3 Steps to Creating an Effective Logo Design

Anyone can create a great logo, not everyone can create an effective logo. Hiring a graphic designer to create a logo is like hiring a sculptor to paint a portrait. Worse, buying one of the logo creation programs is equally as dangerous. A logo requires more than creating a Vector file, or an icon.

Logo Design and File Type

Not every logo can be resized, and look equally good on a business card, in an advertisement, or on a website. Many logos lose their impact when switched from print’s CMYK color mode to the web’s RGB profile, or even when converted to black and white.

While working at an ad agency - designers learn to create logos that can be used on thousands of different promotional items. They know the limitations, and expectations of the logo. The ad agency is where professional designers learn to create a logo that works everywhere. There is a reason why all Fortune 500 companies follow the same rules, and industry standards.

Branding

A logo design is the foundation of Branding. A good logo looks just as good as an avatar, as it does on a business card. It should become the company’s ID. One of the biggest mistakes companies make is by making a logo that is several layers, and then pulling it apart.

The vital importance to branding is to be consistent. Once selected, the colors should stay consistent. A set of rules should be developed to ensure the logo is always used correctly.

Internet Marketing

A logo needs to touch an emotional element in the shopper. Many DIY marketers create designs and logos that look good to them without taking into consideration several important facts:

• They are not buying their product
• They are not their consumer/client
• They rarely know who buys their product, or why

Text Treatment

The Treatment of the font is arguably the most important element. The color, font, size, shading, and Kerning all are part of the treatment. Sans Serif fonts offer more of a casual look, while serif fonts are more stoic. The ‘message’ must be carried through the entire logo. The icon connects to the brand promise.

A logo designer can create an effective logo when they understand the client’s business, the consumers, and end-users. The quick way to a powerful logo is hiring someone who already understands these elements.