{"id":13894,"date":"2023-07-17T12:44:26","date_gmt":"2023-07-17T16:44:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-715453-3009179.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=13894"},"modified":"2023-11-16T14:24:54","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T19:24:54","slug":"iconic-logos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress-715453-3009179.cloudwaysapps.com\/blog\/iconic-logos\/","title":{"rendered":"Iconic Logos: How to Create One + 20 Infamous Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"

A logo is often the first thing people see when buying products or services. Logos serve as proof that what they\u2019re buying is genuine and legitimate \u2014 in other words, they help make a bang-on first impression.<\/p>\n

After you make that first impression, you want your logo to remain in the minds of customers and last for months and years to come.<\/p>\n

To create an iconic logo<\/a>, here are five traits to strive for in your design.\"Iconic<\/p>\n

1. Simple<\/h2>\n

The number one trait in iconic logos is simplicity. Simple doesn\u2019t mean boring \u2014 it means easy to understand and uncomplicated.<\/p>\n

Adding too many elements to a logo can make it feel cluttered, and the human mind deals with clutter the best way it can: by blocking most of it out.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Uninteresting or non-distinctive elements compete for the viewer\u2019s attention, making it easier for them to skip over.<\/p>\n

Simple logos are easier to understand and absorb, but more importantly, they’re easier to recall when people see them again. A simple logo will make it easier to catch the attention of someone driving on the highway or make your product identifiable on the crowded shelves at a store.<\/p>\n

\"Nike<\/p>\n

Case in point: The world\u2019s largest shoe manufacturer, Nike, uses a simple graphic swoosh to represent their brand and stand out.<\/p>\n

An acronym to remember is the cliche-but-useful K.I.S.S. (\u201ckeep it simple stupid\u201d). Don\u2019t add elements just because you think your logo is boring. When you\u2019re about to add another color<\/a>, font, shape, or other graphic elements, always ask yourself why. <\/div>\n

If it doesn\u2019t strengthen the overall design or your brand message, don\u2019t add it.<\/p>\n

2. Appropriate<\/h2>\n

The second trait is appropriate. A logo must be simple, but not every simple logo is iconic. A company logo must work for its intended use and target audience.<\/p>\n

Logos don\u2019t need to say what a company does; instead, they must be appropriate in the feeling they convey. Think about famous logos. The Apple logo is not a computer, the BMW logo is not a car, and the American Airlines logo is not an airplane.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, a logo can be literal. Take Target or Shell \u2014 these logos are a visual representation of the company name, and that\u2019s appropriate as well.<\/p>\n

Iconic logos are also targeted to an intended audience. But this wouldn\u2019t be appropriate for a bank because people wouldn\u2019t take them seriously or trust their business.<\/p>\n

\"ToysRUs<\/p>\n

The Toys\u201cR\u201dUs logo is a prime example of an appropriate company logo. With the hand-drawn font, backward R, star symbol, and wacky color scheme, it looks like a kid drew it. This attracts children to the store because they can relate to the logo. Check out the iconic Amazon logo<\/a> as another example!<\/p>\n

It’s not about fancy visual tricks or complicated design elements. It\u2019s about creating a logo that\u2019s appropriate in the feeling it conveys. <\/div>\n

3. Distinctive<\/h2>\n

The third trait of an iconic logo is that it\u2019s distinctive. Why do we say distinctive over memorable? Because at the root of something being memorable is its unique qualities that capture someone’s attention.<\/p>\n

Many companies overcompensate in a design by using complicated logo elements to stand out. But if a logo is busy, it\u2019s much harder to digest and recall.<\/p>\n

Instead, the goal should be to have a distinctive logo for someone to remember after only seeing it once.<\/p>\n

A good test for this is to see if someone can redraw a logo on a piece of paper after one glance. (It\u2019s also important to note that iconic logos are recognizable even when they appear without the business name<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Distinctive logos are more likely to get consumers\u2019 attention and make them want to learn more about the brand.<\/p>\n

Remember: If people can\u2019t recall what it looks like when it\u2019s not in front of them, the logo isn\u2019t doing its job.<\/p>\n

\"McDonalds<\/p>\n

The Mcdonald’s logo is an excellent example of a distinctive design. It\u2019s simple enough to redraw after seeing it only once (and can be seen from far away on a highway billboard), and the two golden arches that create an \u201cM\u201d are identifiable around the world.<\/p>\n

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Ready to start designing a logo for your business? <\/h2>\n \n \n