In times past when plans were made to construct a manufacturing plant, many decisions of budget and material had to be considered. One statement that always held true was that lots of "boilerplate" would be needed. This material is necessary and common for almost every plant. "Boilerplate" has come to mean anything that would be considered necessary and standard to an endeavor.

     The following reports use sections of explanation that would appear in any report of logo development, "boilerplate." The boilerplate section could be more specific as unique efforts are described, but every new design should at least consider these general directions listed for typographic and illustrative exploration.

     You might note the last report. The boilerplate is minimal, but the design rationale is quite detailed. Sometimes this can help the designer focus more clearly on the design process. It also helps to "sell" the project to the client.

     I hope this helps.
                       - Brian Fassett

REPORT SAMPLE
Innovative Computer Tech
The client has started a new company that includes servicing computers, designing networks and training clients to run new software.
     He needs a logo to promote his business and attract new clients. An image is needed that would impart an impression of integrity and professionalism. An image that would have visual impact, yet be unique enough to set him apart.
     Following several brainstorming sessions, the graphic design team generated dozens of visual possibilities. Sketches were produced ranging from abstract shapes to graphic representations of his name. Many typographic design possibilities were considered ranging from contemporary sans serif type styles to traditional oldstyle roman as well as handlettered images. The team explored weight and face variations for the type styles as well as integration with possible graphic devices and symbols.
     Following several meetings and design sessions a design direction emerged. The image was to be a lettermark emphasizing the "ict" letters of the company name. 
     Each team member produced variations on the lettermark theme. These were presented to the client. The semester ended before a final design was approved. 

REPORT SAMPLE
Home Inspection 
The client's business offers thorough inspections of residential homes. His inspections primarily provide protection for the considerable investment of a home purchase. His inspections are also directed toward the physical safety of all who would enter a home. This thorough personal approach differentiates the client from his general competition. 
     The client's primary target will include realtors and mortgage companies, but yellow page ad placement will provide access to his services from the general public.
     An image is needed that would impart an impression of integrity and professionalism. An image that would have visual impact, be unique enough to set him apart, but be associated with homes or home inspection.
Following several brainstorming sessions, the graphic design team generated dozens of visual possibilities. Sketches were produced ranging from abstracted houses to graphic representations of his name.
     Many typographic design possibilities were considered ranging from contemporary sans serif type styles to traditional oldstyle roman as well as handlettered images. The team explored weight and face variations for the type styles as well as integration with possible graphic devices and symbols.
     Following several meetings, including working design sessions with The client, a design solution emerged. The image consists of a simplified abstraction of a house in black silhouette with the first letter of his name overlapped at an upward running angle. The letter bleeds off of the house that creates a visual flow within the symbol and creates a unique and personalized image. The graphic creates a break from the typical, and often cliché, images used by competitors. The letter is in Times Roman, a serif font which has a timeless beauty and wide appeal, the type chosen for the company name is Gill Sans which provides a simple, legible and stable base for the pyramid composition of the symbol and logotype.
     The final designs were produced as vector graphic images in Adobe Illustrator 7.0 and saved as EPS files. This format should provide maximum quality reproduction at any size.

REPORT SAMPLE
RUDOLPH'S REINDEER FOOD
The clients are retired schoolteachers. They are also grandparents. Each Christmas eve their grandchildren leave milk and cookies for Santa. Last Christmas the they prepared packets of reindeer food for their grandchildren to set out for Santa's reindeer. The children were so delighted by this that they decided to share this experience with other children. They have developed a packet of reindeer food for sale prior to Christmas.
     The clients have extensive experience in child psychology and development and had a clear view of the objective of the package label but needed help with the production of the visual art for a retail label.
     One of the clients visited several times with the team to discuss and determine parameters for the end product such as fixed size of the label to accommodate the information as well as the size and contents of plastic bag of "reindeer food". The final size will be 4 1/4" x 7" folded to make a 4 1/4" x 3 1/2" two sided label. It will be drilled top center for rack hanging in a store display.
     Several brainstorming sessions by the graphic design team produced many thumbnail sketches of reindeer, santa, and other Christmas imagery as well as typographic suggestions. Many typographic design possibilities were considered ranging from contemporary sans serif type styles to traditional oldstyle roman as well as handlettered images. The team explored weight and face variations for the type styles as well as possible graphic devices and symbols.
     The final design utilizes hand set type for the product name and two original cartoon illustrations, a "Rudolph" for the front and a "Santa" for the back. Instructions, contents, weight, and address were set in a legible sans serif type style.
     The client was given a computer disk with all files and graphics for the printer and seems well pleased with the result. Negotiations are under way for retail placement for this year's Christmas season.

REPORT SAMPLE
TOWER LEASING
The client is a Motorola Two Way Radio Dealer and radio communication specialty company. He has been in the electronic business for 35 years. His company now has 15 employees and uses the latest computer controlled equipment. Two years ago he started a sister company in Jackson, Mississippi. That company has 14 employees and is managed by his oldest son. He is starting a third company, also in Jackson, which will lease communication space on an 1100-foot tower. His customers will be broadcast (one of his customers is channel 40 - Fox TV) and two-way radio communication. The tower has space for 15 transmitters. The range of the tower is 50 to 60 miles.
     This new company needs a name and a visual image. The corporate image should be one that inspires confidence, stability, and professionalism. It should also project the contemporary state-of-the-art quality of the business.
     Following several brainstorming sessions, the graphic design team generated over 150 possible names that would relate to the new company by location, service, or concept. These names were given to the client for review. Meanwhile, the team began developing visual possibilities to accompany the names. Over 100 thumbnail sketches were produced ranging from abstracted towers to graphic representations of radio waves. Some images of eagles were depicted because they symbolize soaring heights as well as patriotic feelings. the client had casually mentioned an eagle symbol during the initial meeting.
     Several names were selected for design exploration. Another round of thumbnail sketches followed including more finished roughs with typography.
Many typographic design possibilities were considered ranging from contemporary sans serif type styles to traditional oldstyle roman as well as handlettered images. The team explored case, weight and face variations for the type styles as well as possible graphic devices and symbols.
     The client called to inform the group that since he was going sub-chapter "S", It would not be necessary to include the word "incorporated" in the image. He also asked that some images include an eagle. Another set of images were delivered to the client.
     The next day the client sent a fax of two of the roughs, one with a color request and the other with a type style that he liked (Revue) and a sketch of an eagle that he had found.
     More comprehensive images were sent to the client that included interpretations of the suggested images. The client responded several days later with his choice for the eagle image provided by one team member and the preference for the type style "Revue" provided by another. The client suggested possibly including some other type choices.
     The eagle image has been executed in Adobe Illustrator, the latest vector graphic computer program and is stored on a computer disk with type selections to provide instant availability and broad application by the client's printer. 

REPORT SAMPLE
Image Technology logo, Brian Fassett
The boilerplate is minimal, but notice the rationale for the directions that were taken and the decisions that were made. 

DESIGN RATIONALE

REQUIREMENTS An image is required that would reach the intended audience, create an appropriate association with the technology involved, and support and maintain a corporate image that would appear to be contemporary, yet timeless.
     The image must impart the attributes of confidence, stability, and dependability. The image must also appear progressive, positive and forward moving.
     The image must be flexible enough for application in many venues. For print, a logo should work in (black and white as well as color), and in positive as well as reverse. It should be applicable to signage, decal, silkscreen, video, and in three dimensions (such as embossing or jewelry).
     These requirements helped to set the parameters of my search. Within these parameters many fonts ranging from oldstyle Roman to modern sans serif in case, weight, face, and format variations were explored. Various abstract visual elements and arrangements were also examined and considered. I believe that the final design satisfies the image requirements. 
     I chose to spell out the company name as a logotype and symbol for the sake of clarity and impact. The type style is Helvetica, which imparts a clean esthetic beauty, a testament to its Swiss design. Helvetica type has become a symbol of precision and cleanliness. 
     I used bold capital letters for the word "IMAGE" to produce a strong formal visual and maintain symbol weight for reproduction.
     The graphic lines slicing through the rectangular block provide an abstract representation of the nuclear alignment taking place in magnetic resonance imaging as well as the ability of all "image technology" to penetrate solid form. The lines also support interior eye flow through the design as well as providing the element of positive directional movement.
     Bleeding the word “IMAGE” past the boundary of the rectangle also provides interior flow. The word "TECHNOLOGY" is in caps of lighter weight and letterspaced to provide a support for the image block. The result is a positive and negative graphic with visual interest and variation that provides uniqueness, easy identification, compact figure ground relationship, and simplicity and weight for good reproducibility.
     The line "Medical Imaging Experts" was added in a smaller oblique version of Helvetica as an accessory to complete the corporate signature. 
     The final designs were produced as vector graphic images in Illustrator 5.5 and saved as EPS files with 1 bit PC previews. This format provides maximum quality reproduction in any size, unlike a bitmapped image that is held hostage to its initial resolution. As you also know EPS files also take very little storage space.