One of the preeminent American art directors and graphic designers of the twentieth century was Paul Rand. Renowned for his designs of corporate logos, Rand was responsible for some of the most recognizable brands including the logos for IBM, UPS, Westinghouse, and ABC, just to name a few. Inarguably a genius of design, he once famously stated, “If, in the business of communications, ‘image is king,’ the essence of this image, the logo, is the jewel in its crown.”

The man knew what he spoke of. We here at Little Dragon have taken Paul Rand’s sentiment to heart. We believe that the logo is the essence of the brand, and that graphic design must be natural and completely original to have a brand stand out from the crowd. Take a look at these 10 graphic design tips for a kick-ass logo.

Know Thy Audience

There is infinitely more to logo design than just pretty images. Brand development is a vital component to creating a kick-ass logo. The most successful brands on Earth, are the ones that excel at storytelling that resonates with the right audience, and consistently conveys the right tone.

Take Apple’s logo, for instance. It exemplifies the company’s mission statement and tells a story that resonates with the masses – One that embodies user-friendliness, simplicity, and creativity.

Keep It Simple

It may be appealing to create a logo that’s complex, in an effort to make it interesting. Yet, more often than not, simplicity is your friend. Some of the most famous brands (think the aforesaid Apple, Nike’s swoosh, or IBM) all have logos that contain few elements and are incredibly simple. The visual imagery a brand’s logo conveys plays a vital role in the overall success of that brand.

The Power of Colour

Colour plays a vital role in conveying ideas and feelings, which is the purpose of any logo. Because a logo is the ethos of a brand, it should instantly evoke an emotion and grab the attention of a target audience. The power of colour in logo design is very influential in communicating meaning. That said, a kick-ass logo must be versatile, and still function in grayscale, or black and white, for instance.

Use Proportion and Symmetry

The most kick-ass logos are designed adhering to proportion and symmetry. In the graphic below, the circles show how the Apple logo has consistent arcs and curves. By making it proportional as well as symmetrical, the logo is well balanced and creates a pleasing aesthetic.

(Image: forbes.com)

Make It Memorable

One of the main reasons for having a logo in the first place is that immediate association with the brand. This is crucial. A kick-ass logo should be memorable, something that is uniquely recognizable. It must convey the right identity and meaning that resonates with people, thus, making the logo instantly recognizable out in the world.

Versatility

Versatility is key for kick-ass logo design. A logo should be easily adaptable for a variety of mediums, be it on products, websites, business cards – anywhere with brand recognition.

Modern, Not Trendy

There is a profound difference between “modern” and “trendy”. A kick-ass logo embodies a modern aesthetic. It epitomizes the characteristics of the respective times, but without losing its identity and that of the brand it represents. On the other hand, “trendy” is very much of-the-moment. It will inevitably fizzle out, usually faster than anyone thinks. Always lean towards modern, not trendy with logo design. Take a gander below at the evolution of the Starbucks logo. Each one effectively represents the respective period, but still conveys the ethos of the brand.

Sometimes Motion is Advantageous

Although not always applicable (ie. the Apple logo), adding a sense of motion to logo design can be advantageous. In 2012, Twitter rebranded their logo to much fanfare and lauding. The company changed the colour and shape of their famous bird logo, tilting it ever so slightly upwards. That upward trajectory denotes movement, making it more unique from both a conceptual and visual sense.

(Image: gawker.com)

Never Undervalue Typography

Some of the most kick-ass of all logos contain customized typography. Unfortunately, the custom font in a logo is all too often undervalued. Yet, it is one of the vital elements in making a logo unique and memorable. Be mindful of the dreaded clichés, or overused design styles, however. Take a gander below at the iconic Coca-Cola logo, which perfectly embodies effective use of typography.

(Image: Independent.co.uk/Rex Features)

Meaning is Crucial

“Meaning” has been mentioned a couple times already I this article, and it is crucial for kick-ass logo design. Random images, colours, and words lumped together will never succeed in creating an effective, memorable logo. Succinctly defining a brand’s mission statement, something that represents its identity and conveying its story, is vital in creating a kick-ass logo.

Sarah Bauder

Sarah Bauder is a senior content specialist at Little Dragon Media. Sarah has a degree in journalism and has a decade of experience writing content at numerous renowned publications. She enjoys writing about digital marketing, business, entrepreneurship and more.