1) Keep it simple

Keep everything about your logo simple. Try not to use more than 3 different fonts, colors, or styles in one logo. Your line work should be simple. No text or images should be too small. It shouldn’t be bogged down with microscopic details or flooded with too many features. Whenever you start out designing a logo, remember simple is best. By the time your finished design rolls around, you should still keep this goal in mind as it is easy to get carried away with adding more ideas.

2) Use color wisely

Your logo should have a maximum of three or four colors. Make sure all color combinations flatter each other and contrast is high. DON’T use gradients, clip-art or real textures! DON’T use photography. Use basic silhouettes and simple colors. You can use the color in your logo to portray an emotion. Certain colors can also bring back memories to your specific audience. Take advantage of that while picking your colors.

3) Stick to what’s familiar

In logo design, sometimes being different and unique isn’t always the best. People have seen many symbols and logos their entire life. Look at the easily-recognizable logos in your market. Stay close to what others would consider familiar, but give it your own twist. For example, a new fast-food place could use the red and yellow color combination, if they would like people to associate them with McDonald’s, which is a quite successful fast-food business.

4) Test it out

After you have your main logo sketch in stone. Test it out as if it were to jump into real life tomorrow. Try scaling it different sizes. If some things aren’t easily legible or clear when they get small, it might be a hint to remove or edit them. Try to imagine how it would look on a letterhead. How would it look in grayscale or in just one color? If your logo will get sewn into clothes, will it still look great? How will the signage look if it is getting turned into a sign? If you keep everything clean and simple, your logo should look great no matter what.

5) Stick to your message

While being carried away with logo design, don’t ever forget the message your business is trying to portray to it’s audience. If you remember this during the whole design, your logo will represent your business perfectly. Try showing your logo to a few members of your target audience and ask them their first impression. If that goes hand-in-hand with your business message, then you’ve hit the nail on the head.

Need help designing a logo? Want some advice on your current logo? Contact me through my facebook page and I’ll gladly help you out with your future or current logo. You can also view and comment on the logos I’ve previously designed.