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8 Factors to Think About Before Creating a Logo for Your Startup

kokou adzo

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logo design for startups

There is more to logo design than just designing. A lot of hard work goes into designing a logo before you actually put pencil to paper. And if you want to create a logo that strikes a chord with your audience, one that stands out, and is memorable than you have to roll-up your sleeves and do the pre-design work.  

Because of tech innovations in logo design, many business owners now have the option to make a logo themselves using automated platforms that can spit out designs in minutes, or through logo software programs. However, even though technology has leveled the playing field and made logo design more accessible, you should still do pre-design research to have a clear picture of the final design you want, and the feeling it conveys.

So, before you sit down with a pencil in hand to design your logo, first do the following.

1. Get some inspiration

Even if you think you have the perfect logo idea, it’s always a good idea to get some additional inspiration. It can help take a good design idea, and turn it into an amazon idea.

There are lot of places to get logo inspiration, go to site like Dribbble.com or Pinterest, and you can get lost for weeks. You can also find inspiration by looking at the logos of businesses within your marketplace and of those outside your space. Take the elements of these logos that appeal to you, put them on your blank canvas, and then pick out the elements you think would suit your business, now you have a starting point.

As Picasso said, “Good artists copy, but great artists steal.” Of course, you are not going to steal a logo, but you can use them for inspiration.

2. Consider your audience

A big mistake many people make when creating a logo is not thinking about their audience.

Sure, your logo has to speak for your business, but if it fails to connect with your audience, then no amount of great design is going to achieve the desired results.

To find a style that works in your market place, go to where your future customers are socializing and shopping. Search social media to find communities that are buying your products or using your services to discover their demographics, likes, and dislikes, and what they are sharing.

Gather as much customer background information as possible, as it will give you a clear picture of what appeals to, and what’s working with your future buyers.

 

3. Choose colors that suit your business

Colors connect with us in different ways, and certain ones are favored by different market places for the emotional reactions and memories they trigger. You must choose ones that suit your business and market place so you can collectively appeal to your audience.

Think about what colors would suit your brand and products. Again, this relates to your customers, are they men or women? Young or old? Sporty or tech-minded? Every group selection has colors that connect on numerous psychological levels, make sure you give it due thought, so they relate with your brand.

You can find the right color palette for your startup by looking at color charts, and by studying the psychology behind them, in doing so, you will discover which colors will send the right message to your customers.

 

Also read – How to Design a Logo (Even if You’re Not a Designer) by Looka

 

4. Pick fonts that speak your language

Fonts are just as important as colors when it comes to creating a logo that connects with your audience. Your content has to speak your customer’s language, and the fonts you use in your logo will set the tone of your website and brand.

A way of finding fonts that work for your logo is to think about your brand’s voice.

Do you want to come across as an authority figure with a serious message, or are you an easy-going lifestyle type of business? You can discover which ones are popular within your niche by looking at your competitors and using the information you gathered regarding your target audience, whichever you pick, use no more than two in your logo.

5. Think about versatility

How your logo looks on different promotional materials depends upon its versatility. You might be adding it to your website, social media avatar, and posts, letterheads, and business cards, so it needs to work in numerous sizes.

Excellent logos work in all sizes and on numerous backgrounds, and for your logo to suit digital and traditional branding it has to work in the correct format. Ensure it does by testing it in various format scales and assessing the clarity; perhaps you need to create alternative designs for different scenarios?

Simplicity is at the forefront of logo design because the fewer elements you have in your logo, the more versatile it will be. If you are considering using different versions of your logo (many companies do) for it to work throughout your branding you have to have a core element; let’s talk about that next.

6. Identify your core design element

A core element is a design feature within your logo that remains there regardless of any changes you make; it could be a unique image, color, font, or slogan.

Think of Nike, they use many logotypes, but there’s one core element throughout:

  • The combination – Where they use both their name and the tick
  • The slogan – “Just do it,” is also used with the tick.
  • The icon – Where they just use the tick, this is their core element.

Your core element also enables you to update your logo and stay relevant to current design trends because it’s the DNA of your brand. Speaking of which, should you be trendy?

7. Avoid logo design trend bandwagons

The short answer is no.

Trends on the internet come and go at an alarming pace, if you base your logo entirely on what’s hip today, it will be out of date within a couple of years.

It’s easily avoidable by using proven design strategies for your logo’s colors, fonts, and shape. If you think about the things spoken about earlier in this article, you will have a good understanding of what they are.

Also, don’t forget your logo’s core element, because by having one you can stay trendy!

8. Strive to be unique

Yes, and you should be.

To create a unique logo can seem like an impossible task at first due to the sheer amount of competition already using logos online, but to stand out from the crowd, you have to be unique.

The trick is to use all of the inspiration you found online and then apply your voice and style to it. As long as you use the proven techniques that work for your market place you can take a logo design and add your imagination to it, this is where you make it yours and create a logo unlike anyone else’s.

Visuals stay in customer`s minds, some forever; by being unique, your customers will also know you’re an authentic business, and you won’t get lost in the crowd.

Conclusion:

By finding inspiration, thinking of your customers, choosing the right colors and fonts, being versatile, adding a core element, using proven design tactics, and being unique, you can think your way to successfully creating a logo that’s perfect for your startup. All you have to do now is find those answers to the questions and apply them. What are you waiting for?

 

Kokou Adzo is the editor and author of Startup.info. He is passionate about business and tech, and brings you the latest Startup news and information. He graduated from university of Siena (Italy) and Rennes (France) in Communications and Political Science with a Master's Degree. He manages the editorial operations at Startup.info.

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