There is more to producing a one-of-a-kind logo than meets the eye. Choosing the right color palette and typography is only a small element of the overall picture. Your goal is to cleverly convey an entire story using symbols, and there are certain things to consider. Today, we’ll walk you through our eight-step approach for helping your logo-creation process run more easily and efficiently—and maybe inspire you to pick up a pen and paper once you’ve finished reading!
Brainstorm
Whether you’re just getting started or have been in the creative industry for some time, you’re probably aware that every product first begins as an idea. It can be challenging to come up with an original concept, but brainstorming sessions must be integrated into your routine in order to tap into your limitless reservoir of creativity. The more you practice coming up with ideas, the better your brain will get at producing good results. Keep in mind that Rome was not built in a single day, so be patient with yourself if you don’t get it right the first time!
Research
After you’ve amassed a reasonable number of viable ideas from your brainstorming sessions, you must now choose how to develop and polish them. If you want your final work to have more meaning, you must choose the best way to execute it. A well-executed vision is founded on research. That being said, make sure you devote plenty of time to investigating various approaches to bringing your concept to life. One effective way to present your research findings and ideas is through a white paper.
Look for inspiration
Inspiration can be found anywhere, but only if you look for it. Whether it’s observing the work of others in your field, drawing inspiration from your surroundings, experiences, people, etc., it is entirely up to you. The more time you devote to new life experiences, the more resources for inspiration you will discover. And sometimes the best ideas come from the most ordinary things in life. Consider the Apple logo.
Conceptualize
If you want to create a logo that people remember, make sure it tells a story. You reflect the entire meaning of what that logo stands for by using subtle details. This is why research is so important: in order to convey a message in a simple way, you must first understand it thoroughly yourself.
Moodboard
Moodboards are a great way to keep all of your ideas in one place. Having everything that inspires your creative process in front of you and/or your client ensures that your message is heard loud and clear. Moodboards provide valuable insight into one’s thought process while also inspiring new ideas.
Keep it simple
It’s no secret that the most recognizable logos in the world are quite simple. Make your logo easy to understand if you want people to remember it. Adding too much detail makes it appear busy and, in many situations, unappealing to the eye. But don’t be fooled: just because the design should be simple doesn’t mean it won’t take a lot of time and work to develop and realize it!
Use a limited color palette
Using a limited color palette complements the previous stage. The less color you employ in your design, the more distinctive it will be. Use a color palette that is relevant to the vision you are attempting to express, and avoid utilizing more than three different colors.
Stay on brand
Whether you’re designing a logo for a corporation or a website, keep the overall brand image in mind at all times. Be willing to change your work to fit the ultimate goal, and make sure to add some well-known features of the company you’re attempting to represent through your design.