Logo

What makes a good logo, and what is the effect of a good logo? Nowadays this should almost be the first question a new food venture has to ask itself. Logos are a shorthand for identity, some of them so well known that they form part of our visual culture: just think of 7UP, the snow capped peaks of the Evian water bottle, the inspired little man who signals the Bic biro, the omnipresent Kelloggs.

The Slow Food logo is one of the truly great logos, a visual image which manages to represent everything that Slow Food stands for.

We've selected some of the logos from Irish food ventures which we think fit the criteria for a great logo. Send us news of any companies, restaurants or shops who you think have a great logo, and we'll print them here.

The Bunalun logo succeeds simply because it is so crystal clear and direct: it reminds us of the typefaces used on the original London Underground signage. And the little grace note of the 160 (their Organic Trust number) is pure delight, a little visual tease.

The Organic Trust logo is a success because it is recogniseable instantly you see it. This is because the shape is an echo of the human form, but is then brilliantly synthesised to a plant-like strophe. Smart.

The itsabagel logo works because of its slightly ironic, slightly post-modern appearance. It's very knowing and hip, especially the droll colours, yet the arrangement of the words makes it easy for anyone to pick it out and recognise it straight away.