
1. Strip it Down
We are living in a time where minimalism is a huge trend, not just because it looks good but because it works and it makes sense. The main idea is to get rid of the excess so that your audience isn't confused about what's going on—in terms of a logo you want your audience to be sure of what is being sold and what a logo represents. Stripping down your logo design can ultimately end up being beneficial because a simple design is much easier to recognize than a busier design. If your current logo design has a lot of elements, try to figure out which ones are excess. For example, you may have a simple text logo with a couple of swooshes or a design element on it. What if, for instance, you decided to drop the text, and have the design element remain as your logo, or vice versa. Thus, you could rework or redesign only that one element as your logo.
2. Change the font
Another pretty simple and subtle fix for when you pretty much like everything you've got on your logo. Perhaps you just need one thing to really change it but not too much. The question is, if you like everything on your logo, why would you change the font? Picking a new font for your logo is kind of like the meeting of two new worlds. Let's say for instance, you have a logo that is mainly all text and for the original you used a serif. Perhaps you did that because you wanted it to appeal to an older generation or you wanted your audience to take you seriously. But now you need a new redesign that appeals to younger folks and is a bit more modern—what would you do? Probably change my font from a serif to a sans-serif.
3. Simplify the design
This is quite similar to our first point, but here I want you to consider a complete redesign by simplifying what you have. A lot of times, original logos can end up being extremely busy, as well as generic. The idea here is to break down the design, simplify it and come out with something extraordinary for your brand.
4. Change the colors
Picking the right colors for anything can mean success. We tend to relate colors to certain emotions and feelings as well as certain things. For example, blue is a cool color and is often regarded as welcoming. Red is a warmer color that is seen as being feisty or energetic. Changing the colors on your logo can end up being either a subtle or dramatic change, depending on what it is you want to do.
5. Company/Product-centric
Sometimes we create logos that do too much and are way too busy. Then there is a completely different spectrum of logo design where our logos don't do nearly enough. It's easy to get caught up in the idea that minimalism is the way to go—but the truth is, it's not appropriate for every company or product. We sometimes want to be so clean and just create a logomark with some nice typography. That's not a bad idea if it's necessary, but sometimes a logo needs a bit of excitement to go along with what the company is doing. If you're logo is super boring, you may want to apply more of a theme to it that is central to the company or what the product does.
Out with the old, in with the new
Redesigning a logo is definitely a timely thing, but usually has to be done at some point. Determine what it is you are trying to do and use at least one, if not a combination, of the ideas presented. Always keep in mind what the client wants and needs and even what the competition is doing. Remain creative and inspired and you're sure to create a great logo! With your experience in logo redesign, what are some techniques you enjoy using?Kendra Gaines
Kendra Gaines is a freelance designer from Virginia, USA. Connect with her.
Read Next
24 Best Creative Portfolio Websites in 2023
For anyone working in a digital creative field, whether design, illustration, animation, video, or a combination of…
By Simon Sterne
15 Best New Fonts, September 2023
Nothing upgrades your designs like selecting the right font. It’s all too easy to fall into the trap of using the same…
By Ben Moss
Weekly Design News #1
Every Sunday we’re rounding up the best of the previous week’s stories from webdesignernews.com, and in this issue #1,…
By Louise North
The 20 Most Controversial Logos of All Time (Ranked)
When you hire graphic designers to create your company's logo, what do you expect? Professional designs, culturally…
By Robert Reeve
LimeWire AI Studio Generative Art App
If you’re looking for the most exciting way to launch a career in AI-generated art, then you’re in the right place.
By WDD Staff
20 Best New Websites, September 2023
Are you in need of design inspiration? Are you looking for the best websites designed in 2023 to pull ideas,…
The Dangers of Deceptive Design Patterns (And How to Avoid Them)
As web designers, our role in crafting user-friendly digital landscapes is critical. We are tasked with creating user…
By Louise North
10 Best Ecommerce WordPress Themes in 2023 [September update]
You plan to set up shop with an online store. You know there’ll be competition. And to compete with or beat that…
By WDD Staff
5 Marketing Tools Every Designer Needs
Yes, designers do need marketing tools. From freelance graphic designers who need to land more work to designers who…
Exciting New Tools For Designers, September 2023
At the end of another summer, we are all getting ready to knuckle down for some serious work in the fall. But we want…
Elon Musk calls LinkedIn ‘Cringe’—Announces Competitor
Elon Musk recently announced his intentions to create a direct competitor to LinkedIn. Musk’s grand plan is to make his…
Everything You Need to Know to Embrace the Y2K Design Trend
The turn of the millennium was a major cultural shift, and the Y2K aesthetic emerged as a visualization of what the…
By Simon Sterne