Launching a new business or rebranding the one you have now?
For either scenario, designing the ultimate logo should be a priority. In that one image, people can pick up what your business is about and what kind of emotions or beliefs you want to enforce.
Not sure how to design a logo? Not sure what may or may not work?
Don't fret, we have got your back. Read our logo design tips to make the most effective and memorable one yet!
1. Design in Monochrome
To design the ultimate logo, you have to start with a strong design. Unfortunately, many designers fall into the trap of making a logo in color.
Guess what could happen if you had to print that logo in black and white? You might have to do so for a letterhead, for marketing purposes, or monochrome displays. If you didn't plan for that, the logo might look like a jumbled mess without the colors.
2. Keep It Scalable
Never forget that your logo has to look good regardless of its size. Some designers make the mistake of putting too many details in their logos. It might look good on a website or billboard but it won't make any sense when shrunk down to fit on a business card or flyer.
This is why it is better to design a logo using vector illustration tools, like Adobe Illustrator. You will get the chance to shrink or enlarge a logo before finalizing it and test how it looks in both extremes.
3. Incorporate Brand Identity
Does your brand embody communication, the same way Twitter does? Does it focus on promoting joy, such as McDonald's? If you take a moment to check their logos, they both incorporate brand identity into their designs.
You need to do the same thing.
Break down your brand's identity to one, solid concept, and then use that as the pillar for your logo design. If you can elicit the same emotion from the design, you know you've got an effective logo.
Not sure how to represent your brand with your logo? Learn how to better incorporate brand identity into your logo with the help of our marketing company.
4. Double Entendre
Take a moment to look at the logo for FedEx. Do you see the hidden arrow between the E and X? Check out the arrow underneath the Amazon logo too and marvel at how it goes from A to Z, symbolizing how Amazon sells basically everything.
These are visual double entendres. Logos with hidden meanings and visuals can go a long way in making them memorable.
However, make sure you don't end up with a negative double entendre. Some designers don't realize their logos feature offensive imagery. A few of the worst offenders include the logos for the Arlington Pediatric Center, A-Style, and Locum.
5. Keep It Simple
Don't over-complicate things when designing a logo. It might be tempting to stuff as much imagery and text on it but the best logos are the ones people can remember quickly.
Think about the simplicity and efficiency people associate with the logos for Nike, Adidas, the Nintendo Switch, and Apple.
Simple logos are easy to remember, easy to identify, and easy to market. They're also easier and cheaper to print because of the fewer colors involved. This is why the Apple logo shifted from using different colors to sticking with white.
Is it possible to use a complex logo and still find success?
Yes, but it's a rare case. One of the best examples of this at work is Starbuck's. It's quite complex but the elegant design and colors make it easy to recall.
6. Make It Active
Have you ever seen Twitter's original logo? It featured a bird perched on a twig. Take the time to look at it now.
Arrows, shake lines, or drawings of action and movement in a logo can help achieve similar effects.
The new logo depicts the bird in flight. This gives the illusion of motion. A static logo won't be as effective because it'll look flat and dull.
Making your logo active promotes a sense of momentum. It prevents people from assuming that your company is stale and too old-fashioned.
7. Colors Matter
Don't simply slap colors onto your logo because you think they look good. Every hue can evoke a different emotion so take your time to plan your logo colors.
Use the psychology of colors to your advantage.
If you want to evoke a sense of excitement and joy, for example, you can focus more on the colors red and yellow. Do you want to give people formal and business-centric vibes before they even read the text? You can do so by utilizing black, silver, and white.
8. Choose Typography Carefully
Your choice of typography can make or break your logo. Coca-cola has an iconic logo and it's stayed almost the same way for decades due to its memorable custom-made font.
Remember that your choice of fonts can alter how the logo looks when scaled to a different size. It can be the deciding factor on whether or not people can read the logo.
Avoid common and cliche font like Comic Sans or Times New Romans. Use fonts that embody the brand's core identity but is also unique. If needed, take the time to make a custom font from scratch.
Design the Ultimate Logo Today!
Remember that your logo is more than an image. It carries your company's identity and ideals. It's the ultimate representation of your business, crammed into one image.
Now you can achieve that and more with these ultimate logo tips. Design the ultimate logo today for your business or brand.
Of course, building a good logo is only the beginning. You have to start shifting to build your brand and implement key marketing strategies. The good news is we've got you covered, so feel free to read more of our blogs and guides here, today! We have a wide variety of articles on business branding and logos.
