Mobile Commerce, SEO & Social Media Blog

Logos Gone Wild

You’ve got a great new idea for a product. You have the perfect name. Maybe you even know what your slogan is. Now what? It’s time for an essential marketing tactic – the logo.

Oh, you can always tell when a logo is done horribly, horribly wrong. (Check out Your Logo Makes Me Barf.com for some examples of logos that never even had a chance.) But sometimes, logo design isn’t that clear-cut – it may feel like everything is right. But there are some common pitfalls you can avoid.

“You can always tell when a logo is done horribly, horribly wrong.”



This article will discuss:

• What makes a bad logo?
• What makes a great logo?

Logos Done Wrong

The Oval Logo

While this logo isn’t necessarily the worst thing in the world, it certainly is the most boring. Slapping your company’s name inside an oval is a surefire way to put your potential clients to sleep.

• Leave this snoozefest behind and find something more dynamic.

“The oval logo certainly isn’t the most dynamic.”



Retina-searing Color Combinations

The most common defense to this type of logo is “But red, lime green, yellow, and magenta are my favorite colors!” Leave that mentality at the door. If your logo sends your customers into epileptic fits, then odds are, you’ve just lost a sale.

• While bold colors can and do work in a logo, you shouldn’t use them all at once.

You’ve got a great new idea for a product. You have the perfect name. Maybe you even know what your slogan is. Now what? It’s time for an essential marketing tactic – the logo.

Typography

Lettering can make a huge difference in how successful your logo is.

• If you choose to have letters or words in your logo, make sure they’re readable.

Nothing is worse than overlapping, garbled letters that spell something – but you aren’t quite sure what.

“Some of the worst fonts of all-time…”



What is that shape again?

It may seem like a good idea to have a complex logo that represents all of the multifaceted aspects of your business in stunning, 3-D rendering…but no. Just back away.

• Simple is always better.
• Keep your shapes simple and recognizable so you don’t wind up with a fiasco on your hands.

Logos Done Right

So what makes a good logo? According to one website, there are 45 rules for good logo design. In reality, sticking to a few simple guidelines can help your logo immensely.

Keep It Simple

The best, most timeless, and most easily recognized logos are incredibly simple – think Apple or Nike. When you see their logos, you instantly recognize the product.

If you’d like to incorporate text into your logo, keep that simple as well. The font should be clear and easily readable.

Finally, avoid using too many colors. Your logo should be recognizable in grayscale and in color.

Just the Facts

Don’t include your tagline, slogan, name, or other unnecessary details in your logo. While these things can be used alongside your logo, keep the logo itself free from distraction.

• Be critical and eliminate everything but what’s necessary.

Forever and Ever

Pretend you’re going to keep the same logo forever. Don’t make a trendy logo that will need to be replaced next year.

• Choose colors that are generally appealing.
• Select a timeless logo to save money and energy.

Size Matters

Your logo should look good on a business card. It should look good on a billboard. It should look good on a t-shirt, a hat, a pen, and a letterhead.

Think about all the places you see logos. Imagine your logo there.

“Clean, simple, inspirational logos…”

Ask yourself:

• Will you be able to see all the details?
• Does the idea still come across when it’s tiny?

You should use your logo whenever you get the chance; so, don’t limit yourself by designing a logo that only looks good in one size.

Jasmine Davis Jasmine Davis didn’t take the tip about logo size seriously and once had an 8.5″ by 11″ business card. Want content written for your Brand that shows up #1 on Search Engines and brings you new customers? Contact us.