So, you’ve decided to create new logos. Right? It seems simple enough, right? If you’ve ever heard a designer say, “Draw a circle and type in the business name, and you’re done.” For those who are actually worth what the customer is paying you, there’s a lot more to it than that.
In the logo design market today, there are more than a million individuals churning out shoddy designs in quantity for crowdsourcing platforms. As a professional, how can you stand out from the crowd and create logos that are of high quality and don’t suck? Find out more by reading on.
Do you have a logo design project in progress at the moment? Ensure that you read our comprehensive guide on designing a logo before you begin!
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Logo Makers & Templates: Pro Tips
Experimenting with logo templates might be a terrific first step if you’re searching for a fast start with logo creation. It may serve as a starting point from which you can create and adjust your logo design.
For a modest monthly fee of $17, you can access Envato Elements’ library of over 6,000 logo templates (as well as icons, photos, graphic templates, and more). The following are some of our favorites!
Another option is to try out a logo maker—an internet software that asks you a few questions about your company and then generates logo designs and ideas that are appropriate for your company’s brand.
1. Use a Visual Double Entendre (Logos )
Logos that I really like often use what I refer to as a “visual double entendre,” which is a fancy way of saying that they combine two images by cleverly interpreting a notion or idea.
Although it appears like an upside-down wine glass, the form of a thumbtack signifies “location” or “place.” This is a creative and memorable way to make a logo. As a result, viewers are more likely to enjoy a design due to your mental game.
If you’d want to see more creative negative space logos, check out our previous article here. Those of you who share my passion for creative logos should definitely take a look.
2. Color is a Crucial Factor. (Logos )
The color scheme is an essential factor to consider while creating a logo. Color has significance and conveys thoughts, so this isn’t just a cosmetic choice.
A brand may dictate the colors that you choose, but you may also be given the opportunity to experiment. As you can see in the logo below, Zion has chosen a rich color scheme.
As soon as you see these hues, you’ll be drawn in. They provide life to the artwork, while also enhancing the landscape’s design. Having said that, keep in mind that a good logo is adaptable and can still work in grayscale:
For my customers, I also want to present them with a real single-color version, which uses just black and negative space. With the logo above, this may be a bit more difficult, but it’s absolutely doable.
Determine what the logo will be used for and whether or not it will need to be modified for each application.
3. The Cliché should be avoided at all costs.(Logos )
Logo design trends change on a regular basis. When it comes to logos, I’m not a fan of seeing the same concept repeated by a number of designers.
What are the current trends in logo design and how can you benefit from them? Absolutely. Whether or whether it’s necessary is a question you must answer for yourself. Not at all.
The above typology is now being utilized in logo design over and over again, and it’s growing old quickly. Instead of copying what everyone else is doing, why not utilize a design you came up with yourself.
Check out our whole essay about logo design clichés to make sure you’re not guilty of uninspired logo design!
4. Make it Yours (Logos )
To my knowledge, the term “ownable” does not exist in the English language, yet in marketing, it is often used (marketers love to make up words). This is a crucial idea that goes hand in hand with the one that came before it.
Instead of following the crowd and creating a cliché design, go for something that is instantly identifiable. In this aspect, I’ve always liked the Evernote logo.
When it comes down to it, it’s simply the head of an elephant. With its curled stem and the paper fold in its ear, though, it’s readily recognizable.
Consider whether or not your logo design is generic or distinctive as you create it. The chances of someone else making a comparable product are low. Remember that your initial concept is always the most general (it’s also the first idea for everyone else). Before deciding on which ideas to explore further, try drawing some basic drawings in a notepad.
5. Everybody Loves Custom Type (Logos )
There is virtually nothing that can give your logo a distinct vibe like some fantastic custom lettering.
It’s all too often for us to think that the process of creating a logo involves nothing more than a quick trip to the font menu to determine which font best suits the business name. It’s likely that if someone is paying you to “create” their logo, they want you to put in a bit more work.
Too frequently, the process of creating a logo is seen as nothing more than a trip to the font selection screen.
It’s a good idea to use a custom font to guarantee that your logo’s uniqueness is preserved. The font you’re employing will make lowlife designers want to rip off your work in an instant, however, replicating unique hand-drawn type requires considerable talent!
Even if your logo is well-known, someone will always want to steal it. For my favorite script logo, this is absolutely true.
6. Stupidity is the best policy.
Let’s face it, not everyone has the artistic ability to whip up a stunning screenplay on the spur of the moment. Being a designer does not automatically make you an excellent artist or typographer (though it helps). If this describes you, you need not be concerned. There is nothing stopping you from creating incredible logos.
Keep things simple dumb is a key phrase to remember in this scenario. When it comes to logos, simple yet strong ones have a habit of sticking around for a long period of time.
Let’s take a look at the Apple logo to get an idea of how to design one of these sorts of logos. nothing unique or distinctive about the shape of an apple’s silhouette
What really elevates it is the glaring lack of a bite. Bytes and computers have a lot in common, therefore this logo has a lot going for it. The apple is dull without the bite, but when it has one, it becomes instantly recognizable.
When designing your logos, think about how you can make them stand out from the crowd.
7. Consider Symmetry and Proportion
Proportion and symmetry conversations may become a little ridiculous at times, but if we remove the craziness, there are still some valuable lessons to be learned. As an illustration, consider the new Twitter logo:
Rather than attempting to persuade you of some bizarre cosmic myth that has no basis in reality, here circles serve as a guide to help you design an appealing logo with smooth curves and arches.
The bite in the Apple logo seems to break the symmetry, but if we look closer, we can see that the proportions and symmetry were carefully considered (picture source):
8. Consider the Absence of a Positive Field of View
If you’re looking for an example of brilliant use of negative space, look no further than a logo. FedEx’s logo, with its subtle arrow, is a classic illustration of this design strategy in use.
Isn’t it there yet? Keep searching; you’ll eventually find it. This logo’s delicate use of negative space is one of my favorite things about it. Most individuals in the United States see the FedEx emblem on the side of numerous trucks on a daily or monthly basis, but many don’t see the arrow.
Logopond is a treasure trove of creative logos that use negative space in a novel manner. Check out the bull horns and a wine glass mashup in the illustration below.
9. Active vs Passive
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the idea of incorporating motion or a feeling of movement into a logo design. In certain cases, this may be quite beneficial, both visually and conceptually, such as the Apple logo’s use of a double-helix.
Let’s take a look at the Twitter logo again as an example. When the bird was a youngster, it shifted from being a quiet and docile creature to one that was energetic and able to fly.
They went one step further in the latest edition, guiding the bird upward to show that it is ascending into the air rather than just circling.
When it comes to logos with mascots, motion is crucial. The marlin seen in the photograph on the right isn’t just resting on the ground; it’s jumping into the air in a triumphant stance.
Usually inanimate items may also be considered to be a part of this universe. As an example, look at how much more effective it is to convey the idea of “rough house” in this logo.
10. It’s important to know what you’re signing up for.
There’s a backstory behind every great logo. Strong logos are much more than just a lovely picture. They are full with significance, both evident and hidden. A number of instances like this have been raised before. The FedEx arrow implies forward movement, the Apple logo has a “byte” missing, and the Twitter bird is soaring skyward.
There are times when the meaning of the logo is a mystery to me, but nevertheless, it’s excellent to show your customer how much care and logic went into the logo that you designed for them.
If you give a logo that connects with the company’s fundamental principles and purpose, you’ll blow their minds and they’ll adore you for it, even if they don’t know it yet.
Is Your Brand’s Logo Terrible?
Now that you’ve read our advice on creating logos that aren’t a waste of time, we’d love to hear your thoughts on our suggestions.
Do you have a knack for creating logos, or do you struggle with it? Do you find any of the recommendations above helpful? If so, what more advice would you want to share with others?
Design vector created by freepik – www.freepik.com
Abstract vector created by starline – www.freepik.com
