Designing the logo for your business is a complex process that requires many decisions that include fonts, colors, layouts, and even symbols. And that’s not even mentioning how you intend to convey your company’s essence of your business and brand in a singular, iconic style.
Is it a lot of work to think about? We’ve created this logo design guide to help you get out there and confidently design the perfect logo.
Table of Contents
What is a logo?
This might bring to mind vibrant images of the well-known logo or an apple that has an apple-like bite taken out of it. We all know what a logo looks like.
Logos are a design or symbol used to represent a business or an organization, in addition to its products or services, its employees, and so on.
The simplest way to define it is that an emblem is a symbol used to identify. It’s how your business gets known and remembered by others. It’s also your brand’s image.
Your logo is an opportunity to create an impactful statement about your business. For instance, take Amazon’s logo. The smiley arrow indicates that the company offers anything starting with “A-Z” and represents customers’ satisfaction when they shop at Amazon.
A caveat is that although a logo could be a symbol of deeper meaning, it does not have to do so. Most businesses trying to choose the best logo ask too much. Our three designers agreed that most people place too much value on designs (nerdy joke intended).
How to design a logo in 5 steps
1: Discover
Goal
“Discovery” is known as the “question” phase. Designers make use of this time to uncover as much background and context as is possible to comprehend the client’s business or organization fully and its core values, values, branding, characteristics, and other aspects. This is also the perfect time to discuss design-related concerns regarding the desired style and feel, all possible uses, and any mandatory or specific requirements.
This is more of a process of self-discovery. The goal is to know who your organization is, what your beliefs are in, what you would like to accomplish, and how you intend to accomplish it. Don’t forget; you’re more than just creating your logo. You’re creating your brand’s identity.
Process
You can ask yourself:
- What is the reason you would like or require a new logo?
- What’s the significance/story that lies behind the name of your business?
- Who are your intended audiences?
- Who are your primary rivals?
- What are your objectives in this brand-new design? What is the best way to measure “success” be measured?
- Who are your top three brands’ “role models?” Who’s the look and feel do admire?
- How do you wish people to experience when they look at your logo?
- What are the core values you would like your brand’s image to communicate?
- What are the distinctive features of your brand’s personality?
- For instance, is your brand elegant and enthralling, nostalgic, lively, and so on?
- What are the primary uses for the visual system/logo? Social? Website? T-shirts?
- The context matters!
- Do you have any requests for special features or items that should be included within the layout? If you’re looking for a visual refresh, something to keep in mind or improve upon from the previous version?
Deliverable
Once you’ve completed the questions above, you’ll be able to summarize the responses in a creative plan that gives a broad overview of your company. For example, it could include your goals for your design process, the style of your brand’s tone, aesthetic factors, a preliminary idea of the logo and design system, and any ideas that came up during this process.
You’ll not only use this document to guide the next step, but you’ll also utilize it to assess your performance throughout the entire process. After each stage, assess your outputs based on how they align with the objectives set in the strategy for creativity.
2: Explore
Goal
This is your phase of research. However, “exploration” sounds more exciting. We guarantee it. The process of exploration could be the most exciting and–for anyone who is embarking on the design process on their own and maybe for the first time; it’s also the most useful.
In essence, you’ll shift your attention to the outside world in order to meet and discover design across the world. The goal is twofold. Get educated and become motivated.
Process
Begin by searching for the basic principles of design. Then, learn about the basics such as color, style, and typography.
Designers say that certain principles of color theory are particularly beneficial in logo designs. For example, different colors can trigger different emotions and behaviors and help you to create the desired emotion for your target audience. It’s fascinating, in fact.
Find out which color is likely to evoke the emotions you desire from your viewers.
Once you’ve grasped the fundamentals, you can begin gathering information. Begin by looking at those who are closest to you and then to your sector. Do not just focus on logos. Instead, take a look at the entire visual system by looking at the brands through different channels, for example—websites, different social media networks, etc. Note down your observations.
Deliverable
Create your own sketch board to keep track of every image, design and color combination, photographs illustrations, and even logos you’ve been attracted by, and which convey the style and look you’d like to convey your brand’s identity.
If you’re crafty, you could create an actual piece of paper by cutting out and pasting images. But most designers keep it digital. The easiest method to store your images is Pinterest However, should you want to share or review quickly, simply duplicate and paste the images into a spreadsheet.
If a variety of design options draws you, you should create distinct visual boards to represent each. Be sure to include concise descriptions of how each board’s aesthetic choices represent your brand’s attributes that are outlined in your strategy for creativity. Ideally, you’ll present the boards to other employees or to a decision-maker. They’ll help you narrow your focus in a specific direction.
3: Design
Goal
Finally! The objective here is fairly easy: Collect all the ideas and thoughts from the previous two stages and begin to create logos.
Process
There’s plenty to think about when designing an identity:
Tools for logo designs
Before starting making your plans, ensure you’ve got everything you’ll require to make your design:
Paper and pencil
Drawing out some ideas for your initial sketches is a good place to start. Don’t over-complicate this. Design is an ongoing process. Even if it seems like you aren’t able to draw, draw rough sketches of the concepts in your mind. Your brain’ll force you to think differently, which is exactly the mental state you require.
Software for vector logo designs
The standard industry-wide vector software to edit graphics includes Adobe Illustrator–but it isn’t cheap, and it’s not necessarily for everyone. Nevertheless, it’s possible to test similar free programs like Inkscape and Vectr.
What’s the point of vector? All logos are vector images that mean instead of pixels; they’re composed of lines drawn by mathematical formulas. As a result, vectors are simpler to alter and adapt to different sizes.
Fonts
If you choose to go down the above path, it is possible to download additional fonts. Free fonts include the Google Fonts library and Font Squirrel. You can also buy fonts from sites such as MyFonts and FontShop.
The three main types of logo designs
Logo designs is often classified into two types of logos: those that are only composed in a text (denoting the initials or name of a business) and those that include both a symbol and text.
This is a list of three commonly used kinds of logos- There are many more, but we’d prefer to be clear!
1. Wordmark logo
The most famous design for a logo would be that of a wordmark often used by designers to refer to it as “logotype.”
Wordmarks are only used with your company name, without monograms or symbols in a custom or existing typeface. This logo works best if you have a brief, distinctive name for your business and there is no slogan.
2. Monogram logo designs
The HTML0 monogram is an image composed of three or more letters, which is usually the initial of the company or the first letter. The monogram can serve as a symbol for the logo, and it can also be a symbol with the name of the company beneath.
For popular names, the wordmark gets eliminated, such as P&G is for Procter and Gamble, VW for Volkswagen, or LV in the case of Louis Vuitton. However, most new companies will keep their name in the middle or beneath the monogram in order to gain a reputation!
3. Combination logo
Combination logo designs do exactly as they sound they are: a mix of a wordmark as well as a symbol.
This type of logo permits your company to be easily identifiable due to the fact that it incorporates two elements of design that represent your brand together (and they are able to be used independently in the event of need). It’s not surprising that this is the most popular kind of logo.
4: Refine
Goal
If you finished the previous stage with multiple choices, now is the moment to narrow your choices. Have you made a decision? Great! Let’s try it out.
Process
Examine your design through these types of questions:
What makes a great logo?
A great logo design would be:
- Simple
- Memorable
- Evocative
Where will you use the logo designs?
Take a look at both your primary use cases–such as your social media or website profiles, as well as your other applications, such as printed advertising materials, recruitment or banners for events, etc.
Does the logo have legs?
Aesthetics change. Fashions change and disappear. But the worth of your brand’s image will increase as time passes. Take a look at whether or not you can see your logo being around for five, 10, 15, or even 20 years later.
Deliverable
At this point, you’ll have the final logo that you like. Most likely, it required a significant length of time in order to have each aspect perfect. The fifth and final step will assist you in ensuring you keep it that way.
5: Define
Goal
When it comes to preserving the integrity of your brand’s image, the quality and consistency of your brand are essential. With the many locations where your logo is likely to be used–as well as the number of people who might need to see it, it’s essential to establish a set of rules and guidelines regarding how to handle your logo.
And what to do if you don’t.
Process
Before you begin, think about any guidelines you might have regarding the logo’s size and color, layout, treatment, position or orientation, and more.
A few questions to consider:
- Do you have to choose only certain colors your logos should be placed on?
- Can your logo be placed in conjunction with photography? If so, do you alter the colors to make it stand out?
- If you own a logo that is a combination and a logo mark, can they differ in particular situations?
To ensure that your logo has an impactful impression, Don’t be afraid to add some “never” rules to discourage any alteration or distortion in your image. If you don’t, you’ll end up having a holiday-themed logo in an email that was sent out to the 10k customers you have.
Deliverable
This is usually known as it is often referred to as a fashion guide. The style guides are as straightforward or as extensive as you require. Recently the Sprout Design Systems team built an entire website dedicated to our guidelines for style. It’s known as Seeds. It contains the entirety of our brand’s visual and writing guidelines, along with every pattern and element that our designers use to develop our application.
What makes a good logo design?
A great logo is immediately identifiable, communicates your brand’s message, and makes your brand stand out. A well-designed logo appears professional and seamlessly blends into the brand’s image. A good logo needs to be able to function at any size and wherever you’d like to display your logo.
A well-designed logo
- is distinctive and unique
- is unforgettable
- is available in any size and any location
- Your brand’s identity is reflected in your logo
- is an eternal
5 Benefits of having a business logo design
1. Brand Recognition
The logo design is the one that people first notice about the business or brand. The saying goes that a picture can be worth 1000 words, and when it concerns branding, they’re right.
A memorable, strong logo can help your company stay in the minds of people. This can help your company succeed in its long-term growth. The more memorable and eye-catching your logo’s image is, the better you distinguish yourself from the competition.
2. Professionalism
One thing that all successful and large companies have in common is that they all have logos. Even if they are just the company’s name, they must be in a specific color scheme and font.
The logo you choose to use will affect the way that your suppliers and customers will treat you.
The public has come to associate the presence of a logo with an established business. Even if your business has been operating for a long time and has no logo, the absence of one can make clients believe that you’re a new company.
3. Show Your Personality
It is possible to protect your business’s personality by using your logo. This can make your company more appealing to potential customers. For instance, you are using vibrant colors or a distinctive design that is original and innovative.
A logo with a cute image of a pet or pleasant cartoons can put people at ease and allow them to gain trust in your business even before they do transactions with your company. It can also help retain the customers you already have.
4. Product Branding
Making your brand known is another method of creating credibility and long-term viability. Your logo appearing on products and merchandise will increase the trustworthiness of your brand. You can make promotional products that feature your logo to draw attention to the business into existence at a minimal cost.
A pen or bag that has your logo on it is a great way to promote your business and marketing. Every time you use them, your brand’s image will be displayed to remind your company’s public.
5. Stand Out
Whatever the quality of your services or products are, If you can’t stand out, you’ll never get the kind of success you deserve. A great logo will grab the eye and help you stand out from your rivals.
A striking logo that stands out on your site and social media can make an enormous impact on the reach of your business. Then, after you have attracted their attention, you can count on your high-quality items and offerings to conclude your sales.
Conclusion
Test your logo design in different sizes and mockups to see if it can satisfy your needs. Then, modify as necessary and present it to a few friends you trust if you need assistance in choosing.
When you’ve completed the above steps, you’ll be sure that you’ve got a powerful logo to display to the world.
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