What Makes a Great Logo? 5 Essential Rules for Creating or Redesigning a Logo

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WHAT MAKES A GREAT LOGO?

First impressions can make or break a relationship. It’s no different for the relationships your business makes with its customers. That first impression is formed in great part from your logo.

Each and every logo is like its own narrative. It says a lot, most of the time without saying much at all. Logos are your first step towards branding your business..

You could have someone design a logo for your small business, or some companies choose to design it themselves. Maybe you already have a logo but want to give it a new look. Whatever the situation, a new logo helps you connect with your audience, that is, if you follow these 5 rules for making a logo great.

1. Make it Simple

What logos do you remember? The golden arches might come to mind, Nike’s swoosh, or the mermaid you’ve grown so familiar with on Starbucks’ coffee cups. Each of these logos understands the power in keeping logos simple.

Your logo may not work as a singular image (we can’t all be as iconic as Nike). But there are other ways to design a simplistic logo that still packs a punch. Limit the types of typography, colors, and images you use. Don’t overwhelm your audience; invite them in to learn more about your brand with a simple, inviting logo.

2. Make it Adjustable

In today’s market, a logo needs to be adjustable for different platforms and specifications. A logo that is too long in width or too tall in height might not fit certain image requirements. It can also be hard to read on smaller screen sizes, such as a mobile device.

Your logo should be one that gives you the freedom to adjust it. You may want to make separate logo designs for different image requirements. Make a logo that gives you that flexibility to work with it in different spheres.

3. Make it Uniquely Yours

If you’re feeling stuck designing your logo, look at what your competitors have done with their logos. This isn’t so you can copy their ideas; your logo needs to be different, but different in a good way.

Analyze the effectiveness of your competitors’ logos. Where they go wrong, make sure you get it right. Create a logo that’s unique from theirs, but that is more successful at branding.

4. Make it Work

Your logo should work well at addressing your audience’s needs in addition to your own. In other words, create a logo that appeals to your audience, but that also showcases your business and forms an ideal first impression.

For instance, businesses such as a doctor’s office or law firm design their logos as a wordmark, or a logo with just the company’s name. Without giving their logo any extra images or flairs, they focus on the professional nature of their firm or practice, addressing a client or patient’s search for medical or legal professionals that they can trust.

5. Make it Memorable

But your logo design also needs to stand out. Create something that your audience will remember!

Go back to the simple logos that have instilled themselves in your mind. They become memorable because they’re eye-catching, unique, and clever at describing their business’s attributes. If you begin following the above rules too, you’ll be well on your way to designing a logo that your customers won’t forget.

Make Your Logo Matter

Your logo sends a message to your audience. Keep it simple so that message can come across easily. Making your logo adjustable for different versions will also make it easier for you to share that message across platforms. But it won’t matter much if you don’t create a logo that is uniquely yours. Otherwise, your message will be just the same as someone else’s.

You’ll make your logo work for you when it has that unique touch and grabs customers’ attention while sending the message you want it to. Finally, design a logo to remember. Whether that’s through a clever pictorial image, strong typography and colors, or an ingenious emblem, your logo should make a statement that your customers won’t overlook.

When it comes down to it, first decide what message you want to send, follow these rules, and design your logo from there..

What else do you think makes a great logo?

What Makes a Great Logo? 5 Essential Rules for Creating or Redesigning a Logo