A logo is one of the most important elements of any business. Not only does it portray your brand identity but it is also the first touchpoint your customers will associate with your brand. Whether you are about to launch a brand new business or want to create a new logo, here are some tips to help ensure your logo design is perfect. 

The importance of great logo design 

Nailing your logo design is extremely important. It’s the first thing people see when they come across your brand, so it needs to be instantly recognizable and representative of what you do. A well-designed logo can help make your business stand out from the competition and can be a valuable asset in marketing your company.

1. Ensure your logo fits with all your branding materials

When designing your logo, think about how it will work with the rest of your branding materials, such as your website, employee uniforms, business cards, letterhead, and stationery. Your logo should also be easily recognisable and work well in both colour and black and white. As your business grows, so too will the number of applications in which your logo will be used. Be sure to choose a logo that is versatile and can be adapted easily to different sizes and formats. When designing your logo, it's also a good idea to mock up a few versions that are stacked, horizontal, and vertical just in case you ever need them.

2. Ensure your logo reflects your business

Your logo needs to be an accurate reflection of your business. This means that if you have a corporate image, your logo should be sleek and professional. On the other hand, if you have a more fun and friendly brand, your logo can be more quirky. The key is to make sure that your logo accurately reflects your brand personality. This also reinforces the importance of identifying your target market. If you are targeting corporate professionals your logo is going to look different to a brand targeting 18-24 year olds. Many businesses make the mistake of thinking that their logo is simply a graphic and it doesn’t need to reflect anything else. This is not the case. Your logo is an important part of your branding and should be treated as such. It needs to be designed with your target market in mind and it should accurately reflect your business.

3. Don’t overlook fonts and colour combinations

When designing your logo. Your typeface should be easy to read and reflect the tone of your business, while your chosen colours will help to set the mood and convey a certain feeling or message. When it comes to fonts, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the font should be legible at different sizes, so avoid using overly ornate or intricate typefaces that may not be readable when scaled down. Secondly, think about the tone. For example, if you want to go for a sophisticated look and feel you may want to consider fonts that are minimal like classic serifs. Remember, you don't have to choose the fonts yourself! An experienced graphic designer will be able to assist with this.

4. Create multiple draft logos

When creating a brand new logo, it's worth having multiple versions drawn up to help you decide on the right one for your brand vision. This way, you can choose the one that most accurately represents your company and its ethos. Since your brand logo will be used in so many different contexts, it's important you mock up how each version will be used. This will help you to understand how successful each logo might be.

5. Get multiple opinions

Marketing needs to make sense. If your logo has your audience left feeling confused, then maybe it’s time for a redesign. User testing is a great way to figure out how well your logo is performing. Get feedback from people who aren’t affiliated with your business and see what they think. Are they drawn to it? Do they understand what it represents? If the answer is no, then it’s time for a new design.

6. Ensure your design is timeless

When it comes to your logo, you want something that is going to stand the test of time. You don’t want to have to redesign your logo every few years because it looks dated. A timeless logo is one that is simple and classic. It should be easy to read and understand, and it should be as relevant today as it will be in years to come! Changing logos too often creates confusion. People won’t know what your business represents, and you could lose customers in the process.

7. Don’t copy your competitor’s logo

One of the worst things you can do is copy your competitors. Not only is it plagiarism, but it also makes you look like you’re not confident in your own brand. Your logo should be unique to you and represent your business in the best way possible. If you copied someone else’s logo, people will associate your brand with theirs. Whilst in theory that sounds like a good thing, the last you want is customers getting confused between you and your competitors.

8. Avoid generic logo templates

When you’re starting the logo design process, it can be tempting to search for a quick and easy solution by using a generic logo template. However, using a template will likely result in a logo that doesn’t reflect your brand identity or stand out from your competitors. If you want a professional and unique logo, it’s time to take it up a notch with a professional designer. There's a saying you get what you pay for. If you want a quality logo design, be prepared to pay for it.

9. Avoid logo online logo generators

Just like the above point, when designing a new logo it’s best to steer away from those free logo designer tools that you find online. These tools often offer template designs and limited options which can lead to a generic-looking logo. A professional designer will be able to create a unique logo for your business that speaks to your brand identity. Before choosing a designer be sure to check out samples of their previous work to get an idea of their style.

10. Check for consistency

Whatever logo design you choose to go ahead with you need to ensure consistency. Once you’ve chosen a logo, make sure it’s used on all your brand design and advertising materials. If you have different versions of your logo for different uses (e.g. online and offline), this can be confusing for customers. Consistency is key when it comes to branding. When creating a refreshed logo, keep in mind any existing colours are styles that your brand is known for.

Need help with bringing your brand to life

Chat to JP Promotions When you’re ready to show off your new professional logo to the world, we’re here to help! At JP Promotions we can help place your custom logo on a variety of  promotional products and uniform garments. Browse the range online or get in contact today to learn more!