The creative process: Designing logos for clinical trials.
In a world with more logos, slogans, messages, and branding devices than you can count, it takes a unique design to break through – to connect with people on a level that moves them to action. We caught up with some members of our creative team to hear their thoughts on designing compelling clinical trial logos.
Look to the condition or illness for shape and color inspiration.
Kelly, an associate creative director, begins her design process by researching the condition or illness the clinical trial is aiming to treat or observe. For example, Kelly designed the logo for the Chameleon Study. This clinical trial tested a treatment for pediatric molluscum contagiosum, a viral infection causing a skin rash with wart-like bumps on a child’s body. With the symptoms of this condition in mind, she designed a logo made out of dots in the shape of the letter C. The C stood for “Chameleon,” and the dots represented the bumps characteristic of the viral infection.
Create a logo that works across a variety of materials.
Lillian, a senior art director, knows that with any clinical trial, the logo could be featured on websites, in magazine ads, on water bottles, in pamphlets, on gym bags, and more. Because of this, it’s important to design a logo that can seamlessly translate among all media. Her go-to test? If the logo looks good in all black, then it’ll likely work on a variety of backgrounds and materials.
Lillian designed the logo for the Kinect Study. This clinical trial tested a treatment for tardive dyskinesia, a nervous system condition that causes repetitive, involuntary movements. The creative concept for the campaign focused on individuals portrayed as marionettes. With this information, Lillian used a typeface reminiscent of the controlling strings and starkly juxtaposed it with a plainer secondary typeface to highlight the involuntary disconnect experienced by tardive dyskinesia sufferers. The simplicity of this logo – composed of simple yet distinctive lines – translated well onto all study materials.
Be mindful of the emotional sensitivity surrounding clinical trials.
All members of our creative team agree that when designing logos for clinical trials, it’s important to get into the mind of the patient. A clinical trial logo represents more than just a company or a cause – it represents hope for those affected by an illness or condition. For this reason, taking into account patients’ mind-sets, outlooks, and opinions becomes an imperative step in the logo design process.
What are some of the best pharmaceutical logos you’ve seen? Interested in having us design a logo for your upcoming clinical trial? We’d love to connect with you.
