So you're thinking of having some buttons made. Great! Now what? Anyone can throw together something with your name or slogan on it. Thats the easy part. So, what's going to make your button somethng people will want to wear? Having seen it, will anyone remember your message? Maybe a better question to ask is; Why a button? Why not a magnet, or a transfer, or a calendar?
We at Buttonsource are hoping that we can help answer some of these questions through this blog and invite you to share your thoughts and experiences with us. Although there is no one right answer to any of these questions, we think there are still some fundemental truths that will guide you in your quest for "The Perfect Button".
Now that we've hopefully peaked your interest, let's take a look at what a button is designed to do. The basic idea of a button is to EXCITE, ENLIGHTEN and INFORM. To accomplish these goals, step one is the most often ignored or overlooked in an attempt at being "artsey".
Step One: Make sure your button is readable at a minimum distance of three feet! Unless you or your potential target audience are feeling unusually friendly, this MUST be your first priority. There are many reasons why these mini billboards can't fulfill their destiny. Not only is the type style and size of critical importance, but so is the buttons' overall color scheme and design. To easily read or communicate, a button needs to have a readable font OR recognizable design. Since there is no single solution to this problem, do what we do if we're not sure; Forget what your moniter shows, PRINT IT!!! Hold it up at arms length in whatever lighting type you are designing for (outdoor, indoor, day or night), and see if it does its job.
You'll probably be shocked at what you're seeing! Nothing looks the same. The colors arn't as vivid or bright. The text is getting lost in the background. The black logo on a blood red button can't be seen, etc., etc.
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