Creating an Effective Logo Design
A good logo design is extremely important for branding any business. It has to work in just about every situation, size, and on every background. This is why good logo design is vital – a graphic design professional should be part of creating any logo to prevent mistakes and problems.
It’s important to know what makes a good logo and be able to identify good logo design before you get started. A logo that works will be simple, communicative, appropriate, and distinctive. Its graphic design won’t go out of style or look dated quickly, either.
Simple designs are easy to recognize, memorable, and usable in almost any situation. Good logo graphic design will be unique, but not overly complex. The simplest logos are, after all, the most easily recognized. You need to be able to “read” them at high speeds, at just a glance, and without thinking about it.
A logo must also be easy to remember. Good logo design should stick in the viewer’s mind, and be easily associated with the brand name in question. Simplicity and appropriateness can contribute to this.
Timelessness is another important factor. The most effective logos will look just as good in decade, two decades, and even ten. Don’t hop on the latest graphic design bandwagons, and leave logo design trends to someone else. Even if a particular kind of design is popular at the moment, it’s not going to be in a very short period of time. Take a look at the logos that have been around for a long time – they haven’t changed, and they don’t need to.
Versatility is also important. Logo designs should work in a variety of different applications and media. This is why most people design logos in vector formats – they’re infinitely re-sizable and very easy to change. All logos should be effective when printed in a single color, printed large or small, or printed in reverse.
Beginning your logo design process in just black and white, so that you can focus primarily on shape, is one way to make sure that your logo will be properly versatile. Avoid looking at colors until the black and white version has been approved – after all, color can really influence how we react to something. Logos should not be chosen on an emotional basis.
Make sure you know enough about the printing processes you’re likely to use to avoid problems later on. Offset printing has particular requirements, and different color spaces can present a problem down the line. If you’ll need to screen print your logo design, this will cause a whole additional set of problems. People in graphic design need to know how to deal with them in advance.
Make sure your design is appropriate, too. You must use a font, layout, and color scheme that are right for the business that’s being advertised, and graphic design elements that don’t look out of place. A good logo design is one that doesn’t just look good, but is right for the use you’ll be putting it to, after all.
