5 Steps to a logo that’s LOVE at first sight.
Think of a logo as the face of a company, greeting new people and attracting customers to their brand. Will its first impression make them want to know more, or forget you all together? First impressions matter… so be sure yours says what you want it to say.
The harsh reality: a logo design can make or break a company’s success.
A truly effective logo will enhance brand identity and positively affect public perception.
So, you want to create a logo that is unique and stands out among all the noise, but don’t know how to get there? Here are some helpful tips on creating a logo that’s love at first sight.
1) Be Intentional
What does your brand stand for? Establishing a strong brand identity should be the ultimate first step. Once you have a strong brand, all of the other elements will tie into this.
Using just any graphics, typography, or color will not create the logo you are after. It is extremely important to be intentional about all of the elements of the logo. Ask yourself, does this logo authentically represent the brand and what we stand for? What does it say about our business?
2) Keep things clear
The last thing you want for your logo is to lack clarity. Sometimes all you get from a consumer is a moment’s glance as they are scrolling through Etsy and their Google searches at 70 miles per hour. Your logo should be easily recognizable, and clear enough to leave a lasting impression on the consumer!
Straight-to-the-point is always better. We are constantly bombarded by information ALL DAY LONG, and while we are searching amongst thousands of products, a simple, refined logo is much more likely to catch the viewer’s eye. Not sure if your logo is simple enough? To put it briefly, it should be simple enough to be understood at a moment’s glance. Keeping the logo straight and to the point will allow for easy recognition and memorability.
SIMPLE TIP:
Show your new logo to a few friends/colleagues and ask them what they think this business does. Pretend the business already exists (try not to mention it's for your new endeavor) and have them guess what the brand specializes in. Their initial feedback on this may give you a whole new perspective on the message you're putting out there with your visuals.
Important: don't ask for their opinion on the design. They don't have any background about your project, so don't let their personal opinions cloud what's best for your business.
3) Stand out
Simple and clear is essential, but you don’t want the logo to blend in and get forgotten. You want a design that will stand out and pop amongst all the other noise!
SOME SIMPLE TIPS:
Using negative space is a subtle, yet unique way to utilize space and get noticed.
Know your audience. All of your design choices for your company logo are going to be connected with your target market. It’s not about just catching anyone’s eyes, it is about catching the eyes of your IDEAL CLIENT.
Color is everything. The colors you choose for your logo are incredibly important and could make or break the success or failure of a logo.
4) Make it memorable
Creating a memorable logo begins with your brand, your unique story, and the people you want to reach. Once you know this narrative inside and out, you can come up with a distinctive logo that will speak to your ideal customers. Something to keep in mind when designing a memorable logo is initial impact. How will the viewer feel when seeing your brand for the first time? Will they even remember your business?
Here are a few easy ways to make sure that first encounter turns into an unforgettable meet-cute.
Easy ways to make your logo memorable:
Utilize positive association. Consider what your ideal clients/customers perceive as ‘good’. Best example of this in action: Amazon. They added a simple smile to their logo, suggesting a happy delivery experience and overall relief for their customers. The answer isn’t always universal though: if you’re a florist, that could mean bright lively colors and natural hues, while for a goth brand that’d mean creating a darker, more moody aesthetic.
Invoke familiarity. Including elements your people will recognize, will help them feel like they already know you & your brand. You’re essentially using visuals to connect with your audience. For example, a cute bakery in Paris could add an Eiffel Tower like shape to indicate their location right away and associate their brand with something people already know and love.
Provide a unique perspective & make an impact. We’ve all seen a logo that blows our mind… Fedex hidden arrow anyone? Adding a simple play on words or surprising shape can be a quick way to grab peoples’ attention and make a lasting impression.
5) Consider longevity
Will your logo withstand the test of time? In years to come, is your logo still relevant? Following the newest trend will not help you to achieve this goal. Creating an everlasting logo means you need to use timeless elements, fonts, images, and concepts that have withstood the test of time.
KEEP IN MIND:
If it’s trending now… it likely won’t be in the future. When creating a unique, timeless logo, avoid the newest trends. If something is cool and popular right NOW, it’s unlikely to be in the future because the truth is this, trends just don’t hold up overtime.
Avoid the redesign. Logo redesign is now an option, but it often isn’t the BEST option for your company and can lead to issues with consumer recognition.
Know your brand. A company that knows and truly represents their brand identity will create a timeless brand.
Find the task of designing your own logo daunting?
Call in reinforcements!
I’m here to help you brand your passion in a way that feels good to you and will support the life you want. Let’s create a brand (logo included) that will make you fall in love with your business again!
