How To Get Your Logo/Branding Right the First Time
Your logo/branding has a major impact on how your consumer base will perceive your company. It can literally make or break you, so you naturally want it to stand out.
There is not a single big brand out there that doesn’t have a logo. Don’t believe us? Go ahead and try to find one. We’ll wait. Found one yet? If you have, we would seriously be shocked- and admit that we were wrong for the entire world to see- but we think the chances are slim to none, because they don’t exist.
With so many options out there, and endless possibilities, we know this process can be a little overwhelming, but never fear! We are here to help.
But Why Are Logos/Branding So Important?
If you were to attend an important event, would you just roll out of bed and be on your way? Or would you make sure you looked your very best in order to impress? We’re guessing you would want to put your best foot forward.
You should always apply this thought process to your branding. The Law of Attraction- much like gravity- is always in effect, especially when applied to your business.
When designing your logo, you want it to appeal to your consumers. The first thing a consumer typically sees when they look at your company is your logo and branding. Making a good first impression is crucial, and your branding sets the tone. It decides whether you will be remembered or forgotten. It is absolutely essential, and you want to make sure it’s well done.
As a business owner, you want to keep in mind that all of your marketing tools, and branding materials will include your logo. It will be splashed across your website, business cards, brochures, packaging, t-shirts, and more.
If a prospect is searching for a service you provide, and you either don’t have a logo or it doesn’t convey what you are offering, you run the chance of losing their business to one of your competitors.
A professional logo design has the power to help you stand out from those competitors.
What Are The Do’s and Don’ts?
- Do check out your competitors’ logos. We’re not saying that you should steal their design because no one likes a thief or a lawsuit, but it will give you a general idea of what works in your industry (and what doesn’t).
- Do decide what type of logo will work best for you. Do you want a picture included? Would you be happy to have a simple symbol represent your company? Are you fond of the Monogram look? Or do you prefer just straight forward typography? There are endless options, but you want to pick the one that speaks to you.
- Do pay attention to color combinations. Some colors just don’t work well together, no matter how much you want them to. Who knew colors could be so complex? Color theory isn’t something we will be covering in this article, but most of them have the power to invoke certain emotions that you may want to avoid when it comes to your branding.
- Do choose the right typography. A font can make or break you, and you can’t just use any font out there. Some of them are copyrighted, and some just won’t be the right fit for your company. Ideally, you want a font that compliments the other aspects of your logo.
- Do make sure that all of the elements you have chosen work well together.
- Don’t overcomplicate it. Logos are meant to be simple. They don’t need a million bells and whistles to work. Once you start adding in unnecessary elements, it will not only look convoluted, but it will start to lose its printability. No one wants a logo they can’t print properly. The best example we can give you, is to ask yourself if you could turn your logo into a stamp, would you be able to transfer the stamp to paper with ease? If the answer is yes, then you are on the right track!
- Don’t give into cliche’s or puns. If you do this you will be traveling into generic territory and that is the last place you want to be if you are trying to stand out.
- Don’t– and we can’t stress this enough- DON’T hire someone you know that has minimal photoshop skills in order to save money. We know everyone likes to save money, but your logo is an investment in your future, and your success is far too important to be in the hands of an amateur.
- Don’t imitate. Imitation is NOT the highest form of flattery in the business industry. Not only is it considered plagiarism, but it will undoubtedly have a negative effect on your brand.
- Don’t change your logo once it is well established. Sure redesigns are sometimes needed, but brands that flip flop between branding too often won’t gain recognition with their consumers.
- Don’t give in to too many trends. Trends aren’t all bad and play an important part in logo design. But, trends are notorious for having a time limit. What is popular in 2019, might be a thing of the past in 2020. If you’re going to get trendy with it, be sure it is something that has a lasting impact, otherwise, you’re going to run the risk of having an outdated logo associated with your brand.
It’s Design Time!
The relationship you form with your designer is crucial to your success and the creative process. You want to choose someone who will offer you an open line of communication. Make sure you give them as much information as you can, so they are able to make your vision a reality. They need to be able to dig into what makes your company special in order to create something unique for you.
You as the owner, also need to be open to suggestions. Your designer will likely be able to point out details that you haven’t thought of. Try to remember that they are an expert, and know what makes a logo wonderful. Sometimes it’s hard to trust someone with such important things, but feedback is key in this particular situation. If you don’t like something they have created, please don’t hesitate to let them know. It will give them a better understanding of what your needs are.
Make Your Mark!
After you’ve worked with your designer to create a logo masterpiece, it is time to implement it into your branding. This is where your business story begins! After jumping through all the right hoops, you now get to show the world how you intend to stand out from the crowd!
We can’t wait to see how far you will go.
See something we missed, or just want to share your process/experiences? Please leave a comment below! We would love to hear from you.