Does Your Logo Translate Your Brand Vibe?
Logos are essential. While logos can initially seem daunting from a conceptual perspective, they are a must-have for any business. In fact, a logo is considered to be the cornerstone of any good business or personal brand. Logos carry a heavy load consisting of explaining:
- who you are,
- what you do,
- why you do it, and
- how you do it.
Your logo will be displayed on social posts, marketing materials, business cards and more. Indeed, is a lot of heavy lifting for one little graphic to do!
Regardless of your starting point, a good logo should:
• Be eye-catching
• Be timeless
• Be memorable
• Work well large or small
• Encapsulate your brand vibe
What has this brand vibe you have spoken of?
Simply, a brand vibe is how you want your brand to make people feel. (Also known as brand personality). This element should have consistency across your logo and content and be clearly set out within your brand guidelines.
Once you have established your brand vibe, the logo-making process begins to feel somewhat less daunting. Start by capturing four to five words that encompass how you want your brand to make people feel.
With these chosen words in mind and the brand vibe as the destination, let's design a logo!
Here are our Top 10 Logo Design Tips & Tricks:
- A picture is often worth a thousand words - Your logo visually represents your brand. Use straightforward icons to communicate who you are.
- Empty space = clean logo design - Your logo should be able to be recognized and read clearly from a distance or smaller in size. By keeping it "clean" will achieve this.
- "Boxed In" is In - the use of shapes to think inside the box and a great way to make your logo stand out. This also helps with cross-platform branding. For example, a "boxed in" logo works well digitally and on company letterhead, presentations, and merchandise such as pens or lanyards.
- Imagine your logo in various situations. - When designing your logo, try to make sure you think about its intended use. For example, are you wanting to use it on a uniform, or will it just be for your website design?
- Colour is critical for good design. Using various shades of the same colour can create subtle contrasts within your logo.
- Be literal with your logo - If your name is an object, incorporate that object in your logo. Don't be afraid to state the obvious.
- Be authoritative with your logo - Be literal, but make sure it fits your organization.
- Stand out and grab attention - In the design world, we call this "visual salience." and a great way to create an impactful logo.
- Reinventing the wheel isn't always necessary when designing your logo - If it works, it works. If it feels right, then go ahead and use it
- Don't be afraid to adjust the wheel slightly - it's ok to build on the brand you've established, rather than trading the old brand in for a new and shiny one.
Admittedly, that's a lot to consider. Sometimes reaching out to a professional to help guide you in the right direction is worth its weight in gold. Hiring a marketing agency to help create a unique brand image and start your brand off on the right foot, may be well worth the cost.
Contact Kre8tive Agency if you have any questions about logo design or anything else! We would love to hear from you. info@kre8tiveagency.com
