How To Create A Logo For Your Brand

• Design Friday
• 10th, Feb, 2022

Have you just created a new brand? Congratulations! The next big step will be your brand logo design. Creating a brand logo on your own can be an intimidating, and at times overwhelming process, but it doesn’t have to be. If followed properly, the 5 Principles of Logo Design can help you create a beautiful logo that will serve your brand for years to come.

5 Key Principles of Brand Logo Design

No one principle is more important than the next, as they all tie into each other. Keep this in mind as you are designing your logo.

Simplicity

Simplicity is what makes a truly memorable brand. Consider the most popular brand logo designs, such as McDonald’s “M ”, Adidas’ 3 bars, or Targets’ target. What do most of these brands have in common? Simplicity is the defining factor for each. These logos favor bold, striking features and a “less-is-more” feel,  over too many colors, shapes, or elaborate fonts. 

Keep your lines clean and your color palettes and fonts simple. Too many colors, fonts, and overlapping lines can muddy up a design, and make it ultimately forgettable. Choose 1-2 key fonts, a limited color palette, and one key element to emphasize, like Fedex’s arrow or the Amazon smile.

Memorability

Simplicity lends itself to the memorability of your design, but that isn’t the only factor. Consider the industry your brand will be operating within, and look to your competitors for inspiration. What makes their brands stick in your mind? Is it their simple color palette? Do they have a unique element? Find a way to take inspiration from them, and create something fresh and unique to make your brand stand out from the rest.

Timelessness

Many brands today opt for very trendy logos, but end up needing to refresh them in 5 to 10 years. While trendy fonts, shapes and styles may be cool and eye-catching today, they won’t stick in your customer’s mind 20 years from now. Brands like Chanel and Apple have had signature designs throughout nearly their entire existences. Both brands have made minor changes to refresh the design, but the core aspects of both designs have stayed constant, and likely will for years to come.

Versatility

Your brand logo design should have the versatility to appear in a variety of different settings, whether that be on a lapel pin or the side of a plane. Creating scalable files for your logo such as PNG and EPS will save you the hassle of having to re-make your logo in multiple sizes in the future. Additionally, you should have at least 2-3 versions of your logo, one in color, one in a black silhouette and one in a white silhouette, so it may be used on any background.

Appropriateness

Finally, make sure your logo is appropriate for the industry it will be serving. Are you making a brand logo design for baby clothes geared towards sustainably minded moms, or backpacks for rugged hikers tackling the Appalachian trail? Designing a logo with a clear idea of who your target market is can help your potential customers find you easier, and will ultimately make your brand more memorable.

Where To Get Started

Thankfully, when it comes to designing your brand’s logo, you have a lot of options. 

DIY

Your first option is creating your brand logo design yourself. If you are familiar with art and design, this can be an easy task after a little research and brainstorming, and with the right tools. Some businesses may choose to design their logo by hand and digitize it later, while others might prefer designing with programs, like those offered by Adobe to get the job done.

Hire a Freelance Graphic Designer

Another avenue would be to contact an individual designer and have them create a logo for you. Researching the right designer takes time. You will likely have to go through several rounds of edits with them, and depending on your timeline and budget, it can be a bit of a headache . This is, however, a great option if you lack the design know-how to create a professional brand logo design yourself. The beauty of this option is that ultimately you will receive a highly customized design that you have a lot of creative input on.

Use Free Online Design Programs 

Programs such as Canva or Pixelied are designed to make things like logo design and branding more accessible to the everyday person. Their free versions are somewhat limited, and they do still require some know-how. With a bit of time, patience, and research you can still create something beautiful.

Hire a Design Company

Finally, you could work with a design company specially focused on brand logo design. Working with a firm takes all the stress by getting it right out of your hands. Most design companies also do not charge additional fees for edits and changes you may want to make on your final design the way a graphic designer might. They will take into consideration your brand’s industry and focus, and work with you to create something truly memorable. 

Brand Logo Design Doesn’t Have To Be Hard

Design Friday was created with you in mind. We believe that every business deserves affordable, professional and well made designs. With our fast, friendly and professional team of designers, a 24 hour turnaround and customer support that never fails you can get what you need for your business when you need it. Call us at (216) 714-8690, send us an email or visit our website to learn more.