Top logo trends to watch in 2020

So, you’ve been thinking about refreshing your logo for a while but it was fairly low down on your priority list? Now’s perhaps the perfect time to reflect and re-think some of your brand identity. So, whether you’re a small or large company, we’ve pulled together a list of top logo trends for 2020, each one exemplifying innovation in design and aesthetic. We hope this will inspire and guide you to find the perfect style for your new brand or brand refresh.

Top logo trends to watch in 2020

Logo design is evolving into a fresh mix of new influences and modern takes on tried-and-tested designs, as the need for a consistent, flexible logo to be used across all devices and platforms increases. Logos are perhaps the most crucial graphic design element of your brand identity to get right. This one little icon is a simple reflection of your brand’s core values and it’s used everywhere your brand is present, from your website to your business cards and even stationery, so it’s vital that your logo is a true representation of your business or startup.

1. Make a lasting impression with animation

Two-dimensional logos with moving parts and animations are all the rage right now, especially if there’s a blend of 2D and 3D. This logo design is popular because it naturally grabs the user’s attention, holding it for longer as they watch the animation play out, which makes a longer lasting impression. Not as tech-savvy as you’d like? Not to worry, motion graphic platforms can help you with logo creation.

2. Draw the eye with gradients & 3D effects

Colour gradients are on trend with delicate, muted pastels or bright and bold hues. Go with this design style if you want to give life, energy and depth to your logo. Layered shapes and typefaces, optical illusions and shadow effects give more impact and will create a dynamic feel for any brand’s logo design. This blog has a great source of inspiration.

3. Add a little luxury with metallic effects

Gold or silver metallic effects bring a sophisticated and high class feel to any logo – whether it’s in the font, image, or subtle little accents to the overall logo design. This is a great option for jewellers, fashion, beauty or high end interior design companies who want to communicate exclusivity and luxury to an affluent audience. Here’s one we are working on at Brand Meadow for a local Brighton Beauty salon.

4. Make it personal with organic, hand-drawn designs

The rough sketch, doodling effect is a very popular logo design for 2020, giving that ‘just out of the sketchbook’ organic feel. Anything that looks sketched, illustrated, stamped or mono-printed gives that gritty, raw personality that companies with an authentic back story or independent core message strive for.

5. Find comfort in chaos

The rebellion culture is on trend, and designs that shake up and wake up the logo design industry prove just that. Chaotic, jumbled up elements are all the rage in logo design this year, with companies getting creative with elements that are cluttered, inverted, mirrored, or scattered.

6. Take it back with retro/vintage styles

Nostalgia is the key with this trend. Retro may be known for communicating ‘cool’ and adding character, but certain styles and typefaces will bring up memories and a feeling of familiarity to a mature audience, which will evoke feelings of trust and connection. Try neon shades, old fonts, or a worn and distressed look in 2020.

7. Test your logo’s reflexes

An adaptive logo that adapts to improve user experience across devices is where it’s at in 2020. Not only will it improve customer experience, it demonstrates that you’re at the top of your game and moving with the times. Perfect for tech savvy brands who want to prove they’re ahead of the curve.

8. Bring it back to basics

The minimalist trend has been around for a while, not only is it still present – it’s evolving. Clear, simple and easy to use, a minimalist logo can easily become iconic. Single-colour logos (LinkedIn) or as few colours as possible (Google or Slack) and flat logos (instead of rendered) are more distinctive, bold and more likely to stay in your audience’s mind for longer. Line based logos are very much on trend, whether you go for bold and full of character or ultra-thin, delicate and sleek.

9. Customize your logo for special events

If you don’t like the idea of sticking to one option, then you’ll love the variable logo trend. Basically, you create a logo in a way that it can be interchangeable with varying colours and patterns. A great option if you run various events like Perm Opera Ballet Theatre (pictured). For a variable logo, you’ll want to keep your design simple, and aim to keep at least two key elements of your logo the same so it retains its recognizability. After that? You’re free to get creative, adding colour, imagery or other design elements to reflect a particular campaign or event.

 

How “lo” can you “go”?

We hope these logo trends will inspire your brand redesign or creation in 2020. But remember, as much as logo trends are important to consider, it’s absolutely crucial that your logo aligns with your brand and connects with your audience.

If you have any questions and want more guidance with creating your brand’s logo just get in touch with us [email protected] or take a look at our design and content platform, Meadow.

Meadow is an online design and content platform, empowering businesses and charities of all shapes and sizes to grow your design, content and marketing capacity without the need for an expensive team.  Sign up for a free demo and give it a whirl!

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