Logo’s are a funny thing. In our world (the creative world), we get commissioned to design them— often with the expectation that we are building a ‘brand’ for the business. The fact is, we aren’t building a brand, we are merely building the signature that a brand will carry.

We naturally assume that because of the mass exposure to world-class brands (say Starbucks for example), that their logos were designed and greatness instantly followed. Not true. It’s the behaviour, product quality, reputation, and buzz that truly build a great brand. The logo simply becomes the well-recognized signature for it.

But that’s not to say that the right logo isn’t important, or even critical to future success.

Here’s Why Logos Matter

Before a brand has a chance to achieve greatness, it is judged thousands of times over. It sets the tone for how the brand is positioned. It gives visual queues to the consumer on what they should ‘expect’ from that brand. If the brand is set to hold a premium position in the market place, then the design should reflect a premium look. Consumers will expect to pay premium pricing, and you will eliminate pesky non-consumers (cheapskates) from the mix. If the logo is designed to be the value leader, a simpler, slightly more generic look is often best. Take a look around and you can see the difference. KIA vs Mercedes, Banana Republic vs Wal-Mart. Coca Cola vs the generic brand.

Ultimately, a logo’s job is to set expectations and be a unique signature for an organization. More importantly, it represents the position the company expects to hold (we refer to it as relevance). If it doesn’t, you may have only 2 choices; re-brand or re-position.

Want to learn more about what actually makes a brand? Download our helpful, free resource below.