A logo is not just a status symbol; it bears the implication of your brand’s visual identity. And without it, your brand loses its significance. To create an everlasting impression on consumers, it is vital to have an exceptional logo. Your logo can represent all the values that your brand upholds. Here are six considerations for designing a logo for your business.
1. Know Why You Need a Logo
Business is like dating, and as a business, you trying to attract the right customers and make them fall in love with your brand. So, consider your logo as your profile picture. It’s the one that is going to pique the interest of the people and make them want to learn more about you, so it must look good. Your logo will have a significant effect on the first impression your business will create. It tells your customers about your brand and lets them know if it’s right for them.
Since your logo is such a crucial part of your brand, you must ensure it’s done well. All your branding materials will contain your logo. Your customers will see it on your website, business cards, logo cards, and packaging, so you must make it count. An excellent logo design communicates what you stand for. It will create a powerful first impression and set you apart from your competitors.
2. Don’t Depend on Trends
Design trends usually fluctuate. Some remain as periodic fads, while others stick around for a long time. Although it’s a great idea to keep up with the latest trends, don’t rely on them absolutely because it culminates in your brand and logo becoming dated quickly.
Although it’s good to stay updated, you need to avoid depending solely on trends. Instead, exert your imagination and think of unique ideas that are distinct from what everyone else is doing. And this will make your logo timeless.
3. Do Your Research and Study Other Logos
Ensure you observe your competitors’ logos. Don’t copy them, but observe the layout, design, and scheme they have. Don’t base your logo on your competitors’ concepts. Instead, show your uniqueness to your customers. Making designs that are too close to your competitors is a bad idea for your brand and may even land you into legal problems. Make sure to also avoid any colors that are trademarked such as The Home Depot orange or Tiffany blue.
4. Simplicity and Proportion
Simple, easy logos are more efficient than overly detailed ones. A simple design easily achieves the Golden Ratio, which is a mathematical equation that determines the ratio of two quantities. This is a concept that was developed by Phidias, a Greek sculptor, and was used to direct the construction of the Parthenon. Since then, it has been used to direct astounding works of art such as the pyramids of Giza and the Sistine Chapel. Modern companies such as Disney, Pepsi, and Toyota have also used it in designing their logos.
Balance characterizes the Golden Standard, and you need to associate this quality with your business and employ it when designing your logo. You can determine if your design achieves this standard by entering your dimensions into the Golden Ratio Calculator.
5. Give It Meaning
An excellent brand logo should have some meaning, and it must pass a particular message across. The mere sight of a brand logo on an advertisement or product does not make it memorable. So you must convey your brand message succinctly and simply.
The first thing you need is an actual brand strategy or message. Put it down on paper and then determine if your brand logo transmits that message. It should show the intention of the design.
An effective logo for your brand is a succinct representation of your brand. You should make it that way so your prospective consumers can easily understand and define the purpose.
6. Color
The colors you choose are crucial to the design of your logo. They will determine the entire color scheme of your website and branding materials. So it is important to use a color wheel to choose shades that complement each other. Also, consider how well your logo will appear in black and white and grayscale. If you are a brand that centers around environmental conservation you may want to use green tones. If you are a legal firm you may want to go with navy blue or red to signal expertise.
For your logo to serve its purpose, you must determine the message you want to pass across to your prospective customers. Then you need to follow design principles that are the basis of some of the world’s best logos. Keeping these vital ideas in mind will help you, even if you decide to work with a professional graphic designer to design your logo.
