What Makes a Great Logo & How Can I Get One?

When starting up a new business, one of the first things on the ‘To Do’ list is to design a fabulous logo. Every day businesses try, fail and succeed when it comes to logo design. One thing is for certain, you definitely want to be in the ‘SUCCEED’ category!

A logo by definition is a graphic symbol or design that a business uses to identify its products or services and gain instant recognition. A logo may just be comprised of an image only or an image together with the name of the business.

But how do we even start this process? Why don’t we have a look at a few well known and very successful logos and see what they have in common. Let’s take Coca Cola and McDonalds as examples that have stood the test of time as well as some newer success stories like Fedex and Apple.

There are a few key rules that all of these businesses seem to have followed when designing their logos. It seems that the best logos are:

Simple

More often than not less is more. All of these logos are very clean and concise. They use simple shapes, fonts and colours. There are no fancy patterns or intricate details. But one thing is for sure, they have impact. Simple doesn’t have to mean weak or boring. In the case of these four logos, simple equals bold and memorable.

Flexible

A good logo will work well in every possible media. Our four examples will look just as good online as they will on a label or in a magazine advertisement. They are also recognisable regardless of whether they are shown in full colour or in black and white.

Scalable

Size does matter. You want your logo to look just as good on your business card as it would on a billboard. The McDonald’s logo is just as recognisable on the packaging of their French Fries as it is on their large neon store signs. If a design is too complex, you can lose some of the detail when you change the size of the logo.

Memorable

A good logo will be easy to remember, have impact and last the distance. The Coca Cola logo was designed back in 1885 using a fashionable script font from that period. Over 125 years later it still looks modern and relevant. The McDonald’s ‘golden arches’ have been used since 1968 and is recognisable all around the world. Even Apple and Fedex, who are the newer kids on the block, are easily remembered. Most people will recognise the business even if only shown a portion of the logo.

If you keep these factors in mind when starting the design process of your new logo will be on the right track. At the end of the day, make sure that you stay true to yourself and your business. Think about how you want your business to be seen by the public. With the help of a clever designer you will come up with an amazing logo that captures the essence of your business. It may not be long before your logo, and therefore your business, is instantly recognisable in the marketplace.

Do you need a creative new logo designed for your business? Contact us today and be wowed by our logo designing expertise. Want some more inspiration? Check just some of the logos we have designed in our showcase.

soniakeen
Hi, Sonia Keen here, owner of iCreate Solutions. I am also a graphic and web designer, passionate about helping your business succeed with outstanding design that helps your business grow.