Need to build a new logo, stat? Whether it’s for you or a client, it should be a simple enough task, right? After all, creating a logo is as easy as getting a nice font to write the company’s name and maybe adding a cool picture. That’s really all there is to it – if you want the typical, uninspiring (and entirely forgettable) logo that’s plaguing the business world.

As professional designers, we are well aware of all the intricacies involved, designing a logo is not child’s play. In reality, this endeavor takes an awful amount of research and time. There are no shortcuts involved – this is the only way to create a logo that blows your audience away while simultaneously conveying your company’s identity.

But, all is not lost. This task doesn’t have to be all drudge -the following post contains a number of tools and tips to help you design an effective and impressive logo.

Tip # 1: Research is Vital To Gain An Intimate Understanding of the Brand

When designing a logo, you must do everything in your power to learn the ins and outs of the brand you will be creating it for – whether it be for you or a client. A logo is more than a simple image, it represents every single aspect of the brand. Thus, it must instantly convey what the company stands for.

If this particular project is for a client, make sure you take some time to get to know him or her, the business, what it does, and what it stands for. Talk to your client about the type of design that he or she wants, maybe even ask for a couple of simple sketches to get an idea of what the brand is trying to convey. Also, ask them for examples of logos they like. This will give you a better idea of the type of design they are expecting from you.

Tip #2: K.I.S – Keep it Simple

Virtually everywhere you look in the business world, you can find simple, but popular, logos. Just think about the ones for Nike, Apple, etc. A simple logo is easily recognizable, memorable, versatile and based on the examples listed above, able to withstand the test of time.

Tip #3: Color is Vital

Color has the unique ability to connect to our feelings, which makes it an incredibly powerful marketing tool. In fact, there are some experts who say that the vast majority of shoppers (we’re talking about over 85%) base their buying decisions on color alone. Furthermore, when color is used properly, it can increase brand recognition by a whopping 80%.

You must pick colors that reflect both the message and meaning that you want your logo to convey. To give you a better idea of this concept, consider this list of what some colors represent:

• Red: Bold, sexy, energetic
• Yellow: Optimism, inventive, sunny
• Orange: Youthful friendly, creative
• Green: Instructional, organic, growth
• Purple: Evocative, wise, spiritual
• Blue: Trustworthy, tranquil, medical, professional
• Bleach: Powerful, credible
• Pink: Flirty, fun
• White: Pure, clean, simple
• Brown: Steady, historical, rural

In addition, you must remember that when incorporating color into your logo, you should also give the different tones some consideration as well. A good logo should work just as well in black and white as it does in color.

Still, it’s important to note that although color is indeed a powerful tool, relying solely on this aspect will not yield good results. Rethink your design and consider how you could convey the same feeling/meaning using monotones.

Tip #4: Flexibility is Key

A well-designed logo works in several applications and mediums. Not only should it look great on a website, but also on t-shirts, business cards, and anything else you or client may want to put it on. To make sure that your design can do the same, use vector format so that it can be scaled to any size that you want.

Tip #5 Keep an Eye on Current Trends

The cool brands are that way for a reason – they know what works. Check out the experts in you (or your client’s) industry and take a gander at their logo designs.

Doing so can help provide you with needed inspiration, just remember to avoid cliches. For instance, using speech bubbles for conversations and apples as symbols for education. These concepts have been used time and time again so stay away from them and come up with your own.

Furthermore, although you should take heed of current trends, it doesn’t mean that you have to incorporate them into your design. It’s ok to start your own trend or go off in your own direction. What staying abreast of logo design trends does is give you a great idea of the concepts that you’re competing against.

Useful (and Simple to Use) Logo Design Logos

To help you on your journey to creating the perfect logo, there are a couple of excellent (and free) tools that can help you do so in no time flat. Two of our favorites include:

• Canva: This graphic design comes with a fantastic logo creator. It features hundreds of templates that you can customize using easy drag and drop techniques. Furthermore, you can add text and upload your own images.
• Squarespace Logos: Squarespace’s easy to use logo creators gives you the ability to create a logo and preview how it will look on your website, business cards, and t-shirts. And, it can be done in about a minute. Simply pick an icon and enter your business name. That’s it.

Final Thoughts

Creating a stellar logo takes forethought and time. You must do your due diligence and research your client’s industry, business, and target audience. Plus, you will also have to carefully consider the font(s) you should use as well as any accompanying imagery. Thankfully, there are some tools available to make this process easier. Use these and the above tips to help you create an effective and vintage logo design that will blow away the competition. Good luck!