One of the first things new businesses need to think about is a logo. Define the brand identity you want to build. Finding a great logo concept can be a challenge though. Here are our top tips on how to choose a logo that works for your brand.
1. Keep It Simple
You might have noticed: all of the most successful brands have simple, minimalist logos. Think of brands like Apple, Nike, or even Google. The less there is to distract the viewer, the easier it will be for them to remember and recognize your brand.
2. Make It Scalable
This goes hand in hand with point number one. The simpler the logo you choose is, the better it will scale. This is important for website icons, or logos that will be printed onto physical products. You want your logo icon to be clearly recognizable in any scale.
3. Try to Incorporate the Golden Mean
The golden ratio was discovered by Leonardo of Pisa, known as Fibonacci. It can be represented by the Greek letter Φ (phi). The golden ratio is 1. 618:1, and any graphic designed with these figures in mind can appear incredibly harmonic and balanced.
Based on the golden mean for example is the golden rectangle, the golden circles, the golden triangles, and most importantly, the golden spiral.
4 Choose Your Colors and Fonts Wisely!
The colors and fonts you use in your design can have huge subconscious impact on how you perceive the brand, and what you associate it with. Here, it’s good to have a basic knowledge of color theory.
5. Use a Good Graphic-Design Program
Once you’ve figured out your logo concept, and maybe made a sketch on paper it’s time to digitize it. In most cases, you should be using a vector-based program, as you won’t have to worry about pixels getting in the way of your lines.
The two most common vector editors are Adobe Illustrator, and it’s free opensource counter-part, Inkscape. One is not necessarily better than the other, as both have different advantages. If you’re a design beginner, I’d recommend using Inkscape, since it’s free, and yet has all the crazy tools you might need.
Using a vector editor will make it easier to create high-resolution and scalable designs.
We’d recommend to save it in an svg format, to make it possible to edit the logo later. (All of your layers and paths will still exist in the file!)
If all of this sounds overwhelming, or if you don’t want to learn a new editing software from scratch, ask one of our logo design experts! We’re always here to help, and can offer you affordable design services customized to YOUR needs. If your logo just needs digitizing, so much the better. But we’re also happy to help you brainstorm and create the perfect icon for your business.