If you’re starting a business or rebranding an existing one, you’ll need a memorable and professional logo.
A logo is a vital branding element for any business and requires plenty of brainstorming.
Key Takeaways
The message you are communicating
What is the overall feeling you want to convey through your logo? This will help people understand what your brand is about.
Relevance through your design
Your logo should be representative of what your company does. If you’re a food company for example, your logo might feature a fork and plate.
Brainstorm a list of ideas that represent your company
Once you have a few ideas, begin sketching them out. Once you have a few sketches that you like, it’s time to create a digital version of your logo.
Keep it simple
A logo should be easy to understand and recognizable. Avoid using more than three colors. Use basic shapes that you can reproduce.
Make it timeless
Nike achieved this with their swoosh symbol. Do not base your logo on trends or fads that will go out of style.
Make it unique
Your logo should be distinctive and not look like any other out there. It should be immediately recognizable as yours.
Make it standout
A logo should be easy to read. Choose a color scheme that will contrast against any background.
Use positive associations
Choose shapes, colors, and fonts that evoke positive emotions. Convey the message you want to send about your brand.
Make it readable
A simple logo should be easy to read. Your font choice should be easy to read and reflect the personality of your organization.
Decisions on colors, layout, symbols and even the font style can make or break your message. Don’t forget, the final design will be used on all marketing materials. So it must have impact and give the right impression.
But what components make a good logo? How do you design your logo that will represent your business if you’re not a graphic designer?
Post 2 of 3 in the logo design & measurements
Here are a few tips on how to design a logo from scratch that represents your business. From logo colors to brand identity and even shapes and sizes.
How Do You Create a Logo From Scratch? New Logo Ideas
If you are not a designer, there are some simple tips to follow to get you started. In short, these characteristics include:
- Defining your brand identity
- Explore logo design ideas
- Create rough sketches for ideas
- Identify colors that reflect your brand’s identity
- Select a typeface and font
- Seek feedback on your design
- Polish the final design
1. Defining your brand identity
What is your business all about? What are your values? What are your customers like?
Once you have a good understanding of your brand, you can start brainstorming. Ideas are the basis of a logo and its success.
Think about what imagery you want to use and what colors would be appropriate. Simplicity is key. You want your logo to be remembered and recognizable.
What are your business values?
It’s important to start by thinking about what your business values are.
What do you want your brand to represent? What are your core messages? Once you have a good understanding of your values, you can start sketching visuals that will represent them.
Think about what colors represent your values, and what symbols or shapes might associate with them. Once you have ideas, it’s time to sketch out your logo.
Don’t worry if it’s not perfect at first – what’s important is getting your ideas on paper. Once you have a few sketches that you’re happy with, it’s time to start refining them.
Brainstorming logo ideas
This is where you start thinking about the appearance of your logo. What symbols or images represent your brand? What colors do you want to use? Do you want your logo to be simple or complex? Spend some time brainstorming and sketching out ideas.
This can be done by thinking about what the company or brand represents. Then produce some visual representations of that. For example, if the company is all about environmentalism, then a green leaf may be a good choice for the logo.
From there, the designs can be refined until you have something you’re happy with. Once you have a few designs that you like, it’s time to start playing around with colors and fonts.
What does your target market want to see?
Your target market is who your product is for. Think about what your target market wants to see. A good place to start is by doing some research.
This will give you an idea of the type of people you’re trying to reach and what they’re looking for. Once you have a better understanding of your target market, start refining the logo further to appeal to them.
Consider the colors, fonts, and overall design of the logo.
The importance of symbolism
A logo symbolizes your company or brand. Choose a simple, memorable symbol relevant to your business.
For instance, food-related businesses can opt for a food or kitchen symbol, while clothing brands can choose a fashion-oriented symbol. Symbols are powerful communication tools, representing ideas and concepts.
In logo design, symbols convey a company’s essence, even through abstract logo marks. Consider the Nike swoosh, which represents the company’s name, motion, and speed. Select a symbol that aligns with your brand’s identity among the multitude of options available.
2. Explore logo design ideas (find design inspiration)
Here are a few tips for finding design inspiration for your custom logo symbols:
- Do some research. Look at logos of companies in your industry or similar industries. See what you like and don’t like. This will help you get a feel for the kind of logo you’re looking for.
- Check out logo design galleries and portfolios. This is a great way to see what other designers are doing. It helps getting some ideas for your own logo.
- Do a simple Google search for “logo inspiration” or “logo design ideas” to see what comes up.
It’s a good idea to explore different logo design ideas before settling on a final design. There are plenty of places to find logo inspiration, such as online galleries, design blogs, and even Pinterest’s mood board.
Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for, you can start the logo design process with a clear visual identity in mind.
Creating a mood board
A mood board is simply a collection of images, colors, and fonts that you feel represent your brand. To get started, gather images that you feel represent your brand.
This can be anything from photos to illustrations, to quotes. Once you have a good selection of images, start sorting them into categories.
For example, you may have a category for “colors”, “fonts”, and “shapes”. Once you have your categories sorted, it’s time to start narrowing down your options. Begin by choosing one or two that resonate with your brand attributes.
When you’re creating a mood board, it’s important to keep your audience in mind. What kind of message are you trying to communicate? What kind of feeling do you want your logo to evoke?
Do you want it to be playful and fun? Or serious and professional? Perhaps something in between? Once you have a good idea of the feeling you want your logo to evoke, you can start playing around with design elements until you create something perfect for your brand.
Identify brand color combinations and color palette
Poetry makes everyone squeal. Images influence people’s interests. Colour? It carries emotion.
According to data, 70-80% of people surveyed only judged products based on their color and visual elements.
For the logo design, you must determine if the color scheme will remain the same, and also remember when and where you should use brand colors.
75% of logos of the largest companies are made of monochrome or dual color. These logo designs and brand colors are simple and tend to be on the opposite side of the color wheel. These tend to attract the eyes for longer and influence the decision to buy.
Select a typeface
Choosing the right typeface for your logo is crucial. It conveys your message effectively and aligns with your brand’s identity. A modern typeface exudes confidence, while a playful font suits a child-friendly brand. Consider the features of each typeface—weights, special characters, or ligatures—based on your desired message. Keep these factors in mind:
- Complement your logo’s aesthetic.
- Keep it simple and easy to read.
- Align the typeface with your intended message and brand tone.
- Seek uniqueness and versatility.
- Ensure scalability. Narrow down the options by considering your brand, then select a legible, appropriate, unique, versatile, and scalable typeface. With countless choices available, make an informed decision that sets your logo apart.
Typeface and logo fonts for logo designs
In logo design, understanding the difference between a typeface and a font is crucial.
A typeface refers to a family of characters sharing design features, while a font specifies a size, weight, and style within a typeface. When selecting a typeface, prioritize readability and the desired overall impression. Serif typefaces evoke tradition and elegance, while sans serif typefaces are modern and clean. Once the typeface is chosen, align the font with your brand’s identity. Modern fonts generally complement various color combinations and brand attributes seamlessly.
3. Create rough sketches to design a logo
To create an impactful logo, start by sketching your ideas using pencil and paper or digital software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. If you lack artistic skills, online resources can assist you. Refine your sketches with the following considerations:
- Generate multiple logo versions and placements for testing purposes.
- Ensure simplicity and readability.
- Choose a color scheme that complements your brand.
- Utilize high-quality graphics.
As you progress, evaluate each logo version for improvements. Avoid complexity and aim for memorability. Opt for colors that are easy to print and work well on different backgrounds. Don’t hesitate to experiment, as unexpected designs can be highly effective. Create different logo variations, trust your instincts, and proceed confidently.
4. Get feedback after you design a logo
To gather valuable feedback for your logo redesign or for a new business, utilize these effective methods:
- Seek feedback from a wide range of sources, including employees, customers, and even strangers, to ensure a well-rounded perspective.
- Employ online surveys, questionnaires at your physical location, or simply ask for opinions from people you encounter.
- Share your logo on design forums or blogs, where professionals and designers can provide honest feedback to enhance your design.
- Conduct a logo design contest on platforms like 99designs, allowing multiple designers to offer diverse concepts and receive feedback from the community.
- Embrace all feedback, positive or negative, as it will assist in shaping a logo that authentically represents your brand’s essence.
5. Polish your winning design
Congratulations on designing your business logo! You’ve taken a significant step toward establishing a strong brand identity. However, your work isn’t complete just yet.
Similar to dressing appropriately for different occasions, your logo needs adjustments to suit various contexts. Learn how to refine your winning logo design for versatility and a polished appearance. Elevate your logo design by implementing the following steps:
- Ensure balanced composition and proportional elements.
- Evaluate color choices for complementarity and cohesion.
- Scrutinize typography for legibility and effective messaging.
- Enhance uniqueness through modifications like special effects or color scheme adjustments.
- Don’t overlook the importance of refining overall quality.
- Assess if your logo conveys a clear and concise message.
By addressing these considerations, you’re well on your way to achieving a winning logo design that excels in any scenario.
Reflect Your Brand Identity in the Logo Designs
To build a strong brand, you must first understand what a brand is and what it represents. Your brand is your promise to your customers. It’s how they perceive you, how they remember you, and what they expect from you. A strong brand is essential to any business, big or small.
It’s your most valuable asset, the foundation of your marketing efforts, and what sets you apart from your competition.
Creating a strong brand identity starts with a clear understanding of your target audience and what they want from you. Once you know who your customer is, you can begin to craft a message that resonates with them.
A brand identity is what sets your business apart from your competitors. It is the overall look and feel of your business, and it should be reflective of your company’s values and mission.
Your brand identity should be consistent across all of your marketing materials, from your website to your business cards to your social media profiles.
Creating a strong brand identity can help you attract new customers and build loyalty among your existing ones. There are a few key things to keep in mind when developing your brand identity:
- Keep it simple. Your brand identity should be easy to understand and remember.
- Keep your logo and other design elements clean and uncluttered. Minimalist logos are popular right now.
- Purpose – what is the reason for your brand’s existence? What are you trying to achieve?
- Positioning – what is your brand’s unique selling proposition? How do you want your customers to perceive your brand?
Why did you start a business?
Motivation for starting your company can vary dramatically between brands and products. In some sense, it’s about repairing gaps that exist in the marketplace.
Brand owners can then determine if the gap is real or if a potential problem is identified. Netflix – The widely-known OTT platform, fills many market gaps since its introduction.
It had previously sold DVDs via mail to American consumers via the Internet and elsewhere in the world. Then it changed into a subscription service model.
But it wasn’t long before the company began offering on-demand entertainment on smartphones. You should identify your solutions to market, and discuss this with the creation of your branding logo if possible.
Tell me the core value of your business?
McAfee’s logo illustrates how a company’s values can be linked to design. At first glance, it is similar to the crest representing protection.
Look more closely and the shield forms an m and provides an interwoven connection on each side. McFee has mentioned in its redesign website that it is important in terms of design importance.
A logo should be simple and memorable, and it should encapsulate the core values of the business, along with the company name. For example, a company that values sustainability and green practices might have a logo that features a leaf or a tree for brand recognition.
A company that focuses on family might have a logo that features a family crest or a symbol of a home. A logo is more than just a visual; it is a way to communicate the essence of a business to the world.
Take a look at your logo and see if you can identify the core value of your business.
What is your unique value proposition?
If you’re not sure what your unique value proposition is, you’re not alone. Many business owners struggle to articulate what makes their business different from the competition.
But if you can’t articulate what sets your business apart, how can you expect your customers to know?
Your unique value proposition is the one thing that sets your business apart from the competition. It’s what makes you different and better than the rest.
If you can’t articulate your unique value proposition, you’re missing out on a powerful marketing tool. So, what is a unique value proposition?
Simply put, it’s a clear and concise statement that tells your potential customers what your business does, and what you stand for. It also helps with brand consistency, along with the logo.
Think about it this way: why should someone do business with you instead of your competition? What do you offer that they can’t get anywhere else?
Answering these questions is the key to crafting a strong unique value proposition. Keep in mind that your unique value proposition should be clear, concise, and easy for potential customers to understand. It should be the first thing they see when they look at your logo.
Logo Design Apps and Graphic Design Tools
There are many logo design apps available that can help you create a professional logo for your business.
Some of these apps allow you to create a logo from scratch, while others provide you with templates that you can customize to your liking.
Whichever route you decide to take, be sure to put some thought into your logo design and make sure it represents your brand in the best way possible.
When it comes to choosing the right logo design app for your needs, it is important to consider what features are most important to you and your business.
Do you need something that is simple and easy to use, or do you need something that is more robust and offers a wide range of features?
Once you have a good idea of what you need, you can begin to narrow down your options and find the perfect logo design app for your business.
Logo design apps are a great option for businesses that want to create a logo on a budget. They’re also a good choice for businesses that don’t have the time or resources to work with a professional designer.
If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve rounded up some of the best logo design apps that you can use to create a logo for your business.
Some of the most popular logo design apps include Adobe Illustrator, Canva, Sketch, and Logo Maker. There are many logo designing apps available for both iOS and Android devices.
Some of these apps are free, while others are paid. However, all of them allow you to create a professional-looking logo for your business or organization.
How to design a logo with an online logo maker
Are you starting a new business and in need of a logo? Or maybe you have a business but are ready for a rebrand. You’re in luck! Designing a logo does not have to be expensive or time-consuming.
You can easily create a logo for your business with an online logo maker. There are many online logo makers that can help you design a logo for your business. Here are some tips to help you get started.
How to choose the right online logo maker
Choose a logo maker that has a wide variety of templates to choose from. This will give you the ability to find a template that fits your business style and branding.
This way, you’ll be able to find a template that fits your business or website’s style and then customize it to create a unique logo.
Make sure the logo maker you choose offers a wide range of customization options. This will allow you to create a logo that is truly unique to your business.
Pay attention to the quality of the logo maker. You want to make sure that the logos you create are high quality and will look good on your website and marketing materials.
Make sure the logo maker you choose has an easy-to-use interface. You don’t want to spend hours trying to figure out how to use the software.
There are a few things to keep in mind when designing a logo with an online logo maker. First, think about the colors that you want to use. What colors represent your brand? What colors will appeal to your target audience?
Once you have your colors selected, you can start playing around with different design elements. Try out a few different fonts and see what looks best.
How to use an online logo maker
With an online logo maker, anyone can create a beautiful and professional logo in minutes. Here’s how:
- First, choose a template that you like. There are a variety of templates to choose from, so you can find one that’s perfect for your business.
- Start by entering the name of your brand or business.
- Then, select from a variety of icons, colors, and fonts to customize your logo.
- Once you’re done, you can preview your logo to see how it looks.
- Once you’re happy with your design, download your logo for free.
- Export your logo: When you’re satisfied with your logo, you can then export it in various formats (PNG, JPG, etc.) for use on your website, business cards, and social media.
With an online logo maker, you can create a logo that’s perfect for your brand or business – and it’s easy, too. So why wait?
The benefits of using an online logo maker
There are many benefits of using an online logo maker to design your logo. First, it is a very convenient way to create a logo. You can do it from the comfort of your own home, and you don’t need any special skills or software.
Second, an online logo maker can help you create a professional-looking logo without spending a lot of money. You can try out different design ideas and see what looks best before you commit to anything.
Finally, an online logo maker can help you create a unique logo that will help your business stand out from the competition.
Hiring a Designer to Design a Logo
If you’re thinking about hiring a designer, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, you need to be clear about what your project needs are, and your brand personality.
What are your goals for the project? What are your budget and timeline constraints? Once you have a clear understanding of your project requirements, you can start to look for designers that specialize in the type of design work you need.
To find designers that can design a logo, you can search online directories, such as Dribbble or Behance, or you can use a freelancer platform like Upwork.
When you’re looking at designers’ portfolios, pay attention to their style and whether or not they have experience with projects similar to yours, as well as your brand’s personality.
You need to be clear about your budget. Be upfront about what you can and cannot afford.
Finally, you need to be clear about your timeline. Make sure you are both on the same page about when the project needs to be completed and about the logo creation process.
The benefits of hiring a designer
When it comes to creating a logo for your business, you may be tempted to do it yourself or hire someone who is not a professional designer. However, there are several benefits to hiring a professional designer to create your logo.
A professional designer will have the experience and skills necessary to create a logo that is unique and memorable. They will also be able to help you capture the essence of your business in the logo.
In addition, a professional designer will be able to provide you with a range of options and customizable templates to choose from, so that you can find the right logo for your business.
FAQ
How can I design my logo?
The first step is to decide what kind of message you want your logo to communicate. Do you want it to be serious and businesslike, or playful and whimsical?
Once you have a direction in mind, you can start sketching out some ideas. If you’re not the artistic type, there are plenty of online logo makers that can help you create a professional-looking logo.
Can I design a logo myself?
Starting a business is a lot of work and can be expensive, so it’s important to cut corners where you can. Many people think they need to hire a professional to design their logo, but with a little creativity and some basic design knowledge, you can easily create a logo yourself.
What is the best app for logo design?
There are many apps available, but the best one for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Some popular logo design apps include Adobe Photoshop, Canva, and Logo Maker. Each of these apps has its own unique set of features and tools that can help you create a professional-looking logo.
How can I design a simple logo?
First, think about what colors you want to use. Next, decide on a font that will be easy to read.
And lastly, come up with a symbol or image that represents your brand. With these things in mind, you’ll be well on your way to designing a logo that’s both simple and effective.
Conclusion
There are a few things to consider when designing a simple logo from scratch. First, consider the company or brand name. The font and color of the name should be easily readable and in keeping with the company’s image.
A logo is more than just a pretty picture, it is a way to help people remember your company and what it stands for. The core value of a business is what the company stands for and believes in.
Next, consider what symbol or image will represent the company. This could be something as simple as a letter of the alphabet or a shape that is representative of the company’s products or services.
Lastly, consider the overall color scheme of the logo. A simple logo should be easy to read and remember, so keep the colors limited to two or three that work well together.