Complete Guide: Create Logo Design & Branding At Once
Here are some tips on how you can easily create both projects simultaneously. Let’s find out!
Created by Mateus Araújo | https://www.behance.net/gallery/146841789/JIMMYS-PIZZA-DELIVERY
Creating logos tends to be associated with doing branding. It goes with the nature of branding that composes varying actions in introducing the brand, company, or product. That is why, when one wants to showcase the product, they use a logo as part of the process. It makes the logo design and branding come as one package.
Taking it as a package, it is best to see the logo and its design as a branding element. The construction process might come with similar development and ideation. The two terminologies are pretty related and have similar purposes, to introduce and market the product. So, is it possible to do branding and create the logo design at the same time?
The question goes back to how the logo and branding design come with a strong connection. The logo is just a small part of the branding but still has the function of erecting brand identity. As it has similar development measures, it can be said that making the design and the strategy will not be too far different. Here are some details to consider.
Created by CUL2RA STUDIO | https://www.behance.net/gallery/143016079/Xvector-technology-company
Logo Design & Branding
Branding and logo design creation are related. The process of making a logo is also followed by some similar considerations in marketing. At the same time, branding is also a process of building a brand. Among that specific strategy-building and design ideas, the logo is part of the branding. In many ways, marketing comes with varying tools and strategies.
When a creator or company wants to make a good branding, it is also best to develop a quality logo. It is because the logo is part of the brand identity along with other elements, such as visual identity, tone of voice, name, to color. In other words, logo design and branding will always have a strong relationship for the company.
However, branding covers a bigger nuance and aspects. Thus, making it a broader project to cover. At one point, creating a sign is part of it. The biggest connection between the two is the creation process and brief, including the number of elements in the making and consideration of every aspect of the creation.
Generally, both are two separate projects. However, it can also be done side by side since they have a connection and similar process. The logo itself is also part of the huge design element of the branding. Thus, creating them together is not impossible. These tips are some points that showcase the similarity between the two.
Created by Guilherme Vissotto | https://www.behance.net/gallery/139149975/dayinvest
10 Tips To Create Logo Design and Branding At The Same Time
- Determine Your Ideal Customers
- Understand The Brand’s Values
- Understand The Brand’s Unique Selling Point
- Make A Bold Statement
- Make Sure It’s Relevant
- Pay Attention Consistency
- Incorporate The Logo Into The Collaterals
- Always Get a Second Opinion
- Try To Use Mockups For Presentation
- Be Open For Feedback
1. Determine Your Ideal Customers
When working with branding or logo design, the first thing to pay attention to is the company or the brand itself. It goes with the fact that the creation should always reflect and fully represent the company. One of the considerations itself is to determine or learn about the ideal customer. From there, there are possibilities to develop the marketing and design.
In branding, the ideal customer leads to the perfect strategy to approach them. Some targets might prefer online media, but some others might not. It goes the same with other brand elements, such as the color representation, interesting shapes, imagery, and others. Those kinds of details can also be part of the brand identity creation process.
Created by Valeria Repina | https://www.behance.net/gallery/146215783/Watson-pet-products
In logo creation, the customer's ideal also inputs some particular and important details for the works. The designer can determine whether to work with a modern design style, minimalist, simple, or fancy one. Such information is considered as a vital role in both logo design and the branding process.
Following the knowledge about the demography also means understanding what you can and want to do for both branding and the logo. Remember that design consists of varying elements, and each of them can resemble or target a certain demographic. Think about the financial market group that has its signature blue color.
Being in the proper market and design help approach the precise group the company expects to make a deal with. It is a necessary first step in marketing the business and branding. Among many other marketing elements, your logo design is one of the first things your audience will see. That is why the two projects can go together.
Created by Léo Tavares | https://www.behance.net/gallery/138615255/Brotos-Cozinha-Vegetariana
2. Understand The Brand's Values
Business values not only pose a long list of information about the company but also supply design ideas for both logo and branding strategy. The values stated can include varying possible details from the brand, including the customer's details, the brand vibe, styling, ideas, and models. When properly gathered, the values are the fuel of creativity.
Take an example of value on sustainability. You can take the idea and implement it in the logo design, such as using colors or designs that relate to sustainability. To make more meaning, it can also lead the branding strategy by using a more down-to-earth and environment-friendly function.
Some other values can also affect the way the designer approaches the logo design and branding strategy. It can turn into details that disclose the budget, styling, and method of reaching the customer. In the end, the values are something that helps create more brand identity from both the logo and the branding acts.
Created by Taylor Shady | https://www.behance.net/gallery/144660551/Florenzza
3. Understand The Brand's Unique Selling Point
If the logo highlights the company identity, branding tells how the company can approach the customer with the design. In this case, both ideations come with the similar function of adhering to a unique selling proposition. It means the company or the brand needs to have something unique, distinguishable, and attract buyers.
This is where the two terminologies have similar considerations. Every brand, company, or product will need something to highlight and showcase. By determining or recognizing that plus point of the company, the branding can appear the most distinguishable in the market. Being different and unique also does a great project.
Created by Kaio Cezar | https://www.behance.net/gallery/127150983/dolomiti
However, being unique should not hinder the product's identity. One of the good points is being a professional designer, those who know the bandwagon and can avoid it wisely. When applied to logo design and branding strategy, those unique selling points or propositions are the aspects that can improve recognition in the market.
The key and the purpose of recognizing the selling proposition is to make the logo design memorable and have meaning. So does the branding, which can appear as the technique, method, or idea. Showcasing the unique point also makes a great divergence and reason on why the company or the product should exist in the first place.
Created by SEEQ Agency | https://www.behance.net/gallery/148400933/HeimatFrisch-Branding
4. Make A Bold Statement
Branding strategy and planning have a huge correlation with the company itself. That is why understanding who the company is is the key to making the logo design or the branding itself. This is where the designer needs to dig deeper and deeper about the company to eventually drive the creative process.
Some of the highlighted information can relate to the mission, vision, and values of the company. In the mission, you can see what kind of result the company wants to achieve. Remember that not all businesses want to get retention or sales. Sometimes, the branding is mainly to attract people or generate new customers.
Created by Victor Berriel | https://www.behance.net/gallery/135050833/Trio
With different missions and goals, the branding plan will also change. It can appear in the form of the marketing media or the resource. Even though the logo design and branding are pretty similar, the mission, goal, and detail can bring a different approach. Take an example of using social media as a marketing source; you will need to make a proper mark.
The logo used in social media might come with particular design elements, such as the vector type or the size. It will be different if the branding is done using printed media. You might have to alter the sign output to fit the final project. That makes the real statement of the industry a vital input on the design process.
When done right and fully incorporated in both branding and logo design, the mission and vision can also turn into a unique statement of the project. Take an example of deciding on the main imagery on the logo or the elements of the marketing plan. It helps you create a different or distinguished object, which later attracts a larger audience.
Created by ChocoToy cute | https://www.behance.net/gallery/118873475/The-monster-truck
5. Make Sure It's Relevant
Being unique and distinguishable can turn into a serious mistake without proper planning. The logo design and branding project possibly does not end well if the key of relevancy is put aside. In the noisy and competitive market, being unique is not enough. The company should put something relevant from every aspect.
Those aspects can be on both projects. A relevant work should include exuding the proper values, ideas, and activities. Take an example of an elegant typeface. It is the most suitable imagery for a high-end restaurant compared to a young-aged brand. The design ideas are also applicable to the brand strategy.
Created by Kaio Cezar | https://www.behance.net/gallery/127150983/dolomiti
A high-end brand will need a similar approach to its marketing, using a higher quality paper, styling, and media. It won't be relevant if the image shows the opposite of the real product itself. Appropriateness can include and has more complex points to highlight. The rationale of being appropriate can also reach particular design aspects.
In one way to another, one of the best takeaways of appropriateness is to stick with the mindset of selling products. A good project will attract people's attention in a good way, increase sales, and retain buyers. That is one of the challenges every designer needs to understand because their purpose is not only to make a design but also to sell it.
Created by Gabriele Marques | https://www.behance.net/gallery/147024531/Telecode-Brand-design
6. Pay Attention Consistency
A similar tip for both aspects goes to the element consistency. Branding comes in varying forms and models, making it possible to lose the design uniformity. It is especially true when the company wants to achieve a staggering number of consistent media. Take an example of working with various marketing poses, such as brochures, pamphlets, ID cards, or Tv ads.
A great way to keep everything intake and showcase the proper meaning is to be consistent in building brand awareness. One way to do it is by creating a compelling logo design. Those marks should be used in almost every media and brand that also has similar features regardless of the form. It can be online, printed, or digital.
Created by Twelve Moons | https://www.behance.net/gallery/137636447/Aviary-Branding
Tone
Among many elements to add to both logo design and branding, the designer can put a great measure on working with tone and voice. It goes together with the character of the brand, something that the creator can highlight to convey to the audience. Take an example of a school sign that poses a formal and dignified tone in its design.
Color
Color pallets bring a visual asset of both materials or logo with its meaning. Designers need to learn about the psychology or the meaning of the hues to properly fit the brand image. Another good note is to limit the hues on the design to only 3 or 4 combinations. It should be 1 primary, and the rest is a complementary or secondary pallet.
Images
As the logo is part of the image design, graphic is pretty much one of the elements of branding. It is direct imagery of the brand which designers can provide to make a better understanding of the product. Due to its role in both logo design and branding, be sure the images fully represent and have significant aspects throughout the project.
Fonts
As much as color can provide meaning, fonts can also lead to certain interpretations of the brand. Some can appear goofy, fresh, modern, or vintage. A similar font idea used on the branding imagery should also be implemented in the design of the company sign.
Created by Leyning Ferraz | https://www.behance.net/gallery/135401971/Letron
7. Incorporate The Logo Into The Collaterals
Given that branding comes in various forms and models. To make the logo design project go along with the marketing, it is best to incorporate the identity in everything done. The logo is the first thing people can see and remember, which makes it an initial impression of the company. Using the same elements on every item makes the project relatable.
Incorporating the logo might need proper alteration, including using the secondary color pallet, style, or model. Take an example of creating a colored design that uses icons and company names for bigger branding media, such as posters or billboards. But on the smaller scale, it only uses the icon or changes the main color to fit the background.
Created by Três Brands | https://www.behance.net/gallery/140865083/Nathalia-Lima-Assessoria-Juridica
8. Always Get a Second Opinion
Both projects come with a heavy note on creative points. Sometimes it highlights personal preference, making one project might look different to other people. For a massive scale, the company is sure to get a second opinion on both design and marketing approaches. It helps to fix and improve the project into something that truly works in the market.
Created by Mateus Seifert | https://www.behance.net/gallery/141810023/Avisto
9. Try To Use Mockups For Presentation
As time goes by, the branding method has improved and gotten more complicated. The marketplace no longer sits with the same old method, using the static sign. It indicates that some change in pace might help. One of them is to bring the logo design to life with animation, motion graphics, or some playful addition to the design.
Created by Victor Berriel | https://www.behance.net/gallery/135050833/Trio
10. Be Open For Feedback
Public criticism is a good input for both logo design and branding ideas. With a more open public environment or influence, designers can make a better product in the latter. It also showcases the effectiveness of the output. It includes how the logo and its design can bring the summed goal or not.
It also includes the effectiveness of the branding. Even some popular companies can get good input from public criticism. At one point, it can be a great note for the company or the designer to fully learn about society. Understanding the customer's point of view and opinion and fully embracing the change of demands.
Created by Leyning Ferraz | https://www.behance.net/gallery/135401971/Letron
Final Words
To sum it up, branding also composes logo design. Thus make, the two terminologies and creation relate from one to another. The ideation and the creation itself are also very similar, considering the design or the strategy composed of varying styling or ideas. It includes determining the customer to shape up the brief.
Some other information about the brand values and purpose also helps determine the best model for the projects. After that, other creation points include making the design and works highlighting the company's charm. In other words, making a statement that complements both the marketing strategy and the logo.
Consistent works and elements also follow suit in the making, which applies to both logo design and branding. Other than that, creating a logo and branding goes together should be part of the process. Along with it, designers also need to put second opinions, make the logo alive, and accept the public criticism for both the design and brand.
