You might have heard the old “you only have seven seconds to make a first impression” line.
Well, in today’s world, having seven seconds would put you at a huge advantage!
The tough reality?
You have less than a single second to make a good impression, especially when it comes to your company’s online presence and general branding. So, how can you communicate what you do, why you’re the best choice, and what sets you apart from your competition?
You can start by relying on the power of symbols in logo designs.
How? Read on to find out.
Symbols in Logo Design Help Clients Draw Associations
Your logo’s biggest job is to communicate exactly what kind of services you offer.
People associate certain images with specific types of companies. For example, when we see a red cross, we think of medical brands. A graph goes with a financial firm. A picture of a house? Chances are, that’s the logo of a real estate company.
The trick is to find the right balance between selecting a common, relatable symbol and one that ends up being a giant cliche.
You can avoid this by putting a twist on a common image, or by showing that image in action.
For example, if you’re a law firm, don’t show the scales of justice balanced. Show one side tipped heavier than the other. Don’t show a gavel, show a gavel coming down.
Use Text to Reinforce Symbols
Especially if you’re going for an updated design on a common symbol, it’s important to make text a large part of your logo design. You can even make it the center of your logo, as attorney Danny Glover did on his own design.
Of course, you can also use text to create images.
If you really want to create a logo that’s out of the box, you can use lettering and words in shapes to create designs. For example, let’s say you’re a pet store. You could create a drawing of a dog bone out of the letters of your store name.
If you’re a nail salon, why not have your text printed on a drawing of a fingernail, in lieu of nail polish?
The possibilities are endless, and it’s OK to have a little fun when it comes to your logo design.
Symbols Transcend Borders
Of course, if you do a lot of international business, using symbols won’t just help to build your brand recognition.
It also ensures that everyone, regardless of the language they speak, knows exactly what you have to offer. You paint yourself as an inclusive company that’s used to dealing with lots of different markets.
What’s the Next Step in Your Branding Journey?
Now that you’re aware of the importance of symbols in logo design are, it’s time to start focusing on other aspects of your marketing strategy.
How do you find the right keywords for your content? How can you create the perfect ads on social media? How do you know whether or not your website design is working to move clients through your sales funnel?
We’re here to help.
Spend some time on our website to learn more about how to take your current branding strategy to the next level.