Creating a dynamic logo that catches people’s attention and accurately represents your business requires more than a simple sketch and a splash of color. If you landed here to look for the finest logo design companies, you probably know that creating a logo is a complex job that involves multiple stages. Ranked based on a custom-tailored evaluation process, there are agencies for businesses of every industry and size. You will also find a detailed guide to help you make your final choice, as well as answers to some of the most-asked questions about logo design.
Knowing the details of our customized evaluation methodology will provide context behind our rankings. To begin with, we considered each agency’s previous work and the processes they adhere to. Then, we assessed the team’s skill set, the overall customer satisfaction, and their pricing. As you’ll see, we’ve gone into detail within the main categories we explored to make sure you choose the best logo designers for your needs:
Firstly, we visit the agency’s website and check for recent activities. No regular activity might mean the agency is dead in the water. Once we see that they’re active, we move onto the next step: checking how long they’ve been in the industry. Agencies that have been around for several years instill trust in their experience.
Next, we scout the portfolio of each logo designer firm. We aren’t just looking for the brands they’ve worked with. We want to see the actual work, the aesthetics and versatility, and the result it produced for the client.
We also consider the types of logos they’ve created. Each type gives a different feel; therefore, different businesses will need different types of logos. We want to make sure that the agencies listed here are proficient in delivering that. Here are the six types we expect logo design companies to offer:
Pictorial logos are emblematic icons that are instantly recognizable. Since they typically include only an image, it might be tricky for new companies to use this type of logo before they build strong brand recognition.
Abstract logos are a specific type of pictorial logo involving an abstract form that represents the business. Think Airbnb and Adidas. They work similarly to pictorial logos, but instead of using a recognizable icon or a specific image, they use abstract forms that represent something unique to the brand.
Almost all logo design studios offer this type. Also known as monogram logos, lettermarks usually consist of the initials of brands with longer names. This type of logo is characterized by simplicity, and it must be in accordance with the company’s theme yet also fully legible across marketing material and branding.
Logotypes are typography-based logos focused on the brand’s name. They work great for enhancing brand recognition for companies with an unusual name. A distinctive and appealing font will surely catch your potential customers’ attention.
Custom logo design companies deliver these primo logos that are built around an illustrated character that represents your company and, in a way, is your business ambassador. These logos are colorful, fun, and a great choice if your target is families or children.
Combination mark logos incorporate images and words into the design. There are a variety of ways to combine words with an icon or mascot and reinforce your brand. It’s a great option for new companies who want to create a distinct image and build up to just a pictorial logo.
When choosing the best logo design services, we prioritize the companies whose team offers a versatile skill set. We gather this information through the special interviews we conduct with team members or from their past clients’ experiences. Specifically, we consider the following:
Understanding the industry is the staple of every good project. During our evaluation, it was important that the companies listed here take research seriously. We checked whether they conduct briefing meetings with clients and if they use a branding questionnaire. These two tactics are crucial for a logo designing agency as they enable the designer to gain insight into the competition, their strengths and weaknesses, and determine how the client can stand out.
Efficient communication is a must. More often than not, clients don’t know exactly what they want. So the ability to foster an effective back-and-forth can make or break a project. By asking the right questions, the best logo designers should be able to learn the client’s wishes and ideas. At the same time, they should be able to explain the processes involved in logo design and inform the client about the nuances of the design. All of this together makes it easier to work toward the right design compromises. We also look for agencies that take calls, conduct briefs, and love to chat online.
This is a basic requirement you should expect from all the top logo designers. Creative minds generate innovative ideas, which is why we always tap the creative potential of all the agencies we evaluate. We look favorably at companies that deliver fresh and catchy ideas, successfully play with fonts and colors, balance artistry and audience appeal, and have attention to detail.
Another important thing we consider while evaluating the team’s skillset is the tools they use in their process. Using the right gear is crucial to the quality a logo design company delivers in their design. We ensure that the companies listed here are comfortable using major software apps, including Adobe Illustrator, Logo Design Studio Pro, CorelDRAW, and LogoJoy.
Next, we try to understand the agency’s design strategy and whether they follow the crucial stages. We want companies that can create a memorable symbol that adds value to a client’s business and helps them stand out in the market. The best logo design companies will have documentation in place that gives us insight into the stages they follow to achieve this.
A designer should start by gathering insight into their client’s business, goals, and target audience. This data will help them learn what makes the business special and what message it needs to convey to its customers. Also, part of the designer’s job will be to understand where the logo will be used and in what capacity, as well as the client’s preferred style, color schemes, and logo type.
In addition to examining the client and their goals, the top logo design companies typically collaborate with market research experts to gain a sense of the customer’s vision and what draws their attention. The proper market research also involves looking at the competition and their creative solutions—what they’re doing right and what their weaknesses are.
This stage starts with brainstorming aimed at making one or more stylistic decisions that align with the company’s branding and marketing needs. Every successful design project begins with a sketch that helps the team develop mood boards that help conceptualize the theme and words. At this point, the top logo designers will digitalize the design in monotone black and white colors. This step is important—we favor the agencies that understand a logo needs to look good in any format and output.
Once the agency can provide multiple options that fit the client’s brand, they should integrate color into the designs and compare the options against each other. Once the logo design company decides on the strongest type of logo for the client, they need to refine it by testing it on different backgrounds, formats, and sizes, as well as in a “real world” setting.
There’s more to branding than a logo, and most of it’s handled by branding experts. The logo design companies on our list, however, are aware that the logo is a business’s ID. They always have branding in mind when crafting one. Also, they’re agile in developing creative and memorable slogans aligned with the client’s vision to further enhance the branding.
Some of the companies on our list are skilled in additional services like social media banners, business cards, print ads, and cover photos. Although you could pass this work to the top creative agencies, it’s always beneficial to get multiple things done at once.
There is no better testament to the quality of a logo design agency than the one provided by its past clients. That’s why, before we finalize our list, we check third-party sites looking for reviews and ratings. By doing so, we gather valuable insight into how the agency handled projects and what the client’s level of satisfaction was. Of course, we favor the logo design firms that have great rankings, but we don’t disregard agencies with a few bad reviews, either. Instead, we use them to get a better understanding of the agency’s weak points and rank them accordingly.
Finally, we check each agency’s pricing plan. The average prices of a logo design firm range from $99 to $2,500. The price tag depends on how many designers work on the project, the number of design concepts and revisions, whether there will be advanced file formats and additional services like business cards and envelopes.
In addition, we made sure to include the logo design companies that charge by the hour—which is an affordable option for clients that already have an idea of what their logo will look like and don’t need additional branding services. One thing we didn’t compromise on is the value for money. Every agency listed here provides a great value based on the competition average.
Now that you have the details of everything that goes into our background check, it’s time you do your part. Here are the most important things you need to do before you start shortlisting logo design studios and finally choose the best one for you.
Before you start going through the outfits that create the kinds of logos that appeal to your business, you need to define your resources. The pricing of logo design varies greatly depending on what’s included. You need to be realistic about the type of service you need according to your budget; otherwise, you might end up partnering up with a firm that’s above your price level.
Another thing to do before you start searching for logo design firms is to define your goals and expectations. It’s a good idea to think about where you’re going to use the logo. The website is just one place you’ll use it—there are many options like banners, billboards, shirts, and other promotional material. Also, make sure to compile any of the basic elements that are already part of your branding, like approved fonts and color schemes.
You know your brand and vision best; therefore, you should bring your own ideas regarding your logo’s design. Present your color and typography preferences, and specify any details relevant to your branding. Best logo design services will show you the finest principles, but you should also provide as many details as possible.
Choosing the best logo designing company usually comes down to the one that has previous experience in your industry. It will be easier to work with a team that has a greater understanding of your niche, the jargon, and the type of design that resonates best with the audience.
When you narrow down your options to three candidates, a great way to choose one is to offer a sample project where they would showcase their talent. Of course, you’ll have to pay for these trials, but it will help ensure you’ve shortlisted only the first-rate logo design companies for your business.
You should expect to pay between $99 and $2,500 for a logo. The price range depends on several factors, such as the number of people who will work on it, the scope of the project, the number of revisions, and so on.
Lacking a proper process is one of the most common mistakes in logo design. That’s why we made sure only to include logo design companies that have a set process with clearly defined stages they adhere to. Another huge mistake agencies can make is ignoring the competition’s logos. You might end up with a similar logo to your direct competitor, which will not only make it difficult for customers to tell you apart but will also bring up plagiarism issues.
Logo design involves multiple steps, and in general, it takes anywhere between 10 and 30 hours to design a good logo. Sure, this is only an estimation based on our research. The time invested in the design process depends on the complexity of the logo and the client’s requirements.
As you know by now, logo design isn’t a simple job; it’s a multifaceted process that involves several stages:
Your brand’s name and the type of products or services you offer are two important factors that influence the type of logo you choose. If you have a short and distinctive name, you can opt for a letterform or wordmark. If you already have established branding, you can go for an abstract logo. Top logo design companies would provide you with a proper recommendation.
The best colors for your logo will depend on the message you want your business to convey. Do you want your target audience to feel happy, hungry, relaxed? Think about the key traits of your company, as well as the aspects you want to highlight, and then learn how color impacts emotions and behaviors. When it comes to fonts, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. You need to decide what best suits your company and what value you want to communicate. The premier logo design companies will have you covered!