4 things you must do to design a killer business logo
Summary: Follow the tips given regarding the design, color and animation of the logo design to make it an instant hit and garner maximum popularity.
A logo is a company’s first impression on its client. It is responsible for stimulating the original perception of one’s brand along with the purchase decision and the overall attitude that follows it. If you think a name centered on a square logo carrying your business’ initials is the best you can do, think again. Designing a logo is often considered the simplest task when it is the one requiring the most creative effort and attention to details. Can you imagine Twitter without the tweeting blue bird, Nike without its signature tick or Instagram without the cute pictogram? Of course, we cannot because these logos are what gave these brands their identity. What might seem like a small aspect of a business at the startup level later becomes a powerful tool that communicates the brand’s concept effectively to the masses.
Don’t Copy, Be Original
Originality is the most potent trait that a business logo design must carry. Considering other brand’s pitfalls that they faced while their own development can be helpful but fight the temptation to copy. Draw inspiration but be careful not to imitate as it could bring in a lot of negativity and consumers will get the impression that your business lacks creativity.
Figure 2: wallpaperswide.com
- Simplicity:
It should be simple and neat so that it isn’t confusing at all. It should be flexible so that it can be easily identified by people without causing confusion. While details are important, they should not cause distraction.
- Timelessness:
The logo should be effective and impressive enough that people don’t ever forget it. It should have such an impact that the logo continues to be great throughout the years to come for a long, long time.
- Appropriateness:
The logo must be in accordance to your brand’s concept and the message it carries. It should resonate with the audience and industry you want to target.
- Functionality:
It should be capable enough to work across diverse platforms and within various contexts. The logo is not for advertising so it must only be used for representing and reflecting the concept of your brand.
Figure 3: Smashing Magazine
Color is the key
The brand’s personality must be reflected through the design logo pf your business. For this purpose, every aspect must be thought of and executed impeccably. Shades and tones of each color carry different implication. Bold colors exude attractiveness but must not be overused. Same goes for muted and tones that exude decency but overuse may give a boring outlook.
Figure 4: imagesourceusa.com
Understand and represent the concept of the brand
- Design Brief
Collect information about your vision for your business so it can be reflected in your custom-made business logo design. Also, keep in consideration information regarding your target customer and what will drive them.
- Research
Carry out research targeting the industry, its history and top competitors of the business you are entering.
- Conceptualizing
Designing a business logo is a personal process that requires a lot of creativity. Start the process from the paper and then move to computer screen as it develops.
- Reflection
Take your time and take the necessary breaks to bring a fresh perspective to the table. Let your ideas mature by narrowing them down. Also, don’t forget to take feedback and constructive criticism from the right people.
Tell your story through your logo
Along with being just an image, a customized business logo design is also an introduction to the concept of your brand. It must relay your inspiration behind it. It must not only reach the maximum number of audience but also interest them. It can be an amalgamation of invoking an emotional response and brand driven. Logo designs can have some historical or personal significance. The simplicity must be complemented with a certain contextual twist to bring forth the brand ideology. After all, your logo has to be built around the products you are wiling to offer and not the other way around. For example, the Apple logo is the apple fruit missing a ‘byte’, Wikipedia’s logo is an unfinished globe puzzle etc. Every logo must have a meaning and purpose in the broader or narrow context.