The Best Logos Ever Designed Are Not What You Think (2024)

If there’s one piece of advice we can give when it comes to your logo designs, it’s to keep it simple. Many designers think they need to take a more clever approach or make their logos interesting to really “wow” the crowd. In reality, the simpler, the better. Logos should be able to stand the test of time.

The best logos in the world are often the simplest: Nike, Apple, Google, B&O, Levi's, FedEx, CBS, UPS, Warner, Girl Scouts, ABC, United Airlines, American Airlines, and IBM to name a few. They often use very common typefaces like Helvetica or Futura and refrain from over embellishment. Still don't believe us? Look at some of the most expensive luxury brands and study their logos.

In his newest book, Blair Enns talks about the value of logo design isn't based on hours worked, or even the perceived quality of the design. To illustrate the point, he states, the Nike logo was designed for $100 while the Pepsi logo was $1 million. Is the million dollar logo better than the $100 logo? Is it worth 100,000 times more?

Designers often mistake the effort or cleverness of a logo as the hallmark of value. It is not. Furthermore, Michael Bierut says too much is made of a logo. A logo is only a very small aspect of the brand. It's not the whole story, just the opening paragraph of a long story.

It’s not about the latest, coolest thing, or the most interesting and dynamic. Those things get old really fast. It might not seem like it in the moment, but the effect those kinds of design can produce fades fast.

The Best Logos Ever Designed Are Not What You Think (2024)

FAQs

What is the most iconic logo ever? ›

Coca-Cola logo and brand is the most recognisable in the world. The red and white Coca-Cola logo is recognised by 94% of the world's population. The importance of a logo design can't be understated as is shown from this list of most famous logos.

What truly makes a great logo? ›

What Makes a Great Logo, You May Ask? A great logo is distinctive, memorable, practical, and simple in form. It conveys the owner's intended message while maintaining effectiveness at any size and without requiring color.

Who designed the best logos? ›

The best logo designers of all time
  • Paul Rand: Setting the Standard for Timeless Logo Design.
  • Saul Bass: Mastering the Art of Narrative in Logo Design.
  • Milton Glaser: Unforgettable Logos That Captivate Audiences.
  • Paula Scher: Breaking Boundaries with Bold and Vibrant Designs.

What is the most attractive logo in the world? ›

Nike. Nike's swoosh, designed by Carolyn Davidson, is one of the most iconic logos in the world, literally.

What logo has never changed? ›

British tea company Twinings has the oldest logo that has been in continuous use with no alterations made to the logo's design.

What is the most valuable logo? ›

Most Expensive Logos In The World
  • What is the Most Expensive Logos In The World?
  • Symantec Brand & Acquisition — $1,280,000,000 Billion.
  • British Petroleum Logo & Marketing — $210,000,000 Million.
  • Accenture Logo Design — $100,000,000 Million.
  • Posten Norge Rebrand — $55,000,000 Million.
  • Enron Logo — $33,900,000 Million.
Nov 19, 2019

What are the golden rules of logo design? ›

The fact is, a good logo should be three things: Appropriate – logos should be appropriate in it's feeling. It doesn't need to say a whole lot. Distinctive & Memorable – It has to be unusual enough to persist in our mind.

What makes a logo timeless? ›

What is a timeless logo? Timeless logos use simple design elements and colors that will never go out of trend. They often include striking imagery and classic fonts for a memorable look.

What makes your logo stand out? ›

Your logo should be as unique as possible, meaning you should avoid using clichés. Many brands and companies fail to stand out because their logos are either too simple or too common.

Why are logos so powerful? ›

So, why is a logo important? Because it grabs attention, makes a strong first impression, is the foundation of your brand identity, is memorable, separates you from competition, fosters brand loyalty, and is expected by your audience. Let's take a deeper look at all of these points below.

Who is the number one logo maker? ›

Looka was built by veteran designers for non-designers. Our free logo maker makes it easy for non-designers to create a professional logo and brand identity they'll be proud of. Our free logo generator creates hundreds of custom logo designs for you to choose from.

Who is the father of logo design? ›

Paul Rand

What is the most famous logo of all time? ›

Coca-Cola has one of the world's most popular logos, and it is arguably the most iconic logos one in the world. The brand's design has undergone several modifications before reaching the one that is current today. Its typography and double 'C' characteristic have remained unchanged since 1887. Dr.

What is the most successful logo color? ›

Blue is the most popular color for marketers and brands the world over. It's a color of calm, control, logic, honesty, intelligence, security, purity, freedom, and confidence. Its soothing tones help to establish trust-based relations and tend to give the logo a professional and serious vibe.

What is the most attractive color for a logo? ›

Blue is by far the most popular choice of logo color for these companies. It's easy to understand why blue logos are such a popular choice.

What was the worlds 1st logo? ›

The First Logo? Bass Brewery. Whilst many brands insist that they were the first to register a logo, around about the 19th century, the case of Bass Brewery–a popular brand of English beer–is perhaps the most unique and relevant.

What is an iconic symbolic logo? ›

A non-typographic design (otherwise it would be a word mark) used to visually identify a brand.

What is the most identifiable logo? ›

Apple. One of the most recognizable logos in the world, the Apple logo is theorized to have come from none other than the story of Adam and Eve. The apple is supposed to be the apple Eve bit from in the bible and represents the fruits from the Tree of Knowledge.

What is the most iconic car logo? ›

Ferrari boasts one of the world's most instantly recognizable car logos, officially known as the “Cavallino Rampante” or “Prancing Horse.” The logo's origin is linked to Enzo Ferrari's first victory at the Savio circuit, where he met Count Enrico and Countess Paolina Baracca.

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