7 MIND BLOWING Logo Design Tips ✍

Will Paterson
17 May 202108:28
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this insightful video, Will Paterson shares seven essential logo design tips that can revolutionize your approach to creating memorable and effective logos. Starting with the importance of an abstract approach that focuses on uniqueness and identifiability rather than literal representation of a company's product, Paterson encourages designers to think outside the box. He emphasizes the need for flexibility in logo design, ensuring it remains recognizable even when scaled or distorted. Sketching a multitude of ideas within a time constraint helps generate simple yet strong concepts. Paterson also advises on the use of geometric shapes, starting with black and white to utilize negative space effectively, and maintaining consistency in negative space for a balanced design. Finally, he suggests a drawing test to check a logo's memorability by asking someone to recall and sketch it after a few hours. The video, sponsored by SQUARESPACE, also highlights the platform's customizable templates suitable for designers to showcase their work or sell products online.

Takeaways
  • 🍎 The logo is the face of the company but doesn't have to literally represent what the company sells, as seen with brands like Apple and Sony.
  • πŸ” Don't be afraid to go abstract with logo design; it should be unique and identifiable rather than a direct representation of the product or service.
  • πŸ“ Keep the logo flexible and scalable, ensuring it remains recognizable even when distorted or viewed at different sizes.
  • ✍️ Sketch 20 ideas quickly to generate a variety of simple shapes and ideas, which form the foundation of good logo designs.
  • πŸ™οΈ Use geometric shapes in logo design, as they are the basis for many successful logos and help create a clean, simple look.
  • ⚫️ Start with black and white designs, utilizing negative space effectively to create depth and highlights without relying on color.
  • πŸ”² Maintain consistency in negative space within the logo to ensure it remains balanced and recognizable at various scales.
  • πŸ“„ Conduct a drawing test by having someone attempt to redraw the logo from memory after a few hours, which can indicate its memorability and effectiveness.
Q & A

  • What is the main focus of Will Paterson's video?

    -The main focus of Will Paterson's video is to share 7 logo design tips that can enhance the design process and create more effective logos.

  • Why does Will suggest that a logo does not need to represent the company's main product or service?

    -Will suggests that a logo does not need to represent the company's main product or service because successful brands like Apple and Sony have abstract logos that are unique and identifiable, rather than literal representations of what they sell.

  • What is the significance of a logo being flexible?

    -A logo being flexible is significant because it needs to function well in various sizes and conditions, such as when it's scaled up or down, blurred, or viewed without clarity. This ensures that the logo remains recognizable and effective in different contexts.

  • How does sketching 20 ideas in 10 minutes help in the logo design process?

    -Sketching 20 ideas in 10 minutes helps in the logo design process by forcing the designer to create simple shapes and ideas quickly, which can form the foundations of a good logo design.

  • Why is it recommended to start with geometric shapes when designing a logo?

    -Starting with geometric shapes is recommended because they form the basis of many successful logos, which are often simple and based on geometric principles. This approach can help in creating a logo that is clean, memorable, and timeless.

  • What is the importance of designing a logo in black and white first?

    -Designing a logo in black and white first is important because it allows the designer to focus on the shape and structure of the logo without the distraction of color. It also ensures that the logo's design is strong enough to stand on its own without relying on color for its effectiveness.

  • Why is consistency in negative space crucial in logo design?

    -Consistency in negative space is crucial because it contributes to the overall balance and readability of the logo, especially when scaled down. Inconsistent negative space can lead to a loss of clarity and recognizability.

  • What is the 'drawing test' that Will suggests for evaluating a logo's effectiveness?

    -The 'drawing test' involves showing the logo to a friend for a minute, then asking them to draw it from memory a few hours later. If the person can quickly and accurately draw the logo, it suggests that the logo is memorable and effective.

  • How does SQUARESPACE relate to the content of the video?

    -SQUARESPACE is mentioned as a sponsor of the video and is described as a website builder that Will Paterson has used for years to host his website, where he showcases his portfolio and sells digital resources. It is also suggested as a platform for designers to create their own websites with customizable templates.

  • What is the purpose of the 'negative space' in logo design?

    -The purpose of negative space in logo design is to create contrast and depth, enhancing the visual appeal and making the logo more memorable. It is as important as the positive space and should be used consistently to maintain the logo's recognizability.

  • What is the role of simplicity in logo design according to Will Paterson?

    -According to Will Paterson, simplicity plays a crucial role in logo design as it allows for the creation of logos that are easily recognizable, memorable, and timeless. Simple shapes and ideas are often the foundation of effective logo designs.

  • How does Will Paterson suggest testing the memorability of a logo?

    -Will Paterson suggests testing the memorability of a logo by having someone look at it for a short period and then attempting to draw it from memory after a few hours. The quicker and more accurately they can redraw the logo, the more effective and memorable the logo is considered to be.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ’‘ 7 Essential Logo Design Tips

Will Paterson shares seven transformative logo design tips, emphasizing the importance of abstract representation over literal imagery in logos, citing examples like Apple and Sony that don't directly depict their products. He stresses the need for flexibility in design, ensuring logos are recognizable under various distortions and sizes. The discussion includes the practice of sketching multiple ideas quickly to foster simplicity and effectiveness, highlighted by a personal anecdote about his design process. The segment is sponsored by SQUARESPACE, which he recommends for hosting websites and showcases with customizable templates.

05:02
πŸ–ŠοΈ Advanced Techniques in Logo Creation

Will delves deeper into logo design, focusing on the effective use of black and white to create depth using negative space rather than color. He emphasizes the importance of consistent negative space, which is crucial for maintaining the logo's clarity at different sizes. A practical drawing test is suggested to ensure a logo's memorability and functionality, where a friend tries to redraw the logo after a brief viewing, testing its effectiveness. The video concludes with a call to subscribe and share the content, highlighting the effort put into the video.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Logo Design
Logo design refers to the process of creating a unique visual symbol or icon that represents a company or brand. In the video, it is the central theme as Will Paterson discusses various tips for designing a logo that is not only visually appealing but also memorable and adaptable to different contexts. The importance of logo design is emphasized through the analysis of successful brands like Apple and Sony.
πŸ’‘Abstract Design
Abstract design in the context of the video means creating a logo that does not directly depict what a company sells but rather conveys its essence through unique and identifiable shapes. Will Paterson encourages designers to think outside the box and not be afraid to use abstract concepts, as illustrated by the Apple logo, which does not include any tech elements despite the company's focus on technology.
πŸ’‘Flexibility
Flexibility in logo design is about creating a logo that can maintain its recognizability across various sizes and conditions. The video emphasizes that a good logo should be scalable and recognizable even when distorted or viewed from a distance. Paterson uses the Target logo as an example, noting that even when divided in half, it remains identifiable.
πŸ’‘Sketching Ideas
Sketching ideas is a technique for generating a multitude of logo concepts quickly. In the video, Will Paterson suggests setting a timer for 10 minutes and sketching 10 different logos, spending no more than a minute on each. This rapid ideation process is meant to encourage simplicity and creativity, which are foundational to effective logo design.
πŸ’‘Geometric Shapes
Geometric shapes are fundamental building blocks in logo design, often resulting in simple yet impactful logos. The video highlights that many of the best logos, including those of Apple and Target, are based on geometric principles. Using basic shapes like circles, squares, and triangles can lead to designs that are both elegant and memorable.
πŸ’‘Black and White
Starting with black and white in logo design allows the designer to focus on the form and structure of the logo without the distraction of color. The video explains that using negative space effectively can create a sense of depth and highlights, which can be as impactful in monochrome as they are in color. This approach simplifies the design and ensures that the logo's essence is conveyed even without color.
πŸ’‘Negative Space
Negative space in logo design refers to the unused areas around the logo's main elements. In the video, Will Paterson stresses the importance of consistent and well-balanced negative space, which can enhance the logo's recognizability and create a visual impact. The Target logo is used as an example to demonstrate how negative space contributes to the logo's success.
πŸ’‘Consistency
Consistency in logo design is about maintaining uniformity in the shapes, spacing, and overall visual language of the logo across different applications. The video points out that inconsistent negative space can detract from a logo's effectiveness. A consistent design ensures that the logo remains recognizable and professional-looking in any context.
πŸ’‘Drawing Test
The drawing test is a method to evaluate the memorability and effectiveness of a logo design. As described in the video, it involves having someone look at the logo for a minute and then asking them to draw it from memory later. If the person can quickly and accurately reproduce the logo, it suggests that the design is simple, memorable, and thus effective.
πŸ’‘Sponsor
A sponsor in the context of the video is a company that financially supports the content, in this case, SQUARESPACE. Will Paterson mentions SQUARESPACE as the sponsor of the video and discusses its services, which include website building and hosting. The mention of the sponsor is an example of content marketing and is a common practice in online video content to support creators financially.
πŸ’‘Templates
Templates in the video refer to pre-designed layouts and structures that can be used to create websites. Will Paterson highlights SQUARESPACE's offering of thousands of customizable templates suitable for various purposes, including showcasing a portfolio or selling products. The use of templates is presented as a time-saving and accessible way for designers to establish an online presence.
Highlights

Will Paterson shares 7 mind-blowing logo design tips.

Logos should not necessarily depict what a company sells; abstract designs can be effective.

Successful brands like Apple and Sony use abstract logos that are unique and identifiable.

Logos should be flexible and recognizable even when scaled up or down, or distorted.

Target's and Sony's logos remain recognizable even when divided, demonstrating good design.

Sketching 20 ideas quickly can force designers to create simple, effective shapes for logos.

SQUARESPACE is recommended for hosting websites and showcasing portfolios.

Geometric shapes are the foundation of the best logos, such as those of Apple and Target.

Starting with black and white logos helps in using negative space effectively to create depth.

Consistency in negative space is crucial for a logo's recognizability at different sizes.

Target's logo is used as an example of balanced negative space for scalability.

The drawing test involves having someone else draw the logo from memory to assess memorability.

A logo that can be sketched quickly by someone else indicates a functional and memorable design.

SQUARESPACE offers a 20% discount and a free trial for new users through a provided link.

The importance of time spent on sketching a logo as an indicator of its simplicity and effectiveness.

The video provides a comprehensive guide on logo design, emphasizing the need for simplicity and functionality.

Will Paterson's personal experience and tips are shared to help designers create logos that work well for clients.

The video concludes with an encouragement to subscribe and share the content for others to benefit from the tips.

Transcripts

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Logo DesignCreative TipsBrand IdentityGraphic DesignAbstract LogosDesign FlexibilitySketchingGeometric ShapesNegative SpaceDesign Tutorial