Creating a logo doesn’t necessarily come naturally to business owners. While you’re busy crunching numbers for your budget and finding the best people to fill your staff, you have to find time to switch from practical to creative thinking.
Not to mention, once you do get your creative juices flowing, the best logo design won’t magically appear. You have to put in the work to turn a logo idea from good to great.
To give yourself some guidance, follow the steps below.
Start with the Basics
Once you sit down to work on your logo, start by drawing.
Doodle as many logo ideas as you have floating around your head. If you’re drawing a blank, working with pen and paper like this can help get the ideas going. It’s much better than sitting in front of a screen and starting at it.
Plus, once you have all your sketches laid out in front of you, it’s easy to see which options may result in the best logo design. Pick two or three designs to keep developing so that you have some options when it comes time to choose the absolute best.
Play with Colors and Shapes
When you’re ready to go from paper to computer screen, keep everything in black and white. This helps you get a better feel for what the final look will be.
The use of black and white establishes a strong foundation for the rest of the design elements needed to make a logo. This structure should be made in the likeness of a certain shape – like a square, triangle, or circle – even if it isn’t exact. Such use of different lines starts to add character to your logo.
In addition to the way shapes can say a lot about a logo, color does this as well. Actually, there is a whole color psychology theory for logo design. Shades like purple and green are all about creativity and wellbeing, while yellow is a reflection of clarity and blue establishes a sense of trust.
What do you want users to feel when they look at your logo?
Add Something Unique
Colors and shapes are what catch people’s eye and make them notice your company. A touch of something special is what makes your logo memorable.
Think of your favorite timeless logos. Brands like McDonald’s, Apple, FedEx, and Nike probably come to mind. As great as the classic look of Apple and Nike logos can be, the messaging that McDonald’s and FedEx use is pretty genius.
You know there’s a McDonald’s around the corner the moment you see those golden arches, which are in the shape of an “M” for the company. Similarly, the FedEx hidden arrow is a tell-tale sign of its reliable, fast shipping options.
Consider the products and services your business offers. Then, think of how to make them, stand out with the use of your own hidden message.
Edit, Edit, Edit
Just when you think you have the best logo design possible, take another look at it.
Get feedback from your partners before making the final decision, too. You will likely have to go back and edit a color or a letter in order to make everything look just right.
In fact, the logo will probably go through a few rounds of editing before its complete. This is normal, and it will be worth every second once you come up with the actual final version.
Get the Most Out of Creating the Best Logo Design
Once your logo is all set, you have to make use of it!
A logo is a cornerstone of your marketing and branding efforts. Make sure it’s all over your website, your digital marketing strategies, and promotional items. Order a new set of business cards and have some company apparel made as well.
The more you get your logo out there, the better.
But, this is just one part of creating a presence in your market. To build a strong sense of brand recognition and loyalty, contact us today.
