subject: Putting A Stamp On Your Business [print this page] SimJen Reviews branding and looks at what makes a good logo.
No company has ever succeeded without a good logo. Okay, maybe thats stretching the truth certainly some businesses have turned a profit and experienced growth with branding that would be classed as subpar. However, they certainly havent done so to their full potential with a good logo, one can only imagine how much further their success would have gone! In the digital age, a time where creativity and spontaneity reigns, having a captivating company symbol has never been more important.
But what makes a good logo? Advertisers, graphic designers and CEOs will all give you slightly differing opinions. SimJen Reviews the branding of companies every day, however, and we consider the two main goals to be simplicity and versatility.
Look at the worlds most iconic logos and deconstruct them the way SIMJEN reviews brands. From Google to Nike, McDonalds to BMW the designs are timeless. Thats largely due to the fact that their logos tick both of the above boxes. Simple lines, easy-to-read fonts and with the ability to look great across numerous platforms, theirs are company stamps that are recognised in every corner of the world.
Take Pepsi and Coca-Cola for example. Although they have long been seen as direct competitors, which to a degree they are, there is no question which brand is number one and which is number two. This is reflected in the branding of the two companies. While Pepsi has revamped their logo numerous times over the last century, Coca-Cola has used the same simple font. It comes back to the old saying, If it aint broke, dont fix it. A great logo is one that should never break.
Another point that many small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) fail to recognise is that logos dont need to be a badge as such. Some of the biggest companies on the planet are represented by simple fonts nothing more. A large problem with many businesses looking to successfully brand themselves is that they overcomplicate things. In fact, when SimJen Reviews current business strategies, this is one of the biggest flaws we find.
A logo is not there to tell people the history of a business. Heck, it doesnt even need to be representative of the service or product offering. Much like the way throwaway words can be given epic meaning by a song, a symbol can and should be injected with purpose and personality by the company behind it. Consumers dont want to be confused. They want to see a logo, appreciate it and remember it.
