6 Actual Trends in Logo Design

The huge majority of the logo designers states that trends should never be taken into account. The general opinion is that these aren’t very important and must be ignored. Altogether, why do many people study the trends and tons of talented and famous bloggers have written about them?

Yeah, a logo should be totally independent from the passing trends, but nevertheless it’s not a standing apart item; a logo plays an important role in the branding strategy and it’s a part of a website. The actual websites are very different from the ones launched two years ago; nowadays we have flat design while two years ago the skeuomorphism was at its dawn. In this context, a logo designer can’t stay isolated. It’s obvious that none can fully ignore the trends and it’s a good idea, from time to time, to check what is hot in your area. More pragmatically speaking, the design evolution is determined by the “winning trends”- these trends that influenced the designers very much and created design “revolutions”.

The overall conclusion is that a logo shouldn’t be created just to catch the moment, to be on trend. Still, a logo designer should have a clear idea about what is very appreciated at the moment. Usually, the trend analysis is made at the beginning/end of the year, but we have decided to make a short recap right now, almost in the mid of the year. We have identified six major trends that seem to influence the way of crafting websites, but your interesting thoughts are highly appreciated, so let’s debate about the current trends.

#1. The abstract polygonal shapes

It’s the most recent trend and it’s inspired from the more frequently used web design current of utilizing abstract polygonal shapes. It’s mostly an abstract concept, but in spite of that, using polygonal shapes is suitable for multiple types of projects. The examples below must convince you that both in web and logo design, using abstract polygonal shapes is a good idea.

#2. The use of UI items specific to mobile design

As it was afore mentioned, logo design isn’t an isolated area; it’s interconnected with web design. The huge rise of the handheld devices modified the way of creating websites and undoubtedly, it influenced the logo designers. As a result, we have tons of logos that mimic or have inserted into it items specific to mobile design.

In my humble opinion, this trend will last for many years because the use of mobile devices will continue to grow. The huge advantage of using mobile design items is that these are known by the users and many of them look really great. The next examples are self-explanatory, aren’t they?

#3. The use of UI items specific to technology

The design principles inspired the technology and the way of crafting tools. Nowadays, the technology inspires the logo designers. I consider that the cloud symbol is the best example to sustain my idea. Yeah, the items specific to technology are forming a new trend. We have tons of logos that contain imitations of clouds or the “setting” icon, but the most used idea is the use of the Internet Wi-Fi waves. Microsoft intensively promotes the “Internet of things” and it determined me to think that the trend of using items specific to technology will last for many years. Anyway, the logos look good. Don’t you think?

#4. Simple lines expressing motion and dynamism

Nowadays, we are living in a very fast era; therefore it’s quite normal for many brands to have as core values the dynamism and mobility. It automatically means that the logos must also express dynamism. Obviously, we have a new trend – logos expressing dynamism.

A logo must be simple and as a result, the logo designers founded amazing solutions to express the idea of movement. The most useful and used method is the use of simple lines that give the impression of movement. What do you think about these logos?

#5. Playing with the imagination of the viewer

You may accuse me that this is not a trend; and therefore you may think that this is something common, which dates back to the very beginning of the logo design. Partially, it’s true, but by studying the logo galleries it’s impossible not to observe a considerable rising of the logos that stimulate the imagination. Personally, I prefer to call these “clever” logos. The average individual is assaulted by many visual identities and he/she simply ignores any logo or advertising product. A logo that stimulates the mind of the viewer would be better appreciated and the chances of being a hit are way bigger. Therefore, it’s impossible not to fall in love with these logos!

#6. Types are always impressive

Types are very common in the art of crafting logos, so taking care of types is something situated at the border of trends and logo design principles. I think that the special treatment of letters is at the logo design cornerstone, but the effective tips of dealing with letters are forming a trend. More exactly, the single aspect that remained unchanged across time was the beauty of fonts. No matter if it was created twenty years ago, a good font and a good logo remain beautiful even in 2014.

Altogether, across time, some techniques were more appreciated while others were neglected. Few years ago, the letters were bold, having lots of extra tails – maybe it was due to the skeuomorphism? It might have a considerable influence…

Currently, the logo designers prefer simple fonts that instead are very expressive. This idea is combined sometimes with hidden or dual meaning of a shape or word and the final result is awesome. There is no doubt that these examples fully demonstrate this idea!

What do you think? Have I missed a major logo design trend? Do you take into consideration the logo design trends while creating new ones or you simply craft them totally independent? It will be great if you will share your opinions with us!

– Written by Daniel –