5 simple rules for logo design
Starting the process on designing your brand logo can be intimidating. You have to decide on one icon to represent everything about your brand that is recognizable and memorable to the world with just a glance. You’ve probably been researching colors, fonts and sizing endlessly wondering what path you should take.
Have no fear! I’’ve put together a short and simple list of basic rules to reference when thinking about designing your new brand logo or freshening up your current logo design.
Rule #1: Keep it Simple.
It’s really easy to start throwing the kitchen sink at a logo design. We get it. As mentioned before, it’s one graphic to represent your entire brand. It’s kind of a big deal! However, keeping it simple will ensure that your logo looks good across any medium. Take a moment to think about how many places your logo may appear and the different sizes it will need to be visually appealing. Your website, web banners, social media, print media, t-shirts, pens, and more. Keeping logo design simple will make your logo easy to remember and easier on your budget.
Rule #2: Use strong but minimal colors.
Take a moment to think about some of the most iconic brands out there. Nike, McDonalds, Apple, Ford. What colors automatically pop into your head? Each of these iconic brands have grabbed your attention, and own real estate in your mind with their bold simple color choices. Think about choosing a bold color and then complimenting with tones in one other color palette.
Rule #3: Don’t use generic font.
We hate to harp on it, but we will! You have a short moment to visually stand out to a potential opportunity and be remarkable with your logo. Creating a custom font that is all your own can be just the trick that makes your logo stand out from the rest. The right graphic designer will know how to use fonts to evoke the emotion and message of your business. Even if you can’t create your very own custom font, you can adapt and play with standard fonts to create a logo unique to your business.
Rule #4: Pay attention to negative space.
This one is so underrated and very often over looked. Negative spaced, in art, is the space around and between the subject or icon of an image. Utilizing negative space in the proper way can really keep the design flowing. This can be really fun to play with and when done right will guarantee to make your logo design stand out from the rest. FedEx, NBC, and USA Network are just a few examples of major brands that got negative space logo design right!
Rule #5: Be Original.
I guess this goes without saying, but absolutely worth mentioning. It’s easy to get stuck on another logo look that you really like. It’s certainly important to your due diligence with research when brainstorming logo ideas, however, we would never recommend copying it. Even basing your logo on another can be quite noticeable. In the end, that design was first and if it has garnered market favorability at all at national, regional, even local level, you’ll really just be reminding people of that business and not your own.
Well, there you have it. Five simple rules to use a guide when think about a new logo or complete redesign. We hope this will alleviate some of the stress that can arise during the logo design process. We are always here to help. Don’t be afraid to drop us a line. We tend to be pretty right brained around here!
Cheers.