Are you designing a company logo, for yourself or someone else? As well as choosing from designs and colors, one of the most demanding decisions you will make will be selecting a font. To portray the right image to your customer, you must get this right. 

This big decision comes down to one determining factor, the serif and sans serif fonts. Below, we present a must-read guide on the serif vs sans-serif font debate and help you make a decision. 

What Is Serif?

Fonts are divided into two main categories. These are serif and sans-serif fonts. Each can give a different message and attract different types of customers.

A serif is a small stroke that is added to the end of characters in a font. These are added on the vertical and horizontal axis. Serifs can appear on uppercase, lowercase, numerals, and other characters. 

The size of the serif and level of ornamentation is dependent upon the designer. This is one of the main features that give a font its distinction. 

Serif fonts are generally regarded as being easier to read in large texts. Adding the serif makes it easier for the eye to distinguish between characters. For large blocks of text, serif fonts are often the preferred font choice. 

One example font is Times New Roman. It is the font of choice for many university and academic applications. This is because of the ease with which it can be read. 

What Is Sans Serif?

Sans simply means ‘without’. A sans serif font does not have the flick and ornamentation of the serif. This can make it look very sleek and clean. 

Many companies are choosing a sans serif font for their logo. This is because is they tend to be easier to read on digital displays, such as phones and computer screens. This has seen it adopted by large technology companies, which has enhanced its image as a modern, futuristic font choice. 

Google recently changed its logo from a serif font to a sans serif for this very reason. At first, it was believed that the logo was too simplistic. However, the logo has now been adopted and the previous one is mostly forgotten.

Famous Logos With Serif Fonts

Serif fonts have an element of classicism and elegance about them. They have been used throughout time, and carry with them this association. They were originally used in ancient roman carved inscriptions, and are still used today, so carry longevity in their design. 

Many brands that use them try to channel sophistication. Rolex, Dior, and Giorgio Armani are all high rolling fashion brands who trade on timelessness in their marketing. In automobiles, Honda and Volvo also use serif fonts. 

Famous Logos With Sans Serif Fonts

Sans serif fonts have an element of directness about them. They are modern and forward-thinking. Many logos that use them are digital businesses, purely because they are easier to read on a computer screen.

Many high fashion companies use sans serif fonts to channel these qualities. Calvin Klein and Chanel are two examples. In the field of digital business, Microsoft, Facebook, and Air Bnb also use these fonts. 

Serif vs Sans-Serif for Logo Design

When doing a logo design, the choice between a serif and sans serif font can come down to the image you want your company to convey. Part of this should tie into your mission statement. Bear in mind that the color you choose will also have a large impact. 

The type of logo you choose can also have an impact on if you should use a serif or not. Some types of logos benefit from a certain type of font, and we have outlined them below. 

Emblems and Wordmarks

The two main types of logo design are emblems and wordmarks. Emblems are larger, usually more ornate, and often with bent and curved fonts. Wordmarks are simple logos that use a font only. 

A classic example of an emblem is the Starbucks logo. As a fairly new company, it uses a sans serif font in its logo design. The font is simple and easy to read. 

Note that it is a sans serif font. This is because sans serif fonts tend to work better on emblems. The flick of a serif can often overcomplicate matters when designing an emblem, as so many other elements are also at play. 

A good example of a wordmark font is the Visa logo. The focus is on the font itself, and the serif is even accentuated on the V in the logo. This hammers homes the message of sophistication and reliability. 

The Visa logo also relies on a blue color scheme. This is a great example of color psychology. Blue is typically associated with reliability and stability, along with peace and tranquility. 

Matching Up Fonts

When designing text-based promotional materials or websites, you should aim to use two fonts. More than this can get messy. Ideally, the fonts will want to complement each other.

Finding complementary fonts is easier than ever, as there are a host of generators and articles on the internet that will give suggestions. Generally, san serif fonts will be used for headings and subheadings, with serif fonts being used for the body of the text. 

The hard part will be finding two fonts that complement the font used in your logo. For this, you will either have to experiment with some trial and error. If not, speed up the process by hiring a professional graphic designer to do the job. 

Making a Decision

The final decision in the serif vs sans-serif debate comes down to your goals. What image do you want your logo or text to convey? Once you have this, you can consider different font styles, colors, and emblems or wordmarks. 

If you enjoyed our handy guide, then visit the rest of our blog. We have a number of articles on everything from design to finance, to assist you in every facet of your business decision making. 

Did you know that nearly 40,000 songs are being uploaded to Spotify every single day? Thanks to online music streaming services it has never been easier to get your music out there for people to access.

However, this also brings a problem. As it has never been easier, more people than ever are releasing music. If you are in a band, how can you get your music out in front of the crowd? The key is in learning to promote band branding and your image in general.

How can you do this? Why not read through our in-depth guide to find out.

1. A Professional Website

If you are in a classic 4-piece guitar band, focusing on your online presence may not sound very rock’n’roll. However, your website is key to your musical success. Think of your website as your portfolio location where you can store audio and video content that truly represents you as a musician. 

Why not consider working with a professional brand agency to maintain consistency across your social media, website, and other channels?

2. Pitch to Radio Stations

Radio is a classic way of getting your sound out to the masses. Make no mistake, radio is still as relevant as ever. The growth of internet-based, and often niche-focused, radio stations are giving many new musicians a chance to spread their sound. 

You will have to research to find the station that will suit your music, however, it is very well worth the effort.

The emergence of streaming site playlists is also a crucial source of marketing. If you are signed up to a label ensure that they are trying to get you on to one of these. 

3. Use Physical Advertising

Sending PDFs and creating email listings is effective. However, physical advertising by means of flyers and posters is still effective in 2020. 

Think of printed matter as half-advertising and half-artwork that you are handing out. Not only does it catch the eye but it gives the potential listener a chance to touch and feel your carefully planned branding.

4. Get Out On Tour

It is true that many songs are released on Spotify but people still want to feel the buzz of live music. This will be especially important in 2021 when people are able to start returning to live music venues more easily after COVID hit 2020. 

Live music gives you the opportunity to meet with fans, to let them see your fashion sense, to hear your sense of humor, and to see the chemistry between you and your band.

How to Promote Band Branding and Much More

If you are in a band, you may have all the talent in the world but without good branding and promotion, no one may even know about it. Learning to market your skills means far more than making music. It involves knowing how to promote band merchandise and your overall image. 

If you are interested in learning more about how to do this, or how to be successful in the music industry in general, then we are here to help. We leverage our experience to provide powerful guidance. Why not follow our blog today to find out more. 

Did you know that 45% of businesses fail during their first five years of opening their doors? If you want to make sure that your business does not become part of this statistic then it is a good idea to become familiar with contract management. We have put together this guide to share more about how contract management processes are evolving. 

Keep reading to learn all about contract management and how advancing technology is making a difference for companies. 

1. AI’s Influence

Artificial intelligence is a technology that is found in many different niches from the healthcare industry to managing contracts. Artificial intelligence has the ability to make any organization a lot more efficient and it allows crucial data to be extracted easier and faster when it is needed. 

Companies that are adopting AI are overcoming most of the challenges that use to come with creating contracts. Even the world of real estate is seeing improvements with some of the best mortgage loan origination software to help make the job easier. 

AI is able to sort through plenty of data and pull out any key information along with the contract terms accurately. It is much easier for AI to do it quickly when compared to a human. 

2. Digital Changes

Another trend that we are seeing in the world of contract management is moving into the digital world with things such as Enterprise Contract Management (ECM) software technology. There are many companies that use a CLM (Contract Lifecycle Management) solution to help with automation but the problem with CLM was that it was mainly for departments in the legal, procurement, and sales world. 

ECM software on the other hand works with contract management with an all-in-one solution. 

3. Voice Activation

Something else that we will see in the future is voice assistant as the primary way to communicate with business software. Voice activation will be able to help with figuring out the active contracts that are up for renewal in the following months or it can explain the differences between your own NDA and your competitors. 

4. Contract Negotiation

In the future, we will also see the ability of AI to analyze contracts and negotiate prices based on supply and demand in the current market. AI will be able to make sure that the policies of the company are being followed and inform you of any discrepancies it might find. Also, any sudden discrepancies during a contract will be easily spotted and pointed out with the help of artificial intelligence. 

How Do You Feel About the Future of Contract Management?

Now that you are aware of where the future of contract management is heading, you can make informed decisions about the technology that you want to adopt for your own company. Thanks to technology you can now use it to improve the processes within the business and become more efficient. 

Found our article helpful and informative? Browse the rest of this section for our latest. 

Let’s be honest: 2020 has been a rollercoaster. If you’re managing a team of newly-remote employees, you’re likely wondering what you can do to help ease their minds. A periodical employee check-in is a great way to keep performance high and increase productivity.

With more people working from home than ever, regular manager-employee check-ins are vital. Scheduling time to talk with employees regularly will keep them motivated and engaged.

In this article, we’ll tell you why check-ins are so vital and guide you through a successful employee check-in.

Why an Employee Check-In Matters

If everything is running well, you may wonder if you really have to start doing employee check-ins. After all, you’ve got a busy schedule, and other matters to attend to.

But checking in often with your team is like changing the oil in your car, or going to the doctor for an annual physical.

Through routine checkups with your team, you can increase productivity and allow you to stop problems before they start. For example, if you have six-month employee check-in with a recent hire and find out they’re overwhelmed by the workload, you can help delegate to prevent them from burning out.

Many human problems can go unnoticed, especially when you aren’t in an office with your team. Making check-in time a priority will help your team feel closer and work better together.

What to Ask During Check-Ins

Checking in with an employee is more than just asking “so how are you?” once a week. Though these sorts of rap sessions are helpful, you can also guide these meetings in a more productive direction.

Good questions warrant discussion and elaboration. The kinds of questions you ask should be followed with “and why?” to stimulate longer answers. Here are a few good examples:

• What work or project are you proudest of?
• What are some points of friction in our remote work transition?
• What would you change about the work environment currently?

The point of an employee check-in is to not only evaluate and discuss their performance, but to identify any weak spots in your workflow.

Helpful Tips and Guides

If you’re new to managing employees, or only recently moved your employees to remote work, don’t be afraid to research. Supporting employees as a manager is a vital skill, but it doesn’t come naturally to everybody.

Whether you’re working in sales, finances, or education, there’s a guide for you out there. Whetstone education offers many detailed courses with interactive features.

You’re Ready to Help Your Team

We hope this article helped you to plan your own employee check-in. With times changing as quickly as they are, make sure you’re touching base with your team often. It will all pay off in the end.

For more tips, tricks, and advice, check out our blog. We know what it takes to succeed in business in the modern age, and want to teach you too. Flip through our other articles to see what we mean!