How to Design a Logo? - Establishing Your Brand Identity!

Every brand needs representation, and a logo is essentially created for the same purpose.

A logo combines different visual and text elements that define a brand. Often accompanied by tag lines, a logo helps establish the brand inside the customer’s psyche and helps identify the brand.

Different Types of Logos

Every brand or business has its own identity. For instance, a food & beverage business’s logo can not look similar to a software company. It can share certain elements. However, the complete picture it will display will have a different idea. This is the reason multiple types of logos are used for a brand.

To give you a better idea, here are some of the most common logos used to represent a brand. Let’s have a look:

• Wordmark Logos: Amongst the most common types of logos, these are the names of the brands represented with stylized letters and attractive colors. Some common examples of brands that use these logos are HBO, Coca-Cola, Google, etc.
• Combination Mark Logos: A combination mark logo combines visual and text elements. They provide infinite possibilities and look enticing in terms of brand representation. Examples of these types of logos are Adobe, Lacoste, Mastercard, etc.
• Monogram Logos: This type of logo is primarily used for brands that exude luxury. In this, the brand’s initials are used and interlaced to create visual chemistry of the different letters of the brand. Examples of this type of logo are Under Armour, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, etc.
• Mascot Logos: Mascots are often used to define a brand. The same can be done with the logo. A logo created using a mascot is considered to be a mascot logo. For example, KFC, Reddit, Michelin, etc.
• 3D Logos: These logos have a 3D design and look pretty immersive. Some examples are XBOX 360, Sony Ericsson, Mozilla Firefox, etc.

To further add, the type of logos mentioned above is simply the surface. There are many more types of logos that can be taken as inspiration for creating something new, such as dynamic logos, negative space logos, letter inside shape logos, emblem logos, etc.

Different Types of Tools Used for Creating a Logo

Essentially, there are tools that can be used for creating a logo. These are:

1. Pen & Paper

The world has changed, and designers use tablets to create their first logo iteration. However, the industry veterans still prefer pen & paper to create their logo.

2. Sketchbook

A sketchbook is another essential tool that can record all the creative mind’s ideas. Designers create multiple renditions of a logo that they wish to make. These logos often become the designer’s first draft to get client feedback.

3. Computer System

To develop a logo that can be used digitally, designers need a computer system. In today’s day and age, we have powerful laptops and tablets that can also be used to create a logo. Therefore, having a desktop computer isn’t a necessity.

4. Vector Graphic Software

This is the most essential element for creating a logo. There are primarily two types of images, i.e., raster and vector. A raster image comprises pixels. Therefore, once expanded, it can lead to a loss of quality. Contrarily, a vector image comprises lines, paths, curves, etc. Thus, the logos can be enlarged and used in multiple places without losing the quality.

Some of the most commonly used vector graphic software are:

• Adobe Illustrator
• Inkscape
• Vectr

Additionally, for designing a logo, a designer requires fonts that can be used for writing the name of the logo along with its visual depiction.

Steps for Creating a Logo

In the quest to find the right recipe for “How to design a logo?”, several steps are to be taken for designing a logo. Let’s cover each of these steps one by one:

Step 1: Establish the Brand Identity

A logo, as discussed earlier, is the representation of your brand. However, it is not the entire picture. A logo is a part of your brand identity and should resonate with it in terms of colors, ideas, mission, vision, etc. Make sure to establish each of these elements while designing a logo. It should be the amalgamation of all the things that your brand represents.

Step 2: Gain Inspiration

Every artist takes inspiration from the world and similar work done in the past. Thou shalt do the same.

To do so, there are primarily two ways. One is to check out the best logos that you screen daily. Take ideas from websites like Dribble, Behance, etc. The second would be to check competitor logos.

Additionally, there are certain questions that one can ask themselves, such as:

• What adjectives can be used to describe the client’s brand?
• Will the logo resonate with the ideal customer?
• What are the colors used by the brand?
• Are the colors and symbols representative of the customer’s brand?
• Do I find the logo I created good enough?

Based on each of these facets, you’d be able to establish the idea behind creating a brand logo for your client.

Step 3: Pick a Style

It is important to establish the style of the logo initially. Depending upon the brand’s type, the logo’s style should be chosen. For instance:

• Is your brand taking a minimalistic approach?
• Is your brand modern?
• Does your brand represent a younger audience?

Based on the question above, pick a style that resonates with the brand and affix it to create a brand logo.

Step 4: Choose the Type of Logo

We’ve already discussed the different types of logos that can be used. Find a suitable one for the brand, and use it to create something compelling.

Step 5: Fix a Color Scheme

Every color represents something. To understand that, one can learn about color theory. Ideally, the colors used for the brand should resonate with the colors used for creating the brand’s website or its packaging. However, a few alterations can always be made.

Step 6: Select a Font

It is not always essential to use a font. However, there are several types of logos, and if you’ve decided on them, selecting a font would be an important chore. There are times when the typography can be used in multiple creative ways. Additionally, it can be wise to use web-safe fonts. These fonts are available across platforms and operating systems without any hiccups. Also, remember that the chosen font should amplify the design and not deteriorate it. One basic way of doing this is by selecting something readable enough.

Step 7: Create an Outline of the Logo

By this, the designer needs to create the logo’s shape. The logo’s shape can be created in several ways to make it more effective visually. Some of the shapes that can be chosen to create an outline are:

• Geometric Shapes: In this, the logo is created in circular shapes such as circles, triangles, rectangles, squares, etc.
• Organic Shapes: These are free-form figures that are often irregular or asymmetrical and resonate with the brand
• Abstract Shapes: This type of logo takes no form or shape. It is completely new and created by using existing elements to evoke emotions

Step 8: Start Creating a Logo

Once you are done with creating a brand logo for your client, it is time to create something using the tools available to you.

Step 9: Polish It

Once the logo is created, it is time for you to polish it and make it better. This should be a twofold process. Initially, you should start making changes based on your insight and try to make the logo more creative and true to the brand identity. Later, you should get feedback from the client and make changes to the logo design.

Creating Logos using AI — From Text to Image Within Seconds

The GPT (generative pre-trained transformer) model is not the only AI-based algorithm causing waves of transformation. The latest stable diffusion technology has enabled several AI logo maker apps or artificial intelligence apps to create logos simply using text. Several popular AI art generators that can generate an idea within seconds simply by using text inputted by the user.

Some examples of these AI art generator services are:

• Midjourney
• DALL.E2
• Logo Diffusion
• Kreafolk
• Text2Logo

Not only can these applications create a logo based on the description, but they can also give the designer plenty of ideas to work with. By using these AI logo maker apps in collaboration, one can create logos that only define the brand identity but also create something that resonates with the audience.

Wrapping Up!

The recipe to create a logo perfect for your client’s product can be both easy and complicated, depending upon the clarity of the idea. However, by approaching the logo designing process systematically, most hiccups that would otherwise intervene are already catered to.

Using a logo to represent your brand is essential. It provides all the visual cues for the ideal customer to recognize your brand. It makes your brand distinguishable. And, if catered to properly, it can even establish the brand’s image, attracting customers to at least try your product once.

FAQs:

Q.1 What is a logo?

A.1 A logo is a visual and textual combination of a design representing a brand.

Q.2 Why do you need a logo?

A.2 A logo is ideally used for representing a brand and giving visual cues to the customer to recognize the brand products.

Q.3 What makes a good logo?

A.3 Several things that make a good logo are:

• Simplicity
• Memorability
• Relevance
• Timelessness
• Versatility

Q.4 What not to do while designing a logo?

A.4 While designing a logo, the things that a designer is not supposed to do are:

• Creating complex designs
• Complete reliance on trends
• Using stock art and icons
• Using complicated fonts
• Inconsistent branding

Q.5 How to trademark your logo?

A.5 To trademark your logo, the owner must apply with the USPTO online in the USA. Additionally, one can even hire a trademark attorney for the same.

Q.6 How are logo and brand design related?

A.6 There are several ways logo and brand design are related, such as:

• Logo is often used as a visual identifier for the brand
• It is a component of the branding
• Coherence between the true creates consistency in the overall design
• It is the focal point of the brand
• Consistency between the two enhances the customer experience

Q.7 What are some free logo makers?

A.7 Some free logo makers that are available are:

• Canva
• Looka
• LogoMakr
• LogoTypeMaker
• FreeLogoDesign

Q.8 What is a logo design process?

A.8 The logo design process consists of several steps, from the ideation of the logo to its final execution. It is established to create a logo design that resonates with the brand.

Q.9 What are the different uses of logos?

A.9 The different uses of logos are:

• Establishing the brand identity
• Making the brand recognizable
• Marketing and advertising
• Packing of the product
• Creating a website and digital presence

Q.10 How much does the logo design cost?

A.10 On average, the logo design cost can range between $1000 to $10,000 depending upon the agency the work has been outsourced to. However, there are free tools to create a logo as well.

Q.11 What are some logo design tips?

A.11 Some logo design tips that can be implemented are:

• Understanding the brand for which you are designing
• Keep the design simple
• Keep it versatile
• Try to make it memorable
• Use appropriate typography
• Rely on color psychology for maximum effect
• Conduct research related to the audience
• Keep legal considerations in mind
• Think from a long-term perspective