Logos are all over the place. From coffee mugs to computer icons, they seem to be unavoidable. But how much do you really know about them? If I asked you, what is a logo anyway, could you answer? Why does it matter? What does it mean? And is that logo upside-down?!
What is a logo anyway? Or rather, I should rephrase that question to, “What does a logo do, why is it important and why do you need one?”
When you start a business, it can be challenging to conceptualize why you need a logo. You think that having a website up and running is enough for potential clients and guests to know who you are and what you do.
A logo is the face of your company. You want it to fit your industry, who you are, and still hold some sort of personal value.
Then there are the matters of color selection, design layout, and even placement on business cards. A wise woman once told me that a logo is how customers “shop” for products/services just as much as it is about branding.
We all know the saying ‘A logo is not a brand’; but why is this phrase so commonly used? What is it about the humble graphic design of a company logo that makes it different from the image of a brand?
Let’s take a look at some popular logos and see if we can draw any conclusions using this approach.
What do you think of when you think of logos? I’m guessing that at least 90% of people will say they want to think about the logo of their favorite company. Logos are all around us. They can be on our clothes, in our advertisements, on our cars, on the street, in the grocery stores – but what is a logo?
Your logo speaks with your audience. It is the beacon of your brand. But what is logo design? Where does it begin?
If you are reading this post, there is a 50/50 chance that you are at the stage of deciding the design of your logo.
While it doesn’t necessarily mean you are building a business, it does say that your idea is becoming serious. It also means you want to make sure that all aspects of your business turn out well.
Logo. It’s a funny word. We use it to describe many things. Trademarks, brands, and symbols of various shapes and sizes, TV shows, and the name of many cars (Car logo).
A logo is a symbol, icon, or design with a conventional interpretation of a company’s name. The interpretation begins in people’s minds.
A logo is a representation of a company’s presence in the market. The goal of designing a logo is to make it recognizable.
A logo is the identity of your company; it is the face of your company. A logo ranks in the top five for things that come into contact with prospective customers.
It’s important to have a stamp of approval for your brand that matches up with the value you are trying to represent to the market. Next time someone asks you what you do, show them your logo.
The logo is the face of your company, it is how people will recognize you, who you are and what you do. It is the first impression they get of your business so it makes sense to spend some time on it.
You want to make sure that you stand out from the crowd, but at the same time create an image people will remember.
Why a Logo is Important – What does it do for your Business?
A logo is the face of your company. It’s what people remember and associates with your company.
It is, in a sense, the company’s “face,” and people recognize what that face represents. For example, when you see Nike, you expect to see a winged foot.
When you see McDonald’s, you expect to see the Golden Arches. Both of these companies have invested millions into creating and maintaining a brand identity.
But it isn’t just a graphic image. It’s something more. It’s a symbol, a brand and an identity.
A logo is something you see everywhere — on clothing, on packages, on houses, on business cards, on TV, and in magazines. It’s everywhere, but what does it do?
A logo is a graphic element that identifies a company, product, or event, and distinguishes it from similar brands.
The logo can be a simple mark, a monogram, or a combination mark. A logo can be three-dimensional, or two-dimensional. It can be a company name or a word, or it can be an image.
A logo can be abstract, or it can be representational. And also can have one or two colors, or a rainbow.
Different companies have different reasons for using a logo, but a common theme is that a logo is an identifier for a company.
A logo has two primary uses. The first is to identify the company. That’s why it’s on business cards and stationery, and in advertisements.
The second use is to quickly identify the company’s products or services. That’s why it’s on packaging and on websites. A logo is also used on billboards, in magazines, in newspapers, and on TV.
A logo is much more than an attractive graphic. Its part of a company’s brand identity, and it communicates a great deal about a company’s personality.
Some companies create logos as stand-alone images. Others group related logos to create a logo family. Some companies use logos as illustrations, using one logo to illustrate 10 or 20 different products. Some logos are abstract, and others are extremely realistic.
A logo doesn’t have to be complex to be effective. It can be a simple, memorable image that communicates the company’s personality.
A logo tells consumers what they can expect from a company. For example, the swoosh stands for speed, while the red bottle cap stands for quality.
- A logo can convey a feeling or mood. For example, the Nike swoosh logo is athletic, while the Coca-Cola logo is cheerful.
- A logo can evoke a mood or an image. For example, the Apple logo conveys images of computers.
- A logo can convey a personality. For example, the Nike swoosh logo is dynamic and athletic.
- A logo can convey a style or trend. For example, the Coca-Cola logo was popular in the 1970s.
- A logo can attract attention. For example, the Nike swoosh logo is distinctive, with the color red standing out.
- A logo can express a brand’s personality. For example, the Coca-Cola logo is friendly.
What Makes a Logo
A logo is a mark or symbol that serves as a logotype or trademark. A logo generally consists of a visual element, such as a symbol or graphic, and text.
The visual element can be an image such as a letter, word, or number. The element can be abstract, such as an icon, or it can depict an actual person, place, or thing. Text is often used when designing a logo.
A logo is a graphic symbol or design used to promote a product, person, service, company, or cause. It is most frequently used on business stationery, on products, on vehicles such as ships, and in the signature at the bottom of letters.
A logo is the identity of a company and the public see it as the face of the company.
Elements
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used to identify a company or its products and to promote sales in a commercial environment. Logos and symbols are typically created by a graphic designer.
A logo is often created as a three-dimensional shape, such as a circle or a square, or a two-dimensional shape, such as a letter or an icon. The visual design of a company logo is often informed by its type of business and its target market.
A good logo is memorable, and people should be able to recognize a company’s product or service by seeing it. An ineffective logo, on the other hand, can be vague, difficult to identify, or irrelevant to a company’s product.
When designing a logo, there are several things to consider:
Color. A logo’s color should contrast well with the business’ color scheme. For example, if the logo is blue, it should not clash with the color scheme on business cards or advertisements.
Color also affects the way people perceive your logo in digital applications. For example on your website or social media profiles.
Type of font. A logo’s typeface is the text that forms its letters. The typeface should be easy to read and represent the company’s brand.
Imagery. A logo’s imagery includes shapes, such as a circle or a square. Shapes can also include letters, such as the letter “g” or the letter “a.” Imagery is sometimes used in conjunction with text to form a logo.
Letterform. Letterforms in a logo can be abstract, like the “m” in McDonald’s. Also, it can be representational, such as an arrow or the shape of a key.
Balance. Balancing imagery and text is an important part of logo design.
Types of Logos
There are various types of logos, including
- Wordmark
- Letter / symbol
- Abstract
- Mascot or cartoon
- Combination of letter and symbol
- Combination of wordmark and symbol
- Icon
Commercial enterprises and governments use logos to convey their legitimacy, quality, or purpose.
The logo for a company or a product serves to distinguish it from others. For example, the logo for Apple Computer, Inc., is a stylized apple. A logo serves to identify a company’s products or services and to differentiate them from those of competitors.
Some logos may incorporate colors or graphic images. For example, the logo for the University of British Columbia incorporates an outline of the letter “U”. Other logos use a combination of colors, shapes, and images.
Many brands, such as Coca-Cola, have stylized logos that have been used since before the first product was sold. Some brands, such as Nike, have been changing or adding to their logos, and these logos now include text.
A brand identity is created in part by the logo. The logo is front and center, often in the largest possible size. It reflects a company’s values, ideals, history, and brand personality.
The logo is often the first and most recognized thing people see, read, or hear about a company. It is the face of the company and is often the most recognizable aspect of a company’s identity. But a logo is only one part of the brand.
A logo is a visual representation of a brand or a company. It typically consists of a graphic or text that represents the brand. Therefore, a logo is a way to define corporate branding.
A logo is distinct, memorable, and recognizable. It’s essential for brands to communicate their brand identity. For example, the Nike swoosh logo has become synonymous with athletic shoes.
A logo is also useful because it helps consumers quickly identify a company. For example, the Coca-Cola brand is easily recognizable because of the distinctive red “Coke” bottle cap.
The Nike swoosh logo is an important part of the company’s brand identity. The swoosh represents a running motion.
What Makes a Great Logo?
Logos are important. They communicate trust, reliability, and professionalism. When you’re just starting out, your logo is the first thing people see, and it can help set the tone for your business.
With so many branding options out there, though, it can be hard to know what’s going to work best for you. Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing a good logo:
Logos are a ubiquitous part of our culture. When you’re out in the world, chances are you’ll see at least one or two. Sometimes you’ll see dozens because businesses love to have them.
But what exactly makes a logo great, and what can we learn by studying some of the most iconic and successful logos?
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Keep it simple. Simple logos avoid distracting elements, making them easier to remember.
- Make it recognizable. Your logo should be instantly recognizable, regardless if it’s in color or black and white.
- Make it memorable. Logos that stick are easy to recall.
- Make it versatile. A logo should work equally well in black and white, grayscale, and Color.
- Make it scalable. A logo should look good whether it’s small or big, and in any number of colors.
Logo Vs Branding What’s the Difference
An understanding of the difference between a logo and a brand takes into account what the two mean.
- Logo – A logo tells people what kind of business it is.
- Brand – people’s perception of your Company
- Branding – Actions taken towards building a brand
- Brand Identity – the tangible elements that form one brand image including a logo
A logo is an image, a symbol, a word. A brand, on the other hand, is an overall experience. A brand is the sum of everything a company does. This includes its whole product range, its marketing, its customer service, and packaging.
A logo is something you can put on a business card or letterhead. A logo is static, unchanging, something you can put on anything. A brand, on the other hand, is a living entity. It evolves over time and grows with your business.
So a logo is static. A brand is fluid.
