A Quick Guide to the Different Types of Logos (And How to Use Them)
Posted on August 21, 2019 by Logo Design Tips and Tricks
While some brands have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on logos, other brands like Twitter have famously spent around $10 for theirs. When you’re thinking about what types of logos are right for your brand, you have to start by knowing what all of the types are. Logotypes carry with them some meaning and requirements.
Here are some of the most common types of logos that brands around the world are using.
Monogram Logos
These are the logos that are based on the brand’s name. They often entail a unique font put together in a unique way. Usually, companies create their own special fonts for these logos.
Look at NASA, HBO, or CNN for this type of logo. These should be used when the name of the company or brand is much longer than you’d want to have to repeat again and again. When the brand is better known by the acronym or monogram than the full title, more is invested in these logos than full names.
Typography-based logo design relies on just a few letters. These logos are all about minimalism. They help to streamline your brand with a longer than usual name. Remembering the name National Aeronautics and Space Administration is a little more work than NASA.
Wordmarks
While you might have a font for monogram logos, logotypes or wordmarks aren’t focused on the acronym. They use the whole name of the company drawn out.
CocaCola is one of the most famous as well as Disney. Lots of people try to play on these logos or to rip them off as satire. That’s because they’re so powerful and ubiquitous.
A wordmark logo works when a brand has a name that’s unique and easy to remember. Attractive words and things that sound good together really hit home the power of the logo and font.
The point here is to capture the essence of the word or the brand.
Symbols
In these cases, a simple shape or symbol is the main aspect of the logo. While some times the name of the brand is placed side by side with the logo, other times, the logo is a stand-in for the brand name.
Think about the logos for Apple or Target. How often do you just see the logo and know exactly what brand is being depicted?
Choosing a logo symbol means choosing an image to embody your brand. That’s hard when you want to have a broad appeal. How do you showcase a broader meaning with a simple logo?
That’s why so many brands spend millions trying to reinvent their look. For some ideas, take the time to view more options available.
Going Abstract
Logos with pictures but no literal interpretation are common among some of the biggest brands in the world. The Nike logo is one of the famous and most ubiquitous of these types of logos. While it might mean something, the image itself is pretty abstract.
Abstract logos still confine a business to a single pictorial representation, so make sure that you agree with the way that your brand is being depicted. Consider all of the negative consequences or the worse possible interpretations. While it’s unlikely that your representation is going to mean the worst, it’s important to explore the edges of interpretation.
An abstract logo is great for conveying a brand’s purpose symbolically. Look at the Nike logo again. It has freedom and movement all in one simple gesture.
Mascot Logos
Can your brand handle a mascot? Depending on the types of products and services you’re dealing with, it can be a blessing or a curse.
Most of the time, you find them on brands that are more oriented toward kids and families. They’re meant to be cartoonish, vibrant, and exciting. Creating something unique to represent your brand is the goal when you’re choosing a mascot.
The mascot that you choose is an ambassador of your brand. Food brands and sports teams are some of the most common brands using these types of logos. They are fun on t-shirts, hats, and all kinds of swag.
When your goal is to create a positive and fun atmosphere related to your brand, these are the way to go.
Letterforms
Letterforms take the minimalism of monogram logos to another level. They’re also called letter logos. These brand marks have to be bold and beautiful, using powerful colors and memorable shapes. It’s challenging to think of just one letter to represent your brand, but it’s powerful when it works.
These logos are great because they can be used as small images for the web and printed big and bold on billboards. A well-designed letter logo can invoke your brand no matter where they are.
Design is everything when you’re choosing just one letter. It needs to be strong and memorable and use a color that’s bold and exciting. The letter needs to pop and be able to resonate when people see it.
McDonald’s has long been the leader in this type of logo but Yahoo! and Netflix have their own powerful and memorable versions.
Different Types of Logos Bring Different Associations
As stated above, the types of logos available bring certain requirements from brands and designers alike. Using the wrong type could be presumptuous while another type could limit your brand’s reach. It’s all about knowing what you represent as a brand.
When you’re trying to design the perfect logo, consider using a logo maker tool to help support your efforts.
5 Details Found in Excellent Law Firm Logos
Posted on August 19, 2019 by Logo Design Tips and Tricks
Consistent brand presentation increases revenue by up to 23%. The star of your brand: your logo. With numbers like that, you want to ensure your logo design is on point. But with so many law firm logos to research, how can you know where to start? We have you covered.
Here are 5 details found in excellent law firm logos.
1. Sleek Typography
The best logo in the world can be let down by bad typography. This is why all the best digital agency designers make sure to prioritize their use of type.
When designing your logo you want to ensure your font choice reflects the look and feel of your firm. You should also take care that your layout is up to scratch. There’s nothing worse than an otherwise serviceable logo with terrible kerning.
2. Savvy Use of Symbolism
Symbols are shorthand for otherwise complex ideas. They let us communicate a lot of information in very simple ways. Savvy use of symbols in your logo design is a great way to pack a lot of information into an otherwise simple design.
All the best legal logos make use of symbolism. Whether a cleverly placed set of scales or a typographical gavel, such logos evoke a very industry-specific look and feel. It’s that look and feel that will have your logo sticking in the minds of your audience.
3. Skilled Use of White Space
There’s nothing worse than an overly busy design. Logos with too much going on tend to confuse or even alienate audiences, so you want to steer clear of this design sin.
Instead of trying to say too much with your design, focus instead on the white space. That is the space around your main design elements. Does your white space serve to balance your design? Is there enough white space to clarify your logo? Answer these questions and you’ll be well on your way to a first-class logo.
4. Clever Use of Color
Color is an important tool in every designer’s arsenal. The right color can evoke thoughts, feelings, and ideas so you want to choose your palette carefully.
All the best law logos use color in clever, measured ways. Each palette is carefully considered to reflect the industry, the brand, and the user’s expectations. When choosing your own you want to consider who you are, who you’re targeting, and what industry mainstays you want to evoke.
5. Industry Awareness
Knowing your competition is key when it comes to running a business. You have to know who they are and how they’re speaking to your shared audience so you can differentiate yourself. This means that when it comes to designing a logo, you have to know the logos of your competition.
Researching your competitor’s designs can help you determine what works and what doesn’t. It’ll also give you valuable insight into industry trends. Most importantly, it’ll ensure you don’t accidentally mirror an existing logo in your own design.
Design the Best Law Firm Logos
All law firm logos are not created equal. Bad design exists in every industry and it’s your job to ensure your business doesn’t fall prey to it. With knowledge of these 5 details, you’ll be well on your way to designing your firm a stellar logo.
Want to read more articles like this? Keep browsing our blog.
Design Inspiration For the Perfect Accounting or Finance Logo
Posted on August 12, 2019 by Logo Design Tips and Tricks
You’ve studied up on the top ways to market your accounting or investment firm online, and you feel confident about your strategy.
You’ve got a great blog, an engaging email campaign, and you’re even active on social media.
But you know that your finance logo is the foundation of your entire branding strategy. It helps to increase your authority, connect you to your target market, and sets you apart from your competitors.
How do you design the perfect logo for your financial firm?
Keep on reading to find out.
1. Recognizable Images vs the Cliches
Yes, you want your finance logo to look authoritative and unique — but you also want to ensure that your logo helps people to understand what your company actually does.
How do you walk the fine line between choosing familiar images that people associate with finance and accounting and relying on cliched images that all your competitors are already using?
By finding a way to make these recognizable images your own.
For example, instead of using just a gold coin, why not personalize the gold coin with a picture of your company’s founder, a bull, or even place your company’s name on the coin? Instead of a dollar sign, include graphics of the things you help your customers to afford: a college degree, a house, a baby carriage, the list goes on.
2. Focus on Legibility
An accounting logo is not the place for loopy fonts or bubble letters — and not just because those fonts aren’t in line with your professional goals.
Remember that your financial logo needs to look just as good on a small business card as it does on a huge billboard.
Choose a legible font, and even break up words with changes in color like the folks at The PayStubs did.
Remember that colors like green, blue, and even red are all colors associated with money and savings. Use them in your logo whenever possible.
3. Future-Proof Your Financial Logo
When you’re designing a logo for your accounting or finance firm, going with the latest graphic trends isn’t the wisest choice.
But it’s not just about looking professional. If you rely too heavily on trends, you’ll likely have to update your logo design within the year so it doesn’t look dated.
This can seriously mess with your brand recognition — and cost you time and money.
Instead, keep it clean, classic, and original. You’re building a reputation that will last for years to come.
Ready to Design Your Finance Logo?
Now that you understand the ground rules of designing your finance logo, it’s time to begin the process!
Don’t just go with the first design that pops into your head. Instead, use our free online logo maker tool to test out and refine your top options. You can even ask your social media followers or current clients to help you decide.
In addition to our design tools, keep checking back in with our blog for the latest in logo design.
Together, let’s make your brand a name that everyone knows.
Gaming Logo Ideas to Take Your Brand to the Next Level
Posted on August 10, 2019 by Logo Design Tips and Tricks
With the variety of platforms for gaming, many creatives have more chances to realize their dreams of getting into the gaming industry. As both the cause and effect, the number of gamers are rising, too.
The tools for making games for mobile devices, for instance, are available to anyone. More indie companies are creating games for the PC and consoles, as well. If passion is only what you have, you can instead create a gaming channel on YouTube.
Whatever you’re thinking of starting, however, you need to lay out the groundwork for it first. You first have to take care of business essentials, like the equipment, applications, and things like your gaming logo.
The logo is going to be your brand’s face, so it’s important to get it right from the get-go. If you’re stuck in this area, keep reading to get some cool ideas.
Gaming Logo Design Ideas
If you need some ideas for your new logo, look at what the other companies did to get some inspiration. Observe what elements they have in their logo that you can replicate. Here are some design ideas you can incorporate into your logo.
1. Your Name or Initials
Think this is too simple? Nintendo, PlayStation, Atari, and Sega would beg to differ.
Games like Uncharted and Super Mario go by this design, too, and you can’t see anyone complaining. The video game companies EA and Blizzard only have their names in their logos, as well.
They’re simple, yet effective in creating familiarity. That’s because even though they only used their name, they made sure that the logos are unique and manifest their brand and values.
2. A Character or an Iconic Object
If you’re thinking of a video game logo, considering the main characters is a good start. Any objects that are important to the story can also go into the logo.
Take the Final Fantasy series as an example. Aside from the all-too-familiar “Final Fantasy,” each iteration also features a character(s) or something from the game.
FF6, for instance, features Terra Bradford, a playable character in the game. FF7 features a meteor with blue and green shades, which reflect the color tones of the game. The meteor represents the Materia orbs that are crucial to the game’s setting.
Other examples are the Skyrim logo, which features a dragon, and the Witcher series logo, which features the pendant of the main character Geralt.
3. A Gaming Peripheral
This is another popular idea for gaming companies and channels alike. Take a piece of gaming peripheral, make it look a little different, and insert your name (or not).
The joystick is a popular choice because it’s one of the best representatives for gaming. Almost anyone who sees it will know that it’s about gaming.
Headphones are also a good idea; you’ll often see gaming channels with a human wearing a pair of headphones. Other ideas you can use include an arcade machine and the mouse.
4. Virtual Items
Potions, rupees, gems, treasure boxes, and even pots are iconic representations of gaming. Almost any game has a variation of these items, but the purposes are still the same.
You can use these for your logo, as long as you make it clear enough they’re from a game. This is going to be a bit trickier because other industries may use these items, too. For gamers, however, they will know what you’re referencing to right away.
Health bars and hearts, although not items, can also represent your gaming company or channel well.
5. Pixel Art
The gaming industry has come a long way from the 8-, 16-, and 32-bit eras, but it seems like we’re coming back. Pixel art is becoming popular again for video games because of its nostalgic and vintage effect.
If that’s what your brand is aiming for, why not make a pixel art logo? This is an especially great idea for gaming channels focusing on old games. It’s also suitable for gaming companies making pixel art games.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Gaming Logo
While thinking of a logo, though, you have more to consider other than creativity. Consider your branding, and then from there, decide on the following:
1. Colors
In the Witcher games, black and white stand out, with red serving as an accent color. This color choice goes well with the game, which features dark tones.
The NBA games’ colors, of course, come from the basketball franchise.
The prominent color in the Xbox is green, representing feelings of envy. It may make people feel like they had to buy it.
This is one of those examples wherein the color unexpectedly worked for the brand, though. The real reason why it had the color green was that the only marker available to the artist was green.
Think your color choices through, but don’t hesitate to play around to see what will stick.
Breakout Games, which only has one color, also did this right. The escape room’s logo is in red; this color makes you feel fear and uncertainty – which are the feelings they want you to have while you’re inside their “trap” rooms.
2. Typography
Your typography choices must also represent your brand, but make sure it’s unique. This will make it easier for people to relate the font to your brand, even when it’s used outside the context.
The Horizon Zero Dawn game, in particular, has a good choice of font. It’s set in the future, wherein AI robots and futuristic technologies are a heavy theme. At the same time, humanity is back to living in tribes and with fear of technology.
The HZD logo represents both the futuristic theme and the broken world.
3. Impact
Everything can be perfect: the icons, the typography, the colors, and creativity. However, it can still have one thing missing: the impact.
When your audience sets eyes on it, they should not only get brand familiarity, but it should also invoke certain feelings from them.
Test your logo firsthand to see how it makes you feel, then let others take a look, as well. This will give you insight on what you can change and what elements aren’t working for your intended reaction.
Learn How to Make a Gaming Logo
Your best logo ideas might come at any time; list down all your ideas so you can explore them all later. What comes next is creating the gaming logo itself.
Learn how to do that by reading more of our guides about logo creation.