CMYK mode and switch to RGB as needed.

How Do CMYK and RGB Color Modes Impact A Logo?

When it comes to designing, it’s difficult to maintain a consistent color palette. Using the wrong color in your logo can hurt your brand, making potential customers confused or even putting them off.

When deciding on which colors to use, think about how these colors will look on a variety of different things. Something that looks good on a computer might not look as good in print, or the other way around. On top of that, you should expect some differences in your color across platforms, as colors aren’t always shown the same way on different devices.

While no one can control the billions of personal mobile phones, computer monitors, and print materials out there, there are some color modes that we use that are considered universal.  If used correctly, these color modes can also make a big difference in how the colors stay the same.

To put it simply, color modes are the way that image software works out the number of color channels that can be used in a picture. While there are many different color modes out there, CMYK and RGB are two of the most popular and the best for making logos.

What is the Difference between CMYK and RGB?

CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow and, key (black).

The CMYK printing process includes mixing various volumes of different color inks to create a whole spectrum of color, with white representing the natural hue of the backdrop and black representing the entire mixture of colored inks. The CMYK colors are printed on top of each other using different volumes of transparent ink. Halftone percentages are printed using little dots of color that are invisible to the human eye.

Meanwhile, RGB stands for red, green, and blue. Computer displays, digital cameras, and TVs all utilize this color mode to display visuals on the screen by using a variation of red, green, and blue light intensities.

RBG is needed because computers can show color more accurately than paper can. RGB is the best color to use for your website, ad posters, banners, logos, and so on. The use of CMYK colors in digital work might result in more subdued tones, depending on the design’s characteristics.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to which color mode to use, it all boils down to what your final product is and how you want to present it.  When in doubt, design your logo in CMYK mode since it will look great whether it’s displayed digitally or printed. 

You could also try using a logo maker like Placeit to experiment with the design until you discover something that fits within your color range. If you’re looking for a consistent color palette, you may also want to consider consulting a professional designer to find something that works well in both RGB and CMYK. 

With its ability to let you use your creative side and connect with clients, many people see graphic design as an appealing career path. However, before deciding on taking the leap into your future as a graphic designer, you may wonder if it is possible to regret making this career choice.

As with any profession, it is possible to regret being a graphic designer. This can be caused by the competition for jobs, long hours, demanding clients, or other struggles related to the field. When considering becoming a graphic designer, it is best to consider if this is a career path that you are truly passionate about.

Keep reading to learn more about some reasons why people regret becoming graphic designers and some things you can keep in mind if you are trying to determine whether or not graphic design is the right fit for you.

Why Do People Sometimes Regret Being a Graphic Designer?

Many people love their careers in graphic design. It allows people to make art on a daily basis and sometimes work on their own schedule if they choose to be a freelancer. However, graphic design, like any other career, has its ups and downs. The following sections will discuss some of the common reasons why people may regret working in this field.

Lots of Competition

Because it is so appealing, many artistically-minded people choose to go into graphic design. This means that in recent years, competition for certain jobs has gone way up. Although there remains a high demand for graphic designers, there is often high competition for these job openings:

• Corporate graphic design jobs
• Freelancing projects
• Work for a graphic design firm

While you will probably still find a job somewhere if you network and pursue opportunities, the exhaustion of applying and being rejected for countless positions can cause many people to lose their interest.

Challenging Work Conditions

Many graphic designers choose to work on a freelance basis so they can have more control over their own schedule and the projects they pursue. As freelancing becomes more popular in the digital era, it is important not to equate freelancing with total freedom.

Graphic designers, especially those working in a freelance capacity, may find themselves struggling with these work conditions:

• Long hours: Whether you work for a firm or on a freelance basis, you can expect to put in a lot of hours. Graphic designers must complete projects exactly to their client’s specifications. Although certain resources, like Placeit.net, can make your designing life easier, sometimes this requires many edits and lots of fine-tuning to get things right.
• Client expectations: While some clients may demand less of you, it’s inevitable to encounter extremely picky or demanding clients. Additionally, as a freelancer, you may come across pay disputes or situations where a client hopes you will do some or all of your design work for free.
• Low pay: Especially when you are starting, graphic design may not pay as much as you want it to. Building a strong portfolio may mean you have to take many lower-paying projects to build your reputation.
• Mental toll: Graphic design usually creates a mindset of perfectionism and constant growth. While this has its upsides, it can also be exhausting and take a toll on you mentally.

With these challenges in mind, graphic design can still be an extremely rewarding career. It all depends on whether you are the right person to pursue a career in this field.

How to Decide if You Want to be a Graphic Designer

Lots of aspiring graphic designers may not be fully aware of some of the hardships that face this career field.

If you are considering a career in graphic design, consider the following things:

• Passion: If you love art and design, this can be a great field for you. If graphic design is something you love to do, then you should do it!
• Experience: If possible, get some experience with graphic design beforehand to see how you like it. Websites like Placeit can help you create designs easily and get started.
• Realistic expectations: If you are realistic about the challenges you may face, you will be less likely to become disappointed.

If you are a dedicated designer who loves what they do and doesn’t mind getting paid low wages to start, graphic design could still be an amazing field for you.

Conclusion

As with any career field, people sometimes regret going into graphic design. However, with the right considerations and expectations, you can make an informed career choice that will help you avoid regrets.

Many artists are fascinated by the idea of graphic design. In addition to artistic ability and creativity, it is the type of activity that requires careful thought, a good eye for detail, and the ability to look at what you create through the eyes of your intended audience to create something which draws them in. While many people consider it as an intended career, is it possible for graphic design to be a hobby?

Yes, graphic design can be a hobby. While there is an advantage to going to school and receiving formal training, particularly if you want to have a career in graphic design, having it as a hobby can be a source of great fun and help you build useful skills.

While you may not ever make money from graphic design, honing the skill of creative thinking and effectively communicating messages can be incredibly beneficial to many aspects of your life. If you would like more details about the benefits of having graphic design as a hobby, and some places and resources to get you started on your journey, keep reading!

What Are the Benefits of Having Graphic Design as a Hobby?

If you are still unsure about whether to invest your time and energy into graphic design as a hobby, that is okay. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits that you may not be aware of to help you decide whether to pursue it or not.

It Builds Many Skills

As mentioned before, there are multiple skills that you develop in graphic design that can benefit you in other areas of your life. A few of these include:

• Idea generation. Being able to come up with many ideas is key to honing on the one that is right for you and your project.
• Technology skills. Graphic designers become familiar with and can effectively use not only such programs as Adobe InDesign and Photoshop but programming languages like HTML and CSS. These are great skills to put on a resume and are skills that many potential employers appreciate.
• Typography. Knowing how certain fonts, colors, and shapes interact and the kind of mood they create is key to creating an appealing design.

It is a Great Way to Network

Being able to connect with other artists and like-minded people is always a great thing. There are different online groups such as CebuXD where you can participate in exhibits or even have in-person meet-ups with other graphic designers and artists in your area. This creates ample opportunity to build friendships and collaborate on projects together for fun.

Even though you may not be making money with your graphic design, creating connections and friendships is valuable on a personal level and for future potential projects. Plus, getting feedback on your work from other artists is always a great way to improve and hone your skills.

How Do I Get Started?

If you have read enough to convince yourself that graphic design would a great hobby, you might be wondering where exactly to start. The website, Placeit.net, is a great starting point for newbies to graphic design. They have hundreds of templates for you to choose from, whether your focus is on designs, logos, videos, or gaming. They also have a mockup section where you can try a variety of options before making a final decision.

If you do not have a lot of money to spare, you can create a free account that grants access to an image cropper, video cropper, and video to gif converter, as well as many videos, designs, logos, and mockups. For unlimited access to everything on the website, you can buy a subscription for $14.95 a month or $89.69 a year.

Conclusion

While many people pursue graphic design as a career, it can be worth it to have it as a hobby, as well. Learning about graphic design has many benefits. Some of these benefits are practical and include learning the ins and outs of different creative programs like photoshop, as well as learning coding languages like HTML. Another great benefit is the ability to connect with other artists and build friendships.

It may be a little overwhelming to figure out where to start with a new hobby like graphic design. One great resource is Placeit.net, where you can create a free account that gives you access to photo and video cropping tools, as well as access to some templates and mockups. You can also buy a subscription that gives you unlimited access for $89.69 a year. Either way, you will have a great resource to build up your hobby in graphic design.

Any graphics designer has worked with Adobe Illustrator at least once. Although each designer has unique skills resulting from their experience and their line of work, many of them have complained about how it can be hard to use Adobe Illustrator. As a result, new or potential graphics designers have wondered why Adobe Illustrator has proven hard to use.

Adobe Illustrator is hard to use since it requires technical skills such as understanding mathematics and statistics. It has also proven hard to use because it’s less preferred to the Photoshop app. However, mastering Illustrator’s basics is easy compared to other apps in its category.

If you’re looking for a beginner friendly graphic design tool, we highly recommend Placeit.net because it’s based on pre-made templates that you customize to your needs. Plus, Placeit gives you full commercial usage rights so you can copyright, trademark, and sell anything you make on their site.

That’s not all, as you still need to know what Illustrator is used for and whether its files are editable on other apps like Photoshop, which you will learn if you read on.

What Makes Adobe Illustrator Hard to Use?

Adobe Illustrator is an image editor that uses vectors which aids in image scaling and rendering. When using the image editor, you’ll be working with lines and geometric forms that are mathematically described. The editing process relies more on your technical skills rather than moving the pieces around until the picture clicks.

Illustrator stands out from others in its category by producing images that have consistent graphics. It’s also easy to grasp the basics and start basic image editing. The images produced through Adobe Illustrator are often used in high-end projects such as electronic displays. Despite the impressive output, Adobe Illustrator has proven harder to use due to the following reasons:

Adobe Illustrator is Barely Used

A large portion of image editing is done using Adobe Photoshop, which has undergone a tremendous upgrade. The dependability of Photoshop and its reliability has caused people to shift focus from Illustrator. Consistent use of an image editor makes one more experienced and familiar with its platform, and the opposite is true.

Adobe Illustrator Requires Technical Skills

As a graphics designer using Adobe Illustrator, you’ll be working with vectors, lines, and geographic forms to edit images. This can be a tasking role where your technical experience would come in handy. The only problem is that other image editors that don’t use vectors are easier to use, causing many people to choose them.  

Adobe Illustrator Requires Artistic Skills

While many may consider Adobe Illustrator as an image editor, which it’s capable of doing anyway, its true potential lies in drawing vector images. As such, artistic skills would help the designer to unlock its full capacity, hence creating better images. Unfortunately, not all graphic designers have the artistic skills to aid them, making it hard to use Illustrator.

What is Adobe Illustrator Used for?

Graphics designers, primarily the novice, often have a hard time describing the work of Adobe Illustrator. To many, the software helps with image editing, but it has different purposes. Firstly, the software’s strength lies in drawing vector images than editing images.

Also, the software is also applied to different projects rather than manipulating existing images. Here are some projects you can handle using Adobe Illustrator:

• Creating logos – Adobe Illustrator aids in creating business logos from scratch
• Typography – this project is perfect for a typography project you can use on printed material
• Drawings – if your project requires unique drawings, then Adobe Illustrator is the software for you
• Icons – icons should be unique, and you can save them as PSD for later editing using Photoshop

Once you’ve mastered the software and are comfortable working on multiple projects, you’ll be amazed at how much you can do as a graphics designer using Adobe Illustrator.

Can you Edit Adobe Illustrator Files on Photoshop?

Adobe Illustrator files are editable using Photoshop, which helps designers to utilize the two powerful software. However, there are some steps you need to follow to achieve this, as attempting to open the AI project could prove unfruitful.

Here are some ways you can accomplish this task:

Exporting as a .PSD File

Many designers don’t know that they can export their Adobe Illustrator files as. PSD, which Photoshop can open. To manage this, you need to follow this route: Files > Export as > Photoshop (PSD).

Copy and Paste as Smart Objects

After you’re done working on your Illustrator project, you can go ahead and copy the files and choose Smart Objects when pasting on Photoshop.

The two methods help you to work on the same project using different platforms while still maintaining the image quality.

Conclusion

Adobe Illustrator is a valuable tool for graphics designers, provided they know how to use it. It’s categorized as hard-to-use software since it utilizes vectors to edit images. It also requires artistic and technical skills to unlock its full potential. You can open Illustrator files on Photoshop by exporting as. PSD files or by copy-paste as Smart Objects.

As the modern world gets more and more technological, there is the growing need for people who are capable of making things look pretty. Graphic Designers are responsible for the design of just about every single graphic that is seen in the world, even if that might not be their exact title.

Graphic Design is a broad field relating to any sort of graphical design. Therefore, some courses will in fact teach some sort of animation technique as part of a broad stroke learning while others will focus more heavily on a specialty.

Learning Graphic Design can involve an extremely broad range of skills which can then be transferred over to many other similar fields with relative ease. It can even be an entry point into something much more specialized such as animation. Keep reading to learn more about Graphic Design and what it can include.

Does Graphic Design Include Animation?

Graphic Design is extremely broad and can include a lot of things depending on the company and what their needs are. What is learned in a Graphic Design course can be taken to many other, more specialized fields including animation.

Not every course is going to include animation in its repertoire, however. For the most part, it is still heavily focused on the business side of things with a lot of advertisements. However, there are even animated ads on the web so it’s not to say there is rarely need for animation in Graphic Design.

What Sorts of Animation Does a Graphic Designer Do?

While chances are a Graphic Designer isn’t going to end up with a full-fledged animation job for television without a lot of extreme focus in the animation industry, that doesn’t mean that they are going to be totally excluded from animation in general.

Here are some sorts of animation that a Graphic Designer might do:

• Animated ads for websites and their services
• E-cards
• Website popups
• Text overlays and effects on television ads
• Animated gifs
• Small effects
• Game design and models

If nothing else, this sort of wide net can be a steppingstone for a Graphic Designer to land a proper animation job by adding this sort of work to their reel.

What Sorts of Specialties Might a Graphic Designer Learn?

Animation is not the only thing one might take their Graphic Design knowledge to. It is such a broad field with so much to do and learn that they can take their favorite parts and expand upon it either for a job they want to land or when making their own business or freelancing service.

Some other specialized fields that a Graphic Designer might learn include:

• Layout design for:
  • Magazines
  • Newspapers
  •  Books
  • Various other printed media
• Website design which might include:
  • Coding
  • Layout and formatting
  • Advertisements
  • Graphics
• Package design for various products such as:
  • Produce stickers
  • Boxes
  • Anything a product comes in before purchase
• Screen printing for fabric products such as:
  • T-Shirts
  • Tote bags
  • Uniforms
• Business branding such as:
  • Logos
  • Letterheads
  • Envelopes
  • Address Labels
  • Packaging
• Advertising in various forms such as:
  • Web ads
  • Billboards
  • Fliers
  • Newspaper ads
  • Signs
• Other niche design needs which might include:
  • Character design
  • Asset design
  • Typography
  • Illustration
  • Game design

All in all, Graphic Design is an extremely versatile and artistic set of broad range skills. If it is a graphic that had to be designed, there is a Graphic Designer behind it. That is not always the title, but the skills learned in various courses can help prepare for a wide range of jobs and expectations in the modern world.

Conclusion

Graphic Design is an extremely broad field of study which can include numerous specialties to get their students on the ground with their foot in the door for something else if they so choose. Animation is only one of the many possibilities that a Graphic Designer has, and only one tool in their belt. Anything with graphical design can technically be the work of a Graphic Designer, so many courses will include a massive range of specialties, including animation, to their repertoire. However, it will depend on the course itself on whether or not animation is offered.

If you’re just getting started with Adobe, the choice between Photoshop and Illustrator can make you a little confused. Is one better for certain jobs than the other? Should you focus on learning one application first? In the beginning, it might be hard to tell them apart and figure out how and when you should use each one.

In general, designers use both Photoshop and Illustrator to complete different tasks, since each application functions differently. Photoshop specializes in creating raster graphics with pixels, while Illustrator makes vector graphics.

Because Adobe software is generally hard to learn, you may consider starting with template based graphic design software to get started quickly. We recommend Placeit.net for this because it’s the leader in the industry for template based graphic design software, it’s commercially usable, and we personally use it ourselves!

Photoshop and Illustrator are two of the most common programs used to create designs for print and the web. When deciding which one to learn first, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Both are made by the same company, but they are used in very different ways. Below you’ll find a quick summary of each as well as what they are typically used for so you can decide which application will be most beneficial to you.

Is Photoshop or Illustrator Better to Learn First?

You’ll probably hear some designers recommend one program over the other, saying that Illustrator is best for this, and Photoshop is best for that. With so many opinions out there, it can be confusing to know where to start.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both Photoshop and Illustrator. However, that doesn’t mean that one is better than the other. In fact, most designers are known to switch between the two depending on the project or element they are currently working on.

Photoshop and Illustrator are used for different things, so they don’t need to be learned separately. Plus, you can actually learn both at the same time since the tools are almost the same.

However, before you can use them, you need to know what to do with them. When it comes to deciding which program to use, it all depends on what you’re trying to accomplish.

What is the Difference Between Photoshop and Illustrator?

The main difference between Photoshop and Illustrator is how each application makes graphics. Photoshop makes raster graphics with pixels, while Illustrator makes vector graphics with lines.

Both Photoshop and Illustrator have some of the same capabilities. However, rather than relying on a single program to do everything, it is always preferable to tailor each application to a specific task.

What is Photoshop Best For?

Generally speaking, Adobe Photoshop is the best tool to use if you’re beginning with an existing picture or image. Because it is raster-based, Photoshop generates pictures from individual pixels. Raster graphics are those in which the picture is formed by arranging pixels side by side.

Photoshop is used for picture editing and modification, graphics with minimal gradient, and interface creation. This includes tasks like:

• Web design
• Digital Art
• Photo editing and enhancements
• 3D painting and animation

Photographers love photoshop because it gives them so many editing possibilities. Graphic designers also enjoy the program because it allows them to build designs based on images without the need for scale and it has a wide range of tools to choose from.

What is Illustrator Best For?

As a vector-based tool, Adobe Illustrator is best used to create logos and images.

The term “vector” refers to a picture that can be scaled up or down without losing quality. Illustrator uses mathematical algorithms to make vector graphics. This means that when the application shows a line, it draws it from scratch every time using the equation it has stored in its memory.

This is why the program is used often for logo creation since a logo often needs to be resized without affecting the integrity of the design. This is also why Illustrator is the go-to program for creating images. This includes tasks like:

• Logo design
• Digital Art
• Freehand drawing
• Infographics
• Custom fonts and typography

Illustrator is perfect for when you want to create a design or image from scratch or want to work on any vector-based projects.

Final Thoughts

In order to choose the appropriate program for your next project, you need to know the differences between Photoshop and Illustrator. While some individuals prefer to use one program over the other, it’s best to master both Photoshop and Illustrator at the same time.

Remember, both programs are great, just different, and most digital artists need to know both to succeed. With template based graphic design tools like Placeit.net, you can start by making your own design from pre-made templates, then move your creation into Illustrator or Photoshop to see what you can do with it there, too. This will help you understand the fundamental differences between the two and make it clear which program should be used for what. 

CMYK is a color mode used by printers, standing for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key. Key is almost always Black, but in some specialized printers it may be another color. However, it will always come out more dull than what appears on screen, and programs don’t like to explain why.

CMYK color appears dull because there are fewer colors possible than in RGB, which is what is shown on screen. It makes colors by mixing physical pigments together layering them one on top of another which makes them darker. Light will either be reflected or absorbed into the colors, unlike RGB which is made from light.

Printing in the wrong color mode can cause some drastic changes to the design and create subpar, disappointing results if not done correctly. Thankfully, it only takes a little bit of understanding on the difference between CMYK and RGB to get it right. Keep reading to learn more.

What is the Difference Between RGB and CMYK?

A digital device projects colors using light. These colors are able to blend in every color of the spectrum without reflecting or absorbing into other sources. This in turn is known as RGB, which stands for Red, Green, and Blue as these are the three base colors used to make every other color imaginable. This is additive, meaning that white is all colors combined and black is the lack thereof. The more colors added, the lighter and closer to white it gets.

Physical objects on the other hand are perceived differently. The color that gets seen by the eye is what was reflected rather than what was absorbed. CMYK is what is used by printers and stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key. The Key color is almost always Black, but it can also end up being another color in highly specialized machines. CMYK is subtractive color, meaning colors get darker the more they are mixed until they are completely black. White is the absence of color in this case, and any white or lighter color is just where less to no color was used.

When to Use RGB and When to Use CMYK

RGB color will not print. There is no way to get the exact colors that are possible with light in a tangible form. RGB has far more colors than CMYK ever will due to being made out of light. Because of this, RGB is best used for digital designs that are never going to see print.

CMYK on the other hand is best when printed into tangible form using either inkjet or laser printers. Inkjet will print much more vibrant, crisp colors than a laser. This is because inkjets use liquid pigments to blend and soak into the page, whereas laser uses a powder which needs baked. This leads to inkjet being far more costly in the long run, leading to most print shops using laser machines for their efficiency and capability for high-volume print. The long and short of it is that CMYK needs to be used when designing something that will be printed.

It is important to note, however, that in order to make white, glow-in-the-dark, or even neon to print, other measures have to be taken with different materials. These types of ink do not exist in the printing world. White is just the space that ink was not placed down, meaning the color of the paper is what will show up in the white spots on a design. Very bright and specialty inks are just that, specialty.

How to Make CMYK Look Brighter

The good news is that it is possible to trick the eye into thinking colors in CMYK are brighter than they really are. The best bet is to use solid saturation colors with as little blending as possible. That means Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow are going to be the brightest of the bunch. A nice rich black is achieved by mixing all of the colors, including the key color, into one. This is also why all inks will be used up unless the printer is specifically put on Greyscale.

Another option is to be very careful how and where colors are placed. Putting a bright color next to a complementary duller color will trick the eye into making it look brighter than it is.

Conclusion

CMYK looks dull due to the fact that it is being compared to RGB color. This is unfair as they are both made from different media. RGB is made from light being projected from a digital device, whereas CMYK is something that can be tangible and printed. Therefore it is best to use RGB when making something for the digital world and CMYK when making it for print.

Small businesses have it rough. Every penny has to go into making sure that the company succeeds. However, there are so many experts out there trying to pitch what someone needs or doesn’t need that it can be hard to decide which one is best. However, it’s important to remember that those experts are not there in the same circumstances, so a lot of the deciding on what is worth it and what isn’t comes down to the individual.

Business cards can be a waste of money if the business is being entirely done digitally or the individual is not going to enough events to pass out the cards. However, they can be worth it if there is a lot of in person work and products being done.

Business cards are one of the most common pieces of advertising that a business will have. They’re small, easy to carry and give out, but do keep in mind that expecting customers to come forward just because they were handed a card is not going to work well enough to justify their expense. Keep reading for more information in order to decide if a business card is a waste of money or not.

How Business Cards are a Waste of Money

There are times that a business card is just going to be a waste of money or send signals that are not exactly what the company is trying to do. In these cases, it’s best to use those funds elsewhere and skip out on the cards entirely.

Here are some instances in which business cards are a waste of money:

• Entirely digital companies and services
• There is little networking happening face-to-face
• More effective advertising is happening elsewhere
• The brand is extremely focused on environmental sustainability

Chances are anyway that someone is going to have something else to include the pertinent information that would be found on a business card right on them. Likely, it’s going to be their phone, a notebook, or even the back of someone else’s business card. It’s also relatively common to pick up business cards and never think about them again, so they end up being thrown away or tucked in somewhere without correspondence to the company they’re for.

How Business Cards are not a Waste of Money

The other side of the token is that sometimes a business card is actually extremely useful. Even if there isn’t immediate evidence that they are working, it gets the seed planted into someone’s head and allows them to think about it before other products or services. It’s also a great way to remember who or where to reorder from.

Here are some instances in which business cards are not a waste of money:

• Art and trade shows
• For a commonly needed service
• When going to networking events
• There is a very tight advertising budget

The end of it all depends on what the overall needs and services being provided are. Business cards tend to do excellently in art and trade shows compared to other styles of businesses, or when looking for a new, much-needed service such as a doctor, plumber, or electrician. They also give a little bit of advertising for extremely tight budgets, and any advertising is better than no advertising.

Where to Get Affordable Business Cards

There are a handful of places that offer affordable printing and even designing of business cards that can help if push comes to shove and they are deemed a necessary expense.

Here are some places to consider looking when creating business cards:

• Placeit.net (our recommendation)
• Vistaprint
• Etsy
• Printing it at home/the office
  • Templates and kits are available from companies such as Avery

Many places have services where business cards can be designed alone with a template, have designs uploaded, or even get help designing them for maximum bang for the buck. Consider using non-standard materials and printing methods to make business cards stand out among the flock as well.

Conclusion

Just about every business expert will have something to say about business cards and whether or not they are worth the expense. In the end, it comes down to personal preference, choice, and the types of products or services being used. If it is something that is entirely digital, they probably are just going to be a waste of time. However, they tend to do well for art and trade shows, or things where people are really going to need to shop around a bit.

Let’s say you’re creating a design that features the logo of a popular brand. Before publishing your design for sale, you might be wondering if the logo is considered public domain, or is this something you need permission to use?

For the most part, logos are not considered public domain. Most logos are trademarked or copyrighted, both of which are forms of intellectual property protection and restrict how others may use the logo. However, this doesn’t apply to all logos, and there are some designs that are considered public domain.

Identifying what you can and cannot include in a design is a complex topic to master, particularly when it comes to logos. This article teaches more about when a logo is in the public domain and when it isn’t, and what you need to know about it.

Are All Logos Public Domain?

While shopping on Etsy or Amazon, you may have seen some products with designs that feature logos from big-name brands like Marvel, Target, or Starbucks. So, doesn’t this mean logos are considered public domain? Not exactly.

Public domain refers to creative items not protected by intellectual property regulations, such as copyright, trademark, or patent legislation. Even though it is not explicitly stated in the United States Copyright Act, it is a valid way for individuals to know what they are permitted to use and what they are not.

A logo is an image, typographic design, or symbol used to help people remember a brand, service, or product. In most cases, logos are included in some kind of copyright or trademark, and you must get permission before you can use them.

When is a Logo Considered Public Domain?

Public domain works may be used without permission or compensation from the copyright holder. In other words, if the logo is in the public domain, you are allowed to use and reproduce it without limitation. Media in the public domain has either been given to the general public, or its rights have lapsed due to its age.

As a result of the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998, copyrights may now continue for as long as the author lives, plus an additional 70 years. Copyright law protects corporate works for 95 years from their first publication or for 120 years after creation, whichever comes first in the timeframe.

That means that all works published in the United States before 1927 will no longer be protected by copyright as of 2022.

However, this doesn’t always mean that you can use the logo. Yes, the copyright has expired, but there may be other protections, like trademarks, that are still in place. Avoid assuming that all protections have run out just because one or more have. Make sure to do a trademark search before using any characters, names, or slogans to avoid any issues. 

How to Find Out if a Logo Is Trademarked

Before using a logo that is considered public domain, use the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to look for all trademarks that have been applied for or are already registered. It’s also possible to do a trademark search by visiting the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Public Search Facility or by visiting a Patent and Trademark Resource Center in your area. 

Should You Use a Public Domain Design as Your Logo?

Even though a logo is considered public domain, it may not be the best idea to use it as your logo. For the most part, this is because anybody may use it as their own logo. Depending on the market you’re in, this may make it hard for your business to stand out among the competition.

This can also cause problems in the future if you hope to trademark the design for protection, as it is unlikely that it would qualify. 

Alternatively, you could utilize the logo as a starting point for a completely unique piece of art. A good example of this is Placeit’s Logo Maker. This free online tool allows you to quickly create eye-catching logos from a selection of more than 8,000 professionally created logo designs.

Final Thoughts

Trademark and copyright protection can overlap when it comes to logos, making this area of intellectual property law difficult to navigate. Hopefully, the above article cleared up any questions you had on logos in the public domain.

You may want to consider using pre-made logo templates from a website like Placeit, because it will give you a great head start on logo design, and still give you the option to trademark and copyright the logo as your own.

If you still have questions about using a logo, consider hiring a trademark attorney for more help. You might also want to use a public domain logo as inspiration, but then create your own unique design that you can trademark and copyright.

Graphic Design is a field that is getting quite a bit of traction in recent years due to the rise of digital media and the need to format and make it pretty. It’s a field that is so broad with so many things the designer can be specialized in that there are often misconceptions about how they actually run their business. Something like a template seems like it might be beneath a professional Graphic Designer but that can’t be further from the truth.

Graphic Designers often use a template to improve work efficiency on projects that would produce similar results anyway. It also helps them give an easy mockup for clients to know exactly what they are going to be getting. However, for more specialized projects, a template might not be viable, and the project will have to be done completely from scratch.

Our recommended graphic design template website is Placeit.net. They have over 100,000+ templates that can be customized, downloaded with full commercial usage rights, and even copyrighted or trademarked for added protection.

For some reason in the modern world, people have a stigma against using templates or tricks to make production more streamlined, especially in artistically inclined professions. It’s seen as lazy and amateur, when in reality it helps with efficiency and quality control in many fields. Keep reading to learn more about how a Graphic Designer might use a template.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

There’s a common phrase amongst many groups, but definitely within the Graphic Design circles. That is “work smarter, not harder.” While it is possible to make absolutely everything from scratch all of the time, it would be a lot smarter and more efficient to design a template for things that are going to be basically the same anyway.

Templates help a Graphic Designer to work more efficiently by having it so that things just need to be plugged in to a format that already exists. Most have templates that either they or their company utilizes in order to give clients a working mockup of what they are going to be getting. These templates can have been obtained from a site allowing commercial use or they have made their own.

What are Some Projects that Could Use a Template?

Not every project could have a template made for it, such as illustrations, logos, or other highly customized orders. However, there are quite a few projects that would benefit from a template being made or purchased in order to streamline the process.

Such projects include:

• Page Layouts
• Business Cards
• Letterheads
• Fliers
• Invitations
• Forms
• Calendars
• Address Labels

For more intensive designs such as logos or illustrations, it would be best to just do the whole thing from scratch. However, for simple projects, a template can really be an efficient lifesaver. Not to mention, it will in turn pull down the price for the customer as the designer isn’t going to have to spend as much time on the project to be paid for.

Where are Some Places to Find Graphic Design Templates?

There are numerous places out there that offer templates for Graphic Designers or their clients. They are typically easy to use, sometimes utilizing programs such as Adobe Photoshop or a dynamic tool on a website. Sometimes these are made specifically by the designer, while others can be just used by whoever whenever.

Here are some websites to find Graphic Design templates:

• Placeit
• Envato Elements
• DesignHill
• Canva
• VistaCreate
• Etsy

When looking for premade templates, be sure that they are available for commercial use if the design is going to be sold. Otherwise, the company or original designer is able to enact serious legal repercussions. However, it can be useful to take a look when designing custom templates to get an idea of what works and what is already out there in order to find something that is going to actually be worthwhile to use.

Conclusion

Graphic Designers often utilize templates in order to increase the workflow and efficiency of their work. Only certain projects can benefit from having a template, however. These such projects are ones where the final outcome is pretty much going to be the same no matter what, such as with business cards. They can be simple to complex, made by the designer themselves or obtained from a variety of different websites.

Just because a Graphic Designer is a professional doesn’t mean they don’t try to work smarter rather than harder. They’re people too and templates really help!