Logo design is key because it is going to be the face of your brand and your site. In most cases, the logo is the first thing people see on a website and so is a business's first chance to impress a potential customer.

Understanding what goes into designing a logo is important as it allows you to judge what could work well and look well for you. So, here are some great tips from the guys at Turblogo on what to keep in mind when creating a great site.

1. K.I.S.S (Keep it Simple Stupid)

Never make the mistake of trying to complicate things, just keep it simple, clear, and concise. A complex logo will end up confusing the audience and they are not going to understand it. Make the logo as simple as possible, and choose elements that are needed to send the message. The logo needs to be easily understood by people from different backgrounds and ages.

2. Memorable

The simpler the logo, the higher the chance of people remembering it. If you were to ask someone who saw the logo a few minutes ago to draw or describe the logo, and they aren’t able to do it, then it is a sign that the logo is not working. A good logo stands out and is effective because the customer needs to identify it anytime they look at it in the street or even online.

3. Consistency

A logo should be a reflection of the values of a given brand, and it is key to have consistency across the different platforms it is going to be designed in. Whether it is a logotype, mark, or icon on a website, the shape, color, form, and spacing should be consistent. One way to ensure that the logo has been applied consistently across the different platforms is by using style guides then handing them over to another designer or client.

4. Appropriate

If you are designing a logo for a client, make sure you double-check the logo and understand the brief from them. If it a corporate client looking for a logo for their bank or law firm, then you will not use some fonts such as curly script font. You should know the audience of the client, and make sure what to choose is appropriate. You should not use violent or sexual connotations within the logo because it can easily end up hurting the brand.

5. Black and White

When starting, try using black and white instead of worrying about the colors you are going to use. This is a good idea because it will help in differentiating space between, shapes, and composition of the logo. You should not be rushing to colors and effects, start by focusing on the basic shapes and sketching before jumping into illustrator.

6. Avoiding effects

Avoid spamming effects with strokes, gradient, and drop shadows. This is one mistake many young designers make and end up making the logo look crappy. Stay away from effects unless it is a video game you are designing or there is a specific brief from the client. When effects are used, they tend to distract the viewer from getting the meaning of the logo, and it can make it look less professional.

7. Typography

The type you choose is going to have a big impact on the brand, and it is also the core ingredient for any brand. This is because it is going to be seen as part and parcel of the logo, web, and print, making it important to have the right feel. There is a wide range of options when it comes to type, some being serif, san serif, slab serif, script, or even a brush font. Go with a style that will be able to correctly speak to the target audience. It should be able to reflect the mission and goals of the brand while remaining authentic.

8. Color

Color is important when designing a logo. Color determines the emotion a person has when looking at the logo. Each color evokes a different emotion or response. Do a lot of research on the target audience so you can know how they are going to interact with the logo.

9. Flexible

Flexibility has become very important, especially with today’s technology, Snapchat, iPhones, Dribble, etc. the logo needs to have scalability, keeping in mind the context it is going to be used in. You should be able to have a logo that can be used as an app icon or a billboard. The software that gives you the chance of designing different sizes is Illustrator because of the vector program. Many young designers will go with photoshop instead of illustrator, which is not a good idea.

10. Timeless

A good logo doesn’t have to be changed every year; it should be able to live for long. A good logo is timeless and can stand for three to ten years. When designing a logo, make sure it has been designed for the business and it is timeless, or else it ends up failing.