{"id":70303,"date":"2019-05-13T09:50:00","date_gmt":"2019-05-12T23:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elements.blog-cms.envato.net\/?p=331"},"modified":"2025-11-11T17:54:58","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T06:54:58","slug":"logo-design-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/logo-design-guide","title":{"rendered":"Guide: Logo Design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re trying to figure out how to design a sports logo<\/a>, restaurant logo<\/a> or gaming logo<\/a>, we\u2019re here to help. In this guide, we\u2019ll explain the different categories of logo design, look at the qualities of great logos, show you how to create your own logo<\/a> from scratch, and share a great tool for logo design online to help you speed up the process and save money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your logo is the face of your company. It is often the first thing a potential customer notices about a business, whether they come across it on your business card, your social media profile or your website. It is an essential part of your company\u2019s story and brand identity<\/a> and should occupy pride of place on all of your branding and marketing materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A well-designed logo is a simple way of creating a great first impression, communicating what your company stands for, and differentiating yourself from the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Logo Design Categories\u200b<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"logo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Logo designs fall into three broad categories. Each category offers its own advantages, so it\u2019s important to take the time to understand their differences and think about which would resonate with your broader brand story before you actually begin to create your own logo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Image-Based Logos\u200b<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Image-based logos use only a symbol to represent a business. They are either:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abstract images, like those used by Airbnb, Pepsi, and Microsoft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Literal images that have been simplified and stylized, like the logos used by Apple, Twitter, and Penguin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Image-based logos are simple, bold, and instantly evoke the brand. However, they work best with large companies that have built up recognition over time. They aren\u2019t the best choice for small businesses that are just starting out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Text-Based Logos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Text-based logos use either the company name, like the eBay logo, a monogram, like that of Coco Chanel, or an initial, like the \u2018W\u2019 used by WordPress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A text-based logo, using the company name, is a good option for a new business, or a small business with a relatively short name, to get people familiar with your brand. The monogram and initials are not the best choices though, due to lack of brand recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Combination Logos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Combination logos, like the logos of Dove, Mastercard (until recently), and Puma incorporate both symbol and text into their design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Combination logos<\/a> are probably the most popular logos around. Most companies that use symbols, monograms or initials combine them with text to spell out the name of the company. This makes their logo easier to remember, especially when a company is new and the logo isn\u2019t recognizable on its own. Once a company\u2019s logo gains widespread recognition, the use of text becomes optional. For example, the credit card company Mastercard recently decided to remove\u00a0its name from its well-known logo of intersecting circles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Qualities Of A Great Logo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"qualities<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Now that you have a good idea of the different kinds of logos most commonly used by businesses, let\u2019s look at the qualities that make a great logo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simplicity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n \"A\n <\/div>\n
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\n A Letter Logo <\/h3>\n\n
\n By\n \n 3ab2ou <\/a>\n in\n \n Graphic Templates <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n View more\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
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\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n View all<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n A Letter Logo <\/h3>\n \n 3ab2ou <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \"A\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

The best logos keep things simple because a simple logo is easy to recognize and remember, and easy to scale up and down without losing quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relevance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n \"Esports\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n <\n <\/a>\n \n >\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n Esports Logo <\/h3>\n\n
\n By\n \n uicreativenet <\/a>\n in\n \n Graphic Templates <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n View more\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
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\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n View all<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n Esports Logo <\/h3>\n \n uicreativenet <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \"Esports\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Great logos use fonts, colors and symbols that reflect the image they want their brand to convey. A logo is relevant when it gives viewers a good idea of what a brand is all about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Memorability<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n \"Bulldog\"\n\n <\/div>\n
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\n Bulldog <\/h3>\n\n
\n By\n \n lastspark <\/a>\n in\n \n Graphic Templates <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n View more\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
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\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n View all<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n Bulldog <\/h3>\n \n lastspark <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \"Bulldog\"\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

A logo is an introduction to a business, so it needs to identify and differentiate that business from others, capture a potential customer\u2019s attention, and leave a positive and lasting impression. This is why the best logos are also very memorable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thoughtful Use of Color<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n Crown & House – Real Estate Logo <\/h3>\n\n
\n By\n \n Suhandi <\/a>\n in\n \n Graphic Templates <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n View more\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
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\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n View all<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n Crown & House – Real Estate Logo <\/h3>\n \n Suhandi <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \"Crown\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Color catches the eye, evokes emotions, and conveys messages. That\u2019s why brands think carefully about what they want to communicate with the colors they use in their logos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cautious With Trends<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n \"Color\n <\/div>\n
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\n Color Hex Logo Template <\/h3>\n\n
\n By\n \n Pixasquare <\/a>\n in\n \n Graphic Templates <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n View more\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
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\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n View all<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n Color Hex Logo Template <\/h3>\n \n Pixasquare <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \"Color\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Great logos tend to be classic rather than trendy, so aim to stand the test of time rather than jumping on a trend that may turn out to be transitory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Versatility<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n \"15\n <\/div>\n
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\n 15 Vintage Logos & Badges <\/h3>\n\n
\n By\n \n designdistrictmx <\/a>\n in\n \n Graphic Templates <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n View more\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
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\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n View all<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n 15 Vintage Logos & Badges <\/h3>\n \n designdistrictmx <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \"15\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Logos need to retain their quality, whether they\u2019re scaled down or up to be used in print or on the web, so the best logos are versatile and work in every context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. How to Design a Logo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"how<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Start With Your Why<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every company has a \u2018why\u2019, beyond the obvious one of making money. That \u2018why\u2019 could be related to the way the business started, the way it\u2019s run, its philosophy, or something else completely. So creating your own logo starts with your brand identity, and brand identity is rooted in the story your company wants to tell the world about itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we look at the Apple logo, we don\u2019t just see a simplified representation of an apple with a bite taken out of it, we see an innovative and imaginative company that seeks to empower people through technology. That\u2019s Apple\u2019s story\u2014what\u2019s yours?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take some time to think about why your company does what it does. Who is it there to serve and how? Where will it make a difference? What does it stand for?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What you discover by answering these questions will help to shape the logo design process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Your Brand Were An Adjective, What Would It Be?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now it\u2019s time to roll up your sleeves and start generating ideas for your logo by creating a Logo Design Plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a large, blank sheet of paper and draw three columns. In the first column, write the first adjectives that come to mind when you think of your business. Think of adjectives that describe your business, its style, and the benefits it offers potential customers. Some potential descriptors may be family-friendly, reliable, organic, vintage, fun, adventurous, etc. If you get stuck, think of this from your customer\u2019s point of view. How would you like them to describe you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sketch Some Ideas<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Move to the second column, where it\u2019s time to sketch some ideas. Don\u2019t worry if you\u2019re not the best artist in the world\u2014the point is to record an idea, not prove you\u2019re a secret Michelangelo. And if you really don\u2019t want to draw, then writing a description of your idea will be enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brainstorm and free associate by sketching ideas you think might best capture your brand and the benefits it offers. Keep things very simple and try all the categories of logos we discussed above: abstract and literal symbols, stylizing the name of your company, using a monogram or initial, and trying a combination of symbols and text. Nothing is off-limits at this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Savvy With Color<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For this step, you\u2019ll need colored pencils or paint. If you have neither, don\u2019t worry\u2014once again, you can write the name of the color in place of the color itself. If your knowledge of color is sketchy and you feel a bit nervous about this step, read this article on the 10 Best L<\/a>ogo Col<\/a>our Schemes<\/a> and then come back to this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that you\u2019ve boned up on color and know the meaning and emotions associated with each tone, pull out your paints or colored pencils and, in the third column on the same sheet of paper, add some color patches to represent the adjectives you chose in the first column. Now add a second color to each. Refer back to the article 10 Best Logo Colour Schemes<\/a> for ideas on color schemes that work, or check out Adobe Colour CC<\/a> for more ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find Inspiration<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may be surprised that we haven\u2019t put this step earlier on in the process. The main reason is that it\u2019s always a good idea to start out by trusting your own voice and instincts, before introducing ideas from other sources.
Now is a good time to look to successful brands that you like for some inspiration. Ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n