Brand development that increases sales velocity, guaranteed.

The Simple Guide To Minimalism & Logo Design.

There are a lot of competing ideas on what makes for the perfect design, and one of the favorites is minimalism. Figuring out what the purpose of a company is, the essence, is at the core of logo design. The result’s soul should be all needed to identify and brand a company properly. Case in point, what’s at the heart of the logo and package design of some of the most popular brands, like Nesquick? The rabbit? The chocolate milk? How about the font itself?. A few years back, Antrepo came out with a few designs of famous brands that eliminated all the noise and got down to the core of what made the logo really click. The result? Really effective.

It is interesting to see how much (or little) is needed to make a badge effective. This probably isn’t the first time we’ve discussed the importance of simplicity and minimalism in branding and logos, and it certainly won’t be the last, what with out Memento-like extreme short term memories. But all of our neurological deficiencies aside, this is as good a time as any to reiterate our strong feelings about keeping your brand message and logo strategy crisp and flourish-light.

A logo isn’t a logo if it isn’t clear and simple. This doesn’t mean we’re going to set any limits on brush strokes or anything, but if you’re getting into the original Apple logo territory, someone simply has to stop you.

Every logo needs a core; the core being what the logo is without all the bells and whistles. This generally includes the brand colors, the font and possibly the brand/company name. A young brand will probably have to incorporate additional elements in order to delineate what the company/product/philosophy is all about, but as the brand ages and its vision becomes more well known, then the logo can become cleaner and eventually be pared down to its barest essence.

Brand colors

Your logo will have to incorporate your brand colors, like it or not. This is especially true if your product name includes a color of some sort, such as “Red Bull,” “orange juice” or “Maroon 5.”

When choosing colors for your logo, stick to color families appropriate to your brand identity and your demographic. Earth tones if your brand is environmentally friendly; pastels if geared towards parents of newborns; bold and eye catching colors if your product is marketed to children. If you like, you can think outside the box regarding color selection, but there are still a few hard and fast rules. If you manufacture baby furniture and your brand colors are black and gunmetal grey, just be aware that parents of emo/goth newborns are a niche market, at best.

Keep your brand colors relatively simple, and make sure that you select a color palate that can be easily accommodated by a multitude of printers and stay true when viewed on different browsers.

Minimalist Font

Helvetica. ‘Nuff said.

Just kidding. There are hundreds of fonts in the world, all yours for the taking after paying a modest fee.

When choosing a font, clarity is the most important quality. You want your customers to be able to read your brand and product name, and if a minor degree of artistry and uniqueness must be sacrificed, then so be it.

Brand name or no brand name?

Hard to say. Honestly, it depends upon whether or not your product/brand name is, well, good. If your product name is Qsymia, we suggest going with a symbol.

You have a choice; you can turn your brand name into a logo, or incorporate your brand name into a logo/symbol combo and then eliminate the name from the badge or not as you choose once your brand becomes known. Just be aware that your brand will probably never become known to the extent that symbol recognition alone is possible. Oh, there’s McDonalds, Apple, Nike and Pepsi, but those were billion dollar efforts. Now, if your graphic designer has fabricated a totally fly, clean and distinct symbol that will surely become your business’ badge from now until the end of time, then don’t waste it. Otherwise, when in doubt, use your name.

So, what have we learned today? We learned that a logo must be a simple yet cohesive symbol around which all other flourishes are added and eventually removed. We learned that a pastoral etching of Sir Isaac Newton under a tree doesn’t count as a logo. We learned that a crisp, readable font is one thousand times better than any elaborate, barely legible, swirly script. Most importantly, we learned that if a new parent shops for baby furnishings made entirely of wrought iron and slabs of granite, then the social services department should probably be made aware of that fact.

How To Engage In Logo Development.

When creating your minimalistic logo design, there are two primary ways to engage in the process. Depending upon your budget and needs, using an agency or DIY software is your best bet. Here’s a look at the two from both ends of the spectrum.

Enhancing Brand Value through Expert Agencies Like SmashBrand

In the realm of strategic brand development, the role of expert agencies like SmashBrand is pivotal. These establishments offer a sophisticated blend of strategy formulation, design prowess, and empirical testing – elements crucial for a brand’s success in the dynamic FMCG and CPG landscapes. Here’s an overview of the advantages they bring:

  1. Strategic Brand Development: Agencies like SmashBrand excel in devising comprehensive brand strategies. They delve deep into understanding a brand’s essence, its market position, and its competitive environment, ensuring that the strategy is not just visually appealing but also commercially viable.
  2. Design Excellence and Empirical Validation: These agencies are not just about creative flair; they rigorously test their designs against real market feedback. This method ensures that the brand identity developed resonates strongly with the intended audience and is poised for market success.
  3. In-Depth Market and Consumer Insights: Leveraging data-driven market insights and consumer behavior analysis, agencies like SmashBrand craft brand identities that are not only contemporary but also deeply rooted in market realities and consumer expectations.
  4. Consistency Across Branding Elements: They ensure that the branding is not just a one-off design exercise but a consistent narrative across all customer touchpoints, crucial for building a sustainable brand identity.

Data-Driven Brand Development

Want a best-selling brand? SmashBrand is a brand development company for FMCG and CPG brands. From brand strategy to packaging design testing, our Path To Performance™ process guarantees a retail performance lift. Book a time to discuss your project with our team.

Subscribe to
Nice Package.

A monthly newsletter that unpacks a critical topic in the FMCG & CPG industry.

More from SmashBrand

Innovation, Positioning

CPG Product Line Stretching For Increased Market Share.

When Cadbury launched its instant mashed potatoes, we had a clear example of where…

Strategy

7 CPG Brand Dilution Examples And How To Avoid It.

When Dr. Pepper launched its BBQ sauce, customers were scratching their heads, wondering how…

Design, Strategy, Testing

How data-driven package design mitigates the risks of rebranding and boosts ROI.

Rebranding always comes with risks, especially when it comes to updating your CPG pack….

Testing

Use consumer-tested packaging design to crack the code of impulse purchases.

For many FMCG brands, impulse purchases are the primary means of attracting new consumers…

Design, Strategy, Testing

The ROI of packaging: How to design CPG packs that win with consumers.

Failing to give packaging design its proper due isn’t just a missed opportunity —…

Strategy

A Complete Roadmap For Brand Voice Development

According to recent statistics, 77% of consumers prefer shopping with brands they follow on…