There are logos that are so distinctive that they are instantly recognizable. Just think of Nike’s swoosh or Coca-Cola’s lettering. Even a simple brushstroke or a single letter can contain so much information about a brand – including the key to brand recognition.
So what makes a good logo? It depends on the values of your brand, your target audience and the general image you want to convey.
To help you out, here is a breakdown of the most common logo types with examples for inspiration.
What is a logo?
A logo is a graphic representation of a company name, brand, or other identifying information. It is often used on things like letterheads, switzerland email list business cards, product packaging, websites, online stores, and the front of company stores. Logos can be simple or complex, but they should always be recognizable to your (potential) customers.
8 types of logos
- emblems
- wordmarks
- figurative marks
- letter logos
- mascot logos
- combination logos
- Abstract Logos
- Dynamic Logos
The leading corporate logos are a mix of different styles – Apple’s simple representation of an apple, the Nike swoosh and the extravagant font used by Coca-Cola are all very different, but each of them falls into one of the six most common logo types.
1. Emblems
Emblems are logo types that resemble coats of arms, the symbols most commonly used in Europe to represent various (often powerful or wealthy) families. Emblem logos are more traditional in design and usually combine symbolic images as well as words, chatbots and content marketing such as the company name. Emblem logos are often circular or heraldic and tend toward classic color schemes.
Advantages:
- exudes seriousness
- conveys tradition and authority in an industry
- very memorable
Disadvantages:
- limited scalability
- less flexibility
When to use an emblem logo: Use coat of arms logos when you want to reference ancient traditions, add a touch of history to your brand, or convey prestige.
Examples of emblem logos
As one of the oldest logos in the world, colombia business directory the Stella Artois emblem represents history and tradition in one design.
The Warner Brothers logo combines the classic shape of the emblem with clean, modern lines and bold colors.
The Porsche logo represents the automaker’s prestige and matches the high-quality vehicles it produces.
2. Wordmarks
A typeface or wordmark logos are text-based logos that use the name of a company, usually in a unique font, to represent the company or a product. They are called “wordmarks” because the term “logotype” is derived from the Greek words “logos” and “typos,” which together mean “wordmark.”