What Makes a Logo iconic? 5 Key Characteristics - Print Peppermint

What Makes a Logo iconic? 5 Key Characteristics

5 Key Characteristics of An Iconic Logo

We all know the logos for Nike, Coca Cola, and Pepsi like the bag of our hands. But what goes in to the creation of an iconic logo? Click here to find out.

Did you know there are almost 30 million small businesses in the U.S.? If you're a small business owner, this means one thing: lots of competition.

How in the world can you stand out from the crowd? Well, one great way is through creating an iconic logo. But this is easier said than done.

Here are 5 characteristics of iconic logos that you can implement as you create yours.

1. Simplicity

First and foremost, keep your logo simple! That way, you can use it across a wide variety of platforms.

Think about it. The most well-known logos like McDonalds and Apple are simple and uncomplicated. And they are super successful!

When a logo is simple, it's easier to remember. For example, if you asked people to draw the Nike logo right now, most people would be able to! That's the sign of an iconic logo.

2. Uniqueness

Next, your logo needs to be unique. Just because its simple doesn't mean it should blend in with the crowd. Instead, it should be different and memorable.

There are lots of ways to be unique, including:

  • A clever use of typography
  • A bold or interesting concept
  • A unique use of negative space

And many more. These are just a few ideas.

However, when making your logo, include only one unique feature. If there are more, it will get complicated and hard to remember.

3. Relevance

Third, your logo should be relevant to your industry and target audience. You don't want people to be confused when they see your logo.

Instead, you want the message to make sense and to align with your company's objectives.

You only have seven seconds to make a first impression with your target market. So make sure your logo is relevant to them.

4. Longevity: Another Characteristic of an Iconic Logo

Another characteristic of iconic logos is longevity. Logos that we know and love have lasted throughout time.

It's easy to get super trendy with logos, but the best ones have lasted for a long time. Think of the New York Yankees, Coca-Cola, or Pepsi.

While they have had updates over the years, they are still very similar to their original form. This makes them instantly recognizable.

5. Scalability

In today's world, your logo will be used in a wide variety of places. It will be displayed in digital realms, like your website as well as in traditional places like a t-shirt or hat.

It may also be blown up to fill something massive like a billboard, and will also be used in the smallest places like a pen or on a business card.

In all of these cases, your logo needs to look great. The most iconic logos do this super well.

Closing Thoughts

These five characteristics will help you design an iconic logo. Now it's time to get started on yours!

Get in touch with our team for professional logo design. We're here to help!

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