Scatty.com

Author: scatty

Why Are There So Many Streaming Services Now?

Posted on by scatty

Streaming has gone through a multitude of changes over the past five to ten years. Netflix was the first to establish itself as a streaming giant. The company that started as a DVD rental business transitioned into an on-demand streaming company in 2007. The success of Netflix made countless media companies want to replicate it and launch their exclusive streaming divisions. Worldwide, there are currently more than 200 streaming services available. The expansion of the streaming marketplace has many left wondering why there are so many current offerings.

Netflix Duplication

One of the many reasons that there are numerous streaming services is that companies are attempting to achieve the level of success of Netflix. Not only was Netflix the first major on-demand streaming platform, but the company has also retained a large percentage of market shares. Netflix makes up 21 percent of the streaming market share and has an estimated annual revenue of $30 million.

Despite its substantial hold on the market, popular TV shows from other streaming platforms have diminished the number of Netflix subscribers. For instance, the streaming service Paramount Plus has an 8 percent hold on the market, a substantial leap compared to its launch numbers. Streaming services have focused energies on developing exclusive content to attract subscribers. For Paramount Plus, they increased viewership through the show “Yellowstone,” while Apple TV experienced growth because of “Ted Lasso.”

No Unified Streaming Service

Each streaming service has its own lineup of exclusive shows and original planning. Consumers may fear missing out by only using one or two streaming subscription services. For instance, Disney Plus has the rights to top intellectual properties such as “Star Wars” and “Marvel.” Customers are paying multiple streamers to access shows and movies only available on specific platforms.

With the growing number of streaming offerings, consumers have grown weary of paying multiple fees for access. According to a November 2022 survey, 69 percent of respondents feel that there are too many streamers on the market. Furthermore, 58 percent felt overwhelmed by how much content was being offered. The monthly cost is typically a strong deciding factor in choosing a streaming service. Yet, almost half of those surveyed also stated that specific shows would also determine whether they subscribe.

Rising Costs of Too Many Streaming Services

Streaming services rose in popularity as households worldwide started to participate in the trend of “cord-cutting.” Cord-cutting was a move away from traditional cable and satellite TV subscriptions. Instead of paying a high monthly cable bill, households aimed to save money by paying a low streaming service fee. However, at least 20 percent of all consumers feel they are subscribed to too many services. After adding up four or more services, users may pay more per month than a cable subscription.

During the pandemic, TV viewership numbers rose to unprecedented amounts. However, with TV viewership on the decline, there will likely be fewer streaming services on the market. Instead of large streaming service platforms, the market could see more niche options.   

How Should You Optimize Your PC For Gaming?

Posted on by scatty

Optimizing your PC will allow you to get more out of your games. Even if you don’t own a gaming PC, you can still perform some basic tasks to boost performance. Changing a few settings could help games run smoothly on a budget or older PC model. Perform optimization tasks regularly since the longer you use the PC, the more clutter will accumulate.

Preparing for Gaming Optimization


Before performing any optimization tasks, confirm that your computer has the latest Windows update installed. Check for updates under the “Settings” menu by choosing the “Update & Security” tab. They will appear under the “Windows Update” menu if any updates are available. Select the update and reboot the PC once installed. You may also want to create a restore point before proceeding with any other setting changes. A restore point allows you to easily reset any settings that may have interfered with how well your PC is working.

Enable Gaming Mode


Windows has conveniently built-in gaming optimization settings for users. Instead of making manual changes, you can type in “Game” through the search bar in the “Start” menu. Select “Game Mode Settings” when it appears as an option. Toggle to turn on “Gaming Mode.”

You will also want to turn off notifications after enabling Gaming Mode. Under the “System” menu, you will see a “Notifications” menu. Choose “Turn on Do Not Disturb Automatically” and mark the checkbox for “When Playing a Game.” With the setting, you won’t receive annoying popups during gameplay.

Fix Mouse Settings


Microsoft’s Enhance Pointer Precision can cause significant issues while gaming. The setting aims to change the speed of your cursor based on how fast you’re moving the mouse. To turn off the option, visit the “Control Panel” from your “Start” menu. Under “Hardware and Sound,” you’ll find “Devices and Printers.” Once you click on “Mouse,” go to the “Pointer Options” tab. From there, you can uncheck the box for “Enhance Printer Precision.”

Closing Background Programs


Too many programs in your PC’s background can substantially slow gaming performance. If too many processes are running, older PCs and budget models will have difficulty keeping up with your games. Open the “Task Manager” to see the apps running and close the appropriate ones before launching any games.

Update Drivers


Updating drivers is especially important when it comes to graphics cards. The latest drivers confirm your cards have the updates needed to work correctly. Well-known manufacturers such as Nvidia and AMD will routinely offer graphic card driver updates to support the latest game releases. Visit the manufacturer page to check for driver downloads. Select manufacturers are now offering the chance for customers to opt into automatic updates.

Remove Overlays


Overlays can cause significant performance issues, the most common culprit being the Microsoft Xbox Game Bar. Start by visiting the “Settings” menu on your PC. Navigate to “Gaming” and choose “Xbox Game Bar.” Toggle the option to off as a way to stop the overlay from appearing.  

How To Use Video Games For Stress-Relief

Posted on by scatty

People may experience stress in different ways, such as from work, in their daily lives, from relationships, and other factors. This stress can lead to physical, emotional, and mental distress. Researchers from the National Institute of Health, the Royal Society Open Science, and other institutions have been studying how video games could lead to a more stress-free lifestyle, according to Wired.

These conducted studies looked at how some video games could reduce depression symptoms, can provide positive social experiences, and be used as coping tools after being exposed to a stressful situation. Of course, keep in mind that every person reacts differently when playing a video game, and may experience in-game stress depending on the situation. Check out these following methods on how to relief stress using a video game.

Play Casual Games for Quick Mental Breaks

Casual games with short matches and simple challenges can temporarily distract you from your stressful situation. This method is great when you feel that your stress is building over a situation, as it allows you to decompress your mind and take a short mental break. You can play the game for a few minutes, complete challenges that help bolster your confidence and bring a positive feeling, and then put the game down and continue on with your day.

Use Cooperative Games for Empowerment and Camaraderie

Cooperative games are designed to perform a task or complete a challenge with other players. Sometimes a person who isolates themselves for social interaction can experience stress symptoms, according to the American Psychological Association (APA).

Engaging in cooperative games can help people connect with fellow gamers and friends which can feel comforting. When players help one another to win, they are gaining support and feeling empowered by overcoming these challenges together. This method can relieve stress.

Play Skill-Building Games to Develop Problem-Solving Abilities

A person may experience stress because they are in a situation that they cannot solve. They don’t understand how to fix the issue to move past this movement, which causes the stress to build. Skill-building games are designed to challenge the mind in fun ways so that you can enhance your quick thinking and problem-solving skills. They help you evaluate puzzles in new and engaging ways as this same mindset can be used when facing challenges in the real world.

Focus on Games That You Enjoy

The one thing to always keep in mind is that if you enjoy the game, it can help you relax and find comfort. If the game can help you further understand your stressful feelings and develop ways to cope and overcome the anxiety, then you can find yourself able to use what you learned in real-life situations.

However, not all games can be used as a stress reliever. Try to avoid games that are addictive or seem to contribute to your stress even after you turn the game off. Instead, focus on those that bring a more positive mental and emotional factor to your life.

Uncovering Our Forebears: 5 Celebrities With Surprising Ancestors

Posted on by scatty

It’s not uncommon for celebrities to take a fictional name for their professional careers. After all, they want to make it on their own and not rely on their parents or more distant relatives. For that reason, you may be surprised to learn about some popular actors, musicians and other celebrities that are descended from some pretty famous people.

Celebrities with surprising ancestors

1. Tom Hanks is related to Abraham Lincoln

Tom Hanks revealed to the “Daily Mail” in 2012 that he counts Abraham Lincoln among his ancestors. Lincoln’s mother’s name was Nancy Hanks and Tom Hanks told the “Mail” that “members of (his) branch of the family are either cousins or in-laws or poor relations”. Ancestry.com confirmed that Hanks is Lincoln’s third cousin, four times removed.

By the way, Hanks isn’t the only celebrity who can trace his ancestry back to Lincoln. Actor George Clooney is descended from Lucy Hanks, Lincoln’s maternal grandmother.

2. Harry Lloyd is descended from Charles Dickens

British actor, Harry Lloyd, best known for his work in “Game of Thrones” and “Doctor Who” is a distant relative of the 19th-century British writer Charles Dickens. His mother’s maiden name is Dickens and, through her, Lloyd is the great-great-great-grandson of Dickens. Lloyd’s mother is descended from the seventh of Dickens’ 10 children, Henry Fielding Dickens.

3. Edward Norton can trace his lineage back to Pocahantas

American actor Edward Norton discovered in 2022 that his 12th great-grandmother was Pocahantas, the 17th-century Native American woman who has been romanticized in the story of the Jamestown colony. Genealogist Henry Louis Gates Jr told Norton on the television program “Finding Your Roots,” “You have a direct paper trail, no doubt about it, connection to your 12th great-grandmother and great-grandfather, John Rolfe and Pocahontas.”

4. Marilyn Monroe and the Bush family

You wouldn’t naturally see a connection between iconic actress Marilyn Monroe and the political family that gave the United States two presidents and a Florida governor. However, the Bushes and Monroe have ancestors in common. The Bush family and Monroe are all descended from the same English immigrant who came to North America in 1620. Monroe is the ninth cousin, once removed, to our 41st president, George H.W. Bush, and the ninth cousin, twice removed, to the 43rd US president, George W. Bush.

5. Anna Chancellor and Jane Austen

British actress Anna Chancellor has appeared in dozens of movies and television series, including the British series “Pride and Prejudice”. That’s fitting since Austen is the eight times great aunt of Chancellor. Chancellor can trace her lineage on her mother’s side back to Edward Austen Knight, Jane Austen’s third eldest brother.

With such impressive lineages, it’s easy to see why these five celebrities have risen to the top of their professions. Perhaps you have an illustrious ancestor hidden in your family tree.

Foreclosure & The Property Market in the Philippines: 5 Essential Tips

Posted on by scatty

Foreclosed properties can offer great value, but you need to move forward carefully before purchasing one. Sold at auction, these properties have been seized by the lender due to the borrower’s failure to pay, and you often don’t know exactly what you’re buying until the deal is done. Whether you’re an investor trying to make money or an individual trying to save money on a home in the Philippines, keep these tips in mind as you look for a foreclosed property. 

1. Get your financing ready

In the Philippines, foreclosed properties are sold at auction, and if you decide you want to buy, you need to be ready to act quickly. Make sure that you have your financing pre-approved with a solid chance of approval. Also, talk with your lender about your plans to buy a foreclosure — they can let you know if you need to set up any special financing. 

2. Have cash on hand. 

To win a competitive auction, you can’t just have a pre-approved loan. You will also need cash in hand to make a downpayment. If possible, you should have as much of the purchase price as possible in cash, but on the low end, you should aim to have 10 to 20% of the price in cash. 

3. Make sure you have extra reserves.

Winning an auction on a foreclosed property feels great, but it’s only the first step. You generally don’t get to look at the inside of the home before you bid, and if it’s in rough shape, you’ll need to spend a lot of money on cleaning and repairs. To make this possible, make sure that you have extra cash reserves. 

4. Don’t forget about fees and taxes

Buying, cleaning, and repairing the property aren’t your only costs. You will also need to pay some fees and taxes. Generally, when you buy a home in the Philippines, you will need to cover a notarial fee, registration fee, transfer tax, and documentary stamps tax. These fees can vary from area to area so make sure that you understand what they are in the area where the home is located. Additionally, if you purchase a condo or a townhouse, you may also need to pay homeowner’s association dues. 

5. Consider the location carefully. 

There are foreclosed properties all over Metro Manila and nearby cities such as Cavite, Bulacan, and Rizal, and of course, there are foreclosed properties in smaller towns throughout the country. When you select a property to bid on, make sure that you think carefully about its location. If you plan to live in foreclosure, you only need to consider your personal preferences, but if you’re investing in the property, you need to think about resale value. 

Consider the location as it currently is, but also think about the upcoming potential. For instance, properties usually rise in value when nearby infrastructure gets updated. Study infrastructure plans and timelines so that you can be a savvy buyer.  

6. Research comps and set a maximum bid

Bidding can get exciting, and if multiple people want the same property, the price can go up quickly before you realize it. To ensure that you don’t bid more than a home is worth, set a limit before you go to the auction. Research comparable properties in the area to estimate what your target property is worth. Then, use those numbers to guide you at the auction. 

7. Attend as many auctions as possible. 

The more auctions you attend, the better chance you have of landing a great foreclosure. Banks, SPAV companies, the Social Security System, and the National Housing Authority often post about auctions on their websites. Keep an eye on these sources and make a point of going to a lot of auctions. Then, make smart bids and enjoy the thrill of getting ready to buy a foreclosed property. 

Legit Ways To Reduce Tax On Your Salary In Ireland

Posted on by scatty

Ireland Revenue assesses taxes on your income, but if you’re savvy, there are many different ways to reduce your tax liability. Want to keep more of your money in your pocket? Then, check out these tax-saving strategies:

1. Claim tax relief on qualifying expenses.

Ireland Revenue offers tax relief on a variety of expenses. Acquaint yourself with the expenses that you can claim relief on, and then, save your receipts. You don’t need to remit receipts with your return, but you’ll need them if Revenue decides to check your claims. 

You can claim relief on the following:

  • Tuition for third-level education up to €7,000 per course, per person, per academic year.
  • Qualifying health expenses including doctor’s services, hospital care, ambulance transport, IVF treatments, acupuncture, non-routine dental care, and mental health treatment from a psychologist or psychotherapist. 
  • Equipment required for work by claiming the flat rate expense allowance.
  • Maintenance payments made to a former spouse, but not payments designated for child support.

2. Reduce your tax liability with credits.

A tax credit reduces the amount of tax you need to pay, and unfortunately, countless credits arent claimed every year. To shave down your tax liability, look for credits and make sure that you claim them. Here are just a few of the available options.

  • The home carer tax credit for couples where one spouse or partner stays home to care for children. 
  • The age tax credit which is available to people aged 65 years or older. 
  • The widow with children credit which provides help for up to five years for widowed parents of dependent children. 

3. See if you qualify for an income tax exemption

If you or your spouse is over age 65, you don’t have to pay income tax if your income is below a certain threshold. As of 2023, the threshold is €18,000 for a single person and €36,000 for a married couple. If you’re raising dependents, you can add an additional €575 for the first two children and €830 for any subsequent children. 

4. Start a pension

When you contribute funds to a pension, you save up for your future, but you also get to enjoy tax benefits right now. Pension contributions are pre-tax. That means if you contribute €1,000, for example, you don’t face any tax on those funds. 

If you’re taxed at the highest rate of 40%, you would have normally paid €400 in tax on that income. However, by putting the funds into your pension, you avoided that tax liability. 

5. Rent a room to a long-term tenant

With Revenue’s Rent-a-Room Relief program, you can earn up to €14,000 per year tax-free. To qualify, you just need to rent out a room in your home on a continuous basis to someone who is not your partner, children, or employer. 

Generally, you can only claim the relief if you rent out the room for at least 28 days. However, there is an exception for incapacitated individuals who need respite care, full and part-time students, and four-day-a-week digs. Your income may also need to be below a certain level to qualify for this relief. 

Note that you can deduct qualifying expenses from your rental income. For instance, if you collected €15,000 in rent but spent €1,000 maintaining the room, you only have a net gain of €14,000 which is all exempt from tax. This relief doesn’t apply if you rent out your home through a short-term vacation rental site — that income is taxable. 

6. Try biking to work

Through the Bike-to-Work Scheme, you can buy a bicycle, helmet, and all of the other critical accessories with tax-free funds. Participating employers pay for the bike upfront. There’s a €1,250 allowance for most bikes, €1,500 for e-bikes, and €3,000 for cargo bikes. 

Then, you sign an agreement stating that you’ll use the bike for your own purposes and to get to and from work. Finally, your employer deducts your repayments from your checks for the next 12 months, but you don’t incur any tax on those amounts. In four years, you can repeat the process and get another new bike using tax-free income.

5 Super Fun Games on Doubledown Casino

Posted on by scatty

Are you in the mood for fast-paced casino action on the go? Just set your sights on Doubledown Casino. On this app, you’ll find hundreds of free digital Vegas slot machines plus video poker and table games. Not sure which ones to play? That’s okay! You can get going with these five popular games.

Texas Tea

When nothing else will do but the chance for sweet wins galore, Texas Tea is the way to go. This authentic Vegas slot machine puts you in the oil fields alongside Texas Ted. A charming fellow, Ted cheers you along as you keep the slots spinning toward riches.

Each spin lets you dream of striking it rich and earning all the credits you need for days of playtime. The excitement increases during the Oil Dividend Bonus, which allows you to win up to 75 times your original bet in a single play.   

Lobstermania 2

Another popular slot machine, Lobstermania 2 lets you team up with Lucky Larry to catch the big wins. This fun game offers 1024 ways to win, promising to keep you on your toes with every spin.

Even more excitement will come your way when you manage to get the Picker Bonus. With that move, you’ll have your choice of two main bonuses: Lucky Lobster’s Free Games or Lucky Larry’s Buoy Bonus 2. That way, you’ll never get bored with the options, allowing you to fill your day with wins.

Roulette

A true classic, Player’s Suite Roulette leaves it all up to chance as you try your luck in hopes of winning it big. You just have to take a look at the betting table to see where you want to let the chips lie.

You have many betting options to consider, too, including:

  • Even/Odd
  • Split between numbers
  • Dragon formation
  • Red/Black
  • 2 to 1

Once you have your wager in, it’s time to let the wheel fly and see where the ball lands. If you’re lucky, you’ll hit the jackpot and have even more credits to spend on future games.

Blackjack

You cannot go wrong with a game of Blackjack whenever you want to put your skills and luck to the test. The game follows traditional rules, so you always know what to expect when you enter the playing field. You just have to decide what to wager and then let the cards guide your way to a win.

While the basic rules will get you going, it’s best to learn all the tricks of winning at this game, like always doubling down on a hard 11. You’ll need plenty of luck on your side, too, so you can get the right cards at all most opportune moments. Otherwise, you may need to reload your credits to try again.

Jacks or Better

As a part of their video poker suite, Jacks or Better gives you a chance to improve your strategy at the table. This game starts with your initial wager, triggering the system to deal you five cards.

With those cards in hand, you can decide if you want to increase your bet and move forward with the round. If so, you’ll just need to discard one or more cards to try to get a winning hand.

Winning hands include:

  • Two Pair
  • Three of a Kind
  • Straight
  • Full House
  • Royal Flush

If players do not have any winning combinations, jacks or better will win the round.

Upon finding your favorite games, consider participating in tournaments as well. Slot and video poker tournaments appear each day, allowing you to try your luck while putting your skills to the test. If you win big, you’ll get all the credits you need to keep the games going all day long. 

5 Tips to Help You Debug Code — The Easy Way

Posted on by scatty

There’s perhaps nothing more frustrating than writing code that doesn’t end up producing the desired result. When that happens, you must go back through your code to find the error and fix it. Visual Studio and other debugging tools can help, but the real solution comes from you. You need to have a plan on how to approach this trying problem whenever bugs get in the way of having flawless code. To help you out, here’s what to do.

Find the Error

While you could go through your code line by line, a debugging tool is key in finding the problem fast. Visual Studio is a popular option, but it’s not the only tool you have at your disposal.

Other code debugging tools include:

  • GDB
  • ReSharper
  • Chrome DevTools
  • PlatformIO
  • Memfault

With your tool of choice at your side, simply put your code into the system and let it reveal the errors. Then, take the time to reflect on why the system generated that error and figure out how to fix it. 

Ask Google

Don’t be afraid to ask Google whenever you don’t immediately recognize the error and understand how to resolve the issue in full. Chances are good that someone has run into the same problem and asked for advice on forums and other online communities.

For the best chance at finding the answers you seek, do a detailed search with all the error data and the name of the programming language you’re using. Then, use only the most recent sources since coding technology can quickly change, making old solutions obsolete.

Talk It Out

Rubber duck debugging is a time-honored tradition in the coding world. This approach allows you to talk through every line of your code, potentially resulting in you gaining a new perspective on the data.

While a rubber duck is the ideal audience for solo programmers, it’s often better to bring in a fellow coder whenever possible. That way, you’ll have a second set of eyes on the problem as you go through your code from start to finish.

Step Away

Sometimes, when you’re too close to the problem, it’s almost impossible to find the right answer. Avoid that by giving yourself permission to walk away when the error starts to feel way too challenging to overcome.  

Go out for a brisk walk in the fresh air, get a cup of coffee, or simply close up shop for the day. When you come back to address the issue, you’ll have a better chance of seeing the issue differently and thinking up lasting solutions.

Squash the Bug

Skip the urge to put a band-aid on the problem just to get the code up and running fast. Instead, aim to fully squash the bug for good, so it doesn’t come back to haunt you.

Otherwise, future changes could bring the bug back, resulting in even more problems with your program. Worse yet, the temporary fix could bring even more bugs to the forefront of your program, resulting in errors and crashes galore.

To avoid that, simply test your code once you’ve enacted a solution for the error at hand. Run tests on each section of your codebase for the best results. Then, fix whatever bugs show up during the tests to create clean code that will withstand the test of time.

Debugging is a part of life when you enter the world of programming. So, create a plan to follow whenever problems arise, and you’ll give yourself the best chance of finding and fixing the problem fast.

How Much Do Broadway Stars Earn?

Posted on by scatty

Are you dreaming of being a Broadway sensation and wondering how much that can put in your bank? Or are you just curious about the financial health of the supporting actors and dancers you see at Broadway shows are? Either way, read on to discover all.

The top earning Broadway star as of 2023 is Lin-Manuel Miranda, whose net worth is estimated at $80 million thanks to several hit Broadway shows, including “Hamilton.” The hip-hop musical about America’s early leaders won almost every Tony award and sold $3 million worth of tickets in its first week.

Other Broadway actors, singers, and dancers don’t make as much as the star and creator of “Hamilton.” Represented by the Actor’s Equity Association, non-starring Broadway performers will make a minimum of $2,638 per week in 2024. As of 2022, they made $2,034 a week, according to Playbill.

Top Earning Broadway Stars of All Time

Some top earning Broadway stars are multi-talented women who have had long careers on the stage.

  • Angela Lansbury: Angela Lansbury was the TV star of “Murder She Wrote” between 1984 and 2003 and the voice of Mrs. Potts in “Beauty and the Beast,” but her heart was always on Broadway. She starred in numerous Broadway productions, receiving six Tony Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award. Angela started out making only $60 a week singing at a Russian nightclub and ended up with an estimated net worth of $70 million before her death at age 96 in 2022.
  • Bernadette Peters: Another high-earning Broadway star is Bernadette Peters, who started out in 1959 at only age 10 appearing in the New York City Center’s revival of a classic play, “The Most Happy Fella.” In 1969, Bernadette won several awards for Outstanding Broadway Debut in “George M!” In 2021, Bernadette starred in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella on Disney+. Her net worth is $40 million as of 2023, according to The Richest.
  • Julie Andrews: The British singer and actor starred as Maria Von Trapp in the “Sound of Music” on Broadway and in film. She’s also famous as Mary Poppins. Julie’s estimated net worth is $30 million and she made $225,000 per week in 1964 starring in “Sound of Music” on Broadway.
  • Hugh Jackman: Tall, handsome Jackman, best-known as the X-Man Wolverine in Marvel films, is a multi-talented singer, actor and dancer who portrayed Harold Hill in “The Music Man” on Broadway between 2021 and 2023. Hugh earned $100,000 per week base pay in “The Music Man,” according to Playbill, plus a share of the gross ticket sales. As of 2023, Hugh’s net worth is estimated at $150 million to $180 million according to different wealth tracking websites.

Wide Range of Earning For Broadway Stars

People who appear in Broadway shows as supporting characters, singers, or dancers earn a minimum of around $2,000 per week. Stars who can bring audiences to the theater at ticket prices of $200 to $300 or more can earn 50 times that amount.  You can also earn even more if you combine being a star with being a creator, director, and producer like Lin-Manuel Miranda, who created and starred in “Hamilton.”

The Logic Of Symbols: How Do Corporations Choose Logos To Shape Their Image?

Posted on by scatty

Think about the iconic corporate logos that stand out as memorable, familiar and enduring. Whether it’s the McDonald’s arched M, the Nike swoosh or the Apple … apple, there are certain icons that have worked on multiple levels.

The art and science of corporate logo design incorporates multiple elements. Best-practice design techniques, color science and testing all factor in to the development of a strong and effective corporate logo.

These decisions are critically important. A study of corporate logo design published in Harvard Business Review showed that logo choices – descriptive or nondescriptive, simple or complex, symmetrical or asymmetrical – can greatly influence consumer behavior, funding decisions and brand performance and equity.

How do corporations develop their logos? Here’s a look at the steps that result in excellent, powerful and resonant corporate logos.

Conceptualization

The first step is to iterate what the desired outcome is for logo design. How will the logo be used? What will the logo say about your brand.

You want a logo that communicates what your brand is all about. The logo is a critical element of your broader brand strategy.

Research

Logo design is about far more than finding a cool graphic and adding some text. It also needs to be relevant to and representative of your brand. The team working on your logo should conduct research into the following:

  • Competition. This work will assess what competitors have for logos and are there common themes and approaches within your industry
  • Versatility. Logos need to work in multiple formats and channels. You want a logo that will work on your website, social media, signage, letterhead and business cards and advertising
  • History. Is there a historical significance to your company, location or name? If so, incorporating that heritage into a logo is an ideal opportunity
  • Resonance. The logo can look fantastic on your website, but does it resonate with your target audience? A good logo will form a connection with customers

Brainstorming and Designing

Logo design is a process that will have multiple waves of presentation, discussion and refinement.

Brainstorming meetings that allow designers and executives to share ideas, concepts and approaches can elicit powerful ideas that lead to great logos. This creative process may involve initial rounds with larger groups before shifting to a smaller group of decision-makers who evaluate different rounds of options.

Some designers choose to present initial concepts in black and white, leaving the decisions on color to later in the process. A minimal approach to colors is usually the right approach, choosing hues that may already be incorporated into your brand.

Other considerations in this phase will include:

  • Typography. What fonts and faces will be included, if any, in your logo
  • Longevity. Will the logo endure and not become dated
  • Shapes. The shapes you choose say a lot about the brand. Circular shapes are perceived as softer, friendlier and caring. Angular shapes evoke a more formal and firm position
  • Icons. Whether derived from your logo or paired with them, the icons you may choose to use as part of your brand need to be aligned with the logo

Finalization and Presentation

When the logos have been finalized, they will likely go through multiple layers of approval. Marketing teams, C-suite leaders and even boards may want to share their feedback on the logo. That’s why presentation is so critical. In this phase, designers will provide examples of how the logo will look on your web page, on social channels and in company marketing materials. These presentations will be accompanied by narratives about the process, the purpose of the logo and what it is intended to evoke in customers and other stakeholders.

Logos are an important part of a brand. Using a careful process can result in an end result that’s appealing, compelling and effective.