10 golden rules in logo design
It all started with a lightbulb moment, a stroke of genius, a ripple in spacetime. Whatever you want to call it, a powerful idea tends to arise from a single point, quickly expanding into something significant. Some of these grand ideas require representation, a name, a stamp, or even both. Of course, we are talking about logos. And just like naming your first puppy or bunny, it's not as simple as that. There are many forces at play when naming anything, especially a complex entity like a multinational corporation. So, Freepik is here to help, providing you with some essential information on how to design your own logo. 10 more specific golden rules. So don't get in your way any further. Let's dive into it.
Concept to reality
Lightbulb sketch
Sketch ideas in the roughest form possible, and no matter how talented you are with a pencil, the action is instantaneous and can convey an idea that many people have. will understand, including your future. Acting like a thought bookmark, you can re-light your bulb moments with incredible precision. For the thinkers out there, keep a notebook by your side. You never know when you will need it. Additionally, phones and tablets offer some incredible drawing tool apps that many graphic designers today rely on to create some of the best logos we see today.
From idea to brief
It is very likely that a logo idea was not conceived by a designer but by a start-up or a marketing agency seeking the expertise of a graphic designer. In this form of communication, it is paramount that instructions are presented as clearly as possible and are straight to the point, avoiding confusion between the two parties. In the case of logo design, you will be informed about many expectations such as size, direction, color and maybe even a set of brand guidelines, especially when working with an existing brand.
Objectivity vs. Subjectivity
When a great idea is created, its identity is bound to be at a fork in the road. Where are your ideas going? Objective or Subjective. These two polar opposites, in context, are based on objectivity representing design, logic, and reason. Meanwhile, subjectivity leans more towards art, feelings, and opinions. Logo design is about finding the right balance between these two extremes, depending on the function and what it stands for.
The 10 Golden Rules
1) Planning and market research
Market research is an absolute must. Look at what competitors are doing and jot down their branding strengths and weaknesses. Your target audience will also have a huge impact on the decisions you make. Nothing just mentioned is copying or cheating. They are the necessary first step to creating something truly unique.
Check out these inspirational logos to get you started:
Business Logos
Marketing Logos
Gaming Logos
Abstract Logos
Minimal Logos
Luxury Logos
Brand Logos
PSD Logos
2) Start simple
Thanks to market research and your own observations, you should keep your starting point in mind or perhaps from a summary you received in an email. Then you will know the type of logo you want to design:
Monograms are a term to describe logo ideas that use initials for quick and direct recognition. (IBM, H&M, HBO and NASA)
Wordmark is a term that represents a name-based logo design that uses the full word of the brand for clarity. (Kellogg´s, Coca Cola, Sony and Google)
Pictorial Mark is the term for logos that use a stand-alone logo symbol. It's a big claim to just use visual marks and only advise highly recognized businesses to do so. (Twitter, Apple, Shell and Instagram)
Combination Mark is a term used to combine Monograms or Word Marks with Picture Marks. They are designed to be high impact and capable of providing more detailed consumer information and may even include a tagline. (Burger King, Puma, Doritos and Paramount)
Simplicity is best, using letters and shapes to form the basis of your design. Color can always be added later and so at this stage using black and white will keep you from getting distracted. Presents you several variations of shape and format combinations for your viewing pleasure, helping you visualize the final design. You should keep a cool head and not be too extravagant, supporting the view that a pure mind is less chaotic and more minimalist.
3) Stand out with 'Je Ne Sais Quoi'
There are literally millions of logos out there, and it's your responsibility to create something as unique and recognizable as possible. This is when your amazing light bulb really comes into playuong. Innovate, look for loopholes and intelligence, use techniques like metaphor and symbolism, or perhaps find a once-in-a-lifetime deep connection to a brand's purpose. This is where some logos can be really impressive and memorable, or where they fail and just become another logo that serves its purpose and not much else.
4) A logo should resonate with purpose
Start thinking about the brand as a whole. Will the logo be Objective or Subjective? What mood will it create for the people it cares about? Brand identity is a multi-layered entity that gives rise to very human qualities, all defined by the shape, color, and choice of elements of the logo. When you start to feel the logo resonate with the overall purpose of your brand, you'll know you're doing it right.
5) Ready your logo for the real world
Just as a logo needs to be aesthetically pleasing, it also needs to work in the real world. It's time to make some sensible decisions like size, visibility, and clarity so that the logo can work on any surface, no matter how big or small. Here are a few situations in which logos are commonly seen:
Social media
Business cards
Stationary
Magazines
Websites
Billboards
Signage
6) Is your logo timeless?
Look around you and pick out some brands that have been around your whole life. How many can you think of? These established brands have seen it all. However, their logo has not changed, except for minor updates, mainly due to the digital age. Such brands stand the test of time, have the ability to stay with us forever, and over time, they only become stronger and part of our world. You should keep this in mind when creating anyone's logo. Ask yourself, will this design stand the test of time? You never know how successful a logo can be as it goes through the ages.
7) Know when to take risks
In some cases, taking big risks can yield big rewards, and in the often saturated world of advertising, you may find yourself taking such risks. We're all susceptible to the odd and obscure, turning our heads to something we don't quite understand or that might make us chuckle a little. Any kind of human emotion towards your logo design is welcome and such curiosity can lead to clients paying you large sums of money.
8) Create variations of your logo design
The finish line was in sight. So it seems. But there's always room for improvement. Why not branch out from your single design, creating multiple variations to compare ideas tangentially? This can really boost your ideas, creating even more possibilities for your ideas to shine.
9) Open up to constructive criticism
Before opening the champagne, you should have a little perspective on your logo design. Let's face it, you've been staring at this project for hours, weeks, or months, and your own views may be biased or slightly biased. Now is the time to ask a friend, colleague, or someone you trust to share their opinion. Perhaps there is something you have overlooked.
10) Test your logo
Test the logo, push it to its limits and think about how a company can use it. There are many techniques to test your logo. A popular and relatively easy way is to use logo mockups and if you are proficient in photoshop then why not use these PSD logo mockup templates. You don't even have to leave your computer! They are also a great way to present logos to clients, as you can see them in real context. Other rigorous techniques are printing them out, observing on multiple devices, or taking a survey.
Yes, that's right. The rules are not to everyone's taste, and when you take a step back to look at the bigger picture, such rebellious logo designers must exist to satisfy such widespread demand for this specialized service. After all, we want logos to evolve and stay ahead of new trends along the way to keep this vibrant design field afloat.
Hopefully, after reading this in-depth article, you will feel energized to create something remarkable for a client, boss or even a friend who has the most expectations. depends on your abilities. Deliver on your promise of delivering tailored, highly tailored logo designs to inspire future generations.