If you are running a business or a startup, acquiring your company’s own unique logo is one of the very first things that must do. However, hiring professional design firms cost you an arm and a leg. Furthermore, it is crucial that your logo represents a good and lasting first impression on your customers. This may directly affect your sales revenue.
Well, we have a solution for you. Be rid of nightmares of attaining a good logo. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create your very own logo spoken from our years of experience working with clients. After you’ve tried these steps, show us your impressive logo as we are sure it will be just that – IMPRESSIVE.
STEP 1: BRAINSTORMING
- Determine the primary function of your logo
Before you start creating your logo, you should understand clearly why you need that particular logo. Is it to boost recognition? Or to create memorability and trust? What customers think about your logo will affect the way they think about your company/startup. A solid logo that can convey your company’s honesty and integrity will gain the trust of your clients. You want to appear reliable. For contrast, if your company is related to healthy foods, your logo could have the elements of green and clean, fresh designs as below.
- Consider your target market
Understanding your clients is just as important as understanding your business. How much are their monthly income? What are their average ages? What do they do for a living? For example, if your business is related to graphic design, your logo must depict that by being distinctively artistic.
- Decide on your logotype
Font-based logos:
Some people have the perception that this is the easiest way to create a logo but that is not entirely true. However, a benefit of having a font-based logo is the recognition of your brand and with the right font used, it can be created fairly quickly and save you sufficient marketing funds. Just take a look at the logos of IBM, Microsoft, and Google… No one dares to challenge these well-known brands and their distinctive font-based logo.
However, you should include details that are relatively distinctive in order to bring meaning to your brand identity. You must avoid being too generic, too localized; or you might suffer the consequence of not being able to translate well globally.
Make sure your design utilizes letter cases and font sizes properly. Your logo will be meaningless if it is unreadable. Imagine your logo as your profile picture but nobody can see it clearly….that would be a disaster!
Here are some font-based logos that we have designed for our previous startup customers:
Literally illustrated logos:
To create this type of logo, you need to think of visuals that can represent your business. If you have an educational startup, you might want to include vector visuals such as graduation hats, books, computers or even certificates.
To find more inspiration, check out some examples from Design.net
Graphic symbols:
Finally, there are the abstract graphic symbol logotypes. This includes logos such as Nike, Apple, and Pepsi. This type of logo usually requires more time and creativity.
- Adhere to the company’s color scheme/corporate identity
Always be consistent with brand identity. Use only the main colors to paint your logo and build your brand logo. The basic psychology of color is not too hard to learn. Never heard of it? You can learn up by reading this article Color Psychology: How Color Meanings Affect Your Brand
- Use references
Analyzing famous logos is a common habit and easily bring about inspiration. However, be sure never to copy successful logos, even by accident. You need your logo to stand out. Sometimes, you can take ideas from businesses similar to yours and implement it in your own unique way. I suggest referring to about 10 different logos. That should be more than enough
Now, it is time to review your logo. A successful logo should be Appropriate, Simple, Memorable, Versatile, and Timeless.
STEP 2. TESTING THE DESIGN
- Create multiple designs by yourself
Simply draw a rough sketch of the design. Pencils and papers can be useful in initial stages because they boost creativity (remember to never erase your sketches). Using graphic software can drive you crazy, especially when you are an amateur designer.
- Release your design and get feedback
Now it’s time to show off your design to a test market. Get feedback from people in your target market and analyze their reaction to your logo. However, be wary of relying too heavily on surveys.
STEP 3. FINALIZING THE DESIGN
- Create a final draft
Unlike the last time you drew simple sketches, this time you have to make your logo look gorgeous. Some people choose to hire a professional, while others want to learn graphic design programs. In case you want to rent designers, you’d better consider these points: Time, cost and online services.
For the cost, the price range fluctuates strongly. Professional design firms’ price ranges from $4,000 to $15,000 for a logo design and freelancers charge $15 to $150 per hour.
For a more affordable alternative, you can consider contacting our design community at Designs.net. All the designers there are qualified, well-profiled and guarantee a professional logo.
- Keep listening and do your final checks!
Hey! You are on your way achieving your final DIY logo. Once you have finished the final draft, be open to feedback on your design among clients and on social networks.
You can test your logo on your website, social sites but hold off on print materials because you can lose a big amount of money in the case of mistakes and have to reprint.
Test your logo online first, but hold on printing materials
STEP 4. PROTECTING YOUR LOGO
This article focuses on how to create your company’s own unique logo. However, never forget to trademark your logo in order to protect it. Trust me, protecting a logo is not a piece of cake as many would like to think. So please carry out the necessary procedures to protect what is yours.
In conclusion, we hope that this step-by-step guide can save you precious time and money. Get to working on your own perfect logo now! 😉