Principles for Designing Logos

Guidance for Graphic Designers

Joshua Hoering
2 min readDec 23, 2022

“Logos are a graphic extension of the internal realities of a company.”
— Saul Bass

  1. Understand the company’s values and target audience.
    Before creating a logo, it is important to understand the company’s values and target audience, as these will inform the design of the logo.
  2. Consider the purpose of the logo.
    The purpose of the logo should be taken into consideration, as it will impact the design choices made.
  3. Utilize typography effectively.
    Typography plays a crucial role in logo design and should be chosen carefully to effectively convey the desired message and tone.
  4. Use color effectively.
    Color can have a powerful impact on the effectiveness of a logo, and it is important to choose colors that are appropriate for the company and its target audience.
  5. Create a simple and memorable design.
    An effective logo is simple and memorable and should be easily recognizable even when scaled down or viewed from a distance.
  6. Create a versatile design.
    A logo should be scalable and work well across a range of applications and contexts.
  7. Avoid trends and cliches.
    While it is important to stay current, a logo should avoid trends and cliches in order to remain relevant and timeless.
  8. Consider the long-term potential of the logo.
    A logo should be designed with the long-term in mind, and not bend toward trends that cause logos to become outdated in the future.
  9. Differentiate the logo from competitors.
    Analyze logos from competitors before designing to make a unique logo that increases brand recognition and memorability.
  10. Create a cohesive visual identity.
    The logo should be part of a cohesive visual identity and should work well with other design elements such as fonts, colors, and imagery.

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