How to Design a Logo to Bring In More Profits for Your Business?

People are more likely to remember visual images instead of words. A strong logotype is a must for your business as it is the first thing people see when they first interact with your brand. And they will see it with each next interaction—by visiting a website, using an app, receiving services, or via brand merchandising. So you need to find a perfect match of colors, typography, and effects to visualize your brand values and make it memorable.

In this article, OpenGeeksLab prepared the critical tips on how to design a logo for business and to turn it into a powerful selling tool.

1. The Story Behind

The logo of Nipper listening to a disc gramophone.

The first logotype in the world is considered the image of the dog Nipper, which listens to the gramophone. Francis, one of the Barraud brothers, witnessed it and captured the moment by painting the picture of Nipper listening to the Edison-Bell cylinder phonograph. In 1900, he presented the painting to a disc phonograph manufacturing company. The owners of a company liked the painting and decided to release their product with this image, replacing a cylinder phonograph with a disc gramophone. The painting became the first trademark of the ‘HMV music stores’, RCA, ‘Victor and HMV records’ companies. The company also began to produce records with Nipper pattern. Now the logo is used by the HMV company.

2. How a Proper Logo Affect Sales

A strong logotype affects your company’s sales in the following ways:

• It improves the first impression with your potential user base.
• It creates your company recognition and familiarity for your business.
• It ensures the credibility and creates a sense of security by means of colors and typography.
• It helps to set up your brand apart from competitors.
• It encourages investment in your project.
• It boosts sales and brings in more profits for your business.

3. Clarify Your Purpose

To create not a trivial insignia, but a real symbol, you must clearly understand the purpose of logo creation. It can be:

• Creating a new business or a startup.
• Rebranding the existing company logotype.
• Developing a new course of action for your business.
• Following new trends.

98% of the world’s population knows the Coca-Cola brand.

Coca-Cola is the most recognizable and famous trademark in the world. The company was founded in 1886, and the logotype was created in 1893. Frank M Robinson, an accountant, and a partner of the company owner, designed the graphic mark using Spencerian script.

In 1985, due to competition from Pepsi, Coca-Cola offered its customers an updated formula and a new logotype—New Coke. The company changed the recipe of the drink for the first time in 99 years. This marketing hook led to a drop in sales. People didn’t like the new name of the drink. After some time, the company returned the former name Coca-Cola and the classic formula of the drink. In result, the brand managed to improve sales.

Today, 98% of the world’s population knows the Coca-Cola brand. People drink nearly 2 billion cans or bottles of Coca-Cola every day.

4. Issues to Consider Before Creating a Logo

A logo itself is not your brand. Creating a logotype should go in conjunction with identity design, and branding. All this creates a distinct image for your business or product. To brainstorm a perfect graphic mark concept, you need to ask yourself  a few questions:

• Why did I start my company, and what are my business objectives?
• What sets my brand apart from the competitors?
• How am I going to achieve my objectives?
• What value proposition does my brand have?
• What is my company personality?
• What is my target audience?
• How can I describe my brand?

Answers to these questions will allow you to find the best ways to create a business logo design to receive a powerful and memorable visual representation of your company’s reputation.

A particular symbol gives a totally different feel to your brand. To design a logo for business and get things right, take a look at types of logos you can choose from:

1. Wordmark

This type of logotype contains one or more words. It’s the best choice for companies with catchy names that are short enough.

Wordmark logos of FedEx, Coca-Cola, Visa, eBay, and Google.

2. Lettermark

In this case, a graphic mark consists of one letter or an abbreviation. It is a win-win option for brands with long names. Admit that it is easier for people to say and remember HBO than Home Box Office.

Lettermark logos of HBO, NASA, IBM, M&M’s, and HP.

3. Symbolic Logotype or Logomark

In this case, logos are depicted as graphic symbols without words.

Symbolic logotypes of Apple, Shell, and Twitter.

4. Emblem Logo

This type of logotype means that a wordmark or a lettermark is placed inside a symbol or an icon.

Emblem logos of NHL, Manchester United, Harley-Davidson, and Starbucks.

5. Abstract Logotype

In this case, you create a visual form of the company concept using an abstract geometric form.

Abstract logotypes of Pepsi, Mitsubishi Motors, and Nike.

6. Mascot Logo

This type of graphic mark contains an illustrated character that represents your company.

Mascot logos of Pringles, Mr. Clean (Mr. Proper), M&M’s, Nesquik, and KFC.

7. Combined Mark

This type of logotype combines a symbol and wordmark, or lettermark.

Combined Marks of Wikipedia, Adidas, Burger King, and Lacoste.

5. Do’s and Don’ts

To turn your logotype into a powerful selling tool, you need to follow these requirements:

• Design business logo in such a way to make it memorable and associative.
• Apply simple and clear design solutions.
• Think out of the box to make your logotype original and unique.  
• Keep it universal and functional.
• Consider making a graphic mark scalable for various devices and screens.
• Use color wisely.

However, you should avoid:

• Being a copycat,
• Being boring by applying visual cliches.
• Creating a logotype without careful research.
• Non-complying with standards and requirements.
• Designing a business logo with too much information and too many special effects
• Making a negative impression on users
• Expecting immediate success.

6. Logo Design Trends to Look For

Here we collected some of the upcoming trends that will help you to find inspiration to create a business logo design.

Image source

1. Geometric Shape

Geometric shape offers almost limitless possibilities for the most diverse logotype design. Such solutions are an excellent option for companies with a wide target audience. To captivate customers, try to incorporate geometric shapes into a minimalist format to receive sleek design that will be recognizable on various surfaces.

2. Lettering

This trend means a transition from original, often highly developed logos with memorable and harmonious signs, to simple custom and sometimes conservative lettering. It will be most relevant for companies that are giants in their areas and have already managed to earn an excellent reputation which is based on other factors than a logotype.

3. The Overlapping Effect

The use of bright forms, which are overlapped on each other, will remain popular next year. The new color, which is formed in the overlap zone of the other two, makes the graphic mark original and stand out. This is an exciting solution for companies seeking a spectacular rebranding.

4. Bright Colors

Colorful logos have remained popular for several years, and they will impact logotype design trends the year to come. Vibrant colors combinations with a variety of textures and angular geometry are considered to stay in the leading positions. Don’t hesitate to apply metal or neon effect.

5. Simplicity

Minimalist logos remain trendy as they look good in both small and big sizes, and brand merchandise.

6. Responsive Logos

A responsive logo means that it is scalable for all screens without losing its personality. Such a logotype requires a simplified and short-form version to remain recognizable even in the form of a tiny icon.

7. Semi-Flat Design

A combination of simplified shapes with a three-dimensional feel will hit the chart. A semi-flat graphic mark will give your brand a bolder look. It also looks strong online.

8. Gradient Logos

Gradients got a new breath in 2017. Today, this steady trend will continue to influence custom business logo design. Blending color allows you to choose from a broader color palette and create something outstanding and unconventional. It looks great when combined with an original massive font.

9. Hand Drawn Logos

Logos with hand-drawn lines and simple use of colors make your brand feel more familiar and personal. Handwritten style guarantees a unique graphic mark as there are no two identical handwritings.

10. Funky Logo Design

Funky and amusing logos will also dominate шт years to come. Artistic logos allow you to express the brand soul by applying creative and recognizable illustrations.

11. The 1980s and 1990 Style

The 80’s and 90’s inspired logo come into play again. It means bold colors, electric hues, striking patterns, and maximalism.

12. Fine Line Design

Fine line design is also among logotype design trends. Thin line techniques allow you to create clean logos and adapt a logo easily.

13. Classicism

Classical prints, drawings, and bas-reliefs can be combined in one modern logo. Although such a trend is on the verge of art and absurdity, it allows you to provide the brand with real recognition among competitors.

Which Logo to Choose?

A strong logo worth thousand words. It is a crucial part of your brand identity for successful online presence and bringing in more profits for your business. People may forget your company name, but they will remember your logotype.

To design a logo for business, clarify your purpose, brand values, and target audience. You can design a logo yourself, but there is a risk of getting lost in a diversity of styles and upcoming trends. The best option is to hire a professional design agency which knows how to design a logo for business and will help you to find a perfect match of colors, typography, and effects to make your brand memorable, and turn your logotype into a powerful selling tool.