28 May Loco for Logos: What Makes a Standout Design?

When you think about your favorite shops and businesses, their timeless logos probably spring to mind. Who doesn’t recognize the iconic white cursive handwriting of Coca-Cola’s logo, the attention-grabbing, red and white bullseye associated with Target, or the sleek swoosh on Nike products? As a business owner, it’s understandable that you want your brand to stand out as well. When it comes to deciding the right design, it should stand the test of time. Social Spice Media offers the following considerations you should think about when creating your business’s logo:

What Should Go into the Design Process?

A logo may be small when you first draw it out but make no mistake – creating a logo is a process that deserves as much of your time and attention as a ‘bigger’ project. You don’t necessarily have to do research about your own company, but it’s important to study your business’s industry as a whole to know what will or won’t be an appropriate logo for your brand. If you’re a debt settlement firm, your logo will look vastly different from a restaurant’s or a hospital’s. Sketch out your ideas and make revisions until your sketch comes closer to the design you want before taking it to the computer. There’s a wealth of design software that enables almost anyone to execute graphic design work. But if you are not artistically inclined and decide to recruit a professional to create your logo, make sure you give your artist a design brief before starting the work. Your artist needs to get an idea of what you want in a logo, who your competitors are (to avoid creating a similar image to their logos) and create preliminary designs so that you can be assured that their style matches your vision.

What Are Key Qualities a Logo Should Have?

When someone sees your logo, it should be instantly recognizable what business is behind the design. Your logo should be simple, but still effectively convey your brand’s message. Most designers will adhere to the 5 following principles when creating logo art:

• Keeping the artwork simple – Are there too many things happening in your logo? Does your audience understand your message without being distracted by other elements? Is it easily identifiable? Sticking between one to three colors for your logo will help you maintain simplicity and consistency in your design.
• Making it memorable – Will people remember your logo or associate it with the logo if they see the design elsewhere?
• Exuding timelessness – Will your logo be relevant today and five or ten years from now?
• Making a logo versatile – Can you use the logo for multiple types of media?
• Ensuring the logo is appropriate – Does your audience understand it?

 

When Is It Time for an Upgrade?

Even if you already have a logo, it might be time to update it. But how do you know it’s time for a change? If your logo looks old or outdated, or perhaps your company has a new mission or focus, consider sprucing it up. Even BP, a company with a long history, switched things up by rebranding in 2000. Even if you don’t keep on top of news about the petroleum industry, it’s hard not to recognize BP’s iconic green, yellow, and white “Helios” design. It’s critical to keep your logo easily identifiable, despite whatever changes you make. Just remember that many, many famous household names have gone through logo redesigns, like Pepsi, McDonald’s, Apple, Nintendo, Kodak, etc., whose designs we can still recognize without second-guessing ourselves. Get in touch with Social Spice Media today to spice up your look and overall branding strategy. Our team has the ingredients to ensure your business is at the forefront of the competition. Do you know someone who could benefit from our services? Refer them to us today! Our team is eager to connect with businesses in any industry. We serve the local needs of Ventura County and Santa Barbara as well as anywhere in the United States.