Six Rules to Follow When Designing a Logo

Differentiating your company is so important if you want to rise above the competition and stand out. Creating a brand that can be easily remembered and build a strong relationship with its customers is often difficult to achieve. Designing a powerful logo will help you to do this. Because it is often the first thing your consumer will see about your company before maybe even the product itself, the logo positions the brand in the customers mind. They will be able to judge it instantly and make up their mind as to whether they want to invest their time and money in your company.

This is why when you are creating a logo, it must follow certain rules in order to have an impact. Following these rules will help make your design memorable and ensure you bring out the best in the company and in your skills as a logo designer.

When creating a logo:

1. Make Sure it’s Original – the more creative your logo is, the more likely it will be taken notice of. Creative doesn’t necessarily mean complicated but is the result of thorough research and experimenting with different elements within the logo itself. So remember that wherever you place your logo, whether it is online or offline, it must be fresh and really catch the customers eye in order to make a true impact.

2. Maintain the Professionalism –  your logo will often be the first visual association the consumer has of your company. It does not matter where they see it or how they come across it, your logo should project your company’s values and message in the best light. To do this, a professional touch is needed. Even it if costs a bit more, getting the logo right the first time by an experienced designer is a crucial part of the branding process.

3. Maintain Simplicity – a complex logo can completely distract the customer from looking at your logo the way it should be looked at, as an anchor to hook them and draw them in. To allow it to achieve its goal, a logo should never be too complicated. Avoid excessive detail because the consumer will not spend more than a few seconds to figure out the hidden meanings of your logo. Even though your logo should have an obvious meaning and a more abstract one which relays your brands deeper core values, this should be represented in a simple yet creative way.  So do not go overboard on the design front and use too many shapes and fonts that the consumer becomes easily confused.

4. Keep the Font Style Simple and Consistent with your Brands Message – having more than two different typefaces in your logo can make it loose its clarity and objective. You really only need one strong font that is consistent with the brands personality and reflects it well in order to do the job effectively.

5. Do not Use Stock Graphics – every element of your logo design should be unique. From the font right down to the images and shapes used or created. This means if you are using graphics that are widely available on the internet this could detract from the uniqueness of your logo and moreover, your brand. Creating a unique logo is crucial if you want to stand out from your competition and succeed in the marketplace.

6. Use Vector when Designing your Logo – using vector to create the quality logo you want will guarantee your design will become adaptable to a number of sizes when your design goes into printing. Vector designs will prevent your design from becoming pixelated when you alter the scale of it. Remember your logo will be on a number of different media platforms such as: social media profile photos, letterheads, billboards, promotional products and much more.