Logos are an essential part of a company’s branding and the first point of brand recognition. Some of the world’s most recognizable logos are also the simplest. Take Coca-Cola as a prime example – their logo cost $0 to make and yet over 90% of the world population recognizes the logo.
If you’re trying to create a logo for your business, finding inspiration and brainstorming ideas are the two most important first steps.
Keep reading to learn all about the different types of logo design out there and how to discover the right one for you.
How Many Types of Logo Designs Are There?
There are a total of 7 types of logo designs, which we’ll talk about below. Which type you choose for your brand or company depends on your industry, niche, and the message you’re trying to convey.
Your final logo should be easy to remember, unique, and brandable. Below are the 7 most essential logo variation design types.
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Lettermark (Monogram) Logo
The letter mark or monogram logo is the simplest of all types of logo design. It’s made of one or more letters or abbreviations of the brand name. Examples of this type of logo include HP, NASA, CNN, HBO, and ESPN.
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Wordmark (Logotype) Logo
The wordmark logo is a logo made of words that represent the company. Some of the most popular logotype logos include Coca Cola, VISA, Google, FedEx, and Disney.
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Pictorial (Symbol) Logo
A pictorial logo is one of the most basic types of logo design. It’s simply a picture, image, or symbol that relates to the brand. The best examples for a pictorial logo include Pepsi, Target, Twitter, Apple, and Starbucks.
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Combination Mark Logo
A combination mark logo combines two different types of logo design: a symbol and a wordmark. Some of the most popular such logos include MasterCard, Adidas, Chanel, and Burger King.
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Abstract Logo
An abstract logo doesn’t have a specific meaning, i.e. it’s not a picture or an image of something. Instead, it’s an abstract form or shape that the brand has created from scratch.
For example, the Slack logo is a combination of geometric shapes; the same goes for the Google Drive logo.
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Mascot Logo
Mascot logos include the brand mascot and that’s what makes them recognizable. Take for example KFC’s logo with their Colonel Sanders mascot, Tony the Tiger mascot representing Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, or the green and red chicken representing their cornflakes.
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Emblem Logo
An emblem logo includes the brand name or symbol inside a box or frame. A great example of an emblem logo is the Starbucks mermaid placed in a circle. Emblem logos are mainly used by sports teams, schools, public agencies, but also by companies for labels and other print materials.
Study These Types of Logo Design To Find the Right Logo for Your Brand
Whether you’re just starting a new business or want to rebrand your existing one, these different types of logo design will help you get inspired to find your new logo.
Discover more creative small business ideas over on our blog where we post the latest trends and developments in the world of marketing and branding.