10 Essential Logo Design Rules You Should Learn

You may not have given much thought to logos before, but your company logo is actually one of the most important marketing aspects to consider. A logo plays an essential role in a company’s branding. It is often a customer’s first experience with your company and is the symbol people come to associate with your brand. It is important that you follow certain design rules when creating your logo so that it effectively represents you and your brand. Read on to learn about 10 Essential Logo Design Rules

Table of Contents

Fit the Company

The most important factor is that your logo must fit your company. While you should not try to capture every detail of your company in your logo, it should represent your brand in some way. Think of famous logos and how these logos reflect their company for inspiration.

Keep It Simple

Less really is more. You want your logo to be memorable and easily recognizable. In order for people to know your logo, you must keep it simple. If you make it too detailed or too complicated, people will not be able to recognize it. Try taking out as many elements as possible until you are left with something basic but powerful. You may be surprised that your simplest idea is often your best.

Consider Size

Your logo will appear in various sizes. It may be blown up on a billboard or depicted as a tiny icon on a mobile device. You need to make sure the logo looks good and makes sense at any size. Once you have a design you like, experiment with different sizes to make sure it works. You may need to tweak it so that it looks good in a range of sizes.

Color is Key

Another important factor is the color. Color appeals to the emotions, so make sure the colors you choose represent your brand. If you plan to use a lot of colors, make sure the logo can also work in only a few colors. You also want to make sure it looks good in black and white.

Be Original

While you can and should look to great logos for inspiration, you want your logo to stand out. If your logo looks too much like another logo, it is time to start over. You want to make sure that people associate your logo with your brand, not confuse it with another company. Think outside the box for a way to represent your company that is unique.

Be Memorable

In addition to standing out, you want your logo to be something people can easily remember. The greatest logos are those that people can recall and reproduce easily; the ones that truly seem to represent a brand. Stick with a simple design or picture that people can easily call to mind.

Choose Fonts Wisely

You may not have thought about it too much, but font choice is essential if you plan on using words in your logo. The font you choose conveys a lot about what you are trying to say in words. Try not to choose a font that is too common or too cute. People are tired of seeing Comic Sans, so make sure to avoid it and other fonts that won’t be taken seriously.

Avoid Trends

You may be tempted to follow a trend, especially if you want your company to appear young and hip. However, if you plan to be around for a while, it is better to go with something classic. What looks current now may look silly and dated in a few years.

Use Symmetry

The eye is naturally drawn to symmetrical images. Make sure your logo has balance in lines, color, and weight. Keep your logo symmetrical to make it memorable, and use asymmetry sparingly.

Be Flexible

Your logo is likely to appear on a variety of media, both digital and print. What looks great on a website may look terrible on a letterhead or t-shirt. Make sure to test out the logo on many options so that it always looks good.

By following these 10 Essential Logo Design Rules, you can be well on your way to the perfect logo for your brand. It is always a good idea to start out with many ideas and narrow it down. You may have to start over many times or you may even find yourself combining elements from multiple prototypes to find the logo you love.

Useful Links & Great Deals

Author Bio
Caryl Anne Crowne is a writer and public relations specialist for Allegra Network. She often produces content for a variety of logo design blog.