10 Tips for Designing a Logo That'll Make Your Brand Pop
Logos are all around us. They can be found on our phones, shoes and cereal boxes. While some may make us yawn, others demand a second glance. But the best ones? They make us feel.
Creating a logo is more than just making things look pretty or choosing a fancy font – although those things matter, too. It’s about distilling your brand to its purest form and then packing it into one mighty visual whack on the nose. It’s about telling your story without saying a word.
But here’s the thing: Great logos don’t happen by accident, and they aren’t created during a designer’s fever dream or stumbled upon by chance in the dark – although that would be nice. No, no, my friend… great logos are crafted. Honed. Refined.
Do you want to make a logo that jumps off the page? That stops people in their tracks and opens up their hearts. You’ve come to the right place because we’re about to take you through everything there is to know about creating killer brand marks where creativity dances with strategy and art shake hands with psychology.
Buckle up – it’s going to get colourful!
Table of Contents
Top 10 Tips for Designing a Logo
1. Know Your Brand Inside Out
Before drafting a document or typing up an essay, it is essential to understand your brand. What is its narrative? What motivates it? What makes it unique?
Is your brand the life of the party or more withdrawn? Is it sporty and energetic or calm and collected? This knowledge is similar to knowing which clothes are appropriate for different events because it helps you leave an impression on people accordingly.
Who do you want to attract with this logo- teenagers, businessmen/women, dog owners…? The group you aim at should be informed of all design aspects, so try to learn them as best as possible.
2. Keep It Simple, Silly
In the realm of logos, minimalism is frequently better. Some of the best-known logos are examples of this approach — Apple’s apple, Nike’s swoosh, and McDonald’s golden arches; they are all simple but effective.
A basic logo design can be easily recognised and remembered while versatile enough for different media platforms. Think about it like telling a great joke – if you have to explain the punchline, it isn’t funny.
Don’t try to squeeze every single aspect of what makes up your company into one graphic emblem. This isn’t so much a corporate pamphlet as it serves as an illustration representing your brand visually.
3. Make It Memorable
Your logo must be memorable, like that song that plays repeatedly in your brain. So how do you do it?
Consider Nike’s Swoosh or the Mercedes-Benz star. These shapes are so distinctive that they can be identified without the brand name.
The FedEx logo conceals an arrow within its negative space. It’s brilliant, subtle, and makes you look twice — that’s what sticks.
4. Choose Your Colours Wisely
Colours aren’t solely beautiful; they’re also powerful. They can express feelings, create atmospheres, and affect choices too.
Were you aware that blue can make people feel more trusting or calm? Or that red can whet the appetite? Many banks are in blue buildings, and fast food chains have many red logos.
Specific colours go together well, like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Others clash like pineapple on pizza – so be careful what you choose!
5. Typography Matters
Logo text requires careful consideration when it comes to font choice. Think of it as picking out an accent for your brand voice.
Do you want a traditional serif or a sleek sans-serif? Playful handwriting or strong block letters? Whatever personality your brand has, choose a typeface accordingly.
Occasionally, pre-made fonts don’t quite cut it. When this happens, designing custom typography ensures that no other businesses will have the same logo as yours.
6. Make It Versatile
A good logo looks great on a small business card or a giant billboard. It has to be a shapeshifter.
A good logo should look great at any size. Test this by scaling your design up and down immensely. If it still looks good, you’re doing well.
Your logo could show up on websites, product packaging, television advertisements, or embroidered onto uniforms. Ensure that it functions well across all of these mediums.
7. Tell a Story
Not only should logos be visually appealing, but they should also convey a narrative. For instance, the smile underneath Amazon’s name implies that it delivers everything from A to Z. Baskin Robbins features a hidden ’31’ on its logo, representing the number of flavours they have.
Can you incorporate some aspect of your company’s past into its emblem without being too obvious? Consider including the year it was established or an object related to where it originated.
Symbols are powerful tools because they can represent many things simultaneously while taking up very little room physically or visually. The only condition is that whatever symbol used must make sense within context – so don’t just stick any old thing there!
8. Stand Out from the Crowd
In a world where logos are everywhere, you want yours to be noticed. So how do you do that?
See what your competition is up to. Then, do something else. If they’re all using blue, maybe you should try orange.
Occasionally, breaking the rules can result in breakthrough designs. Just ensure you’re breaking them for the right reasons— not just to be different.
9. Test, Test, and Test Again
Logo designs can appear fantastic on computer screens, but they may need to look better in real life. So, what does it look like in the real world?
Display your logo to the individuals who make up your target audience. Ask them for their thoughts. Does it communicate the message you were hoping to convey?
If you need help deciding between two designs, why not test both? Determine which one performs best under real-world conditions.
10. Think Long-Term
Trends are temporary, but logos should remain eternal.
No matter how awesome a design trend may seem now, give it a few years, and it’ll start to look old. Choose classic over fashionable.
Consider how your business might change or expand, and ask yourself if your logo can still be effective with new products or services.
The Art and Science of Logo Design
Designing a logo is comparable to cooking; it is part art, science, and entirely trial and error. You have to mix creativity with strategy and aesthetics with functionality.
The Creative Process
Every designer has their process, but here’s a rough guide:
- Research
- Brainstorm
- Sketch
- Refine
- Digitise
- Test
- Revise
- Finalise
The Technical Side of Things
While being creative is essential, certain technicalities need attention:
- File formats (vector for scalability)
- Colour modes (CMYK for print, RGB for digital)
- Trademark considerations
Logo Design Tools
You don't necessarily have to be a Photoshop genius to create a fantastic logo design. There are many tools available for you to use.
Software for Professionals
Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard if you are serious about design; however, it requires some learning and costs money.
Online Logo Makers
Those on a tight budget or lacking the necessary skills can find online logo makers such as Canva or Looka, which are very helpful and user-friendly.
The Impact of a Great Logo
A logo that is created well can make your brand successful. Here’s what it can do:
- Improve the awareness of your brand
- Establish customer loyalty
- Differentiate you from other businesses
- Express the essence of your brand.
Consider how you feel when you see an apple or those golden arches. This is what a strong logo can achieve.
The Psychology Behind Logo Design
Have you ever wondered why some logos just feel right? That’s because of psychology.
Shape Psychology
Different shapes bring different emotions:
- Circles: Community, friendship, unity
- Squares: Stability, balance, professionalism
- Triangles: Power, science, religion
The Role of Negative Space
Negative space is not empty — it's part of the design. You can use it to create hidden meanings or images.
Logomarks vs. Logotypes
Should the logo be an image, text, or both? Let’s analyse it.
Logomarks
These symbols are purely symbolic, such as Apple’s apple or Shell’s…shell. This type suits global brands when a straightforward and recognisable sign is needed.
Logotypes
Text-only logos like Coca-Cola or Google fall into this category. It works well if your brand name is unique or you want to establish awareness around the name itself.
Combination Marks
This type combines text with symbols, i.e., Burger King or Adidas. They provide advantages from both sides but can take more work to design effectively.
DIY vs. Professional Design
The question of whether or not one should design their logo or hire a professional is open-ended. However, there are certain factors to consider.
Pros of Doing It Yourself
- Cheap
- You have total control
- You know your brand inside out
Cons of Doing It Yourself
- No training or qualifications
- It can be time-consuming and frustrating
- It might end up looking amateurish
When to Get a Pro Involved
Consider getting a design professional if:
- Money isn’t an issue for you
- Your business is already successful or quickly gaining traction
- You’re having trouble coming up with something that satisfies you
Conclusion
Creating a logo is an adventure. It involves condensing the very soul of your brand into one simple, recognisable image, making something which will connect with people and remain relevant through time. Whether working with a professional or going alone, these hints help ensure your logo reflects your business.
It’s worth remembering that while great logos might seem like they’re breaking all the rules, this is only because their creators understand what those rules are in the first place. They know how to balance imagination against practicality, form versus function. Most importantly, they produce designs that feel like “you”.
So don’t be afraid – start drawing! Begin experimenting with different colours or shapes until you find what feels suitable for you; until you find something which looks right, too… and then keep searching some more! Because somewhere out there is the perfect symbol for everything you stand for as an organisation – so happy hunting!
Remember this, though: when it does appear before us at last, we shan’t need any introduction whatsoever because not only will it be instantly recognisable but most certainly also unmistakable as being none other than our emblematical representation visually embodying who we are.
Good luck with creating yours!
FAQs
How much time should be estimated for a logo design?
This can range from a few hours if the design is simple to several weeks for a complex project with many revisions.
What is the cost of a professional logo design?
The price could be between a few hundred pounds for essential work and tens of thousands for comprehensive branding by a top agency.
Can I copyright my logo?
Yes, registration may be sought to protect your intellectual property rights. However, it is recommended that you consult with an attorney before doing so.
Should my business name be included in my logo design?
It depends on what you want out of your brand. Some companies, such as Apple, do not use their names, while others, like Coca-Cola, rely solely upon them.
When should I update my company's graphic symbol?
While there are no hard and fast rules about this, many enterprises refresh their marks every seven to ten years to keep up with trends and reflect changes within the organisation.
Is clip art okay for creating my unique company emblem or emblem?
Clipart cannot legally serve as an original design because it lacks individuality, meaning anyone else could claim ownership. So, it’s better not to use any clipart at all!
What types of files should I have for my corporate iconography system?
Ideally, one needs vector-based formats like AI or EPS, which allow scalability and rasterised versions such as JPGs or PNGs suited specifically for web usage.
Can more than three colours be used in designing my brand mark?
Although possible, simplicity usually dictates sticking within 1-3 hues when crafting logos due to their versatility when applied across diverse mediums and substrates.
How can I determine whether mine looks too much like another trademarked image or symbol?
Utilise online image search engines or consult legal counsel specialising in intellectual property law concerning trademarks to ensure avoidance by making slight modifications where necessary without losing its essence.
Am I allowed to create my logo even if I don't have any formal design training?
Yes, many non-designers have successfully made their logos by understanding what represents them best visually. However, professional input can still be precious.
Can specific colours used in creating a business symbol affect people psychologically?
Yes, but this effect is not universal since individual preferences and cultural context also influence the perception of colour about logos, which carry specific meanings for different communities worldwide.
What distinguishes a logo from brand identity materials such as stationery or packaging designs?
A logo is just one component of an overall corporate branding exercise, such as letterheads, cards, etc. At the same time, these other elements represent various touchpoints through which consumers interact with brands.
