The easiest way to test your logo design is to create a logo in black and white. You really need to ensure that your logo is as easy to understand in black and white, as it is in color. By designing your logo in black and white, you are maximizing your logos potential so that it can be used anywhere, in any medium; for business cards, invoices, or even blurry-old fax reports! The color can come later!
I often feel that a logo is spoiled by overuse of color and unnecessary detail (I especially believe that color gradients should NEVER be used in logo design)
The following logo examples are proof of the power of simplicity and the power of black and white. These designs should inspire you to think in simple, overcomplicated, elegant design terms:
Great choice of font with wonderfully simple image!
These logos are proof that your logo design should work as (or even more) effectively in black and white as it does in color. Test it out for yourself; if your logo doesn’t communicate an idea in black and white, chances are, it will be just as ineffective in color.
10 Comments
I have to respectively disagree about the color gradients NEVER being used in a logo. I do agree that your logo must look great in black and white as well as color. We use a color gradient in our logo to represent the fun and color of our balloon decor and party store and it works wonderfully well for us. Our logo also looks great in black and white.
Love this! Great inspiration.
Great Ideas.
I’m trying 2 design a logo 4 my Company.
RAINBOW HOME INSPECTION
Your Always Protected Under the Rainbow
I’d like 2 incorporate a rainbow inside so I think only the rainbow should be in color. Can U help?
Michael Sheppard says:
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July 6, 2010 at 8:21 am
Great Ideas.
I’m trying 2 design a logo 4 my Company.
RAINBOW HOME INSPECTION
Your Always Protected Under the Rainbow
I’d like 2 incorporate a rainbow inside so I think only the rainbow should be in color. Can U help?
Hi Michael, Obviously, if your logo is a rainbow it wont work in black and white unless you created a grayscale version. I’m not opposed to color at all. I love color. I just feel that designing in black and white has massive advantages when it comes to visual and print practicality.
Hi Tammy, I have to admit to “not liking” gradient logos, but that’s just my opinion! I have very talented colleagues and friends who are quite comfortable with including gradients in their logo designs. I’m sure your balloon logo looks great! Send me a link to it or email the design to me (contact me through the “submit an article” link in the upper right column of this blog) and I’ll show it on the blog!
great advice and clean, effective design examples…thanks!
Great picks and while my logo is a 4 color gradient I first designed it to be a stand along one color graphic.
The simplest logos are what makes a business seem more legitimate because others that have so much exploding seem messy and disorganized.
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