4 Things Every Good Logo Has

If there is one thing our writers know about, it certainly isn’t what makes a good logo. Good thing we have an incredible team of in-house graphic designers who make logos for a living! We sat down with our aesthetic experts down the hall with one simple question: what makes a good logo? 

They gave us four great graphic design tips, plus a bunch about not bursting into their room when they’re all focusing on creating careful lines and using the right colors. We’ll just share the logo tips, though. 

1. Contrast, Contrast and Contrast

Visual contrast is key for a good logo. There is a rule floating around the graphic design room, I’m told, and that is: “Every logo has the three C’s: contrast, contrast and contrast.”

Okay, so clearly color contrast is important for those looking for what makes a good logo. Contrast makes any art — but specifically logos — especially interesting to look at and understand. A graphic design agency can use contrast strategically to emphasize certain elements of your logo, and it can be effective in making the logo pop where you want it to. 

Our in-house design team offered one of the clearest graphic design tips we have ever heard: “If it doesn’t work in black and white, it doesn’t work.” 

2. Legibility

A good logo needs to be legible. Take a step back and see if you can read and understand the logo from a distance or at a glance. Too many words, excessive colors, or crowded elements can make a logo difficult to read or understand. 

You can still incorporate nuance in your logo while still including legibility. The balance comes in prioritizing legibility without letting the nuance muddy up the meaning of the final design. 

3. Versatility

Large, small, dark light — giving your logo the ability to adapt to different uses and applications will help make it memorable, versatile and effective. 

You never know where or how your logo will be used in the future. Sure, you have some immediate uses and ideas, but what if things change? What if you come up with a new product or idea to put your logo somewhere? 

Future-proof your logo and make variations that show its versatility. Being able to apply your logo in a variety of environments, on several surfaces and backgrounds, and in different formats is essential for your business. 

4. Simplicity

Finally, when it comes to making a great logo, simpler is better. Our graphic design team gave this tip: Tell the story in the fewest words possible while maintaining depth. 

The translation? You can have a nuanced design, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the basic understanding of the logo and your brand. A logo with a mountain might look like just a mountain at first, but its colors or its layers may point to a larger story. The design is simple, but the meaning and nuances are multi-dimensional. 

Getting too fancy or complicated in a logo will cause confusion and misunderstanding for your clients and customers. Save the fanciful graphic design for social media, your website, or other visual branding opportunities. 

Your Logo Makes All the Difference

So, what makes a good logo? At the end of the day, your logo needs to be a reflection of you, your brand and your story. It can be nuanced but doesn’t have to be complicated. It should be versatile, and able to be placed just about anywhere. And of course, it needs to have contrast. 

These graphic design tips are just the first step in creating your brand. As a graphic design agency in Minneapolis, our team can help you make an impact in your market and stay memorable in the minds of your customers and clients. 

If you’re looking for new branding or a new logo, contact us and let us know about your next project.