One of the most important things your company will ever do is make a logo.It is your company's first chance to be noticed.A logo that captures your company's essence is a good design.Your company's values must be conveyed in your logo.We are all familiar with business logos like Nike or Apple.Understanding the principles of logo creation can make your logo memorable and effective.
Step 1: Understand your company's values.
To create a good logo, you need to understand your company's brand.Although a logo is just one way to communicate the brand, it is often thought of as the cornerstone of a company's brand.To create an effective logo, you need to understand what your company is all about.What emotions do you want people to feel when they see your logo?What are your company's values?What vibe do you want to create?What do you want people to think about your company?You can determine your company's brand by answering these questions.A mood board is a way to figure out your brand identity.When you think about your company, put all the images that come to mind on it.The key words that describe your company should be written down.When creating a logo, this is a good place to start.There are words that can lead to logo ideas.The logo and brand should reflect one another because they should capture some sense of the words you pick.Consider the company's history.Your company's story is part of its identity.Remember your company's origins is a good place to start when determining your brand.
Step 2: There is a unique selling proposition.
It's important that your brand makes you stand out.You don't want to blend in.That is not a way to sell a product.It's even more important when there are competitors that market the same product.There is a way to differentiate yourself from the pack.Take a look at the single factor that distinguishes you from the rest.A unique selling proposition isn't very common.It's usually one.Think outside the box.American Express and Mercedes work because they connote quality or great service, so people will pay more for their product.
Step 3: Don't forget the emotion.
It's important to figure out what emotions you want people to feel when they look at your logo or brand.A brand is a customer's opinion of a business.Virgin Airlines has thrived because of its focus on customer feelings and service.People would miss your product if it was a brand.It has meaning for them.Coca-cola is associated with people's childhoods.The brand creates meaning for consumers that goes beyond the product's taste.A brand is more than what you think about your company.It involves how customers feel about your company.Your brand is what customers think of it.Starbucks has cache and lifestyle promises that are more important than its coffee.
Step 4: It's a good idea to do a SWOT analysis.
You will want to understand your company's position in the marketplace.Business experts in the 1960s developed a technique called SWOT to help businesses come up with a concrete action plan to improve their practices.The four key aspects are included in the analysis.The CEO of a computer company says his company does a SWOT analysis every quarter.The CEO believes the analysis helps the company spot blind spots by using collective knowledge.As part of the strategic planning process, other companies use SWOT analysis.Sometimes companies will gather employees for a session that uses a four-step analysis.It is possible to figure out how to brand and position your company.The first two elements of the analysis are internal factors.The first two are not inside.What are your company's strengths?This is the first question in an analysis.When assessing your company's strengths, consider competition and be realistic.Some elements that are considered are branding, pricing, and location.What are it's weaknesses?Don't pay too much attention to the gray areas.You don't want the analysis to be too complex.What are the threats it faces?The third part of the SWOT analysis focuses on customers and competition, as well as any other external threats.What opportunities are there?
Step 5: A logo with a wordmark.
One of the simplest, but most common, logos, this type uses only text, often with a unique fonts that captures the company's vibe.Think of Microsoft or You Tube.The company name is front and center.Fortune 500 companies have text logos.Making sure they aren't boring is the challenge.Wordmark logos focus on the company's name and will help brand your company.It is easy to reproduce a text logo in marketing materials.If your company's name is too common, choose a text logo.The name of the company is unusual and thus memorable.Space the letters correctly.This is referred to as "kerning" in the industry.The company's feel is captured by choosing the fonts carefully.San-serif fonts are modern, and are considered more traditional.Make sure your company's attitude is conveyed in a way that is easy to read.You can find free versions of the fonts on the internet.You can hire a marketing or PR company to make the logo for you.A wordmark logo is the way to go if you need a logo quickly.It's very simple.Companies that market in countries without the Latin alphabet will not be able to use text logos.
Step 6: A lettermark logo can be used.
Your company's initials are displayed instead of its full name in lettermark logos.CNN and IBM have lettermark logos.If your company name is long or technical, a lettermark logo is a good choice.A lot of small products use lettermark logos.If you do not have the ability to educate consumers about your initials, don't pick a lettermark logo.Sometimes companies use a logo called a lettermark.Think of a fast food restaurant.
Step 7: A brandmark logo can be picked.
These logos can be called symbol or icon logos.They don't use words, that's what they sound like.They chose to brand the company with a single symbol.A brandmark logo might be beneficial to companies with long or technical names.Only 6 percent of companies used a brandmark logo..People remember symbols better than words.Brandmark logos have proven to be effective for some companies.Who doesn't know about Nike?Brandmark logos can be interpreted in many different ways.Consider different meanings when choosing a symbol.
Step 8: You can choose a combination mark.
Text and symbols are used to convey a brand.Some of the benefits of each logo type can be captured in these logos.The meaning of the symbol can be clarified by the text in a combination logo.The text and symbols are usually separated in combination logos.A company with a combination mark is Red Lobster.Emotional reactions can be created by symbols.Think about your symbol choice carefully.The text is inside of a symbol.A combination logo is an emblem.There are emblem logos and shield logos.Family-owned companies like to use emblem logos to convey tradition and stability.Ford and Starbucks are examples of companies that use logos.
Step 9: Determine the budget.
This is important when it comes to choosing a logo type.Is it possible to afford colors?How much do you have left over to spend on this?A logo is too important to be messed up by going too cheap.Short cuts should not be used.Whether your company succeeds or fails can be determined by your logo.You should spend some time and money on it.It is not a good idea to have a picture of something.Many people use it so it won't be unique.It makes your company seem cheap.It takes a lot of money to get the public to understand a logo.
Step 10: Be creative.
There is no need for a logo to communicate exactly what a company does.McDonalds' logo is not a hamburger, and Nike's logo isn't a shoe.Do not use cliches.You want your logo to be different.It won't create the proper feeling in consumers if your company logo is a cliche.Consider a custom lettering design.You don't have to use the same thing everyone else does.You can give your logo a real flair with custom letters.It is dangerous to base your logo on a trend.It's important that your logo is durable.An example of a company that doesn't rely on trends is United Parcel Service.The basic color is brown.The company is known for its reliability.If needed, a company can go in new branding directions by leaving out concrete details.Apple's logo works because the company makes many different products.It would be hard to place an iPod on a PC with a logo like that.
Step 11: It's important to choose color carefully.
Be aware that there are different emotions and meanings in different colors.Pick the colors with care.Make sure they fit in with your branding identity.The colors should be next to each other on the wheel.Bright colors can hurt the eyes.Pick your colors.They should not be in charge of your logo.Designers usually make the logo in black-and-white first.Consider the contrast.A logo with variations is what you want.This will help your logo stand out.Business logos are usually composed of one or two colors.If your logo is still readable, try it in black and white.
Step 12: Go simple.
The most simple logos are the most popular.Apple is a very simple logo that almost everyone knows.They aren't meant to explain.They are supposed to say something immediately.If a logo has one or two fonts, it will be distractive.
Step 13: Carefully choose the size.
The problem with cluttered logos is that they look terrible with small logos.It is likely that your logo will have to work in different sizes.Try printing the logo on an envelope with a smaller size.It shouldn't lose quality.Take a look at where the logo will run.Business cards and the sides of company trucks should have the logo on them.The type of company and audience it serves can help determine the kind of logo you need.
Step 14: There is a trademark database.
You can register your logo as a trademark.This means that another company won't be able to use the same logo as you.If another company already uses or has registered something similar to your logo, you need to figure that out.Intellectual property can be defined as a trademark that is distinctive.You can hire a trademark attorney to do a "clearance" search to make sure you don't violate other people's trademark rights.You can use the U.S. government's trademark database as a starting point for your clearance project.The USA is one of a few common-law countries that do not require official registration for non-registered trademarks.You will have exclusive rights nationwide to use your logo on your goods or services if you register a trademark with the US Patent and Trademark Office.
Step 15: You need to register your trademark.
If another company doesn't have a similar logo, you can use it on your goods and services and then apply to register it in the US Patent and Trademark Office.The Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual requires you to clearly spell out the products and services you offer.You will have to provide a sketch or picture of your logo, a description of it, and a sample showing how it is used in commerce on your goods or services.It is possible to register for federal registration several years before you actually use it.When you submit proof of actual use, additional fees will be owed.If you only do business in one state, you could register your trademark through your Secretary of State office, but that won't give you the same claim of national priority.State registration is less expensive.After a year or more, you can affix the circle-R indicator to your logo.Federal or state fees may be required for the upkeep of your registration.6 years after issuance, the first federal fees are due.
Step 16: A trademark watch can be created.
If you don't keep an eye out for violations of the trademark, it's not worth it.There are companies that can do a trademark watch for you.If you find a violator, and you are sure your brand has precedence over their use in the field, you can send them a cease and desist letter.You may need to file a lawsuit if that doesn't work.A trademark watch is when someone uses a logo too close to your trademark.An internal company watch is necessary.Make internal guidelines for the proper use and monitoring of your logo as a trademark, whether or not it is registered.It's important that you don't compromise your right to enforce it.