If the idea of spending most of your marketing budget to design a business logo causes you to cringe, rest assured that with a bit of trial and error, this is a DIY project that anyone can complete with nothing more than a bit of help from internet sources. The average logo design company charges $500 to create a logo, but you can DIY in just a couple of hours by using free online logo design on website like Turbologo. Ready to design a logo that helps you find your place in the business world? Use the information below to help.
More Than Meets the Eye
A good logo incorporates images, words, and colors, but it does so much more than combine these elements together. A great logo tells a customer a story about your company and urges them to give your brand a try. It speaks for you when words are needed to bring new customers to your business. A logo is a form of art and represents your company in many ways. A good logo is created after you’ve determined the function of the logo and endured a bit of trial and effort.
Creating a Logo: Considerations to Keep In Mind
Your logo creates trust amongst customers, helps you stand out from other companies, and helps create admiration and recognition. When creating a logo, understand your target market to design a logo that appeals to those who need your services. Will the company name be included in the logo? Some companies choose to include the name; for others, it’s not such a good idea.
Include the company name if it’s distinctive from others or if your ideal goal with the logo is to build name recognition. Long names and generic names shouldn’t be included in a logo. Also, consider the ways the logo will be used. Will the logo look good smaller or larger than its current size? Can the logo be used across multiple marketing bards?
Colors are a vital part of logo design. When the business has colors they use in advertising and materials, stick with those colors! Consistent color use adds familiarity to your company, which is essential to any business that wishes to build success. If colors are in place already, research how colors affect your business and choose the best option for your business needs.
Logo Ideas
It’s perfectly fine to look at companies in the same industry to see what its logo looks like, but never copy what they’ve done. Look at 10 – 12 logos to give you an idea of what you like, what you don’t like, and to gain inspiration to create your own logo. The final product should be a logo that is memorable, timeless, and simple. Don’t be afraid to play around with your ideas. Practice makes perfect, after all.
Don’t use too many colors or different fonts. This creates a confusing, cluttered logo that won’t clearly convey the message you wish to send. The customer should have one visual element on which to focus so they’ll understand your logo and your business. A simple logo is best and you’ll find it easier to create such a design.
Don’t Stop With One
The beginning stages of logo design may be frustrating, so do expect this mishap. However, the more comfortable you become with the design, the fewer frustrations involved in the logo creation. Don’t toss out your ideas due to this frustration. It’s a good idea to design a few different logos upfront and play around with them as you learn what works and what doesn’t work. You never know when a new idea will spark!
Don’t be afraid to ask others to give their thoughts about the logo, but do not depend solely on friends and family who may be inclined to give positive feedback even when the logo needs work. Of course, you want to get their opinions, but rely on other people as well. Turn to business associates and others within the same market to get their advice concerning the logo. Take multiple designs to show these people and ask them questions about their opinion of the logo. The more questions that you ask, the more that you learn, ultimately providing the guidance needed to create an outstanding logo.
Create Your Logo
Once you’ve determined the logo you want to use for your company, browse the ‘net to find a logo creator. Many free and low-cost options are there. Learn how to use the logo creators before you begin. Most include step-by-step instructions to ease the design process. Read reviews for the various logo creator software before selecting a product to ensure that something is found that is easy to use and functional, too.