Logo/Title Design

I am reading the logo design blog post by Jacob Cass on his website http://justcreativedesign.com that I mentioned in a previous post. As I am going to be designing a title, which is similar to a logo or typeface I think this article could be of great help if I look at it from a title sequence angle. What I am going to do for that is "translate" this article and filter out what would be appropriate to take-away for my title design. The questions are straight copy-pasted originals from the blog, the answers are title design variations of the original logo design orientated answers, partly copy-paste, partly re-written or paraphrased to suit my design questions.

“What are the key questions that you ask a client in order to determine the direction to go with their logo?”

What is the goal of the design, production or story you are designing for?
What is the design for? What should it say about the show, their target audience and "competitor"? Where will the title be used? Is it going to be a tagline or is there additional information? Get to know the show so you have a solid design brief to produce the right solution.

“How do you pitch a logo – do you choose 2-3, hoping the client will go for the one you think is the best? How do you persuade the client on the ‘right’ choice if they’ve picked, in your opinion, the ‘worst’ logo?”

The job of a designer isn’t to go “Here are ten designs, pick one”. If you limit the choices to what you think is best for their project, then there is less chance for them to choose the ‘worst’ design. Do your best to explain the reasoning behind your designs to prove that you have nailed the brief.

“When starting a logo design for a new client, what are the classic pitfalls, and how can you avoid them?”
Common mistake: not asking enough questions before the project begins, which includes research. Really get to know the project before you start development.

Another mistake is to copy other designers work. You can borrow, adapt other people's work but never copy.

“What would be your advice for user-testing your logo designs?”

Getting feedback is definitely a crucial part of the design process, though you must make sure you take note of where the feedback is coming from. Take note of how much they know about the story, the brief and product. You can't please everyone, though! Take it with a pinch of salt.

“How do you steer away from clichés to really nail form and meaning?”
Designs are getting so similar these days which makes it vital to put the extra effort in to come up with a strong, original concept. Stay up to date with what is happening in the branding, identity, advertising and design world so you have a solid foundation to build upon for your work.
A Title sequence doesn't have to be self explanatory, it doesn't have to tell the whole story, but it can give a hint to what it's all about.