13 Different Types of Logo Designs with Examples - Choose the Right One!

Finding the perfect logo design can be challenging. It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about making a lasting impression, whether online or offline. Think about it: the logo on your website needs to look just as impressive on a billboard or business card. Logos are everywhere, from your computer screen to the shoes you're wearing, silently working to represent a brand’s identity.

Ever wondered why logos are so crucial for a business? Because logos are more than just symbols; they're the face of your brand, capturing its essence in a single design, and choosing the right type can set you apart. But did you know there are thirteen different types of logos? Each type uniquely blends typography and imagery, giving your brand its distinct feel. This is what makes the Apple logo so iconic and Google's logo instantly recognizable. Whether it’s a sleek icon or bold text, the right type of logo design makes all the difference. 

According to Forbes, a powerful logo speaks volumes without uttering a single word. It embodies trust, excellence, and a deep connection between your brand and your audience. A logo should be clear and memorable. You don’t need a big budget to create a great logo. Focus on refining a familiar symbol that represents your industry well. If your logo is too complex or abstract, it might confuse potential customers. Test it with your team to ensure it’s easily understood and resonates with your brand’s message. Choose wisely, and let your logo inspire loyalty and reflect your business’s core values.

For instance, a tech company might opt for a modern, minimalist logo to convey innovation, while a bakery might choose a whimsical, hand-drawn logo to evoke warmth and tradition. 

What are the types of logos, and which one suits your brand?

Starting your logo design journey can be daunting. You might feel a mix of excitement and anxiety, wondering if you'll get it right. It's normal to have questions and doubts. After all, your logo is the face of your company and speaks volumes about your brand. 

Selecting the perfect logo from a big list of different types of logo designs is crucial. Your choice will define your brand personality and help customers connect with your business. But with so many types of logos out there, how do you choose the one that's right for your business? In this article, we'll dive into the world of logos, exploring thirteen different types of logos that can define your brand identity.

So, whether you're a startup looking to make your mark or an established brand seeking a fresh design, an understanding of all types of logos will help you make an informed decision or you can try Logome for free to simplify the process of making a unique and professional logo for your brand. This will guide you in making an impressive logo from scratch in just a few minutes. But first! Let’s dive in and find the ideal match for you! We'll explore 

• Types of logos with examples
• Logotype details
• Designer tips on how to use them to create a standout brand identity.
• Comparison of different types of logos

Read the full article to know the various types of logos and help yourself find the one that will make your business shine, whether it’s for your online presence or physical storefront. Ready to create a logo that leaves a lasting impression? Let’s get started!  

1. Monogram Logos (or Lettermarks) 

Monogram logos, or lettermarks, consist of letters, usually brand initials. They're the initialisms of companies with lengthy names, like LV, IBM, CNN, HP, and HBO. By using initials, these companies simplify brand identification.

Calling it  “NASA” is easier than saying “National Aeronautics and Space Administration.” Right? 

Pick a font that captures your brand’s vibe and stays legible, even on tiny business cards. Turn those long brand names into snappy initials that people will remember, like how HBO (Home Box Office) became an iconic abbreviation. This approach not only simplifies your brand identity but also makes it easier for customers to recall. Embrace the power of minimalism and let your initials do the talking!

Choose clean, professional fonts for a polished look, and consider custom typography for added uniqueness. If your business isn't widely recognized, include the full name below the logo for clarity. Monograms are incredibly versatile and perfect for promotional products, digital platforms, and company stationery. Think of monogram logos as shorthand—they distil complex brand identities into a simplified, elegant form.

What's the difference between monogram logos and lettermark logos?

Monogram logos and lettermark logos might seem similar, but they have a distinct visual twist. While both use the brand's initials, monograms interlace the letters, creating a cohesive and intertwined design. This style evokes the elegance of a family crest or the sophistication of initials etched on fine silverware, often perceived as luxurious and exclusive. However, it’s not limited to high-end brands—many sports teams and athletic brands use monogram logos effectively.

2. Wordmarks (or Logotypes)

Wordmarks or logotypes are font-based logos that focus on a business's name. Examples include Visa and Coca-Cola. They work well with distinct, memorable names.

Out of so many different types of logo designs, make typography your focus; choose a font that captures your brand's essence. This approach enhances brand recognition, especially for unique names. Take Coca-Cola's logo as an example—it pairs a catchy name with powerful typography to create a memorable identity.

Custom fonts can make your brand truly stand out, much like Coca-Cola's iconic typeface. Align the font style with your brand’s personality—elegant fonts for fashion brands, and traditional fonts for legal firms. Wordmarks boast versatility, maintaining their impact across business cards, digital ads, and more. Think of wordmarks as a brand's signature, turning the name into the central design element.

When to Choose a Lettermark or Wordmark for Your Logo?

Do you have a business with a lengthy name? A lettermark could be your best friend. By condensing your business name into stylish initials, you create a sleek, memorable design that's easier for customers to recall. 

“Imagine IBM or CNN—simple, impactful, and effective.”

On the flip side, if you're a newcomer aiming to make a splash, a wordmark might be the way to go. This approach puts your brand name front and center, showcasing it in a unique and visually appealing font. Just ensure your name isn’t too long—lengthy names can become cluttered and hard to read. 

“Think of Google or Coca-Cola, where the name itself becomes a memorable part of the brand.”

Both lettermarks and wordmarks are super versatile and easy to apply across all your marketing materials, making them great choices for growing businesses.

However, don’t just slap your name or initials in a random font. To truly capture your brand’s essence and make a lasting impression, it’s crucial to work with a professional designer. They’ll ensure your logo isn't just another pretty face but a distinct and meaningful representation of your brand.

READ ALSO: Wordmark vs Logo

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3. Pictorial Marks (or Logo Symbols)

Pictorial marks are icon-based logos, such as the Apple logo, the Twitter bird, and the Target bullseye. These logos are instantly recognizable and iconic.

Select a timeless, clear image that captures your brand’s essence. A well-chosen symbol fosters strong visual connections with your brand. For instance, Apple’s logo is a clean, iconic symbol that remains memorable.

Choose a symbol that reflects your brand’s core values and message. Ensure it can adapt and grow with your brand over time. Opt for simplicity to maintain clarity and recognition across all platforms. Think of pictorial marks as visual anchors, grounding your brand identity with straightforward, impactful imagery.

4. Abstract Logo Marks

Abstract marks use geometric forms to represent a brand. Examples include the BP starburst, Pepsi’s divided circle, and Adidas’s stripy flower.

Prioritize color and form to express your brand’s essence and stir emotions. The benefit? A distinctive, symbolic representation that stands out. For instance, the Nike swoosh elegantly conveys movement and freedom.

Abstract logos unlock limitless design possibilities. Ensure your abstract form connects with your audience through usability tests. These logos are versatile, seamlessly fitting both print and digital spaces. Think of abstract marks as visual metaphors, translating complex ideas into sleek geometric shapes.

5. Mascots

Mascot logos feature illustrated characters that act as brand ambassadors. Examples include the Kool-Aid Man, KFC’s Colonel, and Mr. Peanut.

Craft a character that embodies your brand’s essence and resonates with your audience. It adds a personal touch to your brand, boosting engagement and relatability. The KFC logo or KFC Colonel adds a friendly, familiar touch, making the brand feel approachable and personable.

Make sure your mascot shines across all media, from TV ads to social media. Use mascots in diverse promotions to forge a personal connection with your audience. Think of mascots as brand ambassadors, infusing your brand with personality and warmth.

When to Opt for Pictorial and Symbol Logos?

Thinking of using a pictorial mark for your brand? These iconic images can work wonders if your business already has some recognition. They’re great for conveying your brand’s essence through a simple, graphic representation—think of the Twitter bird or Apple’s apple. But they’re also versatile enough to convey a specific idea or emotion, even if your business name is on the longer side.

Pictorial marks are particularly useful in global commerce. They’re universally recognizable and avoid translation issues, making them a smart choice if your business has an international scope. 

But beware: if you’re planning to diversify your offerings in the future, a pictorial mark tied to a specific product might become limiting. For instance, a pizza icon might not fit if you later expand into sandwiches or salads.

Abstract marks, on the other hand, let you craft a unique and imaginative image for your brand. They’re perfect for creating a distinctive identity, but they’re best handled by design pros who can blend color, shape, and structure to convey meaning effectively. Think of Nike’s swoosh—a simple yet powerful representation of motion and freedom.

If you’re aiming to connect with younger audiences or families, consider a mascot logo. Characters like the Pillsbury Doughboy not only make your brand more relatable but also encourage fun interactions, especially on social media or at events. 

Note: Just keep in mind that a mascot might not always translate well across all media. Detailed illustrations may struggle on smaller formats like business cards, making a combination mark—a blend of images and text—a versatile alternative for broader use.

6. Emblems

Emblems combine text and symbols into a single, ornate design, often reminiscent of crests. Examples include Starbucks, Stella Artois, and Harley-Davidson.

Emblems pack a punch with their detailed design, but make sure they stay clear even when scaled down. They’re perfect for brands that want to broadcast a sense of tradition and sophistication. For instance, Manchester United uses its emblem to convey a sense of prestigious heritage and unparalleled quality, making every matchday experience feel legendary.

Keep the details crisp for smaller uses to ensure your emblem always looks sharp. Make sure it scales seamlessly so your brand identity remains strong and recognizable. Emblems shine on products that celebrate tradition and quality, like luxury goods or educational institutions. Think of them as badges of honor, beautifully encapsulating your brand’s rich heritage and values.

7. Combination Marks

Combination marks merge images with words. Examples include Taco Bell, Toblerone, and NBC. They are versatile and adaptable.

When designing a combination mark, think of it as a partnership between text and imagery, where both elements must work together harmoniously. This blend offers incredible versatility, allowing your logo to adapt to different contexts with ease. Take a cue from Lacoste, which masterfully integrates its iconic crocodile with its name, creating a logo that fits perfectly on everything from sporty polo shirts to stylish ads.

Keep your combination mark visually cohesive to ensure it maintains a unified look across all platforms. Its adaptability is key; design variations to suit different uses and contexts. Think of combination marks as your brand’s Swiss Army knife—versatile and functional, allowing you to use just the icon, the wordmark, or both, depending on the medium.

When to Choose Combination Marks or Emblem Logos?

Debating between a combination mark and an emblem for your brand? Here’s the scoop:

Combination Marks are the Swiss Army knives of logo design. They blend text and imagery, offering a flexible and distinctive look that can adapt to any business. Whether you’re a startup or an established enterprise, a combination mark provides versatility and can help your brand stand out. It’s a favorite among major brands because it balances both visual and textual elements effectively, making it easier for audiences to recognize and remember your business.

On the flip side, Emblems are your go-to if you want to convey a sense of tradition and formality. These logos, which merge text and symbols into a single, often intricate design, are commonly used by public institutions and educational entities. They’re also popular in the food and beverage industry, where their detailed appearance adds a touch of class—think Starbucks or Stella Artois. However, be mindful of the design complexity. Emblems need to be crafted carefully to ensure they remain clear and impactful across various marketing materials, from business cards to signage.

So, whether you’re looking for a versatile combination mark or a classic emblem, understanding how these different types of logo designs fit your brand's needs will help you make the best choice for your logo.

8. Dynamic Marks

Dynamic logos change form while maintaining a core motif. Examples include Google Doodles and Hilary Clinton’s ‘H’.

When using a dynamic logo, it’s essential to set up a consistent framework that accommodates creative variations. This approach keeps your brand feeling fresh and engaging. For instance, Google’s dynamic logos adapt to celebrate different events while always reinforcing its core brand identity.

For dynamic logos, it’s crucial to keep a core motif consistent across all variations, ensuring each design still feels like part of the same brand. Strive for a balance—too many changes can bewilder your audience. Embrace the creative freedom dynamic marks offer, which allows your brand to remain relevant and engaging. Think of dynamic marks as chameleons: they adapt to various contexts but always stay true to their core identity.

9. Animated Logos

Animated logos bring a touch of magic to your brand with movement and visual effects. Think Disney's enchanting castle or Google's playful Doodles. To make the most of this type of logo, ensure transitions are smooth and effects are polished to amplify visual impact. Animated logos are fantastic for capturing attention and enriching brand storytelling. For example, Disney’s animated logo adds an extra layer of magic, making each brand interaction a memorable experience.

When designing animated logos, aim for subtlety to ensure the animation enhances rather than overshadows your brand's core identity. Tailor your animations specifically for digital and multimedia environments to maximize their impact. Animated logos excel in boosting viewer engagement and leaving a lasting impression on digital platforms. Think of them as mini-movies that breathe life into your brand's static design, blending motion and interactivity for a captivating experience.

10. Letterforms

Letterforms, or one-letter logos, focus solely on the initial letter of a company's name. They often come paired with a full version of the brand name (a wordmark) for varied uses.

Letterform logos are compact and scalable, retaining their recognizability even at tiny sizes. This makes them perfect for app icons, favicons, and social media profile pictures. Their minimalist design ensures they remain clear and impactful, no matter how small they appear.

These logos shine for brands with established recognition, as their effectiveness relies on existing brand awareness. They're also ideal for companies with lengthy names, simplifying the visual identity. Large corporations undergoing rebranding can use letterforms to modernize their image. For brands that embrace minimalism, letterforms provide a sleek, straightforward solution.

11. Letter Inside Shapes Logos 

Logos featuring words inside shapes create a distinctive twist on traditional designs. Unlike complex emblems, these logos give wordmarks or lettermarks an extra edge, using shapes that reflect the brand's identity. The shape can be anything that fits the brand’s story, adding an element of intrigue and uniqueness.

When designing a logo with letters inside a shape, think creatively about how the shape can represent your brand. The possibilities are limitless, allowing for a truly personalized design. For example, Domino’s Pizza cleverly uses a domino shape, while Pfizer’s logo takes on the form of a pill, each telling a visual story.

Choose a shape that aligns with your brand’s essence and enhances its narrative. Keep the design simple and clean for easy recognition. Ensure the logo is versatile enough to look great across all mediums, from print to digital. Get creative and use the shape to make your wordmark or lettermark stand out, turning it into a memorable and engaging visual identity.

12. Negative Space Logos 

Definition: Negative space logos are an intriguing choice for any brand. This design technique cleverly uses empty areas to reveal symbols, shapes, or graphics, adding a layer of sophistication to your visual identity. Whether subtle or bold, negative space logos make a statement that stands out.

When creating a negative space logo, you're working with two visuals: the encompassing shape and the hidden shape, which forms the negative space. The possibilities are limitless, whether you're blending letters with shapes or intertwining two letters. This style isn’t just a fleeting trend; it's a timeless approach that has even gone viral, like when a designer cleverly cut a piece from the brand's M to reveal an animal shape within, earning widespread acclaim.

Think creatively and playfully when designing a negative space logo. Use the empty spaces to reveal hidden symbols or shapes that add an element of surprise. Balance the positive and negative elements to ensure clarity and harmony. This technique can elevate a simple design into a visually captivating and memorable brand mark.

13. 3D logos 

Give your logo an extra layer of uniqueness by making it three-dimensional. Make the letters of your wordmark pop out of the page, make your emblem look like it’s made of metal, or make the shape around your brand name look like a real object. 3D logos stand out with their lifelike depth, making your brand instantly memorable.

Creating a 3D logo requires specialized design skills. You'll need to add perspective, shading, and highlights in just the right places. Like emblem logos, 3D designs also need a flat variation for touchpoints where the three-dimensional version won't fit. These logos can trick the eye into seeing depth in a flat design, but they truly shine when animated or rendered to look genuinely three-dimensional. If you want to keep up with industry trends, consider simplifying a 3D logo back to a flat design for versatility.

To make your 3D logo truly stand out, focus on realistic shading and perspective. Experiment with different textures and materials to give your logo a tactile quality. And remember, having a versatile flat version ensures your logo maintains its impact across all mediums. By combining depth with flexibility, a 3D logo can elevate your brand to new heights.

Designing an effective logo involves blending simplicity and memorability—keeping the design clear and straightforward ensures it sticks with your audience. Versatility is key; your logo should look great on everything from business cards to billboards. Now you know how to choose a logo for your business! Make sure it's relevant and timeless, avoiding trends that might fade. Your logo should resonate with your target audience, reflecting their tastes and values. Use color and typography to showcase your brand’s personality and message. By mastering these elements, you can create logos that not only capture a brand’s essence but also leave a lasting impression.

Different Types of Logo Designs FAQs

Why are there so many different types of logos?

There are so many different types of logos because each design caters to diverse brands and their distinct requirements. The diversity in each logo style—be it a monogram, wordmark, pictorial mark, or emblem—serves different purposes and fits various brand identities. This variety allows businesses to choose a logo that best represents their values, audience, and message, ensuring their brand stands out in a crowded market.

How do I determine which logo combination suits my brand?

Determining the right logo combination that suits your brand, from the list of different types of logo designs involves understanding your brand's core message and audience. Start by assessing whether your brand benefits more from a visual symbol, text, or a mix of both. A combination mark might work well if you want both text and imagery to be recognized together. Consider an emblem for a more traditional approach if you aim to convey heritage or authority.

Which types of logo designs are currently trending?

The most trending logo designs are combination marks and wordmarks. These are frequently favored for their ability to blend text and imagery or focus solely on the brand name. Additionally, dynamic and animated logos are gaining traction for their ability to engage audiences with motion and creativity.