A Simple Question That Will Streamline Your Logo Design Process
by
Design is subjective.
It’s not math. Math is easier. 2 + 2 = 4. There is no arguing that. It’s a fact.
But design is interpretable. You know… the whole “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” thing.
As a result, there is nothing more nerve racking than hitting the send button on an email to your client that contains design concepts.
What will the beholder’s eye think of these designs? You think it looks stunning, they might think your crazy.
Logo design is particularly difficult. It’s very subjective.
Ask this question early
There are a number of questions you can ask to make sure that you are at least close when you put those designs out there for the client to critique.
Do you have any color scheme you would like to use? Do you have examples of logos you like? Are you looking for something playful or professional? Simple or complex?
But there is no question more important than this one:
“What type of logo are you looking for?”
We will be covering six different logo types and providing examples in this post. I would recommend that you pose this question to your logo design clients and provide examples to ensure that your initial concepts are at least in the ballpark.
6 Logo Types
The following are broad categories. Different logo types that your client can choose from. They may choose from more than one but getting them pinned down to a couple of these logo categories will make your (and the clients) life a lot easier.
Text Logo
This is the simplest form of logo. It is a font that is usually given some kind of Style.
It’s a popular logo type and many well known brands use it.
Here are some popular examples of text logos:
Pictoral Icon Logos
A pictoral icon can include the business name in text. The icon is a non-abstract design that is easily recognizable.
Here are some great examples of pictoral icon logos including our own Crazy Egg logo:
Abstract Icon Logos
This is a popular logo type. It can incorporate the business name in a font. The icon is abstract and not easily recognized.
These are some example abstract icon logos:
Letter Icon Logos
Letters from the name of your business or the initials can be used to create a logo.
Here are some great examples of letter icon logos:
Emblem Logos
An emblem is an pictoral icon and text logo all rolled into one.
Here are some classic examples of emblem logos:
Mascot or Character
A character, usually a person or animal is used to represent the business in the logo.
The easiest way to sink hours of work into a logo only to get raised eyebrows from your client is to fail to ask this question:
What type of logo are you looking for?
Imagine designing six Abstract Icon Logo concepts and then finding out your client is looking for a Mascot or Character Logo.
Not good.
Ask this question early on in your logo design process. You will be glad you did.
About the Author: Russ Henneberry is editor of The Daily Egg. Give him a shout on Twitter.
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Contact14 COMMENTS
Ramesh Nair
This process may help only small or medium businesses where logo is mostly just a beautiful graphic image. For bigger brands, it is best not to ask clients to choose the logo type. It is the brand consultant/designer who needs to advice clients on what logo type will work best for their business.
Ramesh
http://www.niyati.com
Chipp
Another good idea is to explain the difference between a logotype and a logomark.
Also, some design companies still insist on using printed logo comps for Internet based companies. I cannot stress enough how wrong this is. Reviewing a logo comp 4″ tall on a stark white presentation board at 1200 dpi IS MUCH different than looking at it in an iPhone browser! C’mon designers, use your noggins when presenting your designs!
March 29, 2012
Steven
Sorry, when you said “2 + 2 = 4. There is no arguing that. It’s a fact. But design is interpretable.” I just had to interject that 2 + 2 can also read as 22 and whether you agree or not is simply down to interpretation.
So remember, math is subjective too.
March 29, 2012
Ed
Would you say negative space ads are another type?
FedEx, USA Network, Girl Scouts for examples
March 29, 2012
Jenny Kay Pollock
Great post! Thank you for sharing. I will definatly be refrencing these 6 logo types form now on!
April 11, 2012
Navigator Multimedia
Great set of types to bring into the production meeting with examples. The question “what type of logo are you looking for?” will only be as effectively answered as the degree by which the client understands their “options”. Oftentimes, a client can visualize the logo design in their mind, but cannot articulate the specifics for the designer to understand. Bringing in examples of “types” makes perfect sense.
March 29, 2012Thanks for the article!
Sarah Bauer
Navigator Multimedia