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8 Tips to Create Your Logo as an Animator

ben marvazi 2020

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When it comes to defining your brand, a logo can set the tone from the very start. The best and most famous logos are the ones that immediately attract attention (in a good way!).

Big brands such as Apple, Coca-Cola, or Starbucks Coffee convey reliability, quality, and originality through their logos, which have become iconic over time. This is what you should aim for when creating your own logo for your animation business.

The internet is a massive market where you can promote yourself and your work. Social media is usually your first point of contact with your animation clients, especially now in this extremely digital era.

That is why you need a logo that will help represent your personal brand, differentiate you, and stand out from a seemingly endless list of animators in your field.

Keep reading this article to discover how you can create your perfect personal logo as an animator.

1) Decide on Your Personal Brand Identity

A man asking about who he is

GIF by Team Coco via GIPHY

To understand what your personal brand’s identity is, you have to have a clear idea of what you do best and what differentiates you from your competitors.

Below are some questions you can ask yourself when coming up with your brand personality:

  • What do I do better than other animators?
  • What do my clients like about me?
  • How would my clients describe me?
  • What colors and fonts would best fit my brand personality?

Once you answer these questions, you will have an easier time making design choices that will complement your brand personality.

2) Brainstorm for Logo Designs

A woman thinking hard

GIF by Su Lee via GIPHY

“Brainstorming” is the process of coming up with ideas, whether they be general or specific, bad or good, complicated or simple. When brainstorming, you should remember to consider what your audience values. What designs, colors, and fonts do you think will appeal to them?

Earlier, we discussed asking your audience what words best describe you and what your clients like about you. Now you can use those words to inspire you in thinking of an image for those words.

After brainstorming on your own, it’s time for you to get fresh perspectives from others. You can ask your family members, friends, or colleagues for some inspiration then combine those ideas to create a unique logo.

3) Include Your Name

A woman talking about herself

GIF by One Day At A Time via GIPHY

Since you’re, presumably, not as famous as McDonald’s or Nike or any aother giant brand that is immediately recognizable, people most likely won’t remember who you are after hearing the name of your business once. That’s why it’s vital to include your name or your business’ title in your brand logo.

According to Company Folders, you should include your name in your logo so that your potential animation clients can connect your name to your animation business. You can use your full name, first name, or initials as long as it can be recognizable.

4) Check Your Competitors

A man comparing himself with his competitors

GIF by Dr. Squatch via Unsplash

Remember, there’s nothing wrong with getting outside inspiration! Sometimes the best way to get inspiration for your personal animation logo is by checking out your competitors’ logos. Visit the different social media accounts and websites of your competitors and see what elements of certain logos work for you.

While drawing inspiration from others is a great jumping-off point, you should also think about how you can make logos that are unique from your competitors’ logos. If they are going for black and white, then maybe you should add a pop of color. If they have simple and traditional designs, then perhaps a fun or uncommon logo will help you stand out.

5) Tell a Story

A woman asking another woman about her story

GIF by Iyanla: Fix My Life via GIPHY

Every logo should have a story. This is an important factor that you should consider when designing your personal logo.

According to Inkbot Design, people love seeing hidden messages and symbolism in logos. Make your logo as fun and clever as possible by using two images or letters that can be put together as one.

6) Use Colors Wisely

A man making a hard decision

GIF by Paradise Hotel via GIPHY

When making your logo, you should be aware of the psychology of color. Each color has a meaning and has specific feelings and ideas linked with them. 

For example, the color red can represent passion, anger, and excitement. Orange can show good energy and playfulness. Blue is a calm and trustworthy color.

You don’t have to stick to just one color for your logo, so don’t be afraid to get creative! You can combine several colors by using the color wheel as your reference. You can use complementary colors, which are two colors on opposite sides of the color wheel. They give high contrast and will appear brighter when combined.

You can also use monochromatic colors by using different shades and tones, and tints from one base color. For analogous colors, these are three colors side by side on the color wheel.

Triadic colors are three colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel. They create bright and bold colors that just make sense when put together

You can also use tetradic colors that are four colors evenly spaced out on the color wheel. These are also bold colors but can be difficult to balance.

7) Consider Symmetry

A man who can taste the symmetry

GIF by PeacockTV via GIPHY

Symmetrical logos (where the left and right sides of the logo are identical) are a great way to go if you want a professional and simple image to represent your business. 

Using symmetry in your logos will allow you to create a logo with consistent lines and curves. It will let people see your logo as balanced and pleasing to the eyes while your personal brand will be viewed as structured and balanced.

You can use reflection symmetry logos, rational symmetry logos, or translational symmetry logos. Some companies that have a symmetrical logo are Motorola and McDonald’s.

8) Pick the Right Font

A list of fonts

Image by Markus Spiske via Unsplash

You will need to choose a font style for your logo, so make sure to pick one that will complement the overall vibe of your logo. According to 99designs, there are four basic types of fonts you can use:

  • Serif fonts - Serif fonts give your logos a classic and high-end look.
  • Sans serif fonts - Sans serif fonts show a simple and modern look.
  • Script fonts - Script fonts look like someone’s handwriting. These range from elegant to minimal scripts.
  • Display fonts - Display fonts are decorative and have a lot of styles that can attract attention.

In Summary

Creating a logo is an essential part of building your online presence and differentiating yourself from other animators. This can communicate how you work and communicate with your clients.

To create a unique logo, decide on your personal brand personality, brainstorm for ideas on your own and with others, including your name in your logo, check your competitors’ logos, and tell a story.

Now, it’s time to take your pen and paper or your drawing tablet and get started!

If you want to learn more about animation and how to manage the business side of animation, make sure you get your copy of our free marketing handbook and join our free masterclass.

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