Is Your Logo Missing The Mark? Time For a Logo Redesign?

Over the years, I have seen good, bad and straight-up terrible logos. You may be proud of your logo and believe that it’s here to stay — that it will make its mark on generations to come. That truly might be the case. But have you ever considered the possibility of a logo redesign for your business? Graphic Designer David Airey once stated,

"Anyone can design a logo, but not everyone can design the right logo."

We couldn’t agree more. On the worldwide web, you can find quick, easy tools to instantly create a logo. Or you may have fallen victim to one of the worst design faux pas and created a logo using Microsoft Word [insert face palm]. Are these half-baked “logos” considered to be a design? Yes. But are they logos that gain potential customers’ trust and present your brand’s visual identity in a compelling way? Probably not. At Nice Branding Agency, we’re in the business of creating rad logos that capture the personality of your brand in a way that allows your biz to come across as professional and polished. Today is the day. We want you to think through your brand’s logo design and decide if it’s time to freshen things up. We’ve made a list, now it’s time for you to check it twice (creative process courtesy of Santa). Ask yourself if your logo measures up to all five of these must-have characteristics. If your answer is “no” to one of the items on our list, it might be time to holla at yo’ girls for a logo redesign.

Simple

Is your logo simple? Simple logos are the ones that people can recognize as soon as they see them. The simplest logos are the ones that people remember the most and can easily describe. If you were to describe a logo that you had recently seen as, “A logo that looks like a bullseye and it’s red,” most people will instantly recognize that you’re talking about Target’s logo. Every now and then, an intricate logo with multiple colors is a recipe for success, but overall, the goal is to keep the design simple with an appealing logotype and a color combination that captures attention. Trust us, simplicity isn’t boring. It may actually be just what you need to take your brand to the next level.

Scalable

Can your logo be scaled up or down and still look good? A solid logo should be flexible enough to be resized and still appear fabulous at any size.   Whether your business is adding your logo across a vendor tent or it’s printed on a small price tag, a logo should effectively represent your brand whether it’s a quarter inch or 15 feet in size. Our graphic designers are all about details, and we know that details are something you certainly don’t want to lose when your logo is scaled this way or that way.

Memorable + Impactful

Does your logo make a lasting impression? You can name them and recognize them anywhere. The great, iconic logos that have stood the test of time and lasted for decades: Nike. McDonald’s. Apple. Coca-Cola. GE. Target. IBM. As these nationally recognized companies have progressed and changed, their logos have had minor tweaks along the way, too. But despite the minor updates, people across the world are still able to recognize these logos in a split second. Their overall designs are timeless and will last for generations to come. We’re not asking you to be the next Nike (although you could be), but we do want to push you to have a logo that is memorable and impactful enough to capture your consumers’ attentions and leave an impression — a positive impression, hopefully. When you first started out, branding might not of been a high priority and that's A-OK, but it could be time to look into a logo redesign to boost your business to that next level you've been striving to reach.

Versatile

How does your logo look across different mediums? Remember, you never know where your logo may appear. A well-designed logo should look the same on any web device and on any type of print material. Of course, your logo is printed on materials like business cards and letterhead, but how does it look on your website? Would your brand identity hold strong if it was blasted across a huge digital screen in Times Square? Hey, we’re believing in BIG things for you and your business!

Relevant

Does your logo have meaning that relates to the work you are doing? Su Mathews Hale says,

“A company’s logo is its shorthand, a visual cue that tells a story of the brand’s culture, behavior, and values.”

Thanks for the powerful reminder, Matthew. When people look at your logo, you want them to associate it with what your business does and what you’re all about. A great logo should be relevant to your practice and visually tell your story. Think Best Buy, Toys"R"Us, Tropicana, WWF… all of these logos give you a little insight into their business. Best Buy’s logo has a price tag included in it, so you can assume with their business name and logo design that they have good prices. With WWF, their logo includes a panda, so you can assume that their business relates to pandas or wildlife. See where we’re going with this?

Ready for a Logo Redesign?

After going through this list, how are you feeling? Do you think your logo might be missing the mark? Need more details on what makes a good logo great? Head over to our blog on logo design tips to further scrutinize your logo.  Our team of branding experts wants you to have a logo that SLAYS. Your logo is the single-most important mark in your visual identity, so we’re here to make sure that the heart and soul of your brand is bold and apparent. Contact us today to get started on your logo redesign. A logo redesign is one of the best things that your brand can invest in to take it to the next level. And we’re ready to start this creative process with you!