15 Logo Styles for inspiration.
When it comes to creating a memorable brand, the logo is one of the most important elements. A well-designed logo can say a lot about a company and can play a significant role in brand recognition. There are numerous logo styles available, and understanding the different types is crucial when selecting the right one for your brand. This guide will walk you through 15 distinctive logo styles and provide you with examples to inspire your own designs.
1. Monogram logos (Lettermarks):
Monogram logos, or lettermark logos, are comprised of letters, usually the initials of a brand. This style is a great way to simplify a long business name. Examples include:
- HBO: The television network uses its initials to form a simple, recognisable logo.
- CNN: Cable News Network, likewise, opts for a clear and direct initial-based logo.
- IBM: International Business Machines is known universally by its initialism.
2. Wordmarks (Logotypes):
Wordmark logos focus on text and typography. They spell out the company’s name in a unique typeface. Examples include:
- Google: The tech giant’s logo is a playful yet straightforward example of a wordmark logo.
- Visa: The financial services company employs a sleek, blue wordmark logo.
- Coca-Cola: This logo’s iconic script is recognised around the world.
3. Pictorial Marks (Logo Symbols):
These are iconographic images that are easily recognisable and represent the brand. Examples include:
- Apple: The bitten apple is a universal symbol for this technology company.
- Twitter: The bird symbol is synonymous with this social media platform.
- Nike: The “swoosh” is a symbol that needs no introduction.
4. Abstract Logo Marks:
Abstract logos use geometric forms to represent a business. They are unique and usually conceptual. Examples include:
- Adidas: The three stripes forming a triangle represent this athletic brand.
- Pepsi: The circular, red, white, and blue logo is an abstract representation.
- BP: The British Petroleum logo uses a sunflower-like abstract shape.
5. Mascots:
Mascot logos often use illustrated characters to represent a brand. Examples include:
- KFC: The Colonel Sanders image is the face of this fast-food chain.
- Pringles: The iconic character with a mustache represents this snack brand.
- Michelin: The Michelin Man is a well-known example of a mascot logo.
6. Emblem Logos:
These often consist of text inside a symbol or icon, like badges, seals, or crests. Examples include:
- Starbucks: Their logo features a siren within a circular emblem alongside the company name.
- Harley-Davidson: This motorcycle manufacturer’s iconic logo is a shield-and-bar emblem.
- NFL: The National Football League’s shield emblem is instantly recognisable.
7. Combination Mark Logos:
As the name suggests, these logos combine a wordmark or lettermark and a pictorial mark, abstract mark, or mascot. Examples include:
- Burger King: Their logo combines the brand name with a pictorial burger.
- Lacoste: The brand pairs its name with a distinct crocodile symbol.
- Doritos: The name of this snack is paired with a triangle symbol, which represents a chip.
8. Coat of Arms:
These are often used by schools, institutions, or government bodies and offer a traditional, authoritative feel. Examples include:
- Harvard University: Their logo is a shield with Veritas (Truth) written on three books.
- Mercedes-Benz: The car manufacturer’s logo can be considered a modernised coat of arms.
- City of London: The city’s logo features a coat of arms with a knight’s helmet and a dragon crest.
9. Letterform Logos:
These are similar to monogram logos but use a single letter, making them even more minimalistic. Examples include:
- McDonald’s: The famous golden “M” is known worldwide.
- Honda: The “H” in their logo stands alone, signifying the brand.
- Netflix: The streaming giant often uses a simple, red “N”.
10. Wordform Logos:
These use a single word as the logo, often stylised to convey the brand’s identity. Examples include:
- Disney: The company’s name is written in their signature, whimsical script.
- FedEx: The shipping company’s name includes a hidden arrow between the “E” and “x”.
- Kodak: The photography brand’s name is written in bold, yellow and red letters.
11. Pictorial Wordmark Logos:
These combine an image with a wordmark to create a full and unique logo style. These are one of our favourite Logo Styles. If you would like an impressive Pictorial Wordmark logo for your business, you can have the specialist team at Jafoe Tech Logo Design North Brisbane design one for you in Vector format. Other Examples include:
- Amazon: The company’s name includes a curved arrow, symbolizing their wide range of products and customer satisfaction.
- NBC: The peacock symbol is incorporated into the television network’s name.
- Audi: The automobile manufacturer’s name accompanies their iconic four rings.
12. Ambigram Logos:
These are logos that retain their meaning when viewed from different perspectives or orientations. Examples include:
- New Man: The clothing brand’s logo reads the same when rotated 180 degrees.
- Sun Microsystems: The technology company’s logo forms a diamond shape with the letters “S”, “U”, and “N” repeated.
- OXO: The Beef stock company’s logo features an “oxo” within an oval shape that is a symmetrical ambigram.
13. Anagram Logos:
These logos consist of letters that can be rearranged to create a different word or phrase, or have other hidden clever meanings. Examples include:
- Sony Vaio: The computer brand’s logo combines the analog and digital symbols, “VA” and “IO”.
- Unilever: The consumer goods company’s logo incorporates various icons representing their products and values.
- Goodwill: The smiling face within the “g” of their logo is also an anagram for “good”.
14. Negative Space Logos:
These logos cleverly use the space around design elements to create secondary images. Examples include:
- FedEx: As mentioned before, the shipping company’s logo contains a hidden arrow between the “E” and “x”.
- Toblerone: The chocolate brand’s logo features a hidden bear within the mountain.
- WWF: The World Wildlife Fund’s panda logo is a great example of using negative space.
15. Dynamic Logos:
These logos change in appearance depending on context or application. Examples include:
- Google Doodles: Google’s logo regularly changes to celebrate events or anniversaries.
- MTV: The television network’s logo often adapts to different styles and themes.
- AOL: The internet company’s logo has undergone numerous redesigns, with each iteration displaying a new pattern or image within the “O”.
By understanding these 15 different logo styles, you can better choose the right design to represent your brand and create a lasting impact on your audience.
We hope you enjoyed our breakdown of some different logo types, and if we’ve missed any or you have any questions, please drop a line on our socials 🙂
