10 Rules for Strategic Graphic Design Logos
Logos That Sell
Consumers want quality products they can trust and will only spend money on brands with a reputation for delivering high standards. How brand identity is marketed and perceived by consumers can be greatly affected by a strategically designed business logo.
Impact Logos
Graphic design logos that are placed in print ads, throughout the Internet and on billboards need to contain key characteristics to reinforce a business' image. Logos that have been designed with a purpose evoke feelings of trust and give a business credibility.
Professional graphic designers use a variety of elements to create unique logos. Whether you choose to design your own logo or have it designed by a professional graphics company, make sure these rules are followed. The end result will be a smart, sharp logo designed to further the growth of your business.
- Start with preliminary work and sample sketches. A well-designed logo requires time and attention to get the final result. Rushing this step will only compromise the integrity of the work.
- Size counts. Construct a logo design that will look proportionally correct whether it's scaled down to fit on letterhead or sized for a large banner. Don't wait until your brand is on the market—test your logo before.
- Keep colors simple. Overuse of color can drastically complicate a logo and ruin its effect. Choose colors that reflect the tone of the brand or the associated industry. For example: Home Depot simply uses orange and white for their logo: two colors associated with construction and building.
- Design a balanced logo. The human mind naturally prefers a balanced image, including proportionate sizes, balanced lines and contrasting or complementing colors.
- Choose a professional-looking font—better yet, use a customized font. If your logo uses text for the design or tagline, stay away from common fonts including Times Roman or Comic Sans. Everything about your logo should be unique; using a font that blends in looks amateur.
- Be simplistic! Now is not the time to show off your intricate design skills. Be understated and skim down to the bare essentials. Consumers should see a clean, effective design.
- Skip the specials effects. Many design programs offer high-tech design tools to create logos with enhanced capabilities. A logo should stick to the point and be free of gimmicks.
- Never copy another logo design. Stay true to your brand. Consumers will come to value your brand for its originality and reputation. It's OK to seek inspiration, but don't take creative license.
- Recognition is KEY. Is the logo recognizable on a billboard? Does it look the same turned upside down or reflected in a mirror? Take a look at the logo from all angles and make sure it's identifiable.
- BREAK the rules! It's not bad to take a risk when it can help business. Dare to stand out from your competitors and create a unique design. Test the logo and tweak it until you find the perfect logo design to propel the image of your business.
