Logos are really important. This is the consumer's first impression of your business and your brand! So you want to make sure their first impression of you is a good one. Ideally, You want your logo to explain who you are and what you do, why you do it and how you do it. It’s included on social media posts, a variety of marketing materials and just about anywhere you want to make your mark. It’s a lot of heavy lifting for one graphic, but that’s why your graphic needs to be strong! 💪

Whether you’re a beginner or in need of a refresh with your logo design, you need to ask yourself a few things before putting pen to paper. This all may seem daunting and intimidating at first, but don’t worry! We asked our graphic designer, Kellsie, a few questions about where to start and what you need to know when it comes to starting your logo design.

How do I choose the right colours?

A: Choose colours that would allow your client base to have a slight idea as to what your company could be. Ex. Blues and lighter greens give off a health or hospitality feel. Soft pastels can make your brand feel more feminine.

You also want to use colours that match the style of your brand. Ex. If you want BOLD colours, then your branding should be bold and out there.

Should I include a tagline?

A: A tagline can help further define your company to your target market. If you want to include a tagline you want to make sure it further describes your company or it makes the audience feel something. You want to make sure it is short and to the point. You also have to keep in mind font pairings.

I want to add an image that relates to my industry in my logo… Is this a good idea?

A: Of course, but to an extent. When including an image or specific symbol in your logo you want to make sure it is a simplified version with very little detail. If your logo is something that will be printed in any way, you want to make sure it is clear and have little chance of any printing errors. On the other hand, if your logo is going to be used for digital-only, you are much more open to having more detail.

How do I choose the right typeface for my logo?

A: The typeface you choose for your logo is similar to choosing your colours. You want to choose a typeface that represents your brand. The easiest place to start is deciding if you want a Serif, Sans Serif, Script, Handwritten or something funky. Serifs are best for representing your brand as classic, traditional, and gentle; while Sans Serifs are used to look modern, bold, and clean. Script and Handwritten typefaces are usually used to look feminine, vintage, or casual.

Once you've established the style of typeface you want, it's all about choosing the one that speaks to you.

I really like what my competition is doing with their logo, should I copy them?

A: NO! You never want to copy your competitor's logo. You want to look at your competitors and think “oh that's cool, but how can I do it better?” Competitors are great for inspiration when it comes to designing your logo but only for inspiration! Make yourself unique, you want to stand out not blend in!

Although we're only scratching the surface of questions you may have when it comes to starting your logo design, we hope that these 5 tips help to steer you in the right direction! Remember to take the time to really think about your logo and what you want it to represent. And if you need some help... We're just a click away! Fox and Forth can help with all of your logo and branding needs. Send us an email today to learn more about how we can help you stand out. hello@foxandforth.com Stay tuned for part 2, coming soon!