A logo is not just a design word or a symbol, it's a complete solution architecture that represents your brand personality to the world and promotes you globally. Logos provokes an instant recognition of the company and easily distinguishes the brand from the competition.
An effective logo is
An effective logo is
- Unique and distinctive
- Attractive and eye-catching
- Futuristic and timeless
- Memorable and recognizable
- Versatile and high definition
- Enhance brand imagery
But how to define what logotype will suit your business persona and what logotype will be best for your industry. To ease the burden we have researched a list of logotypes that the biggest of the brands have created for their business.
Various factors come into play when the logo design process starts and designs are developed keeping all in mind:
It is very necessary to brainstorm with your designers or design agency before finalizing anything for the development. After getting satisfactory answers to the above queries, its time to work on aesthetics and which logotype to choose that will create strong brand imagery for the business.
Visual aesthetics of good logo design have necessary key elements like Color, Shape, Pattern, Line, Texture, Visual weight, Balance, Scale, Proximity, Background. By adopting these elements in the design process businesses can achieve best in class logo designs for their brands. Beautiful logo designs act as a magnet to the eyes and are memorable. Outstanding logos have a major impact on the customer's mind and positive perceptions are established for the brand.
Various factors come into play when the logo design process starts and designs are developed keeping all in mind:
- What are the business offerings?
- Which industry the product or service caters?
- Activation of the brand in which demographic area?
- What will be the gender of the target audience?
- Which age group is targeted?
It is very necessary to brainstorm with your designers or design agency before finalizing anything for the development. After getting satisfactory answers to the above queries, its time to work on aesthetics and which logotype to choose that will create strong brand imagery for the business.
Visual aesthetics of good logo design have necessary key elements like Color, Shape, Pattern, Line, Texture, Visual weight, Balance, Scale, Proximity, Background. By adopting these elements in the design process businesses can achieve best in class logo designs for their brands. Beautiful logo designs act as a magnet to the eyes and are memorable. Outstanding logos have a major impact on the customer's mind and positive perceptions are established for the brand.
World of logos is effectively categorized into 6 logotypes
Successful businesses have created their brand imagery by putting lots of work efforts and logotypes that have played an important and significant role in their success. Despite having a small size, logos are considered as the most recognized and memorable graphic element.
- Word mark logo
Word or name-based logo (text only)
Typography visuals or entirely the name of the business. Name-based logo with the brand-specific color palette and creative font style. Customers don’t need to guess about the logo design as the clear name of the business is represented in a visually appealing form.
Common industries that use Word mark logos
- Technology
- Social media
- Entertainment
- Foods and beverages
Word mark logos have an extra advantage from other types and can be created intelligently considering below points:- Using distinctive font characteristics
- Using special typographic treatment
- Using Intelligent color combinations
- Using hidden ideas or messages
Successful brands with Word Mark logos
eBay, Google, Coca-cola, Disney
- Letter mark logo
Acronym or letter based logo (text only)
In modern interpersonal communications either digitally or in public people are using short acronyms like LOL(laughing out loud), FAQS( frequently asked questions), DIY(Do it yourself), these all acronyms are the short forms of big descriptions. This is what is a letter mark or acronym, the logotypes which are a short form of big brand names. A Monogram logo/Acronym logo/Letter mark logo contains one to four letters, most commonly a company’s initials or first letter. Initials of business names are presented creatively to make some cool word phrases or Acronym.
Letter based logos are
- Memorable
- Pronounceable
- Recognizable
Common industries that use Letter mark logos- Fashion and clothing
- News and entertainment
- Food and beverages
Why need of Letter mark logo arisen- Long business names
- Difficult pronunciation
- Least recognizable
The above points made business use letter mark logos to simplify their brand names and come up with the design or initials which is easily readable and quickly memorized. Abbreviated initials are giving brands a strong visual identity and design simplicity.
Successful brands with Letter Mark logos
CNN, HBO, H&M
- Combined logo
A real-world object or elements (optional text)
Word mark (Business name) in combination with brand mark (icon or symbol) to give an extra support or explanation to the business. Letters can be combined with abstract elements or graphics, can be embedded into each other or various combinations can be created as per the needs of the communication.
Common industries that use Combined logos
- Technology
- Foods and beverages
- Clothing
Advantages of a Combination logo:- Many creative options (Creative placement of the text and elements)
- Versatile to use (Elements can be used individually as a logo only and in combination too)
- Highly recognizable (Both logo and brand name are present)
Successful brands with Combined logos
WWF, PUMA, Nestle
- Symbol logo
Abstract logo/conceptual/Symbolic (optional text)
An abstract is a logo that is used to represent something with the only symbol or icon.
An abstract logotype is a conceptual representation of the business message and acts as an overall brief or summary of the business. Symbol logos are hard to design as the focus is on compressing the business offerings and put into a nutshell with some symbol.
Common industries that use Symbol logos
- Technology
- Shoes and apparels
- FMCG
These symbolic logos are even hard to understand and generate curiosity among people to know more about them. Brands have to play very carefully while using symbol logos as they can easily create confusion for the new users.Wonderful vision with unique creative idea can lead to smart abstract logo design.
Symbolic logos can be created by considering:- Distinctive geometrical shapes
- Symmetrical patterns
- Creative illustrations
- Unique line art
Generate curiosity among customers by creating the unique abstract logo for your business, stay consistent with your branding, communication and product value to see the best results.
Successful brands with Symbol logos
Nike, Dropbox, Mercedes
- Character logo
Logo with illustration or character
Friendly logos with the images of mascots, characters, persons or animals. Create a great relationship of the brand with the people as the characters used in the logo are earthly and relate to our everyday life. The use of human, animal, birds, etc. in an artistic, illustrative or real form are common practices for character logo designing.
Common industries that use character logos
- Automobile
- Food
- Services
Designing a character logo can be easy but creating brand imagery around that mascot figure can be a challenge for the business. Character's personality will be related to the brand personality and consumers will perceive the brand as per the mascots created. Brands need to use characters with utmost care as they will be the prime drivers for your brand growth and future business.
Successful brands with Character logos
KFC, Michelin, Pillsbury
- Badge logo
Emblem/ logo enclosed in a shape (optional text)
A badge/emblem logo is the type that includes balance of text inside some geometric shape. Looks of badge logos could be related to keywords like an old-timer, traditional, classic.
Common industries that use Badge / Emblem logos
- Schools / Universities
- Government institutions
- Sports teams
- Automobile manufacturers
Detailed designs with small text and fine line work give badge logos heritage essence and authenticity. Designing of badge logos require extra care due to small details,complex patterns and usage of graphic elements in restricted shape.
Successful brands with with Badge / Emblem logos
Harley Davidson, Starbucks, FC Barcelona, VW Volkswagen
Choose the best logotype and design that define your brand essence. Your brand logo is a visual representation of everything your business stand for, showcase your brand personality in a style that leaves a permanent imprint on your targeted customers.