OK, you are starting up a business and you want to create a logo. Where do you start? What makes up a great logo? Your business logo design is a key part of your branding and makes your business memorable. There are six aspects to a really great logo design.

1. Simple / Scalable
2. Emotional Appeal
3. Unique
4. Relevant
5. Shows action
6. Color / Contrast

Simple and scalable: Your logo should be easily recognizable at a very small size on a business card or at a very large size on a vehicle graphic. This means communicating a single idea and not using complex pictures and concepts. Complex designs hide your message.

Emotional appeal: Your logo is part of your branding strategy. This means communicating at an unconscious emotional level. Communicate positive emotions such as trust, joy, safety, status or protection.

Unique: Be different from your competition. If you are in real estate, avoid a picture of a house or roof because that is what so many others do. Your logo needs to make your business stand out and be remembered.

Relevant: Your logo design should symbolize your business and create a positive first impression. Concentrate on an abstract image to represent the feel of your company’s business. Shapes, curves and symmetry can convey meaning.

Show action: This draws in your visitor’s attention. By adding in a partially turned key, shapes or textures a logo can be made to show action. Think of the Nike Swoosh to illustrate running shoes.

Color and Contrast: A great logo must be easily seen and attract attention. Your choice of colors communicates emotion and is an important part of your message. Contrast can be created using colors, texture and use of white space.

A great logo design is a key part of your marketing and branding strategy. This will be a foundation that you will build on for many years.

Related posts:

1. The 4 Critical Parts of a Great Logo Design
2. Components of a Good Logo Design
3. Internet Branding
4. What Makes a Great Business Website?
5. Importance of color in Branding