Author: Tiara Rea

About two years ago, as I was searching online for graphic and logo design companies, I stumbled across a nice ‘little’ site called TheLogoCreator.com. I had been looking at logo design companies, individual designer sites, and template generators all day, but this site was different. A refreshing change from the normal (and somewhat boring!) world of logo templates, I instantly sent these guys an email and the owner, Marc Sylvester, got back to me and we immediately began talking and trading information.

Recently, two of Marc’s logo design sets from the Logo Creator were added to our $775 Free Bonus offer, and he agreed to sit down for an interview to talk about hosting with Lunarpages, his experiences in Logo Design, and his efforts in all things graphic!

Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Marc! As you know, I’m a huge fan of your logo design software, but for those who haven’t yet given it a shot yet, please tell us a bit about TheLogoCreator.

First off, let me say that I’m honored to be interviewed by such a great company. Lunar Pages is terrific. I highly recommend them to everybody I talk to (including members of my forum).

The Logo Creator is a software product I first created back in 1999. In a nuttshell, The Logo Creator helps to create logos for your business. You’re presented with professionally designed logo templates that you can mix, match and modify.
Since its launch in the fall of 2000, Its gone through some nice enhancments and is now up to version 5. I’ve also since come out with various logo “Packs” – themed editions (sports, corporate, cartoon etc…) containing more logos and logo elements that you can add to your collection.

The Logo Creator has been very successfull for me and I continue to update and enhance it.

TheLogoCreator is a branch of your main business, LaughingBird Software. How did you come up with that name?

LOL. I get asked that question quite a bit. Way back in the day, (the dial-up modem days of the early 90′s) I was working for a company who went belly up. I was let go and decided I no longer wanted to work for anybody but myself. I knew the only way to fly was to start my own business.

One night, while trying to think up a name for my company – a little mocking bird was outside my window. Have you ever heard a mocking bird sing? It sounds like laughter.

… at first, the mocking bird was driving me nutts (they don’t stop laughing). Finally, it was SO bad, it became funny. I began to laugh. And I began to doodle a little ‘laughing bird’ on some paper. Then it hit me that the name of the company was going to be “Laughingbird Productions”.

The original idea of Laughingbird was to create a tropical look and feel to my company; “Sit back, relax, or take a vacation while I do the work for you”. It’s a positive name and makes people smile. The Laughingbird became my symbol and it’s been with me ever since.

Speaking of names, do you have one for your cute parrot mascot?

lol. Nope. He’s just my little Laughing bird.

What makes TheLogoCreator different than all the other logo design software out there?

It was the first of its kind. It’s got the best logos, it’s the easiest logo design product out there …and the forum (The Logo Design Forum) now has over 15,000 members. No other Logo Design software product (and actually, no other logo design company if I think about it) has such a large active forum. Am I bragging? Yup.

What are the differences or benefits in your nearly 10 different Logo Design packs?

Each themed Edition comes with its own logo library of themed logos, and hundreds of logo elements. Each set can be run on its own (no need to have any other version of The Logo Creator installed) but can also be added to any collection you currently have.

How long have you been hosting with Lunarpages and how has the experience been?

Ah. Lunarpages has been a HUGE part of my business. The tools, tech support and pricing that Lunarpages provides are hands down the best.

I’ve been through so many other hosting services I’ve lost track. Each and every one of them has caused me grief in some way. Downtime, lack of features, too expensive for what they provided … that sort of thing.

I went out Googling for a new company one day and found some great reviews for Lunarpages. I then went onto some forums and heard many others talking (very highly) of Lunarpages. So I made the jump and have been incredibly happy every since. Going on 3 years now.

You offer two logo design sets free to all Lunarpages customers, which is so nice! Can you tell us a bit about this awesome offer?

I know I sound like a commercial, but I’ve been so happy with Lunarpages, I wanted to give something back. I’m offering The Entertainment Edition and The Sports Edition of The Logo Creator for all members (new and old) of the Lunarpages family. This has been a win/win for everybody. Lunarpages gets a nice promotion, the customer gets free software, and I get branding and recognition to a large base of people that don’t know much about my company. It’s been a huge success and I’d do it again in a heartbeat

What do you think is the hardest thing about designing your own logo?

Great question. Yes, designing your own logo is always the toughest. You get so tied up with its creation, you can’t see the trees for the forest (is that the correct analogy?). Should the logo be a symbol? Should it be all text based? What the heck are my colors?

This is the very reason I created The Logo Creator. TLC gives you this ‘jump off’ point. Allows you to start off with something great, and make it even better.

What are your future plans for your software?

Since launching TLC in the fall of 2000, I’ve come out with many new products. The Business Card Creator, The Web Graphics Creator (web page graphics like page headers, splash page images and eBook covers…), and the Flash Ad Creator (animated banner ads).

I’m soon to launch The Animated Logo Creator and The Blog Theme Creator (create different skins for your WordPress blogs).

That’s so exciting! We can’t wait to see the new products. So what did you do before logo design?

I was a camp counselor for years. This experience taught me how to work with kids. Soon after college, I began teaching cartooning to kids ages 5 to 12. This gave me ‘teaching’ experience. One of my past life jobs was to teach adults who were laid off from their jobs a new occupation. I taught Multimedia programming to them using a tool from Macromedia called “Director”. Director is a cousin to Flash.

How important do you think a logo is for any small or large business?

Huge! It’s the first thing a potential customer sees about you. It sets the look, feel and tone of your entire company. If it’s a slap-shod logo, this is what a potential client will think of you.

Do you offer any tips to new designers on the best ways to design a professional logo for their business or website?

Yes, my forum is full of great tips and advice on getting a new logo created. The software also contains tips and tricks in the tutorials and help files.

Okay, now let’s have some fun! Would you rather…go skydiving or skinny-dipping?

LOL. Skinny dipping. Hands down. Never skinny-sky-diving. (wouldn’t THAT be a sight! … look! Up in the sky!…)

Eat an entire box of chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin cookies?

Raisin Cookies!

Take the scenic route or just get from point A to point B?

Always the scenic route. Its a way of life.

Type an email or call someone on the phone?

eMail.

Order pizza or Chinese?

This one’s a toss up. Chinese Pizza?

What do you do when no one is looking?

Eat raisin cookies and Chinese food.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

Awesome question. I’d turn invisible. Then, nobody would ever see me eat raisin cookies or Chinese food.

Great answers, Marc! Thanks for taking the time to answer all these questions!

Thanks for taking the time to ask! Again, Lunarpages is one of my favorite companies. I truly value it.

Thanks again to Marc! Feel free to check out his amazing products or sign up for Lunarpages Hosting to get two free logo design sets courtesy of Mr. Logo Creator himself! If you’d like more information on this offer, check out Lunarpages Free Bonus.