Does your company have a logo that really depicts what it is that you represent or what field of work you are in? Maybe it does, but it’s outdated and being lost in the sea of your competitors? What makes a good logo?
Logos, or some form thereof, have been around since the 6th century BC (coins, hallmarks, coat of arms, etc.). They have developed over time with inventions of new techniques and equipment. In the 18th and 19th centuries, after the industrial revolution turned societies from agrarian (agriculture) to industrial, lithography, typography, and photography contributed to the booming advertising industry.
The first logo to be trademarked was in 1876, and was a simple red triangle. Over the last couple hundred years, logos have turned into a mainstay in marketing and advertising. Now, you will be hard-pressed to find a company that doesn’t have a logo or a brand. A logo provides an image to customers that is easily recognizable. And, if it’s a good logo, can relay to the customer the product/service you are selling or offering, or can give an indication of the quality of work the customer will receive.
When it comes to logos, less is usually more. Simplicity is your greatest tool and can really make a strong impact to your current and future customers. The first logo that was trademarked was a simple red triangle. There were no gradients, layers, shading, borders, etc. There was no fussiness, it was simple, bold, and incredibly recognizable, and most importantly it worked.
Maybe it’s time to look at your own logo, and try to see it from your customer’s point of view. What is the logo trying to say? Does it represent an emotion? A location? A product? A story? Whatever it is, make sure that it is easily recognizable. If your customer looks at your logo and asks “what the heck is that?”, then it’s probably time to get a new or updated logo.
So again I ask, what makes a good logo? Simplicity.