Your logo is so much more than just an eye-catching visual. It’s the heart of your brand and represents the core of your company’s personality and vision. Designing your logo doesn’t have to be a long process or a difficult one for that matter. Knowing a few simple but essential tips and tricks can help ensure your logo stands out from the crowd. Not only that, the process of creating a logo gets easier when you have a solid plan in place and have a clear understanding of the principles of design.
From keeping it simple to understanding the importance of balance and complementary colours, here are our top 6 tips and tricks for creating a logo you’ll love!
- Make it simple
Some of the best logos out there are the simplest. They give the viewer an immediate and clear sense of you and your brand, leaving a more lasting impact on your potential customers and audience.
Your logo is going to be used in a variety of different ways and on different platforms so any small details may get lost along the way. Making good choices when it comes to fonts, colours and graphics are a crucial, and often overlooked, step. Choose only a few active elements for your design and try not to overcrowd it. Simplicity also requires adequate spacing, so don’t be afraid of a little white space in your logo too.
Ultimately the simplicity of your logo will make it stand out and tell your audience what you and your company are all about. Remove any elements or details that aren’t absolutely essential to your core message. Additionally, visual effects like shadows, outlines and gradients serve a purpose and don’t complicate your logo.
2. Make it memorable
A memorable logo will stick in the minds of your audience and can turn potential customers into paying customers. Your logo should be easily remembered after a first glance and should stand out no matter where it’s being displayed.
Making it memorable doesn’t necessarily mean making it flashy and loud, it should stand for something singular and should have elements in it that are easily recalled (i.e. a dog bone, a swoosh). A logo that has multiple parts or is over stylized can get lost and can be easily dismissed.
To test how memorable your logo is, try this:
- Put your logo and 8 other logos on a piece of paper (arranged in rows), make sure they’re the same size with the same distance between each one.
- Show the paper to family and friends, let them see it for about 30 seconds or so.
- Take the paper away and ask them to recall and describe as many logos from the paper as they can. Do you they mention your logo?
If they don’t recall seeing your logo, then take a look at your logo and make some changes. It’s important to remember that potential customers will only see your logo for a few seconds, so it’s important you catch their attention as quickly and efficiently as you can.
3. Make it original
Imitation may be a form of flattery but when it comes to a logo, it’s one thing you should avoid. Don’t settle for a logo that looks the same as or similar to another company’s logo. Try to be as original as you can.
Do a quick search of logos in your industry and look for patterns. If possible, avoid copying those patterns. For example, a telephone company may feature a phone somewhere in their logo, or a web company may feature a globe or computer. Avoid any image/elements that are common in your industry to make sure that you truly stand out.
4. Don’t get stuck on the latest trend
Trends come and go, and when it comes to your logo, they shouldn’t be the core of your design. What looked good 5 years ago won’t necessarily look good years from now, in fact it may even look downright silly!
A logo should be modern, keeping the relevant characteristics of the times while also maintaining its timeless appeal. Your logo should have modern elements, colours and typefaces but not be created as a result of the latest trend. Avoid short-lived fads like psychedelic logos and opt for a more classic design.
One way to test out the timelessness of your logo is to imagine yourself looking at your logo 5-10 years from now. Can you explain the thought behind your logo over and over again for years to come? Would your explanation still make sense and still be relevant 10 years from now? If the answer is no, it may be time to go back to the drawing board.
5. Convey your message
Your logo is essentially conveying your brand’s values and message, so you want to make sure it’s clear in your design. Logos are symbols and as a result should tell people what you and your brand are all about. They should also speak to your target audience, and appeal to their aesthetic.
Before you begin designing your logo, do some research first. Think about:
- What your brand stands for
- What message you want to convey to your customers
- What value you bring to your customers
- What characteristics appeal most to your audience
If you find it hard to come up with ideas on your own, take your research to your audience! Ask family and friends who could end up being potential customers and ask them what they think of when they think about you, your brand, and your product/service.
6. Focus on basic principles of design
The best logos out there follow basic principles of design like balance, proportion, and symmetry to create a balanced, aesthetic quality. If you decide to create your logo yourself, brush up on the principles of design, particularly balance and symmetry. Your logo and font should work together and complement each other and not compete with each other in your design.
Symmetry and proportion are both important aspects that should be a focus of your logo design. The right proportions will make your logo whole and help define it’s purpose. A symmetrical logo is balanced and has equally weighted elements aligned on either side of a centre line. A symmetrical logo is more pleasing to the eye.
Your logo will be used a number of different ways so it’s important that it works for both large and small purposes. It should maintain its integrity and serve its purpose no matter what the use.
Your logo is a representation of your brand’s identity and carries a significant responsibility. It’s the first thing a potential customer is going to notice about you and it’s the one thing that will also stick in their minds. If the prospect of creating your logo seems like too big a task for you or if you just aren’t sure where to start, reach out to the team at Trilogy Solutions. They can help create a logo for you that is not only timeless, but memorable too!
