A logo is the main part of any business. It is usually the first thing that communicates with your potential customers. That’s why it is vital to create a kind of design that truly represents your brand. A good logo design is one that is simple and appropriate to convey the intended message.
So what makes a good logo? This article talks about five characteristics of a good logo design.
5 Characteristics of a good logo design
1. Simple
A good logo design is one that is simple and not overly decorated. When it comes to identity design, the K.I.S.S (Keep it Simple, Stupid) design principle works the best. A simple design usually sticks quickly in minds of people and they can easily recognize it. The Nike and Apple logos are the best examples of it.
Minimalistic and simple designs usually last longer and stay evergreen. Simplicity has a direct impact on memorability and versatility. That’s why it is recommended to use as few elements as possible in your identity design.
2. Memorable
Having a simple logo design allows you to have a memorable logo. It is key to a successful branding of a business. When you follow the principle of simplicity, it directly links to memorability. The purpose of a brand identity design is to connect customers with your brand. So, if your logo is good enough to be remembered, the customer will be able to recall it easily and connect it with your brand. This will add great value to your branding.
3. Timeless
Another key characteristic of a good logo is that it is timeless. You should never look for trends when it comes to creating your brand identity design. Trends come and go, so better leave it to the fashion industry. If you create a trendy identity design, it might look good for the time being but will soon lose its value when the trend changes. Then you will have to redesign it. So, always focus on creating a design that will endure the ages. An effective identity design should be timeless. It should work after years and years. The classic Coca-Cola logo is the perfect example of it.
4. Versatile
Versatility is another key aspect of a good logo design. An effective identity design can be used in many ways. It should work across all mediums and in all sizes. For this reason, it is always recommended to create your identity design in vector format. You can use vector-based graphic design software like adobe illustrator etc for that.
The versatile identity design work in both horizontal and vertical versions. Their black and white versions are as effective as their coloured versions.
5. Appropriate or Relevant
The logo should be appropriate for the purpose it is being used. For example, an identity designed for a medical clinic should be related to the medical field. Similarly, an identity designed for the real estate business should incorporate the feeling of a property or something. If you ignore this principle while creating your brand identity design, it won’t connect with the audience and will betray the brand.
Remember, it does not mean that an emblem should show the services of a business or what it sells. For example, the famous swoosh of Nike has nothing to do with clothes or footwear. Similarly, the Nokia logo does not have a mobile phone in the design. All you need to make sure is that your design should not go out of context.
Now, what makes a good logo?
From the above-given principles, we can infer that a good logo design is one that is simple, memorable, timeless, versatile and appropriate. So if you want your logo to stand out, you must focus on these 5 qualities of a good identity design.
What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below.
