What do brands like Adidas, Mastercard, Mercedes-Benz, and Google have in common? In addition to being market leaders, these companies have cool logos, and a single glance is enough to understand the brand behind them. This branding element is fairly labeled the most impactful, since over 90% of global businesses use a logo as their primary visual identifier.
It can be tricky to create unique logos that convey a company’s individuality, philosophy, and values while being easy to remember. But with the most prominent logo design ideas and practical tips from this article, you’ll be set to tackle the task. Moreover, we’ll provide ready-made logo examples suitable for any business. You can easily download any design in one click and customize it to match your company’s identity.
A list of cool logo designs from top brands
Before we move on to logo ideas, let’s look at the best examples of this identity element from world-famous brands. Discover what makes their designs unique to find inspiration for your logo creation.
1. Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola opens our list of cool logos. And there is a reason for that: 94% of the planet’s population recognizes the brand’s iconic trademark. For more than a century of history, this design has only slightly changed. Its foundation since 1887 is the company’s name in italics with a wave tail. Another distinctive attribute of Cola’s logo is the combination of red and white colors, where the first one stands for ardor and vitality.
2. Nike
The Nike logo is so legendary that it even has a dedicated name–the Swoosh. Wondering what it means? The brand’s trademark resembles the wing of the Greek goddess of victory and symbolizes movement, power, and motivation. A striking fact is that Carolyn Davidson, the designer of the Swoosh, initially got $35 for her work. Today, this minimalistic brand sign is on the list of the coolest logos, valued at over a million dollars.
3. Microsoft
The Microsoft trademark is one of those logo examples that has undergone many transformations. Its first versions appeared as different black-and-white variations of the brand name. In 2012, following a global rebranding, the logo got the look we know today. It combines typography (Segoe UI Semibold) and a geometric image of four colored squares representing different services: blue–Windows interface, red–Office, green–Xbox, and yellow–Bing.
4. McDonald’s
Our list of cool logos would not be complete without Golden Arches. The brand mark’s inspiration was the company’s early restaurant design, particularly the signature roofs. Later, the arches transformed into the famous M letterform as we know it today. Golden Arches symbolize stability: the famous logo represents a place where customers can relax and enjoy their favorite food.
5. Starbucks
Starbucks stands out among our cool logo examples since, unlike previous brands, it relied on a symbolic image rather than a minimalistic abstract design. The company is widely recognized for its green siren emblem. You might wonder what the mythical sea creature has to do with the coffee shop chain. The marine theme is a tribute to the company’s heritage, as it was founded in the port city (Seattle). In addition, coffee is usually delivered by the sea.
As we can see from the cases of well-known brands, the secret of how to make cool logos often lies in the deep meaning behind the design. Truly winning logo ideas go beyond a catchy image and display the company’s individuality. At the same time, the best logo designs are often quite simple, which makes them easy to remember.
Now, let’s move to our collection of logo ideas that will boost any brand’s recognition. Whatever you are looking for—inspiration for your own design or a ready-made solution that can be easily tailored to your brand—you’ll find it here.
Сool brand logos
A logo is the cornerstone of your branding. Studies have shown that 75% of consumers recognize a company or product by its logo. So how do you make a design that will grab attention and evoke strong associations with your business? Proven approaches to developing cool logos that strengthen your branding include using a relevant centerpiece and corporate colors.
Cool company logos
What are the best logo design ideas for a business that has recently entered the market or is just preparing to launch? Go for a brand mark that makes it clear what your company is about right away. It will significantly contribute to the brand’s recognition and recall.
Simple cool logos
As we mentioned earlier, one of the keys to success of the coolest logos is their simplicity. According to the survey, 64% of consumers are more likely to recommend brands with uncluttered logo designs. This is quite reasonable, as simple graphics are better memorized and recognized on a small scale, for instance, as an app icon.
Cool letter logos
Another surefire way to increase brand recognition with a logo is to integrate its name (Coca-Cola, Google), initials (Yves Saint Laurent, Victoria’s Secret), or first letter (Facebook, Pinterest) into the design. 41% of businesses use this strategy and rely on text-only logos while adding a touch of personality through stylization.
Cool logos for business
Companies with powerful logos use them as an emotional branding tool. Simply put, well-designed brand marks help convey unique character and values. Choosing particular design elements, such as colors, shapes, compositions, and fonts, affects how the audience sees a brand. For instance, squares symbolize stability and trust, while circles represent comfort or movement. Creating unique logos requires attention to every detail to ensure a cohesive design that sets the right mood.
Cool vintage logos
Vintage logo ideas are perfect for businesses that want to evoke a sense of nostalgia and trust and connect with older generations. They help create an image of a company with a history, contributing to audience loyalty. Wondering how to make cool logos in a retro style? Opt for old-style types, muted colors, and decorative elements; sometimes, more is more.
Cool color logos
Unsure whether to go for black and white or colorful logo design ideas? Here are some stats to help you make a decision. It turns out that a colored logo can improve brand recognition by 80%. No wonder most top brands use one or two colors in their trademark designs. As for specific shades, blue is the absolute leader among top brands (33% of all logos), followed by red (29%) and black or grayscale colors (28%).
Learn more about the feelings that various shades evoke in our guide: “Color Psychology Explained: How Hues Can Evoke Emotions and Influence Decisions.”
To sum up
Among this variety of cool logos, you can find the perfect one for your business. Don’t worry about it not being unique. Since we offer ready-made logo design ideas in vector format, you can customize these files as you wish: scale, rotate, move elements, change colors, and more. So, choose a design you like and give it a distinctive look that reflects your brand’s personality!
Find out more on how to make cool logos
7 Types of Logos & How to Use Different Logo Styles with Examples
5 Things All Great Podcast Logos Have in Common
The Key Do’s and Don’ts of Good Logo Design
10 Tips on How to Choose a Color for Your Logo
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