5 tips for designing a bold logo

Your logo is often the first impression people have of your brand — and first impressions matter. Whether you’re a startup or an established business, strong logo design plays a huge role in how your brand is perceived. As a professional graphic designer, I’ve seen how the right choices can elevate a brand, and the wrong ones can hold it back, and confuse your customers.

Here are five essential tips to help you create a logo that looks professional, timeless, and memorable.

1. Choose the Right Fonts

Typography is one of the most important elements of any logo.

Limit your logo to one or two fonts to keep it clean and cohesive. Too many fonts can make your design feel cluttered and unprofessional. Always ensure your text is clear and readable at any size, whether it’s on a business card or a billboard — overly decorative fonts can quickly become illegible.

To stand out from competitors, consider customising your typography. Even small tweaks to letter shapes or spacing can add a unique touch that helps your logo feel unique rather than generic.

2. Pick Colours that Pop

Colour choice can make or break your logo.

Select bold, legible colours that work well both on screen and in print. Keep in mind that colours displayed in RGB (digital) will look different (and usually duller) when converted to CMYK for printing. Always test your logo in both formats to avoid surprises and consider where you will be using your logo most. If you are an online business and never need any printed branding then it is less of a worry. But if you would like business cards, flyers or brochures, pull up banners, posters and other branded elements with your logo on it, then considering how the colours convert to CMYK is essential.

Bonus tip:

Avoid using detailed photos or complex illustrations in your logo. If your design includes detailed elements, create a simplified version for small-scale uses such as social media icons or favicons.

3. Design for Multiple Formats

A great logo needs to be versatile.

Think about all the places your logo will appear – websites, social media, packaging, signage, and more. Each platform may require a different layout. Creating multiple variations, such as square or stacked versions as well as horizontal formats for websites is important to ensure your logo always fits perfectly and is legible, while still representing your brand well.

A professional graphic designer will be able to provide your logo in multiple file types, including PNG, SVG, and PDF, so you can use it across different platforms without losing quality. This is important when it comes to printing your logo, as a png file just won't cut it if you plan on printing on uniforms, large scale signage, vehicle wraps, or pull up banners. You will need a vector format logo for any printing uses, so ensure you have your logo in either of these formats (eps, svg ai Illustrator).

4. Know Your Target Audience

Your logo isn’t about what you like — it’s about what resonates with your audience.

Understanding your ideal customer is key to effective logo design. Your logo should align with your brand’s values, personality, and price point.

Align your logo style with your brand's values and price point. A premium brand needs a logo that feels refined and high-end, while an affordable brand should feel approachable and accessible. This strategic thinking is what separates a good logo from one created by a great logo designer — it's important that you are connecting with the people who buy your product or service – it’s about connection.

5. Don’t Touch It!

Once your logo is finalised, resist the urge to keep changing it.

Constant tweaks can confuse your audience and weaken your brand identity. If you are constantly tweaking your logo, it shows you don't know who you are as a brand and have no confidence in what you deliver. Consistency builds recognition, and recognition builds trust. A strong, stable logo helps customers recognise you and feel confident in your brand. When your logo is done right, it doesn’t need frequent updates; it simply works.

Final Thoughts

A well-designed logo is an investment in your brand’s future. By focusing on clarity, versatility, and audience connection, you’ll create a logo that stands the test of time. If you’re looking for a professional graphic designer to help bring your vision to life, working with the best logo designer for your brand can make all the difference.

If you’d like help creating or refining your logo to ensure you branding is memorable, bold, and connects with the right customers,

get in touch — I’d love to help. 🎨✨