There
are Basically Three Types of Logos: Text, Symbol and
Text-Symbol Logos
Text
Logos-
Words in their purest form really ARE images. Type fonts come
in thousands of shapes and sizes, all of which convey different
impressions to the audience. A thick, bold font conveys strength
and power. A script font conveys elegance and austerity, and a slanted
typeface conveys movement. Therefore, your company name can actually
become your own logo, provided your type font displays the intended
qualities of your organization and the products or services you
offer. IBM and the NFL are great examples of company name logos.
Symbol
Logos-
A symbol logo relies on an image or images that convey an actual
or abstract representation of a business. And because a symbol alone
is less direct than text, it leaves itself open to a wider interpretation
of what the business is about. This is why the use of a symbol logo
is more challenging than a company name logo. Using a symbol in
your logo has several possibilities.
It
may be a take on a company name. One example would be a logo that
includes an image of a bear for a company that calls themselves
"Big Bear Tours".
A symbol
logo may create an entirely new ‘symbolic' meaning. For
instance, 20 years ago, people didn't associate the Nike "swoosh"
with the company. But due to its tremendous growth and its presence
everywhere, people have immediately grown to associate "Nike"
whenever they see a swoosh. The same is true for the McDonald's
golden arches, or many national flags.
Text
and Symbol Logos-
Sometimes,
a brief amount of text, or just an abbreviation, compliments the
symbol and provides that extra bit of clarity of what the business
is about.
There
are many things to consider when deciding on the logo that will
best fit the image of your company. You should never limit yourself
to just one option. It's not uncommon for someone who's
creating a logo to very easily see an image they personally like
and think it would look attractive in one format without giving
thought to how it will look everywhere else. So it's important
to keep in mind that it's not necessarily about what you want
your logo to look like, but more importantly, it's how your
audience will perceive your logo.
