How to Design a Logo : Complete Guide

Have you ever wondered why few brands are always on our mind and how do they make sure to stay there for longer?

I am sure many will agree there is no such brand in market that is established and not having a brand logo.  That’s because they have taken years of hard work, dedication to reach where they are today; one of the major front face is meaningful and attractive brand logo design.

Logo may seem quite simple to create; thus, designing a great one isn’t always easy. It is more than a brand, that helps to establish visual identity which than acts as indicator of success. It acts as an image within a larger visual system that includes your colors, typography, photography, visuals, layout, etc. It involves a lot of market research, a deep knowledge of your buyer personas, and thoughtful consideration of the principles of logo design.

When your company logo can be instantly recognised, you know you have a winner and competitive advantage over others in market. But you might ask yourself: how could I make a memorable logo?

Lets start with simple guide towards how to design a logo

1. Start With Your Story

The prime objective of any company is to earn revenues and gain success, but to achieve that many companies fail to understand that lifeline of any brand is the “Brand Story”. In the world of so much of hustle and cut throat competition, companies fail to focus on customers emotional value. You can’t just sell a product; you need to have a strong story along with that which will keep your logo design in memory of people for longer period of time.

It is seen that brands with honest and effective story will always stay with customers motivating them for purchase.

2. Find Words That Describe Your Brand

Identify what your company is known for and what customers see in the company’s brand today. Through survey, call and brainstorm, find those characteristics that the majority of words that describe best as your company. Try starting out with a list of conflicting adjectives and identify those in each group that best resonate with your brand. Some examples could include formal vs. informal; modern vs. traditional,  funny vs. serious; and customization vs. consistency.

Then counter ask yourself whether these characteristics are consistent with how you want employees, customers to view your brand. If they are not, then it may be time to start thinking about how to change those perceptions.

3. Find inspiration for your design

Design need inspirations and to get that either you need to depend on brain storming where you note down points as even sometimes, bad ideas can shine. You can start thinking as if you are in customer’s shoes then make strategies of execution and planning. Bring people from different department to participate in contribution towards ideas as adverse group is the best to explore with creative outputs. Don’t be afraid of thinking out of the box and being a bit different.

4. Track your competition

The best way to take inspiration, learn and barrow ideas is from your competitors. Yes, that’s not true what works best for your competition will also work for you because their strategy, objectives, target audience can be different compared to yours.

If all the other brands in your industry are going monochrome shades, then you should prefer to opt for some colour to stand out from them. If everyone else is traditional, maybe a fun and modern logo will attract attention.

5. Sketch Ideas

Sketching is an essential aspect of developing a graphic design for logo. The sketching acts as placing an initial design ideas on a piece of paper which allows them complete freedom to explore things.

You can make many sketches and scribble your ideas without worrying about any interference and distraction. There is no pressure of being perfect in sketching. Your client’s business is different from the others. If it should compete hard, it has to be different. So, identify the primary elements, which make your brand stand out, then create sketches based on those elements.

Also Read: Free Logo Makers VS Paid Logo Makers: Which one to Choose?

6. Choose a Logo Style

Which type of logo style you want to convey with customers on the basis of its positioning, personality if its retro, modern, cheerful or any the colours, shape, font style is planned and crafted. Pick the right visual as well as emotional value for logo design, which will connect with customers. But, still remember there is no perfect style for logo you need to always keep improving as per the market trends and updates.

7. Choose the type of logo

There are many types of logos depending upon the type of industry your brand is into and on that basis the type of logo design is selected. Letter-mark, word, pictorial, mascots, abstract, combination and emblem types, such is selected correctly as per requirements.

8. Choose logo colour

Rendering a logo sketch with right colours is important as industry type experimenting with the colours is mandate for staying relevant to it. There is a wide range of colour schemes, which evoke an intended core emotion. If its food industry with organic personality then earthy, greens and natural shades are preferred, while fast food is seen with vibrant shades which also matches the brand identity.

Consider here logo colour should be more or less matching to the colours in the client’s website design and other marketing materials.

9. Choose logo typography

The most common style of fonts is serif fonts, sans serif fonts, display and script which are seen vastly. The logo design becomes powerful when typography is combined with strong logo design; hence, correct type is selected as per the brand emotion and connection towards customers.

10. Evaluate your Logo options

Now that you have some logos, it’s time to explore feedbacks and advices from your near and dear one’s such as friends, relatives, family, colleagues which will help you filter few and finalize the one which will get along perfectly.

11. Integrate your Logo Design into Marketing Collaterals

Staying consistent is important aspect to build a strong brand logo, which stays in the minds of customers for longer period of time. Make sure your logo design is there on business cards, stationary identities, packaging design, digital world, website with similar brand guidelines of colours, font, style etc.

CONCLUSION:

Each detail of your logo design can affect the kind of impression it makes on customers. Although at the end of the day your logo may not resonate with every single viewer, logo design process is your best opportunity to bring your brand vision to life. A good logo is an effective way to build brand credibility, awareness through consistency in various marketing tactics, foster a connection between your industry, and your particular offerings. Connect us today to understand more in detail about how can you design your brand logo with most productive outcomes.

Author

As a passionate entrepreneur and creative brand consultant with experience of 14 years in digital, branding and packaging industry, it is my honest effort to put my experiences and knowledge of industry towards readers. A chartered accountant by degree but a marketing personality in blood has motivated her to take in designing industry as a career. With her fun-loving personality and sharp branding skills, she is a great motivational speaker on her YouTube channel, an active member in various business channels offline as well as online. Do connect me personally via my LinkedIn and I love to share my expertise with you.