A well-designed image that represents your products and services is a powerful marketing tool — and a necessity for most companies. This identifiable design piece, a.k.a. your logo, acts as the visual embodiment of your brand and fosters customer recognition.
When creating your logo, focus on making it simple, yet memorable. Here are 5 steps to help you do just that:
1. Tell your tale
An effective logo tells your story. Choose three adjectives that best describe your products and services to inspire the logo design before that process begins. For example: a high-end restaurant may choose “gourmet, sophisticated and delicious,” while a children’s apparel line could go with “fun, lively and happy.”
2. Select a style
Most memorable logos are designed with one of three basic styles in mind: a font that spells out your business’s name, such as the logos for Wal-Mart and IBM; an identifiable graphic, such as with Target or Apple; or an abstract design, such as the logos for Nike and Adidas.
3. Choose a shape
Picking the appropriate shape for a graphic logo is crucial. Circles and ellipses are related to a positive emotional message, such as community and love, while squares and triangles are associated with power and strength. Keep in mind the adjectives you chose to represent your business and pick your logo’s shapes accordingly.
4. Pick a palette
A palette of two to three colors will do the trick. You never want to overwhelm your logo with too many colors. These colors should reflect the industry you’re in, too. Color psychology determines that reds and yellows are appetizing and well suited for the food industry, while bright pinks and blues — typical colors that children attach to — are perfect selections for children’s apparel.
5. Keep it clean
While there are many facets of creating a powerful and memorable logo, keep in mind that less is more. A simple design will equate with a clear positioning. You want your customers to identify your business easily — a complex, elaborate design runs the risk of causing confusion.