Creating a Logo for Your Firm

Logos are one of the necessities of every brand. No matter the industry or the company’s size, having a recognizable logo is key to success. Consider the many famous logos such as McDonald’s, Target, and Nike that you can recognize anywhere and any time, regardless of the context.

This kind of recognition is important for law firms as well. Though you will likely never be as famous as the world’s most popular fast-food restaurant, you can undoubtedly build brand recognition in your own community with your logo. In addition, brand recognition among your peers and potential clients is excellent for your firm’s business.

However, the perfect logo is elusive. Though some of them seem simple, they often require dozens of hours to complete. There is a lot of minutia and details that are important to get exactly right. If the logo is off somehow, customers either won’t see it or won’t respond well to it.

If your firm is looking for a new logo, it is vital to consider several things. Therefore, we have assembled our most essential tips on creating your law firm logo so that you can be sure you’re on the right path.

Keep It Simple

Remember that a logo does not need to encompass everything your firm does and stands for, nor should it be the entire branding idea. Instead, treat the logo as a summary of the rest of the brand. It is a small, recognizable icon representing your brand when there is no room or time for the entire brand to be represented.

For example, consider the Facebook logo. Rather than trying to squish the entire brand name into the logo, they minimized the amount of text while sticking to their company’s color palette. As a result, they give minimum information while remaining recognizable and on-brand.

Usually, the simplest design will be the most effective.

Focus on Platform Versatility

It is crucial to create a logo that will do well on several different platforms and mediums. This means that it can shrink and grow without losing its recognition factor. Consider where your logo will appear. You may display it prominently on your firm’s front door but also have it on the firm’s notepads and pens. You need to be sure that it doesn’t lose essential details when it is shrunk to fit small objects. Conversely, it should not lack substance when it’s enlarged for a more significant display.

This versatility applies to marketing platforms and social media websites as well. Consider where your logo needs to appear on your social media sites, website landing pages, email blasts, and articles involving your firm. If your logo remains equally appropriate in all of these settings, it is solid and effective. However, if it loses its impact on one of these platforms, you need to revisit the design.

Consider Color

Many firms want to stick to muted tones as a show of professionalism and responsibility. This means that many firm logos are white, black, navy, maroon, and tan. It is important to note that you can branch out from these hues while remaining professional. However, if you prefer to stick to this palette, be sure that your logo is designed so that it does not disappear on common backgrounds. Consider emails, for example. Most emails have a white background. If the edges of your design are white, it may blend into the background on an email. Consider altering your colors, even slightly, to avoid mishaps such as this.

Aim for Recognition

Simplicity is paramount in achieving logo recognition. The more details that are involved in a design, the less people will pay attention. The bolder and simpler your design is, the easier it will be for others to recognize it. Consider the logos for Macy’s or Pepsi. They are simple designs that do not require a lot of time and consideration to remember. This makes them highly recognizable.

The other side to recognizability is being unique. If your logo is similar to another firm’s logo, customers will likely combine the two in their minds. This ultimately leads to confusion and a lack of recognition.

Be sure to research other firms in the area and your industry before you design your logo. Try to avoid being too similar to any other single logo.

The Essence of Your Firm

When you begin the design process, it is essential to consider what you want to convey. Remember, audiences will interpret your logo in a single glance, which means you have a limited amount of time to make an impression. Consider traits of strength, approachability, expertise, welcoming, and tenacity. Look to color theory and color associations to help you convey the right message. This information will also help you home in on a design representing your firm’s key values.

Brief First

Briefing is vital in the legal sector, but it is also essential in the logo design process. Arrange a design briefing so that you can be sure that your designer and your team are on the same page about what the new logo will do. Discuss values, goals for the firm, likes and dislikes regarding branding, and vision for the future. All this information helps inform the design process.

Don’t be afraid to ask your clients as well. While you may or may not want to ask existing and past clients for their opinions on the logos themselves, you can consider sending out a survey regarding your firm. Ask questions that will inform the design brief and give you a better understanding of how the public perceives your firm. This provides a starting point so that you can use your logo to control your reputation throughout the community.

RizeUp Media Can Help

Here at RizeUp Media, we understand how complicated this can seem. The facts and intricacies of our industry can baffle even the most intelligent individuals. Though we believe in empowering our clients to understand the process, we also provide renowned work so that you don’t have to worry. We walk you through the entire logo design process and create an image that fits your unique needs, as well as these industry standards.

For more information on how we can help your firm grow, please contact us online.