What Do You Look For In A Good Logo?

JoeMilford Level 1

September 2, 2017, 9:43 am

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What Do You Look For In A Good Logo?

What do you look for in a good logo at a website? What should a logo do to really appeal to you and to be memorable?

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DarthHazard

DarthHazard

Something that is unique. There is nothing particular that I look for, to be honest. As long as the logo looks like it was done professionally, is unique and something quite nice then I will be happy with it. By professional design, I mean that it does not look sloppy and does not have little errors on the logo etc.

7 years ago

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Einalem

Einalem

I agree. As for me, a good logo isn't just made with a fancy text or a single symbol. This must represent the vision that the company or service perceives. Apart from these, a good logo must also be authentic to build a precise image and mark an impression to the people.

6 years ago

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JoeMilford

JoeMilford

Thanks DarthHazard--
That is clear and straight to the point. I am trying to figure out how to come up with something sleek, simple, memorable, striking, kinetic, and content-appropriate, so, you know, no big deal--a total no-brainer, right? Of course no errors should appear, and the image should convey clarity and professionalism, I agree.

7 years ago

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DarthHazard

DarthHazard

I think the best thing to do if you are trying to come up with something simple yet memorable and striking is probably to draw and come up with ideas using pen and paper. This is especially good if you are not as good with graphic design using computers. Once you come up something then you can pay for a professional to design it for you. It's a much better method than using a logo generator for example.

7 years ago

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JoeMilford

JoeMilford

Exactly--some of the best ideas start off like this. I suspect some of the best ideas in the world happened on a hastily written-upon napkin. I saw this movie years ago, The Hudsucker Proxy, and the main character became a millionaire by drawing a circle on a piece of paper--he would say, "You know, for kids!". It turns out he was inventing the hula-hoop and the Frisbee. So cool.

7 years ago

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ballyhara

ballyhara

Best thing to look for, it's something that really represents your product, organization, company, or whatever you're creating the logo for. I've seen some logos that look like for a park or zoo, when they're supposed to be for a Vet clinic. The whole point is to make people associate that logo with the represented client.

7 years ago

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wiseagent

wiseagent

When you can create something unique (by the way, I think in the process of creation this is one of the key words) it gets people's attention. Whether positively or negatively (after all, you'll never be able to please everyone)... But the important thing is that it makes your work stand out for a while.

7 years ago

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mildredtabitha

mildredtabitha

I also prefer a professional looking logo. A logo that cannot be imitated or faked by another website owner. Something unique and presentable.

7 years ago

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JoeMilford

JoeMilford

I think a lot of us have different ideas of what "professional" is, and I guess whatever niche you are working in has a lot to do with how "wild" or conservative your logo can be. I also agree with you that the logo really needs to stand out and be one of a kind so that your brand really is memorable and people can recall the logo easily from memory. That way, when they think of the logo, they think of your product, and vice versa.

7 years ago

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gelotologist

gelotologist

I'm also looking for a uniqueness in terms of creating or looking for a logo and also the thing it represents. The uniqueness is somewhat the main formula or thing you need on creating a good logo, it's the main reason why your logo is different from the other. And lastly, the thing it represent and how they would clearly understand what you are trying to express.

7 years ago

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Martinsx1

Martinsx1

Exactly, there shouldn't be any specifics as to what what to look for in website design or logo other than it should be appealing and be able to capture people interests with a good first impression. With a site having this unique quality, it's definitely going to be a hit once it's launched.

7 years ago

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Painterly

Painterly

I think the best logos are rooted in symbology. Arhetypicalfigures with very clear, but uniquely identifiable silhouettes are preferable. I also like the emblem to be clean. There shouldn't be a preponderance of detail, rather there should be ample negative space between lines. Text should be kept to a minimum, with acronyms being preferable over lines of text. If it is a must, I prefer to see that text act as a motto formatted so the emblem can function separately from the phrase.

The idea is to imprint clearly on a person's mind something which immediately draws their thoughts to the branding you've built around the product. This is what I mean when I've said that branding is far more extensive than the logo in other posts. I liken logos to a long forgotten, but familiar sight or smell which instantly triggers a flashback in your mind. Suddenly, you're there in the scenario where you first imprinted the significance of that sight or smell into your mind. Your logo is the fragrance, your branding is the scenario.

7 years ago

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JoeMilford

JoeMilford

Wow--yeah, if I could find a way to subtlety integrate a universal archetype, almost like a hieroglyphic, into a logo, it would speak to the subconscious of the audience and maybe interest them on that level. I like the word you use here--"imprint"--and I think that is exactly what effective logos do. It is almost like they are irresistible to what our minds and sensibilities have already been programmed to accept or absorb. You just reminded me of Marcel Proust's madeleine cookie--he bit into one after years and years, and it brought back his whole childhood in one huge wave. I need a logo like that.

7 years ago

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wiseagent

wiseagent

The first factor must be the singularity of the logo... Something that representes some kind of particularity because it creates - automatically - an identity of its own. Most of the time this is not an easy process, but it's something very rewarding once it's done.

Other aspects that I consider important are: images / colors, relevance of the logo with the project, and excess of words / letters in the slogan (if any).

7 years ago

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JoeMilford

JoeMilford

wiseagent,
You said what is important is the "Singularity of the logo". I like how you put that. It's definitely not easy, but, like you said here, if you can achieve it, a logo such as this is an invaluable and permanent representative of your company, business, brand, or enterprise.

7 years ago

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wiseagent

wiseagent

Yes, it's kind of like a digital fingerprint for the company because the logo would be an excellent gateway for it to attract the attention of potential new customers. This is why a logo can usually take a lot of time to be developed and finalized.

7 years ago

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Martinsx1

Martinsx1

I totally much agree with you on this @wiseagent, the benefits of looking unique is very important when it comes considering a site design and logo. This makes it very easy to be differentiated from other stockpile of sites offering the same kind of service or related one which might pose as a good competitor in the business.

7 years ago

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Authord

Authord

For me a good logo, should be able to depict the website activity, and it's choice of color needs to be attractive, cool or rightly chosen. And it needs to be simple and concise, with lack of intimidation, and uniqueness shouting all over it.
It also needs to be able to standout, because it's represents something, and most be in the right proportion,draws attention, lack of complex composition and above all it must look finished and complete.

7 years ago

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JoeMilford

JoeMilford

When you mention thing like color and design, and I am trying to design my own logo, I have to think about the fact that what pleases me, according to my preferences, may not be what pleases an audience of potential customers or possible buyers or consumers. This is why I think I should pay someone else to design the logo because I will be not only for their creativity but for their objectivity as well.

7 years ago

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treecko142

treecko142

I agree on this, particularly about the color. There are actually studies regarding the use of color in marketing and logo-making and how they can be effectively used for your business. For instance, most businesses in the food industry have logos with the color red, as they stimulate the appetite more than any other color.

7 years ago

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Baburra

Baburra

For me, I look at the flaws, so I could tell what type of designer the company hired to make that logo. If I see certain flaws like measurements and symmetry being off even by just a little bit, then I would know how much care the company has put into making their logo and how much or how little they probably paid for it. I'd also look at how much or how little the logo correlates with the company, like for example, if the company needs to portray itself as strong like a cement manufacturer, then I would hope their logo has the same elements that can portray it.

7 years ago

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JoeMilford

JoeMilford

Good points here, and I agree. I also think that the logo should reflect aspects of the company that are significant, in context, and logical. This correlation is important, and it can really drive the logo into a customer's memory once they connect that logo with the product itself which is being offered and produced. This symbolic representation of the company can be a really powerful and useful thing, I think.

7 years ago

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Tronia

Tronia

A good logo must be memorable. It has to be designed in a unique and creative way so whenever you see it, you will know to what brand/company it belongs to. It should, in a way, portray the brand of the company - whether it's through symbols or colors or something else. I believe that vibrant colors are the best because they are quite easy to see from afar. Also, a good logo shouldn't be overcrowded with words or slogans. It should cut straight to the point because nobody will read a bunch of text around a logo.

Some people are just naturally good at making logos because they can think out of the box and use their ideas

7 years ago

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JoeMilford

JoeMilford

I think that I have mainly been focusing on the actual physicality and geometry of the design so much that I have not yet really started considering the color scheme, so this is a really important point that you make here, Tronia. I agree that there should be minimal wording. The image should speak the loudest, then the words can come later in the follow-up promotions for what I am trying to market. I am naturally good at a few things, but not logo-making, that's for sure.

7 years ago

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wiseagent

wiseagent

Tronia,

I totally agree when you say that a logo has to be memorable, but I think this is something very difficult to achieve because their judgment turns out to be subjective and achieving such a high level of acceptance with something so subjective is really a very difficult task.

7 years ago

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DenisP

DenisP

What I typically like in a good logo is a combination of simplicity, a clear connection/representation of the brand, and a synchronous flow to all of its elements. What I mean by this, for starters, is that I don't think a logo should be overcomplicated. Too many shapes, symbols, or colors sort of defeat the purpose of a logo. A symbolic representation of the essence of a brand is absolutely necessary to establish a clear and quick connection behind the whole idea of your company/site. And of course, whatever shapes and forms are involved in the logo's creation must flow to make one symbol/image. Logos shouldn't feel like a two-part experience.

7 years ago

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JoeMilford

JoeMilford

DenisP,
I like and appreciate your additional commentary here, after reading this entire thread again this morning, I think that we are all pretty much in agreement that the logo should:

1. be sleek
2. be simple
3. have attractive colors and/or shapes
4. be original
5. be tastefully representative of the product offered
6. be original in how it represents the company and
7. be memorable

Thanks for all the comments here--they were very helpful!

7 years ago

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Soulwatcher

Soulwatcher

I think that it has to be slick and not only does it have to be slick it has to be fitting for the topic. And the colors have to blend seamlessly with the website. I also think that a good logo should have a slogan. Because people are going to remember your website if you have a good logo and a slogan to go with it.

7 years ago

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ColdFlameChris

ColdFlameChris

I agree! We want for our logo to be memorable, simple, and can easily be recognized. As much as possible, there are no any traces that you copy, even a little detail, from others so they can't say anything bad to the logo that you make.

7 years ago

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Judas2018

Judas2018

A good logo is a logo that I can envision appearing on my website for many years to come. Everything from the color scheme, look, feel and design has to be very powerful and attention-grabbing. Even if a logo designer is good at his or her craft, the wrong colors and text or font design can prevent a logo from really striking a chord with me.

7 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

I always look for a Simple, Single Colored or 2 toned logo and it must have a good visual recall and relation to the niche, line of product or company name.

6 years ago

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DenisP

DenisP

I agree that keeping it simple is pretty much the only way to go. I mean, if you look at what are considered some of the world’s most iconic logos, they’re all going to either be a single color or have two tones maximum, save for certain exceptions like the Pepsi logo which has three colors in it.

A logo has to have limits, or else you can get to the point where it stops being a logo and turns into something else.

6 years ago

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Martinsx1

Martinsx1

"....... And of course, whatever shapes and forms are involved in the logo's creation must flow to make one symbol/image. Logos shouldn't feel like a two-part experience....."

This your assertion simply puts the description of how a logo should be designed and presented. Any logo that comes with a double standard is definitely going to lack in passing the intended message that the brand carried. So therefore, in making logos, it's very important to keep the design and properties used on a simple note because it's the only way to achieve a unique job output.

7 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

It's color and design should be pleasing to the eyes. It should easily be remembered, it's best if it's unique and attractive. Also it must have a good recall factor, people should easily remember it.

6 years ago

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