Tips : How To Create a Perfect Logo Design?

‘It’s just a logo; the simplest and easiest part of a design process’. Wait. Are you one of those who are under the same notion about logo designing? Then let us debunk the myth here. The best logos are not just a matter of fluke. There is a fair share of tricks involved. You can’t just play with some colors, fonts, and fancy lines and churn out a spectacular logo. It represents a brand’s identity and usually gets more recognized even than the brand’s name! Yes, there is a tremendous effect on the business than you can imagine.

So, for such a major entity on a stake, the design process necessitates thinking, artistic inputs and systematic planning. Indeed, you can’t just rush few strokes while watching your favorite TV series and craft out a logo in all that fun sort of a way. A wrong logo can cost your brand big time as it will make it look unprofessional, that too if anyone notices it in the first chance. A good logo, on the other hand, will garner instant attention and build connection within the minds of the users. Okay, now the big question, how can one achieve an awesome logo? There is a lot to be taken into account and to make your work easy; here we bring to you some of the best tips that can be of great help in logo designing:-

1. Look At The Scale

Your logo should create a visual hook that draws the target audience. Make it subtle and engaging with some compelling typography. And above all, remember to make it attractive by keeping a scale that is 10mm or 10 meters.

2. Simplicity Is The Best

Logo designing is not about being big, bold and flashy. There is no rule that says include four colors and three typefaces. Do not limit yourself to trends. Just be clean and simple. Use classic style or at the basic, take your brand name. Is there an iconic image in your mind? Of course, Apple and Windows strike obvious connections, but can you apply it for your logo design? An artistic version of a basic element can come across as a good approach.

Look into the logo as a whole. There is more drift towards brands using an icon and a single letter image. This gives a trendy look, but can only be applied if you know the brand well. You can even use a word in the logo. Choose typefaces that are clear to read. Serifs or sans serifs both can work; even customized options can do wonders. Avoid novelty typefaces that can harm readability at the cost of the trend. If you want a classic look, try pair lettering with a simple mark. Don’t go overboard with embossing, shading or colored lettering. Agreed, these methods are wonderful but can pose problems if applied to images, on letterhead or settings in case of a non-white background.

3. Fluid Format

Logo always takes the lead. In fact, it is the one that is seen on the website, on printed materials and also on social media. So, you need to be extra careful with shape, size, and flexibility. Ensure that it is a vector, is squarish and has alternate formats. A square type has become necessary these days for the online applications like social media.

If the shape is more horizontal or vertical, then go for square alternate format especially for social media. A logo should be easily seen on varied backgrounds, be it light or dark. It must accept small or large sizes and not appear out of proportion when adjusted in scale. Make the imagery appropriate. Let the logo change and modify with time. Even though a logo has a shelf life, still it needs to change, even though they are minor ones only.

4. Consider the Context

A logo is a reflection of the brand. But it cannot survive on its own. It consists of a clear identity system and climbs on other design elements such as color, typography, photography and tone of voice. There is a difference between identification and identity and logo encapsulates it all.

5. The Color Game

Let color enhance the logo. White or black, whatever suits must come in use. If these options don’t fit in, then the logos fail in purpose. As an experiment, go for black and white logo designing, that way you can easily view the shapes and lettering first. Then afterward, shift from the simple, colorless mode to the color format.

6. The Brand Story

A good logo speaks for the brand it caters to. It brings the company story to light or tells how they evolved. For instance, Amazon logo has a simple text with a smile under it. What does that mean? They are giving stress to happy shoppers; a brand that gives you happiness. It is a simple relation and even if you can’t make it out at first, the logo gives rise to a special emotion for the target audience. A logo will have a lasting impression if it connects to your brand story. It should represent who you are or what you do and associate with your identity.

7. Make Sense

Take into consideration whatever directions have been given to you by the client or the designer. If the idea clicks, the explanation provided by them should be valuable and make sense. When a logo is awesome, it is clean and readable and there is a simple, clear explanation backing it up.

8. Content Is King

An outstanding logo can’t prove its worth without structured content. A logo can master its reach only if the audience has a great understanding of the brand’s content, personality or voice. If there is a strong bond between the user and brand, the logo is cherished and boosted or becomes a part of the design in a manner that it is rarely seen.

9.Personality in View

There are some important ingredients that must be taken into account while logo designing such as agility, type, scalability and also relevance to the brand it associates to. Viewers love logos that possess a personality and give instant delight; something that is witty comes across as a pleasure and unifies the look altogether.

10. Versatility Rules

A logo that is versatile is powerful. It is understood in seconds and marks a place in the memory. It accentuates a business card or a billboard and is visible in black-and-white even if a color version is majorly used. Robust logos can even demonstrate two different ideas or symbols at the same time.

11. Innovate More

Innovation is the key to achieving a remarkable logo. As you discover new features in design, you tend to be unique and surprise your viewers with something new. Take this as an inspiration and everything is sorted. There are no set rules. In order a logo to be agile, it has to communicate the motto in the best possible manner. But that is where the trick lies; the main challenge.

12. Diverse Users

Never compromise on flexibility and adaptability in logo design. Adopt the dynamic route; don’t go the static way. Rigidity curtails improvement and innovation which costs the design a lot. A logo should be creatively charged, which doesn’t mean incorporating something new every week, but to be fluid in nature. Companies target a vast set of the target audience with their logo. And such mass audience will surely have varied interests and choices. A rigid logo gives no scope for change and that harms the freedom of design.

13. Be Unique

Yes yes everyone gives this tip, but no one tends to follow it. How can a logo be a pedestal to brand’s identity? Well, that is easy. You just have to be uniquely identifiable. To attain this uniqueness try to think out-of-the-box, don’t push too much and experiment even with ordinary objects to bring in an element of uniqueness. To think of it, this is the actual test of your creative caliber.

14. Dare In Design

The most common mistake in brand identity that every designer commits is that the project doesn’t prove its worth. It tends to get lost and is not at all different from the usual. Why does that happen? That is because either the designer or the client lack in courage to experiment and advance in their approach. Even if they pick up the fixed path, commitment is where they fail. A recent example is the latest Google logo that is simple yet brilliant. There is not much word mark, but if you observe there are a commendable system and care involved in it. The company took a different approach somehow adhering to the style it had. Such an idea excels regardless of the criticisms blown in the way.

15. Timeless Advantage

A logo should have the quality of timeless appeal. There are four logo design types namely logotype (the one applied in lettering), emblem (name present in design), iconic representation (an image giving shape to the brand without words) and icon/name pairing (an icon and lettering). Finally, restrict elements that are too flashy. A logo that is dependent on trends will lack in charm as soon as the trend vanishes and will look outdated.

Try creating something that is classic in look so as to ensure longevity in the future. That said, don’t shun trends completely. A dash of modern style can go a long way. Play with trendy features keeping in mind the tips given above. If the approach works, you can surely create wonders. Stick to the personality factor. Be it color, signature spiral or typeface customization, a hint of something unusual and quirky can transform the logo completely. Yes, it will take time and effort to reach there, but you will definitely make it. Go step-by-step and learn from all the mistakes to design an amazing logo.

Note: There are many free online tools available on the internet, where anyone can create/design logos. Like Canva, Free Logo Maker, Hatchful, Logo Ninja etc.

Wrap up

When it comes to logo, even the little things make up big. These details give way to a great concept and result in a classic logo that is fine in its touch. Logo design is an intricate task which requires a lot of consideration during the entire process. You must learn to focus on the little things and success will be yours. Simplicity sells, so keep away from complex stuff and design something that captures in less than a second.

Never rush through a logo. Take your time and don’t settle for a design that is not convincing. It is always worth to invest in some more time to come up with the best logo. Now, even if you are not that great in logo design, you should be able to plan and devise methods to build a better brand identity with the help of these tips.