Just W8...You might want to search the forums on this particular topic since this has been discussed a lot.
But, to answer your question, Yes, these are 2 separate processes. When you want to protect your logo, you'll need to trademark this--which is an application filled out and delivered to the USPTO. Furthermore, when you want to protect your designs, they will need to be copyrighted. I must say, however, both of these are costly especially when you engage lawyers. This is what we've done. Getting something copyrighted is generally cheaper than a trademark and the process isn't as long as it would if you had something trademarked. In it's simplest form, via trademark process, once your application is submitted to the USPTO, it then goes to an agent to review, that agent then announces your existence to others and if nobody disputes it, it is then registered. That is when it is legal to use the ®.
Keep in mind, trademark is protecting your 'Brand' while a copyright is protecting a design/image or as they say 'intellectual property' or form of expression.
For your reference, check out the USPTO site (
United States Patent and Trademark Office Home Page) to search trademarks review both the trademark and copyright process. I highly suggest you educate yourself on this.
Question about Trademarks 
