Jake Van Ness
Graphic Designer and Design Consultant

Principles of Good
Logo Design
Jake Van Ness
is...
Jake Van Ness

&
is...

a graphic designer
design consultant
Jake Van Ness
is...
15 years in print and design
15 years in print and design
Full time independent designer since 2010
15 years in print and design
Full time independent designer since 2010
5 time American Graphic Design Award Winner
15 years in print and design
Full time independent designer since 2010
5 time American Graphic Design Award Winner
Provide marketing and design SOLUTIONS
15 years in print and design
Full time independent designer since 2010
5 time American Graphic Design Award Winner
Provide marketing and design SOLUTIONS
Logo / Identity
Brochures
Manuals

Business Cards
Postcards
Magazines

Direct Mailers
Menus
Websites
LOGO DESIGN
A logo is the

MOST IMPORTANT
part of your business brand
A Logo...
makes you stand out to your consumers
A Logo...
makes you stand out to your consumers
presents professionalism
A Logo...
makes you stand out to your consumers
presents professionalism
is a summary of your entire BRAND
LOGO vs BRAND
LOGO vs BRAND
LOGO = Identifies a business in its
simplest form via the use of a symbol or
mark.
BRAND = The perceived emotional
image of a company as a whole.
BUSINESS
NAME
BUSINESS
NAME

CORE
VALUES
BUSINESS
NAME

CORE
VALUES

MARKETING
MATERIALS
BUSINESS
NAME

LOGO

CORE
VALUES

MARKETING
MATERIALS
BUSINESS
NAME

CORE
VALUES

BRAND
LOGO

MARKETING
MATERIALS
Types of Logos
Symbol or Icon
Easy to remember
simple but bold
Types of Logos
Symbol or Icon
Easy to remember
simple but bold
Types of Logos
Symbol or Icon
Easy to remember
simple but bold
Types of Logos
Symbol or Icon
Easy to remember
simple but bold

Word Mark
simple use of typography
spells out business or brand
Types of Logos
Symbol or Icon
Easy to remember
simple but bold

Word Mark
simple use of typography
spells out business or brand
Types of Logos
Symbol or Icon
Easy to remember
simple but bold

Word Mark
simple use of typography
spells out business or brand
Types of Logos
Symbol or Icon
Easy to remember
simple but bold

Word Mark
simple use of typography
spells out business or brand
Types of Logos
Letter Mark
Initials of a business or brand
complicated or long names
Types of Logos
Letter Mark
Initials of a business or brand
complicated or long names
Types of Logos
Letter Mark
Initials of a business or brand
complicated or long names
Types of Logos
Letter Mark
Initials of a business or brand
complicated or long names

Emblem
encased designed
more detailed, complicated
Types of Logos
Letter Mark
Initials of a business or brand
complicated or long names

Emblem
encased designed
more detailed, complicated
Types of Logos
Letter Mark
Initials of a business or brand
complicated or long names

Emblem
encased designed
more detailed, complicated
Types of Logos
Combination Mark
flexibility to use both icon and text or each individually
each piece looks as good as the whole
Types of Logos
Combination Mark
flexibility to use both icon and text or each individually
each piece looks as good as the whole
Types of Logos
Combination Mark
flexibility to use both icon and text or each individually
each piece looks as good as the whole
Logo Color Theory
Color is one of the MOST IMPORTANT
elements of a logo
Logo Color Theory
Color is one of the MOST IMPORTANT
elements of a logo
Color appeals to our subconscious
senses and influences our decisions
Logo Color Theory
Logo Color Theory
Excitement, Youthful, Bold
Logo Color Theory
Excitement, Youthful, Bold
Trust, Loyalty, Confidence
Logo Color Theory
Excitement, Youthful, Bold
Trust, Loyalty, Confidence
Life, Renewal, Growth
Logo Color Theory
Excitement, Youthful, Bold
Trust, Loyalty, Confidence
Life, Renewal, Growth
Warmth, Clarity, Hope
Logo Color Theory
Excitement, Youthful, Bold
Trust, Loyalty, Confidence
Life, Renewal, Growth
Warmth, Clarity, Hope
Energy, Playful, Cheerful
Logo Color Theory
Excitement, Youthful, Bold
Trust, Loyalty, Confidence
Life, Renewal, Growth
Warmth, Clarity, Hope
Energy, Playful, Cheerful
Creative, Wisdom, Royalty
Logo Color Theory
Excitement, Youthful, Bold
Trust, Loyalty, Confidence
Life, Renewal, Growth
Warmth, Clarity, Hope
Energy, Playful, Cheerful
Creative, Wisdom, Royalty
Balance, Respect, Formal
Logo Color Theory
Logo Color Theory
Logo Color Theory
Logo Color Theory
Logo Color Theory
Logo Color Theory
Logo Color Theory
Logo Typography
Avoid commonly used fonts
Arial
Helvetica
Comic Sans
Times New Roman
Logo Typography
Careful with scripts at small sizes

Script
Script
Script
Harder to read
Can you read this?
Logo Typography
Font needs to fit the overall feel
of a business
Logo Typography
Font needs to fit the overall feel
of a business
OR
K.I.S.S. Theory
K.I.S.S. Theory
KEEP
K.I.S.S. Theory
KEEP
IT
K.I.S.S. Theory
KEEP
IT
SIMPLE
K.I.S.S. Theory
KEEP
IT
SIMPLE
STUPID
Logo Consistency
Keep colors, fonts and proportions the
same across all marketing products
Train staff and ICs the proper use and
display of a business logo
Consistency breeds recognition
Remember...
Your logo is the

FIRST IMPRESSION
of your business!
Case Study
Case Study
Smart Level Construction

Business Cards
Case Study
Smart Level Construction

Postcard Direct Mailer
Case Study
Smart Level Construction

Signage and Vehicles
Case Study
Case Study
Philly Pet Care

Business Cards
Case Study
Philly Pet Care

Business Card Magnets
Case Study
Philly Pet Care

Postcards
Case Study

Web Site
5 Keys to A Strong Logo
1. Simple
2. Memorable
3. Timeless
4. Versatile
5. Appropriate
Jake Van Ness
Graphic Designer and Design Consultant

jake@graphicprecision.com
www.graphicprecision.com
facebook.com/graphicprecision
518-232-8695