Easy to Draw Logos

Logo design is an essential element in establishing a brand’s identity, and while it may seem like an art reserved for professionals, anyone can start designing logos—no matter their skill level. Many successful logos around the world are based on simple, easy-to-draw concepts. From the Nike swoosh to the Apple apple, simplicity can be the hallmark of great design.

In this article, we will explore some easy-to-draw logos, the thought process behind them, and tips to help you begin your logo design journey. Whether you're creating a logo for a new business, a personal project, or just for fun, this guide will help you understand the core principles of effective logo design.

Why Simple Logos Are Effective

When it comes to logo design, simplicity is more than just an aesthetic choice; it’s a strategic move. Logos that are simple, yet thoughtfully crafted, tend to have a much stronger impact. The simplicity of design means that the logo will be easy to recognize, scalable, and adaptable across various formats.

Some of the world’s most recognizable logos—such as Apple, Nike, and McDonald's—are deceptively simple. These logos use minimal elements, such as basic shapes or clean fonts, which contribute to their timeless appeal. Simple logos have an inherent power because they:

Create Strong First Impressions

A simple logo is memorable, which means people can recall it instantly. Think of the Nike swoosh or the McDonald's golden arches—both are simple yet powerful symbols that represent their brands across the globe. 

Ensure Versatility

A logo needs to look good in a variety of contexts—on business cards, websites, social media profiles, and merchandise. A complex logo with intricate details may lose clarity when scaled down. Simple logos, however, maintain their integrity in any format. Their simplicity allows them to be easily reproduced across different platforms and sizes without losing effectiveness.

Stand the Test of Time

Simple logos tend to age better than overly complicated ones. With minimal design elements, you can avoid the need for frequent redesigns as design trends evolve. A timeless logo is versatile, adaptable, and still looks relevant years after its creation.

Types of Easy-to-Draw Logos

When it comes to logo design, understanding the different types of logos can help you select the right approach based on your brand’s goals and identity. Logos are the cornerstone of a brand’s visual identity, and many successful logos are surprisingly simple. The following four types of logos are some of the easiest to design, as they can be created using basic shapes, clean lines, and clear typography. 

Let's explore these types in more detail:

1. Wordmark Logos

A wordmark logo is a text-based logo that uses the full brand name in a stylized font. These logos focus entirely on typography, with the goal of making the brand name itself the visual symbol.

Why Wordmark Logos are Easy to Draw:

Wordmark logos don’t require any symbols or complex graphics. The main focus is on text, and it’s about how you style the letters. The key elements you can experiment with in wordmark logos include:

• Font styles: You can choose from serif, sans-serif, or custom fonts that align with the brand’s personality.
• Letter spacing: Adjusting the space between letters (kerning) can change the visual flow and make it more dynamic or balanced.
• Alignment: You can adjust whether the text is centered, left-aligned, or stretched across different orientations to create emphasis.
• Color: Wordmark logos can be in black and white for simplicity or feature multiple colors to enhance the design.

Since these logos rely purely on text, they are especially easy to draw for beginners, as there’s no need for advanced graphic skills or drawing intricate images. The trick is to focus on typography and play with it to achieve a unique, memorable design.

Example:

The Google logo is a great example of a simple yet highly effective wordmark logo. The design uses a clean, sans-serif font that feels approachable and friendly. The primary colors—blue, red, yellow, and green—make the logo stand out, and its minimalistic approach allows it to remain highly versatile across different platforms. The focus is purely on the typography, with the use of bright colors helping to communicate the brand’s dynamic and user-friendly nature.

2. Lettermark Logos

A lettermark logo uses the initials or an acronym of a brand name. This type of logo simplifies a longer brand name by reducing it to its initials, making it easier to remember and recognize. Lettermark logos are often used for companies with long names or for those brands that are commonly referred to by their initials.

Why Lettermark Logos are Easy to Draw:

Lettermark logos are simpler to design than full wordmarks because they use only a few letters. The process of creating a lettermark involves:

• Creative arrangement: Experimenting with the layout of the initials, such as stacking them vertically, arranging them side by side, or using overlapping letters for a creative effect.
• Choosing the right font: Similar to wordmark logos, font style plays a crucial role in defining the brand’s personality. You can choose fonts that are either sleek and modern or bold and authoritative.
• Adjusting the spacing: Proper letter spacing (kerning) is important to ensure the logo looks balanced and cohesive.

Lettermark logos are often the easiest choice for beginner logo designers since they involve minimal elements (just a few letters) but still provide plenty of room for creativity.

Example:

The IBM logo is a classic lettermark that uses clean, structured design with strong, geometric letterforms. The simple use of the initials I, B, and M allows the logo to be scalable, making it ideal for both large-scale branding and smaller digital applications. The design is highly recognizable, and the straightforward approach demonstrates how effective a lettermark can be when done right.

3. Icon-Based Logos

An icon-based logo uses a symbol or image to represent the brand, making it easy to communicate the brand’s message visually. These logos rely on basic shapes, simple imagery, and clever symbolism to convey the brand’s essence.

Why Icon-Based Logos are Easy to Draw:

Icon-based logos often rely on basic geometric shapes (such as circles, squares, and triangles), making them relatively simple to sketch. The main steps in creating an icon-based logo include:

• Identifying the brand’s core idea: The symbol should reflect the heart of the brand, such as innovation for Apple or social connection for Twitter.
• Using basic shapes: Many iconic logos can be created with just a few simple shapes, like circles, squares, or triangles, which are easy to draw and modify.
• Refining the design: Once you have a basic shape or symbol, you can adjust its proportions, angles, and lines to make the design more dynamic or memorable.

Icon-based logos are excellent for brands that want to rely on a visual symbol rather than words to communicate their identity. These logos are simple to create, and once the right symbol is selected, the design process is largely about refinement.

Example:

The Apple logo is one of the most famous examples of an icon-based logo. It uses the silhouette of an apple with a bite taken out, which has become synonymous with the brand’s values of innovation, simplicity, and sleek design. The clean, easily recognizable shape makes it effective for use across all media and scales well on any size, from product packaging to billboards.

4. Combination Logos

A combination logo merges both text and an icon or symbol. This type of logo combines the best of both worlds by using a graphic symbol and the brand name to create a complete, memorable identity. Combination logos are versatile, making them ideal for businesses that want to emphasize both their name and brand message.

Why Combination Logos are Easy to Draw:

Combination logos offer the flexibility of using both text and a simple graphic element. The ease of creating these logos stems from:

• Balancing two elements: You start with a simple icon and combine it with the brand name in a clean, legible font. The challenge is ensuring that both parts complement each other and are not overwhelming when placed together.
• Simplified design: Since you’re combining two basic elements, the icon and the font, the complexity comes from ensuring they work well together. The font and icon should complement each other in terms of style, size, and color.
• Versatility: You can experiment with how the elements are arranged, whether the icon sits next to the text, above it, or is integrated into the text itself.

Combination logos are especially useful because they provide a recognizable visual identity while also helping people remember the brand name. It gives you the flexibility to use either the icon or text as the focal point, depending on the context.

Example:

The Adidas logo is a great example of a combination logo. The triangle symbol, which represents the brand’s iconic three-stripe design, is paired with the brand name in a bold, clear font. The icon is easily recognizable, and the brand name is simple and direct, ensuring that the logo works well on everything from product labels to large-scale advertising.

Tips for Drawing Logos

Designing a logo isn’t just about drawing—it’s about applying design principles that make the logo memorable and impactful. Here are a few practical tips to help you create effective logos:

1. Keep It Simple

Simplicity is the key to a successful logo. Stick to basic shapes, clean lines, and avoid unnecessary details. Clutter can make a logo hard to recognize and less effective.

2. Focus on Scalability

Your logo should look great whether it’s small on a business card or large on a billboard. Test your design at various sizes to ensure it remains clear and legible. Simple logos tend to scale better than complex ones.

3. Experiment with Shapes

Start by drawing basic shapes like circles, triangles, and squares. These shapes are the building blocks of all logos. Once you’re comfortable with these elements, combine them to form a more complex design.

4. Consider Color

Color can convey the personality and emotion behind a brand. For beginners, it’s often helpful to start with black-and-white designs. Once you’re happy with the design, experiment with color to add depth and meaning to your logo.

5. Test for Versatility

A good logo is versatile. Test your design on various backgrounds, at different sizes, and across different platforms to ensure it works well in all situations. Your logo should be effective on everything from a website to promotional materials.

Easy-to-Draw Logo Ideas for Beginners

Here are a few easy-to-draw logo ideas that are simple, fun, and effective for beginners:

1. Abstract Geometric Logo

Start by combining simple geometric shapes like squares, triangles, and circles. Experiment with overlapping or arranging them to create an abstract design that reflects your brand’s essence. Geometric logos are perfect for modern, tech, or design-focused brands.

2. Animal Icon Logo

Design a simple animal logo using basic shapes such as circles and triangles. You could create a fox, bird, or elephant, which work well for brands in the eco, pet, or children’s industries. Animal logos are often memorable and convey a sense of personality.

3. Heart Logo for Social Causes

A heart is universally recognized as a symbol of love, care, and charity. Draw a heart logo using simple, smooth curves. This type of logo is ideal for healthcare, nonprofit, or social cause organizations.

4. Nature-Inspired Logo

Draw inspiration from nature to create logos using simple shapes like trees, leaves, or mountains. These logos work well for eco-friendly or outdoor brands and can be made with basic lines and geometric shapes.

5. Circular Food Logo

A circle logo with simple food-related symbols like a fork, knife, or plate can create a balanced and visually appealing design. A circle logo is ideal for businesses in the restaurant or food-related industries.

Tools for Drawing Logos

When embarking on the journey of logo creation, having the right tools at your disposal can significantly simplify the process and elevate the final result. Let’s explore some of the best tools available for drawing logos:

1. Logome: Your Ultimate Beginner-Friendly Logo Design Tool

Logome is an excellent tool for anyone just starting to design logos. It’s designed with simplicity in mind, making it ideal for beginners who want to create a polished logo without needing to learn complex design software. Logome offers a wide range of templates to choose from, which means you don’t have to start from scratch. Whether you’re designing a logo for a business, blog, or personal project, you can easily find a template that suits your needs.

2. Canva: A Versatile Graphic Design Tool

Canva is another popular tool for creating logos, particularly for beginners. Known for its ease of use, Canva provides a drag-and-drop design system that lets you customize logos quickly. It offers a large library of templates, images, and icons that can be used to build logos from scratch or refine pre-existing designs.

3. Hatchful by Shopify: A Free Logo Maker for Entrepreneurs

If you're an entrepreneur or a small business owner, Hatchful by Shopify is another fantastic tool to consider. This free logo design tool is specifically aimed at helping business owners create logos that reflect their brand identity. With a selection of templates tailored to various industries, Hatchful makes it easy to create a logo that speaks to your business's mission and values.

Conclusion

Creating easy-to-draw logos is a rewarding and accessible process for anyone looking to dive into the world of design. By focusing on simplicity, scalability, and core design principles, anyone can create a memorable and effective logo. Start by experimenting with basic shapes, colors, and fonts, and gradually refine your designs to suit your brand’s personality.

With tools like Logome, designing logos becomes a straightforward and enjoyable process, even for beginners. So grab your sketchpad or open up a design tool, and start creating logos that are simple, memorable, and truly reflective of your brand.