Key Features of Stellar Design Logo

In 1971, after Carolyn Davidson was paid only $35 to design a logo for a novel sportswear company, one of the founders, Phil Knight, observed it and said: "Well, I don't love it, but maybe it will grow on me." Well, that logo went on to become the face of a $34.8 billion athletic apparel company that we all know as "Nike." The moral of this story: pay your graphic designers a fair wage and choose an artist who has a grip on the fundamentals of corporate branding design. Because, what makes a logo like the Nike swoosh so timeless is its ability to balance these three key features:

1. Simplicity
2. Notability
3. Versatility

Companies often want to convey as much information as possible about their business, so that prospective customers can wrap their heads around what the business offers. And while this goal has the best of intentions, when it comes to corporate branding design, an effective logo should not sacrifice simplicity for clutter. Symbols like the Nike swoosh or the McDonald's golden arches are great examples of clean and expressive logos that get the message across without unnecessary and busy elements.

The communicative quality of a simple logo lies in its notability. That is, a memorable logo can be easily recalled with only a brief glance. Often, a logo is not isolated and served on a silver platter; they're usually surrounded by other advertisements vying for the same audience's attention. Therefore, your logo should avoid elaborate and intricate elements that make it too difficult to recall. If your logo fails to make a memorable impression on the viewer, don't be surprised if it's swiftly dismissed.

The third and final feature of stellar corporate branding design is the logo's versatility. Since your logo has to stand out among the crowd, it must be everywhere your customers are. T-shirts, fanny packs, coffee mugs, and baseball caps are all great additions to a robust marketing strategy that bolsters your brand's visibility. But try squeezing the Presidential seal onto an office pen, and you're sure to learn a valuable lesson on the importance of versatility.

These three elements are not the only qualities that make for stellar logo designs, but almost every effective logo strikes a unique balance between them. Because, that which is simple is versatile, and that which is versatile will in-turn become notable.

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