A Strong LMS Logo, Key to Successful E-Learning Courseware
E-learning course developers preparing content for migration to learning management system are typically faced with a host of choices to make. Besides the more practical concerns such as navigation and deciding which tools to employ, there are also aesthetic choices. Namely, you’ll have to make choices regarding the course’s style and design. Your courseware logo is just one element in the design–but it’s an important one.
First, a disclaimer: compared to many other e-learning course choices, a logo is really quite unimportant. Your content itself needs to be unique, strong and effective in order to survive and thrive. However, it’s also true that no one says “Don’t judge a book by its cover” for nothing. The reality is we all do it; we make quick, visually-based judgments all the time. We do it when we decide about everything from soap to dinner to cars, to even more important choices involving education and romantic partners. Considering this, it must also be acknowledged that a smart and memorable logo can distinguish your courseware from others. It can pique the interest of potential users, and stick with them in the future.
So what types of logos work the best? Keep in mind this rule: your logo acts as the visual illustration that represents your e-learning course. Essentially, it will embody your learning content. But it will also, after some time, facilitate viewer recognition of (and trust in) your product.
Logos can be a simple name or logotype or an ideograms (visual including icons, signs and emblems). Ideograms are often easily recognizable alone. For example, the McDonald’s arc is easily identifiable without the necessity to see the word “McDonald’s.”
Although some courseware developers and companies rely on pre-packaged logos, your own design might be the best solution–not to mention the most fun to come up with. Remember, it’s your content and your vision. And in any case, a logo can be very easy to design.
The first step in creating a unique and interesting e-learning courseware logo is to brainstorm. Use up lots of paper, and sketch and write out everything by hand. Large design firms use this system, sketching everything out by hand before even referring to a computer. Sketching is the best way to quickly visualize, imagine and produce your courseware logo.
Once you have your simple and aesthetically pleasing logo design, it’s time to play with it. Try many different things. Experiment with different shades and colors. Try different combinations. Put your logo in many situations, adding text in different positions to find out where it looks best. Try out different fonts and sizes.
Throughout it all, keep your users in mind. Create a logo with a bold and unique e-learning course logo design whose integrity and innovation suits that of the learning management system course itself.

