When you think about the perfect logo, images such as an apple with a bite or a famous swish and loop come to mind. Any design or a symbol that identifies an organization, along with its products, services, and customer service is called a logo. Simply put ― a logo helps people identify a brand. It’s an opportunity for you to make an impactful statement that will not only benefit you but your customers as well. For example, when people see a brand’s logo, they know that the product is made by the company they trust and will meet their standards.
Often, companies believe that a logo is their brand’s identity. However, both are different things. A brand’s identity develops through the message you deliver, whereas a logo is just a visual that tells people about a few characteristics of your brand, such as color, typography, layout, etc. The latter comes first because you want to give your target audience something they can remember and associate with the product you offer.
The type of logo needed needs to flow from really understanding the target market for the customer base and what it is that the brand needs to portray. If you notice a trend of the majority of Fortune500 companies, you'll see that most aren't elaborate, hard to read or even dynamically artistic in most cases. They focus on instant readability which translates to recognition and understanding the name of the company whether its displayed on small or large scales.
“A logo doesn’t sell (directly), it identifies.”
Paul Rand
Are There Any Rules?
Below are five design rules that will help you create the right logo for your brand:
// 1. Leave the Colors Behind... In the Beginning
You will be able to focus more on the finer details by not concerning yourself with the colors when starting out the process of designing your brand. Know this ― the right symbol will fit your brand perfectly regardless of any color. So, pay attention to the design and let your creativity come out and play. Nowadays, logos change with time; so, when your brand progresses, you can make slight modifications to the design over time. In the beginning, it's best to focus on fundamentals such as readability. Because let's face it, if your potential customers can't identify your brand, it'll be too hard to convert them.
// 2. Put Rationale Behind the Design
Colors like yellow and pink won’t help you engage with your target audience of male pensioners. These are more suited to a nursery. Similarly, a smiling baby logo is more suited for a line of child care products. However, the former would be a cliché, which is something you need to avoid. This can be quite challenging, but the best way to add a rational element to your logo is to focus on your brand’s USP.
// 3. Create a Mood Board
If visuals get you in the idea generation mindset, go ahead and create a mood board. Hang an actual cardboard in your work area and paste pictures on it that define your brand’s features. You can even stick logos of other brands. By looking at these pictures, you will be able to come up with designs ad styles of your own.
// 4. Choose the Right Color
Colors matter, and they matter A LOT! If you are an entrepreneur or a startup company, rely on the color wheel; apply the general rule of thumb when choosing colors by picking the ones opposite to each other. Of course, you can also choose analogous colors to create a harmonious effect. These colors rely on the same side and slight change shades.
// 5. Check Out Your Competition
Many people have different opinions regarding literal brand logos. For example, Burger King’s logo represents a bun and beef patties, and Target’s logo is a bulls-eye. On the other hand, Shell’s logo nowhere tells a person that it’s an oil company. To make up your mind, why not check out your competition. Maybe you can come up with something unique or opposite. You can even borrow from existing ideas and make yourself stand out. And in the end, see if your concept looks as polished and professional as your competitors. Ask yourself if you believe that when people see your logo, they will see you as reputable and experienced..... or not?
And there you have it ― a few tips that will help you come up with an attention-grabbing logo. Of course, you can always hire a professional for the logo creation process to give your business an edge.
Let azure77 act as your personal affordable creative studio and come up with the perfect logo that describes your brand to a "T," gives you awareness and starts generating revenue for you. We offer various services, like Graphic Design, Creative Consulting and Training, Publication Design, Website Design, Motion Graphics, Photography, Digital Content Creation, and more. To get in touch with us, click HERE.