Logo Types and Why You Need 'Em.
- Samantha King
- Mar 8, 2024
- 3 min read
Let's talk logos. When building your brand, its recommended to have 3 versions of your logo: a main logo, a sub logo, and a brand mark. That may seem like a lot but they are key to making your brand identity visually cohesive and adaptable. But what exactly are these elements, and why do you need all three? Let's break it down.
In this post:
The Main Logo
What It Is: The main logo is the cornerstone of your brand identity. It's the full, detailed representation of your brand, often including text and graphics. It typically combines your business name with a unique graphic or symbol (see brandmark!). It can be a little more detailed, reflecting the entire essence of your brand. They are slightly more formal than the other types.
Uses:
Website headers
Business cards
Marketing materials
Signage
Benefits: Your main logo is your brand's most comprehensive visual asset. It tells your full brand story and is easily recognizable, building brand awareness and trust with your audience.
Examples:
The Sub Logo
What It Is: A sub logo is a simplified version of your main logo. It's often used in spaces where the main logo might be too complex or large. Sub logos retain the core elements of your main logo but are streamlined. They might drop detailed graphics or text to focus on a simpler, more versatile design.
Uses:
Social media profiles
Email signatures
Small promotional items (like pens or keychains)
Benefits: A sub logo provides flexibility. It ensures that even in smaller or constrained spaces, your brand remains consistent and recognizable. It also allows for quicker recognition at a glance.
Examples:
The Brand Mark
What It Is: A brand mark is an icon or symbol representing your brand, often used without text. Think of it as your brand's signature stamp. Brand marks are usually minimalistic and focus on a single symbol or graphic element from your main logo.
Uses:
Favicons (the tiny icons in browser tabs)
Watermarks
App icons
Small merchandise
Benefits: Brand marks are perfect for reinforcing your brand in a subtle yet effective way. They're highly adaptable and can be used in tight spaces where even a sub logo might not fit. Brand marks also make your brand more memorable by providing a visual shorthand for your audience.
Examples:
Why You Need All Three
Having a main logo, sub logo, and brand mark ensures that your brand is adaptable to any context while maintaining a cohesive visual identity. Which is super important because:
Versatility: Different platforms and materials have different needs. Having all three logos allows your brand to stay consistent and recognizable across various formats and sizes without sacrificing how amazing your branding looks.
Consistency: By using variations of the same visual elements, you create a consistent brand experience. This builds trust and recognition with your audience. It also prevents people from getting bored of your one and only logo. It allows for a balance of new but recognizable.
Flexibility: As your brand grows, you'll encounter new opportunities and grow in ways you may not expect. Having all 3 sets you up for any branding scenario, from tiny social media icons to large-scale banners.
So, it may seem like a lot but investing in a well-rounded logo suite gives your brand the flexibility and consistency it needs to become recognizable in your community!
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