The most important factor in creating an impression about your brand is the logo design and it should be unique and attractive. Most people are likely to notice an impeccably designed logo that accomplishes the central goal which is to put an event on the map, it advertises the company and sets a memorable standard.
If you are a designer, freelancer or entrepreneur, I have 5 important tips that will help you create a stunning and memorable logo design that will allow you to leave a lasting impression.
- Understand Your Brand
Before you pick up the pencil (or open the design software), get clear on what your brand is about. A logo should reflect your brand values and character. Ask yourself these questions:
- What does my brand story tell?
- Who is my target audience?
- How do I want people to feel when they see my logo?
For example, think of the golden arches of McDonald’s as a logo-it’s playful, approachable, and instantly screams comfort. Compare that to the sleek Tesla “T” logo, one that radiates innovation and luxury. Both logos epitomize the essence of their brand.
Research your sector and target audience. For example, a fitness studio that caters to young professionals might want a modern and energetic logo design while an independent bookstore might opt for something cozy and traditional.
So keep this in mind: Design with your brand’s identity at the core of every decision.
- Simplicity is Key
The logo design should be as simple as possible because more details will add up and make it less memorable. The logo design should be easy to remember, recognize and measure. Every extra thing added to the logo design will only hide the finer details further.
As far as the most recognizable logos go, take Nikes for example, they have a concise swoosh design as well as some particularly well defined patterns that can be easily recognized. Take an apple which is another great logo design that should be used both in style and accessibility, a bitten apple is enough.
When designing a logo skip the need for multiple colors, gradient patterns, multiple logos, instead focus on wanting a unique one that captures the essence of the brand. Being minimal doesn’t mean being boring, it simply means being detail oriented.
- Focus on Versatility
Business cards, social media, billboards, websites will all have your logos on them, so it’s important that they look great everywhere. Logos that take a versatile approach will serve you better than those that don’t.
It’s important to test your design using multiple colors, black and white, and different sizes.
Does your logo design still look great when you resize it to the size of a pen or use it as a billboard? If it doesn’t, make changes.
I would suggest saving as a vector image instead of rasterizing to a bitmap. Vector files aren’t bound by pixels, allowing them to be enlarged without losing their quality. If you make sure your logo design is flexible, you won’t have to go through the hassle of redesigning your logo.
- Choose the Right Colors
Do you remember the last time a color made you angry? See, color matters. Each color was assigned a particular psychological effect, and for some reason, there are certain colors that complement your business better than others.
For example:
- Blue conveys trustworthiness, professionalism, and calmness (think Facebook or LinkedIn).
- Red conveys enthusiasm, passion, and urgency (hello Coca-Cola).
- Green suggests health/nature/sustainable living (Whole Foods).
By using a maximum of 2-3 colors, you’ll create a color scheme that works. Too many colors will likely make your logo less distinctive. And don’t forget about contrast – the colors used should be easily visible and complement each other.
Finally, ask yourself how your logo design looks in just black and white. Will the lack of colors make it unimpressive? If the answer is yes, you should go for it.
- Use Appropriate Typography
The typography of your logo design is just as important as the color of the logo or the imagery used in it.
A font conveys a meaning even before the word is pronounced, choosing one for your brand should revolve around the brand message.
For example:
- Times New Roman and similar serif classics are more of a class than anything else.
- Sans-serif fonts love modernity and simplicity and a great example of this is again Helvetica.
- Script Fonts that are eye-catching and animated without a doubt, but still need to be readable.
Don’t forget about clarity because that is important to you- because creativity is never out of mind. Choose no more than two fonts so that everything works logically. Imagine Disney’s font as the example above because it is very clear that magic is meant to be playful but straightforward.
Typographers should understand that branding is more than using typography or placing an image with words- it is about how the logo looks.
Create a Logo Design That Lasts
There are few things you should worry about when it comes to creating a great logo- it is important to know the business or company you are in well and then focus on avoiding unnecessary complexities that don’t add value and the rest of the factors can be left to the designing. Gradually, you can add cohesion to your branding by integrating fonts and colors to a level that you are proud of your logo.
If you are having trouble or need expert guidance, feel free to contact us. Work with one of our professional designers to create a logo design that speaks volumes. Whatever your vision might be, we can help you achieve it!
