There are five key principles that have helped to create great logos time and time again. Today, we’ll go through each of them one by one. Go through this list to make sure your next logo design or logo approval isn’t missing any important elements the second time around.
1. Keep it simple
The most effective logos in history are simple and clear. Simple logos are simple to recognise and less perplexing than complicated designs with numerous elements. Logos with minimalist designs may also be powerful and aggressive. When it comes to logo design, most of the time, less is more.
Let’s take a look at several of the most well-known logos on the market. These are just a few examples of simple and highly effective logos that everyone recognises:
- Apple
- FedEx
- McDonald’s
2. Be memorable
Your logo should stand out from the competition. It should be easy for someone to recall its major components after seeing it for a few seconds. It should be instantly recognisable, distinctive, and appealing. Your company’s logo should represent what it does and stands for. These three logos are distinct, represent their brands well, and appeal to their targeted audiences:
- Starbucks
- Walt Disney
3. Make it timeless
- Create a logo that has a timeless appeal and feel so it doesn’t become outdated too quickly, or your company may be seen as irrelevant and obsolete. Choose items that you’ll want to keep for a long time. If the logo you choose does not look appealing to your target audience, you may need to make changes over time. However, the overall appearance of your logo should endure. These logos have been around for decades and still have their essential elements:
- Coca-Cola
- General Electric
- Union Pacific
- CBS
4. Be versatile
Your logo should be able to be molded for use on huge applications like posters and billboards, as well as scaled-down to tiny size while yet being recognisable—for example, for mobile apps and website icons. It should look wonderful on a business card, letterhead, website, social media posts, and other graphic design applications. It’s ideal if it can also be converted to black and white and still function properly. Chances are that it will be printed in black and white in the end, and you don’t want it to look like a solid black mass.
Here are some examples of logos that are highly adaptable:
- Nike
- Kellogg’s
- Gucci
5. Make it appropriate
Does your logo have a narrative that explains who you are and what you provide? Will it appeal to and attract your clients? The following brands and logos are targeted toward specific audiences. The Pampers logo, for example, is a cuddly and adorable design intended especially for mothers.
- Pampers
- Chevrolet
Whether you’re creating a logo yourself or hiring a professional designer, these five fundamental concepts should be followed during the process.