Logo Design Guide
5 Principles of Great Logo Design
1. Simple
Memorable logos are often stripped down to the essential shape. Nike swoosh, Apple apple.
2. Scalable
Must work at 16px favicon and 10ft billboard. Always design in vector (SVG/AI).
3. Versatile
Works in color, black/white, reversed (on dark). Test all backgrounds.
4. Appropriate
Style, color, and font should match the brand personality and industry.
5. Timeless
Avoid trendy effects (gradients, shadows). Simple clean logos last decades.
Logo Style Types
| Style | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Wordmark | Company name in styled typography | Google, Coca-Cola, FedEx |
| Lettermark | Initials as logo mark | IBM, HP, CNN |
| Symbol/Icon | Abstract or literal icon only | Apple, Twitter, Nike |
| Combination Mark | Icon + wordmark together | Amazon, Adidas, Burger King |
| Emblem | Text inside a shape/badge | Starbucks, Harley-Davidson, BMW |
| Mascot | Character/animal representing brand | KFC Colonel, Michelin Man |
Color Psychology in Branding
| Color | Emotion | Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Energy, urgency, passion | Coca-Cola, YouTube, Netflix |
| Blue | Trust, calm, professional | Facebook, Samsung, Ford |
| Green | Growth, nature, health | Starbucks, Whole Foods, John Deere |
| Yellow | Optimism, warmth, attention | McDonald's, IKEA, Snapchat |
| Purple | Luxury, creativity, wisdom | Cadbury, Hallmark, Twitch |
| Black | Sophistication, power, luxury | Chanel, Nike, Apple |