There are good, memorable logos which people want to stick on the back of their laptops, loves the company and takes pride in it. And there are simply bad logos able to change the message, meaning or could even denounce the company in many ways. These simple and small representatives of the biggest companies comprises great power of changing the outlook of the company in people’s mind and even sometimes making a big difference in the company’s future.
1. Simple
A simplified thing has many advantages. It could be remembered quickly; it is easy to draw, it impacts faster on the viewer’s mind and is good at delivering the intended in a quick glance. Simplicity, forcing the designer to delete all the unnecessary parts from the logo, allows the logo to become more genuine, real and concrete. Also, all the possible confusion and problems which could arise from a complicated logo could be discarded easily. So, keep it simple.
2. Unique
Creating a unique logo simply means that it should stand out in the crowd. The viewer should recognize the brand with the unique design, color combination or the outlook of the logo. As Unique things are much more remembered than normal things, it is better to create a unique, unparalleled and genuine logo.
3. Appropriate
Logos should be appropriate according to the type of company and type of industries. If the logo is for an entertainment company, it should contain bright and attractive design to attract and pull the customers towards the shop in the heavily crowded bazaar. On the other hand, if it is for an industry with much more serious outlook, the logo should contain the features which create a trustworthy and honest atmosphere around it. No matter how perfect or creative your logo is, if it doesn’t fit for the company, it is not going to work.
4. Versatile
A company will use its logo everywhere. From the board meetings to flyers and from websites to seminars, every kind of atmosphere would adhere the company’s logo on the files or everywhere necessary. In such cases, the logo should look great and impressive everywhere. Outside the company, it would be used in advertisements, dealings and for general awareness and recognition of people. In all these cases only a versatile and universally appealing logo would suffice the needs.
5. Targeted
You are trying to make a universal appeal, yet you have to categorize and target a certain audience. There is no meaning in targeting to those entities which probably will never need to use your products. Instead, it is better to target a certain audience, find out its traits and design your logo around them.
The customers and the related parties which are connected to your product, no matter how distinctly, should be generally considered as your target audience. A targeted logo comes with other features which clarifies the logo and company’s identity and nature.
6. Good First Impression
Whenever and wherever a new person sees your logo for the first time, even if the person doesn’t know what your company does, the logo he/she sees should necessarily have a good first impression. It should look good. There shouldn’t be any visible, non-visible features in your logo which could mean something bad, unprofessional or contains features which are unpleasing. Before anything else, a logo is judged by how good does it look. If it is interesting and pleasing enough, people might get inspired to think about it a little more. But, if it doesn’t have a good first impression the whole company loses the trust, honesty and gains the doubts of professional capacity.
7. Memorable
A memorable logo helps the company to be remembered far more often. Memorable logo leaves a certain impression in the viewer’s mind and that’s enough for them to think about your company the next time need one of the products you too are offering. This strong reminder generates the company and product awareness and finally gains the company a customer.
8. Timeless
Timeless designs are hard to create. But, the advantages you gain from a timeless design are that your logo is easily recognized by many generations. Timeless designs also saves you bucks on the long run as there are less occasions of changing the logo. They aren’t also bound by periods, eras or any other time limits. Timeless designs, remembered by generations, becomes an identity for the company which they can’t just let loose i.e. Coca Cola logo.
9. Comprising the Company Philosophy
Any good company stands on a philosophy which clarifies the way to achieve its goals. And for any good company, that philosophy should be delivered in its logo on subtle level. For those thinkers, who can decipher a company’s logo and can understand its board of directors’ will or ability to running the company. Thus, company’s logo tells many things, then why shouldn’t you deliver what your company intends to.
10. Reflecting the Company’s Personality
Every company creates its own personality by its performance and advertisements. The three parties associated with it are the Main Customers, Business Related Parties and People who aren’t their customers yet but are aware of the company’s existence. Based on the performance, the elements of trust and honesty are also generated in those parties and such company’s logo should also reflect the personality of the company. For instance, Rolls Royce can’t have a comic fonts for its car called Ghost or Wraith. Such use would shatter the company’s prominent impression on general audience. While same fonts would be appreciated in comics or other entertainment reads.
All these characteristics are subtle and are only felt by the viewer unconsciously when they see a good logo. So, you shouldn’t emphasize to cram all of these traits in your logo if it is not fitting in. Just try to have a logo which doesn’t ruin the impression, is memorable and stands out in the crowd. Such basic traits and your choices will automatically add up all the other features of a Great logo. Good luck.