Creating a logo is a powerful way of building a strong connection between a brand and consumers. It also acts as a symbol of commitment to the customers. However, creating a logo for the first time can be challenging. Thankfully, graphic designers are experts in translating your goals and vision into a meaningful brand emblem. In this article, we will walk you through the primary considerations in creating a brand logo that spells success. Let’s begin!
Do’s in Creating a Brand Logo
In this section, we’ll look into the essential “do’s” in creating a brand logo that resonates with your target audience and promotes your business.
1. Understand Your Brand
Without a clear understanding of your goals and target market, you will be directionless. Your product or service and your target customers are important elements to consider when planning your brand logo. Once you’ve obtained the relevant information, choosing the right shape, colors, fonts, and other elements of logo design becomes easier.
2. Keep it Simple
Logos must be simple to recognize and understand, even from a distance. If your logo is cluttered, your target customers won’t be able to identify what your brand does. Keep only those colors, shapes, lines, symbols, and fonts that convey a message. Eliminate any element that does not have a clear meaning.
Delete all the elements that only add clutter and confusion to your audience. For example, if a classic typeface is good enough, then there’s no need to add more to it. A minimalistic approach often results in a simple logo that people can appreciate instantly.
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3. Make it Scalable
There is no “one size fits all” logo. When creating a brand logo, keep in mind that it will appear anywhere. So, consider all the places where you will put your logo. It may include signage or billboards, emails, business cards, a website, packaging, and more.
Before finalizing your logo design, you must test it on several mediums. Don’t forget that the logo will look different on physical and digital platforms. A logo may appear impressive on paper, but it may not look the same on your storefront signage. Likewise, test it on your company website, mobile app if you have one, stationery, packaging design, and T-shirts.
4. Design it in Different Colors
Logo colors and positioning should be alternated when needed, and they should be versatile and scalable. Likewise, the logo should have infinite possibilities for adjustments to suit the requirements of a certain platform.
Typically, a two-toned logo can convey its message loud and clear when the colors are inverted. It should also be easily recognizable in black and white. If the logo fails to impress when tweaked, redesign it.
5. Get Inspiration
Inspiration is crucial for every creative work. Find inspiration from the world’s most famous logos, such as Apple, Nike, and McDonald’s, and how they have become iconic. A look at these logos can stimulate your creative brain as you begin your own project.
Don’ts in Creating a Brand Logo
Logo speaks for your business and serves as customers’s first introduction to your brand. Here are five things you should avoid to make that first impression a good one:
1. Don’t Use Too Many Fonts
When creating a logo design, at most two fonts must be used. This will help convey a focused message to the viewers. Using too many fonts will confuse the target audience when they look at your logo. Also, too many fonts may mismatch with other merchandise like mugs, letterheads, t-shirt designs, etc.
2. Don’t Use Too Many Colors
Your logo colors establish your brand identity. Choose them carefully! Inconsistency, like using blue in your logo and green on your website, can confuse customers. Limit your color palette to a maximum of three colors for a clean, timeless look. For a minimalist approach, explore a monochromatic logo, using different shades of a single color to create visual interest.
3. Don’t Try To Complicate Your Design
Your logo is a symbol that represents the brand. It should be self-explanatory. The logo should not be filled with too many details. Otherwise, it will result in a messy outcome. In short, the logo design should be easy to recognize.
Avoid putting too many details in a limited space. You can show your customers what you do through a well-designed logo instead of telling them. Also, don’t be afraid to create your own icon. Using free icons online will not help you stand out from the competition because chances are any business can use the same icon. You should create unique icons that communicate your brand to your customers.
4. Don’t Follow Trends Blindly
While it’s tempting for designers to chase the latest trends to impress clients, this approach often backfires. Design trends are fleeting, lasting mere months or a year at most. This necessitates frequent redesigns to maintain a contemporary look, disrupting brand consistency.
Instead, prioritize timeless design principles. A well-crafted logo, rooted in enduring aesthetics, can stand the test of time. Decades later, minor adjustments can revitalize its appearance, ensuring enduring brand recognition and avoiding costly redesigns.
5. Avoid Drastic Changes
Don’t be afraid to experiment with your logo as your business becomes popular. Depending on your path, you might need to rebrand, requiring a new logo. However, when rebranding your business, you should never make drastic changes. It can scare your existing customers off. So, roll out your logo upgrade in stages to see how your customers feel about the changes.
Create a Unique Brand Logo with Penji
A strong brand logo is more than just a pretty picture. It is the cornerstone of your brand identity. A logo conveys your values, communicates your message, and builds instant recognition. This comprehensive guide will make creating a brand logo that stands easier.
For inspiration, here are two brand logos designed by Penji’s top designers.
Are you ready to bring your branding ideas to life? Let Penji’s talented designers create a unique and impactful logo to set you apart from the competition. Watch the demo video now to see Penji in action!
