A logo is more than just a visual mark — it’s the foundation of a brand’s identity. In our design studio, we’ve worked on logos for startups, growing businesses, and established brands. Over time, a few core principles consistently guide our process.
Here are the logo design tips we actually use in our studio
1. Start With Strategy, Not Sketches
Before opening Illustrator or Figma, we ask:
- Who is the target audience?
- What problem does the brand solve?
- What emotions should the brand evoke?
- Where will the logo be used most?
A logo designed without strategy often looks good but fails to communicate.
Tip: A 30-minute brand clarity session saves hours of redesign later.
2. Keep It Simple (Seriously)
Simple logos are:
- Easier to recognize
- More versatile
- More memorable
Think of brands like Nike, Apple, or Airbnb. Their logos work at any size, on any surface.
Studio rule: If the logo doesn’t work in one color, it’s not ready.
3. Design for Scalability First
Your logo must work:
- On a billboard
- As a social media avatar
- On a website favicon
- Printed in black & white
We always test logos at 16px, 32px, and 64px early in the process.
Pro tip: Avoid overly thin lines and tiny details.
4. Typography Is Half the Logo
Whether it’s a wordmark or symbol-based logo, typography plays a major role.
We look for:
- Legibility
- Personality match with the brand
- Longevity (avoid trendy fonts)
Custom letter tweaks often make a logo feel unique without reinventing the wheel.
5. Color Comes After Form
We design logos in black and white first.
Why? Because strong logos don’t rely on color to work.
Once the form is solid, we explore:
- Brand psychology
- Industry norms
- Accessibility and contrast
Reminder: Your logo won’t always appear in full color.
6. Avoid Trends (Use Them Carefully)
Trends fade — brands shouldn’t.
We don’t avoid trends entirely, but we ask:
- Will this still look good in 5–10 years?
- Is this trend meaningful or just popular?
A timeless logo saves clients from costly rebrands.
7. Design a System, Not Just a Logo
A great logo comes with:
- Variations (horizontal, stacked, icon)
- Clear spacing rules
- Color and background usage
- Do’s and don’ts
This ensures consistency across all brand touchpoints.
8. Get Feedback, But Filter It
Feedback is essential — but not all feedback is equal.
We prioritize input from:
- Target users
- Stakeholders who understand the brand
- Designers with branding experience
Not every opinion needs to be implemented.
Final Thoughts
A great logo is the result of strategy, simplicity, and thoughtful execution. Tools and trends change, but these principles remain solid.
If you’re designing logos — or hiring someone to design one — focus less on decoration and more on communication.
Thanks for reading!
If you found this helpful, feel free to ❤️ or share your thoughts in the comments.
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