You’ve probably seen a logo before, but most of us need to know what a well-designed logo is supposed to look like! With that in mind, we’ve put together this handy guide to help you on your way to let you know the logo dos and don’ts brand guidelines while designing your perfect brand logo. Let’s dive in:
The fundamental components of a logo
A logo is much more than just a pretty picture; it’s a symbol that represents your company and its values. That’s why it’s essential to ensure your logo is designed correctly. Here are the fundamental components of a logo:
- The name of your company: This is the essential element of your logo. Your company name should be prominently featured in your logo so that customers can quickly identify it.
- A tagline or slogan: A tagline or slogan can help reinforce what your company does or stands for. Keep it short, clear, and easy to remember.
- A symbol or icon: A logo or icon is a visual representation of your brand. It should be simple and easy to recognize.
- Color: The colors you choose for your logo will significantly impact how customers perceive it. Choose colors that reflect your company’s values and will work well together.
- Font: The font you use in your logo should be easy to read and reflect your brand’s tone. Avoid using too many different fonts in one logo; stick to one or two at most.
You first must consider how your business will be represented by its logo. Is it going to be something simple and easy for people to remember? Or are you going for something more complex?
If you’re trying to design something simple, then think about using one of these elements as part of your design:
- A typeface (font) that includes lots of letters and symbols; or
- A single symbol repeated multiple times across the design; or
- A single word repeated multiple times across the design; or
- An arrowhead shape connects two words in different fonts at their junction point (called an “anchor”), which connects parts visually while still allowing them some independence from each other).
A logo can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. If you’re looking for a logo that will be memorable and easy to use, then the design should be simple. A simple symbol can also make your brand identity stand out from others in the market, giving it an edge over competitors.
What to keep in mind while designing a logo?
There are several factors to keep in mind while designing your logo.
- The logo should be able to convey the company’s values and mission statements.
- The design should be simple yet attractive enough for people to remember it.
- The logo should be unique yet still relevant to your niche.
- The logo should be simple and easy to remember, and the logo should be relevant to the company or brand
- The design should be timeless and modern after a few years, it’s a good logo.
- The logo should be versatile and able to be used in various contexts.
- The logo should be timeless and wait to date itself.
Your logo should convey your company values or mission statements. It should communicate what you’re all about and reflect the core of who you are as a business. Using symbolism in your branding strategy is the best way to do this.
What not to do with a logo?
Stop making these mistakes! Here are some dos and don’ts logo usage and errors to avoid while designing a logo. Let’s get into it!
- Refrain from confusing using your logo.
It’s essential to understand the do’s and don’ts when it comes to logo design. For example, you should use only a few colors or fonts in your logo, as this can make it difficult for people to recognize quickly. You should also avoid using your logo in a way that doesn’t align with your brand values or mission statement. By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure that you are using your logo correctly and effectively.
- Only use your logo for some things.
Please don’t use your logo on things it doesn’t belong to, like products or services that don’t directly relate to your brand’s values and mission statement. If you’re selling a specific product or service that doesn’t align with who you are as an organization, it might be time to rethink the design of those items—or even consider parting ways with them altogether!
- Don’t use your logo as a tool for political or religious propaganda.
Your company’s logo is not an organizing tool for any cause, so don’t make it one. For example, using your logo for political or religious messages can lead to severe consequences, such as alienating customers and damaging your brand’s reputation. It could also lead to legal issues, as it may violate specific laws or regulations. Therefore, companies must be aware of logo design’s do’s and don’ts.
- Don’t use your logo on clothing.
Unless it’s a uniform for your employees, it is not okay to put your company’s logo on an employee’s shirt or hat and then have them wear it outside of work. Of course, if you have uniforms for all your employees, that’s different—but even then, make sure they’re clearly labeled as such so people don’t confuse them with regular street clothes!
- Don’t use your logo on anything that is not directly related to your company’s purpose.
If you’re a coffee shop selling mugs, then it’s okay to put your logo on them. But if you’re selling shoes, jewelry, or makeup, don’t do it!
If you’re selling a product or service that doesn’t align with who you are as an organization, it might be time to rethink the design of those items—or even consider parting ways with them altogether! Don’t use your logo as a tool for political or religious propaganda. Your company’s logo is not an organizing tool for any cause, so don’t make it one.
Using your logo on items directly related to your company is okay, like coffee mugs or t-shirts. But if you’re selling shoes, jewelry, or makeup, don’t do it!
Do’s and don’ts of logo design
To ensure you’re on the right track, here are some logo usage do’s and don’ts:
- Do use a font that reflects your brand identity. A good choice is one with a serif or sans-serif style, but if you’re looking for something more trendy, go with a modern font like Verdana or Avenir.
- Do use a color palette that fits your brand identity. For example, if you’re selling athletic gear or sporting goods, choose colors associated with the sport or activity (such as black and white for tennis). When creating a logo for an advertising agency, ensure the colors reflect your client’s industry or services.
- Don’t put your logo in an area where potential customers won’t see it—such as on the side of a bus or train. People will see it only once! Make sure there’s enough space around your symbol so people can see it clearly without zooming in on their device screens first (you’ll thank me later).
- Please don’t use too many colors in one design; instead, choose three different shades or hues that work well together but aren’t too similar, so they don’t clash later when printed onto shirts, etc.
What are business logos dos and don’t?
A logo is known as the visual representation of your company and the first thing people will see when they visit your website. It should be simple, memorable, and versatile enough to work on multiple mediums (like printed t-shirts, posters, etc.) without compromising its integrity or tone. The logo should also convey what you stand for—or at least give the viewer an idea of what type of business it is.
We have listed some business logo dos and don’ts below:
DO:
- Keep it Simple Your logo should be easy to understand and recognize. It should be free of any unnecessary elements that could clutter or confuse the design.
- Use High-Quality Images If your logo includes images, ensure they are high-quality and in resolution. Poor-quality photos will make your logo look unprofessional.
- Consider Your Font Choice Carefully The font you use in your logo potrays a lot about your brand. Make sure you choose a font appropriate for your business’s tone.
- The most common mistake logos make is being too wordy. If you’re going for a minimalist design style that relies on text in some form (like bold lettering), don’t write any words!
Don’ts
- Don’t Copy Other Logos While it’s essential to be inspired by other designs; it’s not okay to copy another logo. Your logo should be unique to your brand.
- Only Use More Than 3 Colors Using too many colors in your logo can be overwhelming and confusing. Stick to using a maximum of three colors for your design.
- You’ll want to avoid using too many fonts either; stick with one central font family and some accents here and there to save space and keep things legible when viewed from afar.”
Keep dos and don’ts logo placement in mind. You want people to remember it, but you don’t want it to be too cluttered or busy. One of the most important things is that your logo should be versatile enough to work on different mediums (like printed t-shirts, posters, etc.) without compromising its integrity or tone.”
Conclusion
The logo is one of the essential elements of your business branding. It’s your brand identity, so you must pick a logo representing what you do well, which will help attract new customers to your company.