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1. GET YOUR FORMATS RIGHT: Your logo should have a transparent background, not a white one. That way, if you put it on a colored header later on, it will not have an ugly white border. Your color format for anything on the screen is RGB color, and anything for print will be CMYK. You can change this easily as you need it, so create your logo in either off those two. 2. KEEP IT SIMPLE: Simple can go a long way. You don't want a logo that is so elaborate that it takes away from the purpose. You want a logo that is easy to post on anything - print or digital materials. Limit your elements! I’ve seen too many logos that try to be “too cool” by putting everything in it! Think the Huffington Post. TechCrunch. Those are massive blogs with simple logos. Apple has a simple logo. Ikea. Overdoing it makes you look like you’re trying too hard. And definitely avoid shadows and outlines. 3. LIMIT YOUR FONTS: Use one title font in your logo. If you have a tagline, it can be in a different font, but a simple one, such as Arial. 4. CONNECT WITH COLOR: Color is the most powerful way to connect. Each color family, tone, and theme has a psychology behind it. Use color to draw in your readers. 5. CONVEY YOUR MESSAGE: I LOVE Totschooling‘s logo and the manner in which it gives across the message of the blog. It has a serious undertone with a playful twist. 6. KEEP SHAPES SIMPLE: You don’t need fancy drawings. You can take a photo and outline it into a simple drawing, making a brilliant logo. 7. AVOID BACKGROUNDS IN THE ACTUAL LOGO: Any background elements you use should not be a part of your logo. That’s why it’s important to understand the difference between your logo and a header. 8. LEGIBILITY: If you’re using a detailed font, make sure the characters are clear. For example, if your business name is “My dog and me” you don’t want people reading your logo as “My clog and me”. 9. BRANDING WITHIN THE TEXT: Use the text as your branding! Often, setting up your text in an interesting (but still legible) way is the best way! You don’t even need anything else. 10. PUT IN SOMETHING REAL, BUT CLEAN IT UP: Including something from real life can make a beautiful logo. Nurture Store‘s logo is created from a daughter’s painting, which was digitized into a clean icon. 11. AVOID PHOTOS: Why? Because, tip #2. They’re simply too complicated. This will cause a bunch of issues later on. But even more importantly: it’s too much on the eye. Your logo should be absorbed in a single eyeful. Your logo should be easy to implement into other designs later on. So, please don’t use a photo as your logo. Even if you’re a photographer. 12. ARRANGE IT SO THAT IT WORKS AS A SINGLE UNIT: This is key especially when you have a few elements, such as a name, a tagline, a graphic, and possibly an underscore too. 13. COHESION ACROSS ELEMENTS: This is actually a take on number 12 – a way to make various elements work as a single logo. Do this by using similar types of strokes. 14. BE WARY OF INTERNAL MARGINS : This is particularly important when designing a “badge” style logo. A very common issue is to place the elements too close together so that it looks too crowded. Give your logo its personal space. 15. HAVE A REASON WHY: If someone asks you “why that color?” or “why that font?” or your reasons for any decisions you made, have an answer. This means that your logo is well thought out, and most likely reflects the brand you want it to.

15 tips for designing a good logo

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