5 features that make your band’s logo versatile
In this article, I would like to tell you about the features that make your band’s logo versatile for any purposes. I hope this information will help you to understand better, how your logo should look like, especially if you are planning to get a professional logo designed.
1) Your logo should be in vector format
Why is it important and how does vector logo differ from raster one? A raster image is made of pixels, each of a different color, arranged to display an image. To help you better understand what I mean, here, take a look at this picture, increased several times. You can see these pixels now.
A vector image is made of paths; each with a mathematical formula that tells the path how it is shaped and what color it is bordered with or filled by.
That's the theory, but what is important for you, is the fact that raster graphics has limited resolution and cannot be increased without loss of quality. Vector graphics, on the contrary, can be used in any size without loss of quality. This is extremely important for the band's logo. You can use your logo for posters, T-shirts, banners or backdrops without facing the problems with the increasing of the logo in size.
Most professional design studios make logos in vector but I’d recommend you to clarify it before making an order. It is important to say that the vector format is more limited than the raster. You cannot make effects like glow or shadow, for example. But, I can convince you that you do not need it. Such things should be applied for a specific purpose. Your main file with your logo should be simple and versatile.
2) Your logo should be monochrome
It is not a rule; some designers still make logos for bands using several colors, but from our point of view, a monochrome logo is the best solution for metal bands. What does it mean? In fact, this means that your logo has one single color. Initially, it can be black or white, but it is not so important. The color can be changed in a few clicks in any graphic editor. The main purpose, in this case, is to have a versatile logo that can be used for any graphic materials. Most often you will use your logo for posters, covers, stickers and things like that. Every time all these things will have different graphics on the background, different color scheme, and style. If you have a monochrome logo, any designer can change its color in a few seconds, apply effects like glow, shadow or outline. In general, do everything to make your logo look good on this particular graphic material. If your logo is made with the use of a large number of colors - it will be exhausting for a designer to work with it. To fit such a logo to the style of graphic material will take much more time and effort. Simple things are the best, remember this.
3) If you want to use a symbol or a small graphics in your logo - keep it simple
Now, when every day dozens, maybe even hundreds of new bands start up, each of them wants to stand out in any way. If we talk about logo design, many bands want to add some graphics to the lettering, a symbol or an emblem, to make the logo more memorable and recognizable. It may be a good option, but you should be very careful with it. There should not be too many graphic elements in the logo, and even more - they do not have to be complicated. They will overload the logo and sometimes it will be difficult to use such a logo on covers or posters. If you have a mascot or some conceptual graphic elements that help people to recognize you, it is better to use them on an emblem, merch design or an album art.
4) A texture makes a difference
It is hard to say when it has become a trend, but nowadays almost any logo that you see has a so-called "grunge" texture. If you don’t know what it is, that is actually an effect of scrapes and scratches on the logo, which gives it a "damaged" or "aged" look. It makes the logo look more interesting and allows it to fit more organically into any graphics. It is not a rule, but sometimes this feature makes your logo look more professional.
Nevertheless, in some cases, it is useful to have two versions of the logo - with and without texture, for some graphic materials the option without texture may fit better.
5) Avoid a large number of particles outside the logo
Sometimes bands want to use effects like splashes or particles. This can add dynamics to your logo, which is not bad. But on the other hand, it may cause additional problems in the future, when you send it to promoters for concert posters and flyers. Applying effects like glow, shadow or outline will lead to an excess of graphic "garbage", and your logo will lose a good look.
If you take into account these 5 tips when you order a logo, you'll avoid a lot of problems in the future. You will use your logo throughout your musical path, will invest in its recognizability and use it on all graphic materials. Believe me; it's better to spend a little time considering these tips at the start of your musical way than to face possible problems in the future.
And if you want to be sure, that your logo will be professional, versatile and eye-catching, leave it to our team. We will gladly help you. More information about our services of logo design you can find on our website.
Vladyslav Tsarenko | CEO of All4band.com