When you’re trying to design a logo, it’s easy to get caught up in stuffing in too many elements, crazy colors, and stupid fonts that are hard to read. The result is often a complex logo mess.
The truth is, a simple logo can weather the storm and express the true essence of a brand — which is vitally important to the growth of a business.
Today, people are interacting with brands more than ever, even if they don’t realize it. Whether on social media, TV, radio ads or email, brands are everywhere.
That’s why having a strong brand is important if you want to survive. A great, simple logo design that resonates with customers and creates a bond with them will set you apart from the competition.
And, a simple logo allows you to create more impact than a logo filled with images and colors, because it allows you to quickly communicate your brand’s message and ethos.
So, let’s learn how to design a simple logo, some examples of famous brands with simple logos, and some helpful tips for designing your own logo!
When it comes to logo design, sometimes “less is more”. Think of design concepts like minimalism and negative space ; Minimalist logos , like flat logo designs , use a single, flexible design that can be applied across platforms and any medium.
Simple logos are usually just brand symbols (e.g. a business name without any images) or designs that use a very simple symbol. By removing any “offline” elements, you will have a logo that looks good in any situation.
That said, if you want your logo to make an impact , there are other fundamentals that you need to follow:
- It has to be memorable , so your audience won’t forget your brand in a hurry
- It has to resonate with your customers, meaning it has a specific style they find appealing
- It can be used in many formats , like digital advertising or printed on items
- It will reinforce your brand ethos and message to help create a connection with your audience
Famous brand with simple logo
Today, people are bombarded with ads, notifications and a million other things that drain our energy on a daily basis.
This means you want your logo to have an impact on your customers while taking up as little of their mental energy as possible.
Successful companies recognize this, which is why their logos have such a powerful subconscious effect – while keeping their designs simple and unique.
Here are some well-known companies:
1. Coca Cola
Logos do not necessarily include images and symbols. Many well-known brands use typeface logos which, as we mentioned above, have no extras.
Coca-Cola is a longstanding brand with worldwide recognition. Their name is known in every country, and their logo stands out thanks to its unique font.
The font style used is a custom cursive style—created by Frank Mason Robinson in 1885—called Spencerian script. It has very distinctive curves, and when combined with a deep red color, it creates an eye-catching and memorable logo. If you see the logo, even for a glance, you will immediately recognize it.
2. London Underground
While the London Underground sign may not be the first simple logo that comes to mind, we can learn a lot from it.
For starters, the red circle represents comprehensiveness and completeness, both of which are great for a public transit company.
They want people to feel welcome when entering the station and boarding the train. The circle also represents the ability to go anywhere from start to finish.
One big challenge that this logo overcame was high visibility. A logo is no good if you can’t find it easily while walking around the streets of London. The combination of the blue bar on the red circle is a great color contrast and you can easily see it even when it’s foggy or rainy outside.
3. Nike
Nike’s famous comma looks basic. You might even say that it seems too simple. But this little seal packs a big punch.
Its streamlined shape implies a lot of movement, which is good for a sports brand. The check mark is also a positive image, inspiring the audience to improve themselves.
The Nike comma is also unique and instantly recognizable no matter where you see it. This logo has played a huge part in the company’s success and continues to help Nike grow its brand around the world.
4. Apple
Another company, which certainly needs no introduction, is Apple. If you want a simple yet effective logo example, look no further.
This fruity piece has become synonymous with sleek computers and fun gadgets, thanks to Apple’s incredible branding. Whenever you see their logo on an item, you know it’s going to be a great experience.
The Apple logo wasn’t always the same as it is now. In fact, from the very beginning, it was a detailed image of Isaac Newton sitting under an apple tree. Over the years, as Apple’s brand became more and more defined, its logo became simpler.
Now their logo is completely flat and has 3 simple colors. The beauty and simplicity of this logo allows it to be used almost anywhere and creates instant brand recognition, whether it’s on a handbag or a mobile phone.
As we said before, a simple logo can be super effective when done right.
5. FedEx
The FedEx logo is another simple lettering icon that uses a relaxing and reliable purple color with a youthful and energetic orange color. Both colors contrast nicely, meaning the public can see it easily – even at a distance.
The FedEx logo also uses negative space to create an arrow between the letter E and the letter X – see? Once you see it, you can’t ignore it!
Simple logo design tips
Ready to try creating your own simple logo? Check out our top tips before you do:
Wordmark is the easiest way
Creating a wordmark like Google or Coca-Cola will focus it all on the text. This means you only need to worry about using an appropriate font and color scheme. With so many options available, you can easily create something that catches your eye, resonates with your audience, and is also unique.
Other impressive lettering logos include Disney, Philips and The New York Times.
Use shapes
Geometric shapes like circles and squares are a great way to push your brand message with a logo. It can help highlight your values and give context to your brand ethos.
Circles – These circles are associated with movement and transformation. This is also a great shape for brands that want to promote unity.
Square – If you want to convey a sense of professionalism and credibility, you can’t go wrong with squares. Its shape is inherently solid and the audience sees the square as stable and as a solid foundation.
Triangles – Triangles are more agile than squares and circles. You can point your triangle in different directions, which create different meanings, or place the focus somewhere specific. For example, a triangle on its side represents a “play” or “go” button.
Also, triangles are often associated with inspiration and movement.
Don’t be afraid to explore other geometric shapes like octagons and hexagons. Just remember to keep your overall design clean and simple.
Limited color
When it comes to creating a color scheme for your simple logo, remember that less is more.
Use 1-2 colors and make sure that each color has a specific meaning and use in your logo. Make sure your logo is easy on the eyes — like the London Underground logo — with bold contrasts or eye-catching additions.
For you
In summary, there are many great benefits if you choose to use a simple logo for your business. Instead of creating a complicated design that’s hard to see and understand, choose a simple logo that’s memorable, eye-catching, and impactful.
Before you design a logo , especially a simple one, it is important to research your market and target audience.
