20 Secrets of Great Logo Design

Kim Barsegyan | Exokim
5 min readMar 9, 2023

--

Logo design is an essential part of any successful brand. They are the visual representation of the brand and play a crucial role in creating a brand identity. A well-designed logo can help establish trust, build brand recognition, and communicate your company’s values and mission. But what makes a logo great? In this blog post, we’ll explore 20 secrets of great logo design.

1. Keep it simple

One of the most important rules of logo design is to keep it simple. A simple logo is easy to recognize and remember. It should be easily identifiable, even at small sizes. Avoid adding too many elements, fonts, or colors.. Keep it simple.

2. Make it timeless

A great logo should stand the test of time. It should be designed in a way that it will still look relevant and modern years down the line. Avoid trendy design elements that may become dated quickly.

logo simplicity

3. Use appropriate colors

The colors you use in your logo should be appropriate for your brand and industry. Colors have a powerful impact on people’s emotions and perceptions. For example, blue is a common color for financial institutions because it conveys trust and reliability.

4. Consider negative space

Negative space can be just as important as the positive space in a logo. Using negative space cleverly can create hidden meanings or add an extra layer of depth to the design.

5. Make it versatile

Your logo should be able to work in a variety of applications, from business cards to billboards, and everything in between. It should be designed in a way that it can be scaled up or down without losing its impact.

6. Choose a font carefully

The font you use in your logo should be legible and appropriate for your brand. It should also be unique and easily recognizable. Fonts can convey different emotions and personalities. Choose a font that matches your brand’s tone and style. Or just use Helvetica and be done with it (just kidding).

Typography in logo design

7. Avoid trends

Trends come and go, and your logo should not be a victim of passing fads. Instead, aim for a timeless design that will stand the test of time.

8. Keep it balanced

A well-designed logo should be balanced and visually pleasing. Arrange the elements in a way that creates a sense of harmony and unity. Symmetry can help create balance and harmony in your logo design, but asymmetric designs will have a more dynamic vibe, when executed with skill.

9. Consider the competition

It’s very important to keep an eye the competition when designing your logo. You don’t want the logo to look too similar to that of a competitor, as this could create confusion and legal issues.

10. Keep it original

Similar to the previous point, your logo should be original and unique to your brand. Avoid using stock images. It should not be a copy or imitation of another logo.

11. Create a visual hierarchy

A great logo should have a clear visual hierarchy. This means that the most important elements should be the most prominent in the design.

12. Think about the medium

The medium in which your logo will be used should be considered during the design process. For example, if your logo will be used primarily on social media, it should be designed to look good on a small screen.

Logo application

13. Make it memorable

A great logo should be memorable and easy to recall. It should leave a lasting impression on the viewer. Think about what makes your brand special and use that as inspiration for your logo.

14. Use symbolism

Symbolism can be a powerful tool in logo design. Using symbols can add meaning to the design and make it more memorable. Make sure the symbol that you’re choosing is clear and culturally appropriate to the target audience.

15. Keep it relevant

Your logo should be relevant to your brand and industry. It should be designed in a way that reflects your brand’s values and personality.

Clean, bold, simple and modern logo design

16. Use appropriate imagery

If your logo includes imagery, it should be appropriate for your brand and industry. For example, a law firm might use imagery that conveys justice and fairness.

17. Be consistent

Consistency is key in logo design. Your logo should be used consistently across all mediums and platforms to create a cohesive brand identity.

18. Consider scalability

Your logo should be designed in a way that it can be scaled up or down without losing its impact, quality and legibility. It should be able to work in a variety of sizes and applications.

Logo versatility and scalability

19. Keep it professional

Great logos look professional and polished. Avoid using amateur design techniques, such as using too many colors or fonts.

20. Work with a professional

Consider working with a professional graphic designer to create a logo design that reflects your brand’s personality and values, and stays relevant years down the line.

. . .

If you like what you read, follow me on Behance, LinkedIn and Instagram, and visit my logo / brand identity design website.

--

--