When you’re ready to start creating your logo there are a few things you need to keep in mind to make your symbol an effective communication piece fore your business.
To begin let’s define what a logo actually is. The word logo is short for logotype and it refers to a company’s distinctive signature or mark. The word logo finds its origin with the greek word logos, meaning word. So a logo is literally a word or words put together in a distinctive manner so as to be associated with a business, service or product. The word logo has become a type of catch all description for a variety of business marks.
A Logo can be as simple as an individual letter, an abbreviation or initials, or they can be single words, or combinations of words; these type of logos are known as wordmarks, while logos made with a single letter are known as lettermarks or monograms. Marks without type, like the Nike swoosh, are called icons, symbols or pictographs.
The great thing about logos is that you don’t have to stick with any one particular type of mark, you can mix and match words, letters, symbols and pictures to create your own distinctive mark to symbolize your company.
If you’re looking to make your logo truly effective, there are a few distinguishing characteristics all great logos have in common. Here is a short list to keep in mind when you’re creating your own logo.
Logo Design Tips
- Keep it simple
- Make it distinctive
- Make it work in color or black and white
- Ensure it looks good at large and small sizes
- Make sure it’s appropriate for your business and audience
Choosing a Logo Style
Your logo is the visual identity of your business, product, goods and services. There are many different types to choose from. Which style is best for you depends on your business, the message you’re trying to convey and the manner in which you want to communicate it. Below are some examples of various types of logos.
- Icon Logo
- Wordmark Logo
- Ligature Logo
- Wordmark + Monogram
- Mascot
