18 Dec Do You Need a New Logo Design for More Current Branding?
Some trivia for you: What was the first trademarked logo?
Answer: Bass Brewery’s red triangle, registered in England on January 1, 1876.
In many ways, it’s still a good logo by contemporary standards, particularly in its simplicity and scalability. Some business icons hold up through the ages. But many don’t.
The relatively recent dawn of the internet era and even newer dawn of the mobile era have affected logo design more than anything else in the century and a half of official logo history, or even anything else since the invention of storefront signage.
Think about these three questions:
How Old Is Your Business or Organization’s Logo?
Was your logo developed prior to the emergence of smartphones and other mobile devices? Before you had a website? Before the world moved onto the internet? If so, you may very well be in need of a new—or at least updated—design.
Something clear and pretty on a big sign doesn’t necessarily adapt well to digital display, especially on small mobile screens. Differing sizes, resolutions, background colors, and other computer and mobile display factors can play havoc with a logo’s appearance. Smart modern design takes this into account.
Also, consider whether your organization has changed course since settling on its logo. It’s possible you’ve picked up and dropped products or services, or that you’ve refocused or started pursuing a different target market. Does your logo still serve your brand by capturing its core message?
Is Your Logo Simple?
On a not-entirely unrelated note to the previous question, logos with shading, fading, shadows, and other busy graphic effects often don’t look right on monitors and screens. They can also become muddled when shrunk or ugly when blown up; the same goes for complicated designs.
Scalability is a big deal these days, since your logo has to go on signs, websites, social media account profiles, and possibly lots of other places. Simplicity is essential to scalability. A clean, simple logo is also far less likely to contravene standards of good taste and attractive design.
Was Your Logo Designed and Produced by a Professional?
If your logo dates back to your startup days, it may be the unwitting victim of some necessary entrepreneurial bootstrapping. But perhaps now you can dig up a little cash to invest in the most visible part of your brand image.
The difference between a professionally designed logo and an amateur’s attempt is usually significant. A pro applies tried-and-true graphic design principles, branding savvy, and skilled production in ways most untrained, under-equipped folks can’t pull off.
