A logo will always work best as the outcome of a clear brand strategy and as part of a wider visual identity. But we know that sometimes, particularly as a start-up, you just need something to get growing. Whilst a logo doesn’t have to show what you do literally, it should be packed with meaning and reflect the industry, services, demographic and values of a company so that consumers can speedily decide if it’s for them.
Simplicity is key! A bold and simple logo is more memorable and recognizable than something intricate and detailed. It always ensures your logo is flexible and will work across different media, formats and scales.
It’s important to keep your target audience and industry in mind. That’s not to say your logo should be restricted by the rules and norms of your competitors - sometimes you need to stand out - but it is important to build trust.
Creating a logo that stands out from the crowd is a challenge. If you can tell a story through your logo great but think of all the biggest brands out there - the Nike swoosh, Apple, McDonalds… it’s easy to recall their logo and describe it.
It’s easy to get caught up in the latest design trends or be influenced by something you’ve seen but your logo needs to be a consistent thread and symbol as your brand grows. The visual language around it can be refreshed and evolve but your logo should stand the test of time.
Your logo should work in black and white. That’s the ultimate test of it’s simplicity and versatility. Colour can be incredibly useful in terms of communication a mood or emotion but the symbol itself can’t rely on that. If only in terms of accessibility it’s important to create your logo in black and white first and only then move on to colour.
Every great relationship starts with a conversation. We’d love to talk with you about your next project and answer any questions you might have about Shopify. But be warned… once we get talking about this stuff, it’s hard to shut us up!