The 6 Types of Logos and Which Is Right for Your Brand (2023) – Shopify
Start your business
Build your brand
Create your website
Online store editor
Customize your store
Store themes
Find business apps
Shopify app store
Own your site domain
Domains & hosting
Explore free business tools
Tools to run your business
Sell your products
Sell online or in person
Check out customers
World-class checkout
Sell online
Grow your business online
Sell across channels
Reach millions of shoppers and boost sales
Sell in person
Point of Sale (POS)
Sell globally
International sales
Sell wholesale & direct
Business-to-business (B2B)
Accept online payments
Set up forms of payment
Market your business
Reach & retain customers
Market across social
Social media integrations
Chat with customers
Shopify Inbox
Nurture customers
Shopify Email
Know your audience
Gain customer insights
Manage your business
Track sales, orders & analytics
Measure your performance
Analytics and Reporting
Ship orders faster
Shopify Shipping
Manage your stock & orders
Inventory & order management
Outsource fulfillment & returns
Shopify Fulfillment Network
Get paid faster
Shopify Balance
Secure business financing
Shopify Lending
Automate your business
Shopify Flow
Shopify Developers
Build with Shopify's powerful APIs
Plus
A commerce solution for growing digital brands
Enterprise
Solutions for the world's largest brands
All Products
Explore all Shopify products & features
Help and support
Get 24/7 support
How-to guides
Read in-depth business guides
Business courses
Learn from proven experts
Shopify blog
Business strategy tips
What is Shopify?
How our commerce platform works
Shopify Editions
New, innovative Shopify products
Founder stories
Learn from successful merchants
Branding
Build your brand from scratch
Marketing
Build a marketing plan
Ecommerce SEO
Improve your search ranking
Social media strategy
Turn social into sales
Business growth
Scale your business
Business name generator
Logo maker
Stock photography
Business plan template
Link in bio tool
QR code generator
Changelog
Your source for recent updates
Winter ’24 Edition
The latest 100+ product updates
All Editions
Archive of past Shopify Editions
Newsroom
All company news and press releases
Start selling with Shopify today
Start your free trial with Shopify today—then use these resources to guide you through every step of the process.
Navigating the logo design process for your new company is made easier with our five tips for designing a good logo, plus five online logo makers.
Start your online business today.
For free.
There are some logos so distinctive you immediately recognize them. Think of Nike’s swish or the Coca-Cola script. Just a simple brush stroke or a single letter can hold so much information about a brand—including the key to brand recognition.
And get this—75% of consumers name logos as the most identifiable brand recognition symbols.
So what makes a good logo? It depends on the core values of your brand, your audience, and the image you want to portray.
To help you out, here’s a breakdown of the types of logo you’ll see most often, with examples for inspiration.
A logo is a graphic representation of a company’s name, trademark, or other identifying information. It is often used on things like letterheads, business cards, product packaging, websites, online shops, and the front of company stores.
Logos can be simple or complex, but they should always be identifiable to your customers (or potential customers). Many companies have multiple versions of their logo to fit different needs. For example, a horizontal version for use on a website and a vertical version for use on stationery. Some logos are merely the company’s initials, while others incorporate symbols or images.
The best types of logo are those that are simple and memorable: Think of Amazon’s a-to-z arrow or McDonald’s golden arches. Both are instantly recognizable logos that have come to represent their respective brands—so much so that the companies often don’t need to include their name alongside the logo.
Top-ranked company logos are a mix of styles—Apple’s simple depiction of an apple, Nike’s swoosh, and Coca-Cola’s flamboyant script font are all very different, but each one of them falls into one of the six most common types of logo.
Emblems are types of logos that closely resemble crests, the symbols most ofteh used in Europe to represent different (often powerful or rich) families. Emblem logos are more traditional in design and usually combine symbolic imagery as well as words, like the name of the company. They’re most often used by schools and universities (think: Harvard’s logo) but are also popular with auto companies and other groups that want to lend a sense of gravitas to their brand.
Emblem logos are often circular or crest-shaped and tend to feature classic color schemes—although you can easily mix old and new with a crested emblem logo in vibrant colors.
A well-known logo in this category is the one used by beer brand Stella Artois, which is red and gold, centers around the brand name and has a border that represents gold filigree on an oil painting. In fact, Stella Artois’s logo was created in 1366 and is thought to be the oldest logo still in use today.
When to use an emblem logo: Use emblem logos if you want to give a hat tip to age-old traditions, add a hint of historic whimsy to your brand, or communicate prestige and heritage.
Harvard University
Stella Artois
As one of the oldest logos in the world, Stella Artois’s emblem depicts history and tradition in one design.
Warner Brothers
The Warner Brothers’ logo combines the classic emblem shape with clean, modern lines and bold colors.
Harley-Davidson
The Harley-Davidson logo uses classic colors in a modern emblem shape to convey its decades-old history.
Porsche
Porsche’s logo indicates the car manufacturer’s prestige and matches the caliber of cars it makes.
A logotype is a text-based logo that uses the name of a company, usually in a unique typeface, to represent a company or product. They’re sometimes called “wordmarks” because the term “logotype” is derived from the Greek words “logos” and “typos,” which together mean “word mark.”
Logotypes can be created using a variety of typefaces, graphic elements, and colors. In order to be effective, a logotype must be simple and easy to remember. It should also be able to convey the essence of the company or brand it represents.
Over three-quarters of Fortune 500 companies use sans serif fonts in their logos with only 2% using a handwritten or script font. The majority of brands use uppercase text in their logos, with just 7% of the world’s top firms (such as Mastercard and eBay) using lowercase logos.
When to use a logotype logo: Use a logotype design to build recognition around your brand or if your business has a memorable and catchy name.
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola’s famous logo is an excellent example of a logotype. The company used its name to create an instantly recognizable graphic that is now known throughout the world.
Flings
Canon
Canon’s sturdy, timeless font highlights the reliability and professionalism of its products.
Amazon
Amazon is a prime example of a brand that uses a logotype font. The simple text is partnered with a playful arrow to create a memorable logo.
Flaus
Floss brand Flaus has created a logotype logo using a font that looks like teeth.
Pictorial marks are simple, clear graphics that represent a brand. Unlike logotypes—featuring the name of the company in a stylized font—pictorial marks are displayed without any accompanying text. This means they need to be immediately recognizable and distinctive enough to stand on their own.
Think of Apple’s apple logo, which is an instantly recognizable pictorial mark for the tech company. It’s simple and clear and can be used on anything from business cards to billboards to marketing materials without losing its impact.
Pictorial logos can be fun and creative, but it’s important that they still reflect the essence of your brand and give consumers some idea about your products or services. This can be tricky to pull off in a single image, but when done well it can boost recognition levels.
When to use a pictorial mark logo: Use a pictorial mark logo if your brand is already well-known or you have captured a specific segment of the market and can reflect that in a single image.
Apple
Apple is the most famous pictorial logo. The bitten apple motif is instantly recognizable all over the world.
Beardbrand
Shaving company Beardbrand has gone all in on its niche and created a simple pictorial logo that reflects the products it sells.
Beats
The Beats headphones logo not only includes the first letter of the brand name, but cleverly takes the form of a headphone too.
Target
Target’s red bullseye logo has become synonymous with the brand—most people will instantly recognize the pictorial logo without any prompting.
Chilly’s
Water bottle brand Chilly’s logo reflects the brand’s name. The gradient color palette adds interest to an otherwise simple design.
A lettermark is a type of business logo that uses letters—usually the initials of a company or individual—to create a unique and memorable symbol. It’s sometimes known as a wordmark logo. Lettermarks are often used by businesses whose name is difficult to spell or pronounce, or when a company wants to create a more modern image. That’s because, unlike logotypes, lettermarks (or wordmark logos) usually use one or two letters and not the whole name.
Lettermarks adapt across marketing materials and different channels and help turn a business name into a memorable brand.
The luxury brand Louis Vuitton uses a lettermark—LV—on almost all of its products. Other luxury brands that use lettermarks as their logos include Diane Von Furstenberg and Chanel. Lettermarks are highly versatile and can be used in a variety of contexts, from print to digital media to direct placement on a product.
When to use a lettermark or wordmark logo: Use a lettermark or wordmark logo if your brand name is long or made up of two or more words.
MVMT
Watch brand MVMT’s solid logo mirrors the prolific, luxury designs of its products.
Louis Vuitton
HBO
IBM
IBM’s logo is bold and simple, with the lines running through it representing the speed and dynamic nature of the brand’s services.
Financial Times
The Financial Times lettermark logo incorporates the first letters of each word simply laid on a brand-colored backdrop to add a bit of interest.
Mascot logos are types of logos that feature a character or animal that represents a unique brand identity. This can be anything from a cartoon character to a real-life animal.
It’s important a mascot is easily recognizable and represents the values of the brand and the brand personality. For example, if a brand is trying to convey a message of fun and approachability, then a cute and cuddly mascot would be a good choice. On the other hand, if the brand is trying to convey strength and power, then a more intimidating mascot would be a better choice.
Ultimately, mascot logos should create an immediate association between the character and the brand, which can help to increase brand awareness and loyalty. The friendly, smiling creature made from tires and known as the Michelin Man is a versatile mascot seen not just at mechanic shops where the brand’s tires are sold, but also on the doors and windows of some of the world’s best restaurants, which are also reviewed by the company.
A logo effectively conveys a company’s personality—something that’s even more true of mascot logos. A well-designed logo that features a mascot of some kind can increase brand recognition and recall. The Journal of Business Research found that brands with mascots had higher recall rates than those without.
When to use a mascot logo: Use mascot logos if your brand has a big personality or you want to humanize your business.
Michelin
The Michelin Man is a household name—so much so that the mascot is often more memorable than the brand itself.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s logo includes a mascot of “Wendy,” harking back to the brand’s beginnings as a humble diner.
KFC
Colonel Sanders is synonymous with one of the world’s most famous food brands.
Pringles
The Pringles mascot has evolved over the years but has remained an integral part of the brand’s logo. Today, he’s a simplified logo style featuring a recognizable mustache.
Monopoly
Monopoly’s mascot is a crucial part of the company’s branding—his hat is even a playing piece in the game.
A combination logo is a type of logo that combines elements of both text and imagery. The most common type of combination mark logos features a wordmark logo, or text-only logo, paired with a pictorial mark or symbol. This type of logo is often used by businesses that want to communicate both their name and their brand identity.
This makes it easier to adapt the logo for different materials, using the wordmark in some places and the icon where it’s most relevant.
When to use combination logos: Use combination mark logos if you want a more versatile option for your branding. They can also be good for new businesses that are building up their recognition levels.
Adobe
Adobe’s abstract logo mark features a simple text depiction of the brand name alongside a more creative icon that represents the first letter of the brand name.
Wednesday’s Domaine
Wine brand Wednesday’s Domaine pairs a simple uppercase font with a hand-drawn image of a wine glass to add a playful touch to its logo.
Mastercard
Mastercard’s memorable logo symbol includes a lowercase text iteration of the brand name paired with two overlapping circles that symbolize the brand’s core values: unity, connection, and cooperation.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines uses a combination logo with an interpretation of the Greek letter delta (a triangle) pointing up, with the word “Delta” underneath (or beside). Not only is the pictorial portion of the logo indicative of the company’s name, but it also points up, representing what that company does (flies planes) and where it operates (above, in the skies).
Pepsi
Pepsi’s logo is simple but memorable. The lowercase text part of the logo is casual, while the logo symbol is thought to represent something a bit more complex: the earth’s magnetic field, feng shui, and geodynamics among other things.
Logo creation doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, you can probably create a great logo on your own, without any design experience. Here are some tips for creating a good logo.
The most important part of logo design is determining what your brand stands for. Is it silly? Serious? Hip? Take some time with your team, if you have one, to answer some fundamental questions about your company.
Ask yourself:
Answering these questions will get you on a good path toward figuring out your company’s logo.
Play around with different types of logos for your company and different versions of them.
Your logo might go through hundreds of iterations before you land on one that fits. Look at logos past and present—there are so many logos out there already—you don’t have to completely reinvent the wheel. You can draw inspiration from other company logos, both in your industry and outside of it, to help you get started. Do your best to not copy another company’s logo, though, as that is a form of copyright infringement.
Drawing on both your previously determined brand identity and your research, it’s time to pick the colors that best represent your company and what you do. For example, many eco-conscious brands choose to use blues and greens in their logos, in order to represent the Earth. Similarly, a logo for a children's brand might use bright colors to attract a child’s eyes.
Use color psychology concepts to choose the right colors and convey the right message.
Not all logos have words in them, but if yours does, then you’re going to need to choose a typeface. Pick something that’s easy to read, scales well, and can be reproduced in multiple formats (remember: this might be on a tiny bottle, a billboard, or a computer screen).
Show your logo to different people and get their reactions. Ask them open-ended questions like, “What does it bring to mind?” or “What does it make you think of?” You can also ask specific questions, such as, ”Do you like these colors?” or “Which parts do you hate?”
Try to get feedback from a variety of different people, not just your friends and family. If possible, you can arrange focus groups with those in your market demographic to get a clearer picture of how your logo resonates with the people who will likely be buying your product.
There are many online logo makers to choose from that will help you design a logo yourself with few design skills. Some are free, while others charge a fee. Some AI logo makers can whip up a design in seconds, while others take more input.
Shopify’s free logo maker includes hundreds of logo templates and doesn’t require any design experience to get started. In addition to easy-to-create logos, it also offers social media assets and is available even if you don’t use Shopify as an ecommerce platform. The potential downside is that, because it works with templates, the customization is more limited than if you worked with a professional designer.
Canva is a user-friendly graphic design app that provides a bit more freedom to create and customize your logo. Its templates make it a good option if you have some design experience. Canva offers free plans and paid plans with more features starting at $12.99 per month.
LogoMaker is another free logo design creator that uses logo templates to help you create a custom logo design. LogoMaker is not a free platform—a $40 payment is required to purchase your final results, which include multiple file formats so you can easily use your logo on a variety of items, like marketing materials or t-shirts, or online.
Squarespace offers a free logo maker that uses a vast database of icons to help you create custom logos for your company. The logos are easy to integrate with Squarespace sites, but customization is extremely limited, which makes it difficult to create unique and eye-catching logos.
The Wix Logo Maker starts with a series of questions and then uses AI (artificial intelligence) to generate detailed logo designs based on your answers. It then lets you customize the options that it presents, using its database of icons. It’s a good option if you already have some idea of what you’re looking for in a logo and are prepared to customize it. However, it may not be the best choice if you’re looking for a logo generator.
Yes, you can design a logo yourself. There are both free logo makers and paid logo generators online to help you create a unique logo.
Some of the best logo makers include Shopify’s free logo maker, Wix Logo Maker, and Canva. You can also use professional design software like Adobe Creative Cloud, but it will cost more than online options.
Shopify offers a free logo maker that includes hundreds of templates and doesn’t require any design experience to get started.
Keep up with the latest from Shopify
Get free ecommerce tips, inspiration, and resources delivered directly to your inbox.
By entering your email, you agree to receive marketing emails from Shopify.
popular posts
The point of sale for every sale.
popular posts
2023-11-08
2023-09-01
2023-12-05
2023-11-09
2023-09-20
2023-11-23
2023-12-02
2023-11-06
Subscribe to our blog and get free ecommerce tips, inspiration, and resources delivered directly to your inbox.
Unsubscribe anytime. By entering your email, you agree to receive marketing emails from Shopify.
May 10, 2024
May 10, 2024
May 8, 2024
May 8, 2024
May 8, 2024
May 8, 2024
May 7, 2024
May 3, 2024
Learn on the go. Try Shopify for free, and explore all the tools you need to start, run, and grow your business.
Try Shopify for free, no credit card required.
source