11 Business Logo Design Rules to Remember

Having a logo is an essential part of brand building and brand awareness. However, business logo design takes some experience and skill to develop a compelling one. Nowadays, most expert designers have years of experience and practice working with several brands. They have developed the necessary talents to create a logo that speaks directly to the audience and communicates the organization's message. Once you design a logo that aligns with your company, it can be a priceless weapon for your branding campaign.

 

Rules to Remember on Your Business Logo Design

Starting a new company logo design project can be daunting since there are so many things that you must consider. Developing this company asset from scratch means you have to consider how it can seamlessly communicate the character of your brand and capture the values, function, and message of the company. Those who plan to go through a rebranding process could be exposed to several pitfalls. You may be left in a quandary on whether to implement a simple tweak or completely overhaul the design of your business logo. Here are some rules to remember.

 

Start With the Fundamentals

 

Perhaps one of the most exciting parts of the logo design project is that you've got something new to learn along the way. You will understand that each of your clients will be different. The requirements of your previous clients may not necessarily work with the business nature of your current client. Even for businesses in the same industry, you will learn how completely different they are. Getting to know the company, its product, and its people will help you decide the right elements that you will add to your business logo project. Make sure to conduct a simple interview first with your client before starting with those sketches. Here are some questions to ask.

 

How Can You Describe Your Company?

 

What is the core focus of your business? Do you offer trendy clothes for kids, or are you providing SEO services to top companies? Does your company have a logistic service? You need to understand what your client focuses on before you can develop a good business logo. If you look at the existing log today, for instance, Amazon, you will notice that their logo highlights the letter A and Z; this is because they claim that all products from A to Z can be found in their online store. The arrow in the logo of FedEx represents their delivery courier business.

 

What Kind of Logo Resonate with Your Company?

 

Suppose they already have an idea of what a good logo should appear like. In that case, make sure to ask them about this. If they can't come up with a particular idea, you should provide them with your portfolio, where they should find inspiration. They don't necessarily have to look at the logos in the same market. Take some time to present them with different options, and list down some of the logos that they deemed memorable. Group them in a single document and find a similar element from them; this could be the font style or the color.

 

Who Are the Competitors?

 

Remember that the purpose of having a logo is to help your target audience to remember your company after a single glance. Therefore, a business logo designer must understand what the business can offer. Try researching the elements you can add to the logo by spying on your competitors. For instance, if you are managing a coffee shop, you will notice how teacup will often be present. After this, step back and ask yourself if you want to add these elements to your logo design. Remember that if you're going to add them, it would be better to tweak them to remain unique. After all, you want to set your company apart from this market.

 

Always Keep a Sketchpad with You

 

With several digital tools available, people might always rely on their gadgets for their business logo design. However, there are still advantages to having a trusty sketchpad close to you. For instance, it helps you rest your eyes from the computer glare. It also enables you to record your ideas; understand that inspiration will come to you the least time you expect them. If you don't have access to gadgets, then this idea can escape you. With a sketchpad, you also have complete freedom in your creativity. Sketching allows you to use any shape and add them in any place you prefer. Understand that you will always have that opportunity to digitize your design. A sketchpad is also necessary to bring during your interview with the clients, especially when describing their ideas to you.

 

Start in Monochrome Shade

 

Color is an integral part of your logo design project. However, if you don't think about things carefully, it can cause a distraction. It will be difficult for your audience to focus on the core concept of your business logo. You should leave the color for later and start using a monochromatic shade. It would be easy to change this at the later design project stage. It would be easy for you to save a boring logo by adding the correct palette. However, a good business logo will still appear astounding and eye-catching even if it only has a black and white color. Your idea, shapes, forms, font styles, and lines are important

 

Logo Design Must remain Appropriate

 

The business logo design must remain relevant to the activities, values, ethics, and company ideas that it represents. If you plan to open a high-end boutique, an elegant typeface would best represent your business. If you are planning to target male pensioners, a dash of pink and yellow may not do you good. Some people may think that these rules are relatively obvious. However, determining an appropriate logo is much more than this. The more suitable the logo is to the business, the easier it is for them to sell their product and service.

 

It Must Be Memorable

 

A good business logo must be memorable. It encourages your prospects to keep your company in mind despite being surrounded by other options in the market. Be sure to keep your logo simple, allowing the potential customers to remember all the integral elements of your logo. Understand that you have as little as 2 seconds to capture the interest of your target market. Therefore, your logo must tell the story of your brand within a single glance. This will be impossible to achieve if you have an overly complex company logo. The trademark must always be focused on a specific concept. Usually, it must not include any complicated elements that allow you to work on various applications and sizes. You can use this in your business cards, websites, social media channels, and business signages.

 

Try to be Unique

 

We've mentioned above that you should monitor your rivals in the business. However, you should still strive hard to be unique from them. Remember that you want your business to stand out. If your customers can't distinguish your business from your competitors, it will be difficult for the potential customers to remember your company. It will be an opportunity for the designers for you to set their clients apart in the market. Anything different will help them be unique. With the existing similarities in the business, understand that your work will never be easy. Playing with your imagination is an excellent way to attract possible clients in the future. You should also demonstrate your ability to develop an appropriate and relevant business logo.

 

Avoid Being too Literal

 

It is not required to create a logo that reflects what the business does. Nowadays, a more abstract type of business icon has proved to be enduring and influential. If it doesn't show the purpose of your business, it should clearly define the company. Sometimes, not being too literal will pique the interest and imagination of your target customers.

 

Symbols Are Not Always Required

 

Remember how we mentioned before that some companies would just use a wordmark on their business logo design? A logo does not always have to include any unique symbol. It can be tempting to be overly artistic to showcase your design skills. If you observe some of the most common logos like Google, Pirelli, and Mobil, you will notice the simplicity of their typeface and focus more on legibility. Remember that words will not work all the time, so there may be some variations that you need to do. For instance, changing the color and position of the logo can change its effect on your audience.

 

Imagine How to Make Your Logo Project a Reality

 

A business logo design that remains static and sitting in the corner will no longer cut it in today's marketing landscape. You need to imagine how your logo can come to life on digital applications. For instance, you can team up with a motion graphics or an animation video company to bring your creations to life. VR trends are also the latest rave in the market of logo design. It is now more accessible than ever and offers a more immersive experience. This may not always be necessary, but it is still worthwhile to consider this.

 

Rolling Out Your Business Logo Design

 

Simply submitting your logo design to your client and allowing them to use it according to their will could lead to a major crisis. At the very least, you should provide them with clear guidelines on how to or not to use the logo. This must include all components that you need to remind them of, such as the color variations and options, spacing, positioning rules, the suitable marketing materials where to use, min and max dimensions, etc.

 

Listen to Constructive Criticism

 

In today's social media age, almost all man will have their opinion on something. You need to learn how to filter out constructive criticism from the noises. You need to acknowledge that not all forms of criticism are an annoyance. You should always be ready to listen to them. In fact, most clients will be willing to do business with a logo designer who responds to negative criticism over those who just ignore it. It sends a signal to them that you value all kinds of reviews from your clients. Your branding strategy is more than just developing a compelling business logo design. A newly released logo can easily be the first thing the netizens will jump on. You will inevitably receive criticisms from the public.

 

Developing a business logo design could be an arduous and complicated process. There are several things to consider, and a simple mistake can lead to the doom of your career and the viability of your client's business. Remember the rules above when creating a good company logo, and you can develop a trademark that will help in the company's branding strategy.