When it comes to logos, many believe that they did not appear until the 19th century. In many ways this is true. Trade and industrial companies, trying to distinguish their products from competitors, began to decorate the packaging - this is how branding appeared, of which logos are part. But if you think about it, you can come to the conclusion that the forerunner of modern logos is the ancient Greek drachma, a coin on which the profile of a ruler was often minted. This was a kind of personal branding and the ancient Greeks would not have bothered with nonsense if the image of the leader on the money did not make sense. And it did, because it evoked associations, which is what a logo should do. In those distant times, the logo also served as a mark that artisans applied to their goods.
The first officially registered logo is a font trademark Beer Bass. The British Patent Office registered it on January 1, 1876. Interesting fact: The beer, like its logo, still exists today. And ten years later, in 1886, the logo of another popular drink appeared - Coca-Cola, which has remained virtually unchanged throughout its existence.
What should the logo be? Yes, whatever, as long as it is clearly associated with the brand. It is desirable that it be universal, functional, scalable and, most importantly, concise. When we look at the Apple or Nike logos, we instantly recognize them, largely due to their simplicity. Moreover, we remember computer technology when we look at a bitten apple and about sports shoes when we look at an incomprehensible squiggle. This suggests that a universal logo always works. If it is clearly associated with the brand, then it can be very minimalistic and still be memorable. Can three stripes be a brand reminder? They can, just remember Adidas.
Creating a simple logo is actually very difficult. It's not uncommon for designers to make dozens or even hundreds of variations on branding and typefaces before they manage to capture the spirit of a brand. At the same time, many people forget about brevity and versatility. A good logo is always simple, scales well, and looks good in black and white. Yes, yes, this is the secret. If a one-color logo is poorly remembered, then it cannot be called successful. Therefore, experiments with color should begin only after the best black and white option has been found.
Work on creating a simple, laconic logo should begin using only two colors: black as the main color and white as the background. Or vice versa. Colors, gradients or textures can be used after the logo concept itself has been found.
Doodles and squiggles
Quirky design elements are trending these days, so you can go in that direction by creating a minimalist logo design. Wavy lines may well become part of the identity, especially if they go well with the font used for the name of the brand or product. A logo created with intersecting wavy lines will work well even if there is no room left for the font portion of the logo.
Linear logos allow you to create your own style while avoiding accidental plagiarism. Such logos can be abstract, or they can reflect the nature of the company’s activities, only one thing is important - they should not be too complex. If the designer decides to use scribbles and squiggles, then he needs to try to avoid clutter in the lines, since such logos do not scale well. Being too small, they are not readable, and if the logo is enlarged too much, the distance between the lines will blur the image.
When creating a simple, laconic logo, you need to immediately decide on the style. If you have doubts about how well a particular style or sign will work, it doesn’t hurt to see how the logo will look on physical media. There are many layouts you can use to do this.
When choosing a trendy style, such as vintage, twist or lines, you need to remember that the logo is designed with an eye to the future. Fashion is fashion, but a logo lives a long time, its value only increases over the years, so it is better to choose a style that will be relevant in the coming years. However, this is not an axiom. If a brand is developing successfully, even an out-of-fashion font or graphics will evoke the right associations. No one is confused by the ancient font used to write the name Coca-Cola. But it’s still better not to chase fashion and choose a more respectable style.
Retro is in fashion today. Creating a simple logo in this style is not a bad idea. But retro should be special; each era has classic examples, so you need to use only those elements that people clearly associate with a particular time period. In minimalism, retro can be presented in different ways.
This can be a linear logo, where the brand name is inscribed in a circle, but it is quite possible to create a vintage logo if you choose a massive font that was popular in the 70s of the last century. And if you add a little neon in the color version, it will remind you of the 80s of the twentieth century. At the same time, it is very important to maintain conciseness. A simple, retro logo should evoke the past, but it should look great in a digital environment. A vintage logo should be modern, but not archaic.
Simple forms
Simple geometric shapes are great for creating minimalist logos. The simple form is easily distinguishable, it works on its own to evoke certain associations, and the designer's task is to strengthen the connection between the image and the brand. You can start with the simplest shapes: a circle, square or triangle and begin to build a complexion using one or more shapes.
What is the circle associated with? The circle has no beginning or end, so it evokes continuous movement. For example, about a wheel or luminaries moving across the sky. The circle is neutral, but its nature is cyclical, which can evoke associations with love, energy or power. The circle also symbolizes infinity and harmony.
The square evokes strong associations with stability and equality. This figure is stable and thereby appeals to trust. If the logo should embody respectability and power, then it is quite possible to use a square. However, it should be remembered that the square is used in the identity so often that it will be difficult to come up with something original. Square-based branding can look boring as it may cause the viewer to associate it with other images they have seen before.
The triangle is a strange geometric figure in many ways. It is associated with energy, stability and strength, but only if one of the angles is directed straight up. It is enough to tilt the triangle or turn it over, and the feeling of stability will disappear. The figure will begin to be associated with conflict, tension and nervousness, the inverted triangle appears unstable, which subconsciously worries the viewer.
Another popular shape that is often used when creating minimalist logos is the cross. What is the cross primarily associated with? Probably with religion, but the cross is also a symbol of balance, hope and health. This figure is quite neutral, but it should be used very carefully, keeping in mind the characteristics of the audience.
Many designers, working on a laconic logo, feel the desire to embellish it a little. But that’s what minimalism is: minimalism: it does not and cannot have unnecessary elements. The entire carefully constructed concept can fall apart if the designer suddenly wants to make the sign or font more attractive. During the design process, you need to pay attention to the main thing and try to use fewer details. As soon as you want to add an extra element, it is better to stop working and continue it later, when you can look at what you have done with fresh eyes.
You need to strive to ensure that the logo is readable the first time, this is how a good identity works. A minimalistic logo includes everything you need and does not need explanations or additions.
Conclusion
Minimalism is a style that does not depend on time. Fashion can change, one trend can replace another, but a laconic logo will work regardless of the change in era or environment. Simply because it is easy to remember, distinguishable at first glance and immediately associated with a brand or product.
It is rare to find a logo belonging to a specific style; as a rule, each logo is a whole “invention” consisting of various layers of artistic styles.
- Cartouche, vignettes. Signs in which the key element is ornament can be distinguished into a separate style of abstract logos. Such logos imply an individual approach and elitism.
- Dots. A point is one of the simplest geometric elements. A composition created from many different points equidistant or deleted friend from each other in any mathematical sequence can create complex and interesting compositions. Even simple shapes, created using dots, take on a new, original look.
- Drops. The drop shape is often played out in various variations. This is a mathematically beautiful and memorable form that will never become outdated. With the help of a drop, they convey naturalness, fluidity, and a liquid base.
- Cubism. This artistic style originated in the early 20th century and is still sometimes used by graphic designers to create a clean, geometric look. Objects are broken down into geometric primitives.
- Simple geometry. Simple shapes are used, not complex geometric compositions. This technique is often used in laconic corporate signs. Laconicism gives efficiency and seriousness to the sign. “Nothing extra” can be read in these forms.
- Youth style. Logos that convey fashionable, modern images. These are active compositions, sometimes built on images from the past. Logos in youth style tell us about limitless opportunities for young and active people.
- Spirality. The spiral is one of the simplest natural shapes. This form is often found in the plant and animal world. Designers have long taken note of the spiral and often use this style in logos.
- Prototypes of the animal world. Signs using the image of an animal are among the most common. A logo made in this style carries the special qualities of the depicted animal.
- Plants, green world. Such logos impose on us images of something natural, healthy, and growing. The shapes of “growing” logos are leaves, flowers, curly and straight stems. Plant-themed logos do not necessarily have to be symbols of agricultural or other enterprises involved in the production and cultivation of plant life forms. This is an image of everything developing and growing.
- Method of changing shape, deformation. Modern technologies offer us more and more interactivity. This also affected logos. Logos made by changing shapes look lively, modern and progressive. They seem to go “beyond the brink” turning into 3D images.
- Human image. Logos that create an image of a person evoke a friendly mood in us. Signs containing elements of the human body: nose, mouth, eyes, ears, hair, arms and legs humanize the logo. The sign seems to come to life, acquiring human features.
- Shadow solutions. Shadows receive a lot of attention in artistic activities. Logos are no exception. Signs take on almost real forms when they have a shadow. An illusion of space is created. Very often, the shadow in logos carries its own, separate, secondary meaning, complementing and reinforcing the first one.
- Transparency and backlight effects. Light brings warmth and energy to people. The use of “light effects” in logos gives us a positive attitude, optimism, warmth and good luck.
- Ecology. Ecology has recently been of great concern to people. This concern could not but be reflected in modern logos. Freshness, environmental friendliness, cleanliness and health are the signs of this style.
- Writing signs. Marks: question mark; exclamation points, periods, commas, parentheses - all this has long been separated into a separate style for interesting logos. This is a fresh Internet, youth style.
- "Simple" style. Logos without intricacies or hidden meanings. What is written is what is depicted, what is depicted is what is written. There is no need to think or imagine anything. Very simple and clear logos.
- Photographic images. Signs made in a photorealistic style look very interesting. They seem to tell us: “We are real.” They often carry a pseudo-volume, a non-existent three-dimensionality.
- Ring. Logos using images of rings or their parts symbolize integrity, completeness, quality and high level company or services provided.
- Lines and ribbons. The logo, or part of it, is made in the form of a continuous line, uniting the entire sign into a single composition. Lines made with lines look original and intricate.
- Crest-like logos. Logos made in this style look majestic and rich. Signs in style medieval coats of arms bear the imprint of the Middle Ages and command respect.
- Half-heartedness. The incompleteness of the logo arouses the observer's interest. Half of the sign seems to ask us the question, what’s next, where is the second half? These are intriguing and interesting signs.
- Layering. These are overlapping images. They can be transparent or complementary. This is an illusion that creates multiple meanings.
- Illusion of optical perception. One of the most interesting styles for the logo. It is based on the peculiarities of visual perception and tells the viewer: “we can do anything.”
- Pixels. One of the latest trends. Signs that are divided into pixels bring digital technology into our world. Breaking down into components, they reveal their interactive, “digital” essence. “Pixels” are popular for IT technologies.
- Calligraphy. Logos written in one stroke, as if “by hand” (very often this is true). They tell us about their uniqueness and elitism. Calligraphic logos are expressive and self-contained, very often without any visual sign.
- Ambigrams. Ambigrams can be read if they are turned upside down. Ambigram logos are the height of practicality in modern design. A logo that is readable after being turned upside down is worthy of attention.
- Drawn logos They look interesting, artistic and at the same time simple. Logos made in the style of illustrations tell us: “It costs us nothing,” “We will make it easy for you.”
- Changeable forms. This is the epitome of dynamism in a logo. Such a logo is too alive to exist in any one static form. While the logo retains its original meaning and basic form, it is constantly changing.
Today's post will be an excellent addition to the section because... We have selected more than a hundred interesting works for you. All of them are taken from the English-language blog designyourway.net, whose author writes about design, typography, user interfaces, WordPress, etc. One of the sections there is dedicated to logo collections. Most original solutions from these notes you will find below.
If you are about to create a logo, but still have no ideas to start with, then look at these logos for inspiration. Of course, you shouldn’t copy other people’s work, but you can highlight some interesting techniques and approaches for yourself. These collections of logos do not have any common theme, such as in or, and the time frame for their creation is quite long. That is, at the very end you will find images drawn more than a few years ago. However, this does not prevent them from looking relevant and impressive.
Often logos visually display (embody) the name of the company/product in the form of corresponding objects, for example, Saturn Travel, Icecream Design, Cube, Badminton Academy. To be honest, it is not entirely clear whether these are real existing brands or just abstract works of designers. Sometimes this approach looks “subtle”, as in the case of Africa Online, sometimes it is terribly predictable - the Anchor Book logo.
I personally like it when one or another graphic object in the logo is a kind of logical addition to the name, for example: Green Gadgets Store, Clerk, Green Office. Although perhaps this is a rather subjective opinion.
This collection of logos has a visually very simple work, for example, the same Form, but due to its ideas, the drawing looks complete. Although, choosing a detailed logo with lots of details is also a good solution in some cases. And it’s not clear what is more difficult and takes longer - inventing and implementing original idea or elaboration of a dozen small details of the image.
The background and color scheme have a fairly strong influence on the perception of the logo. By replacing the background with b/w, the effect could have been completely different. At the same time, light backgrounds look somehow simpler, while a dark contrasting image causes some kind of “dominant” effect with a strong accent. In some cases, like with Lion Force, I think it fits the purpose and intent. Fonts such as Roar, Alegnor, Lord, IronHorse can have a similar “strong” effect.
Among this collection of logos for inspiration, my favorite are pictures with abstract objects: Vallory Miller, Wecarhitecten Branding, Vending Brorhers. They usually use bright (sometimes even too colorful) colors. Works with volumetric elements also look beautiful: Mcfon, OnLocation, Norman, Dore Corp.
In general, there are plenty of decent options. I hope you find this collection of logo inspiration useful. In total there were 120 original works with different styles, directions and design solutions.