Logo design, we know how serious things get! It’s well known that a logo design project will come with tweaks here, there and everywhere. Getting it right is high on the list of priorities, this is about building the image of your business.
Most of the time, our clients know what it is they want and ask us to sprinkle some magical graphics knowledge over the top. Other times logo design projects can head down the wrong path.
As with any design process, there are do’s and don’ts that you could be unaware of. In this blog, we’re ironing out some of the pitfalls of logo design by talking about the trends to avoid.
First things first
Anyone can make a logo, get out a pencil, write your company’s name and say it’s done… Making a good logo, something stand-out that shows your brand and vision, is something entirely different.
A logo design that captivates your potential audience and sells your product without saying a word takes a lot of design know-how and artistic insight. When companies cut corners, they could end up with something that just fits into a trend and isn’t unique or on brand. How can you stand out when your logo looks the same as the next one? Those are the styles of logo you should avoid.
HELVETICA.
There is no better place to start. Helvetica is a brilliant typeface, it’s clean, readable, and people like the way it looks. But, if you’re handed a logo design that is just your company name in Helvetica font, send it back. Why? Because it’s been done, a lot. If you’re not recognisable in a crowd, what’s the point?
We aren’t writing Helvetica off, it’s a brilliant font (watch the video below for more) but it needs to be tweaked or paired with some stand out graphics to make it work. There’s no point in blending in.
The chat bubble
OK, we get it, you champion communication. But don’t stick your name in a chat bubble icon and be done with it. It’s been done, it’s being done and it’ll always be done; don’t blend in with the clipart companies.
Not to give too much stick to the concept. The chat bubble works and makes total sense if you’re a social media platform, it’s just not creative enough, don’t go the easy route.
Turn the brightness down
Bright and bold colours are out-of-the-loop right now. We see more and more monochromatic and single-colour logos bringing class and being easy on the eyes.
Follow this trend and avoid anything too bright. Bright colours are off-putting to potential customers. Let’s not forget a good logo tells your business’s story; will bright colours overtake your story’s power? Stand out in a bad way on flyers? You wouldn’t paint a thatched cottage with plenty of history and character bright pink, are you? If you do, you’ll need a great reason why.
Arcing mad
As Amazon has become the business on everyone’s mind in the last year, so too has its logo. The premise of Amazon’s arch or swoosh, meaning they cover all products and services from A to Z.
Now we’re seeing more and more of that arch style, whether it’s below or above logos. We’re sure Amazon aren’t too concerned, but why add a pointless graphic if it doesn’t symbolise what you do? Unless relevant to your product or service, leave the swoosh to Nike and the arch to Amazon.
Build yourself from the ground up with something memorable and, most of all, something that screams everything about you.
If you are new to following us, or if you’ve stumbled across this blog looking for logo design tips. You may not know we went through a brand refresh not too long ago, which included rebuilding our logo and how our projects look and feel. Highlighting how we connect the dots when designing stand-out projects for our clients.
We know how difficult it is to get a brand refresh right. If you are looking to give a good old spring clean to what you already have, you’re in safe hands with us.
Reach out today if you want to discuss how we may be able to help you or if you want to discuss anything mentioned in the blog above.
Take a look at some more of our blogs for helpful tips, tricks and advice:
