The Anatomy of a Great Logo
Let’s jump in feet first with a quick diagram…
I know we’re taught that you’re NOT supposed to judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to running a business – how your customers or readers perceive your logo, brand or website is key – and trust me, people will judge you by your ‘cover’.
Today we’re going to talk about your logo. Your logo is a visual representation of your brand, and the one device that will allow prospective and current customers to recognize your business in an instant.
Is your logo strong, distinctive + memorable?
Is your logo strong, distinctive + memorable? It should be! A well-designed logo will enable you to stand out from the crowd and set the tone for your business (or blog).
The goal is to create a visual memory and an emotional feeling about your brand. Your logo should be timeless. Resist the temptation to create anything that is the ‘hot-trend-of-the-day’ – yes, I’m talking to all of you that have watercolor, pineapple and flamingo logos… you don’t want to regret these decisions later!
I know I’ve fostered DIYers (and I always will, if this is your thing) but your logo design or redesign is probably the one thing I’d suggest to outsource to a professional.
Before I jump into the anatomy of a great logo, I want to emphasize that the most successful and memorable logos are great because of their simplicity! Read on…
THE ANATOMY OF A GREAT LOGO
As the diagram (main image) above states; your logo may include some, or all, of the following elements:
- The Logotype. This is the name of your business that is designed in a visually unique way. It may be displayed in a font or created from geometric shapes that create abstract letters for a special effect.
- The Icon or Mark. This is the graphic picture that may communicate what you do literally, or figuratively in a more abstract way.
- The Strapline, Tagline or Slogan. This is what is most often used to describe what your business does (if the name doesn’t explain it), or a memorable catchphrase that draws attention to your unique product or brand.
Here’s a few great logo design examples:
The anatomy of a great logo may not be as complex as the anatomy of the human body, but it’s definitely more complicated than most people realize.
Logo designs from: Your Marketing BFF, Buzzfeed, Gustav Wiese.