You can certainly work intricacy into your logos, but at the end of the day they need to convey a message in a flash.

People see so many logos each day that they only look at most of them for mere milliseconds, with brands relying on constant repetition to drum that logo into the minds of consumers.

If you can balance intricate design details with a clear, instantly recognizable message, your logo has done its job.

Avoid distracting elements. You must be able to scale your logo to a small size without it becoming unclear. Keep it clean.

Additonal reading to help create simple designs

5 Designs Achieving Maximum Impact Through Minimalism

User Interface Tips for Good Mobile App Design

Points to Remember

• There's a delicate balance involved in using elements to represent the message and staying in check with other elements so they aren't distracting. For example, you might use a starburst to represent sparking cleanliness in a cleaning product. The starburst shouldn't be a focal point though, as it is just a motif element, distracting from the bigger picture. Try making distracting elements smaller or reducing their opacity - or just removing them altogether, if you can manage it.


• When customers look at a logo on DesignCrowd, they look at them in as small as a 250px by 200px box or as a much larger preview image. It has to look recognizable at a small size, and still look right up when plastered in huge print on a billboard.


• Creating a black and white version doesn't mean desaturating the logo design and calling it a day. You have to change the balance of the grays so it is just as eye-catching as the color version.


• There is an exception to this rule - if the design is complex but the client won't use it on a business card or other small items due to its subject matter, they may still find the logo appealing.

Activity - 1-2-3

Create a simple abstract logo using only a single shape, two colours and black, and three lines. Try and represent both an adjective and a noun using four elements. This exercise builds on the activity from Part 1 - Originality Matters.

Want More?

Whatever skill level you're at, it never hurts to dust up on key elements that might help win you a contest. Check out our design articles for some useful tips.

How To Design A Logo - Expert Designer Guide Part 1

How To Design A Logo - Expert Designer Guide Part 2, How Color Affects Emotion

How To Design A Logo - Expert Designer Guide Part 3, The Importance Of Typography

Written by Josh Borja on Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Josh has worked as a graphic designer at DesignCrowd, and is currently an in-house graphic designer for two community groups - Harbour City Bears and Penrith Musical Comedy Company. He credits both groups as being important in helping shape who he is. He says graphic design is a tool getting him to where he wants to be.