Logo Symbols: How to Pick a Symbol for Your Brand

In branding, a logo is a kind of visual DNA that conveys emotions, style and unique character. It’s not just about creating a catchy design, but choosing a business symbol that will reflect your company’s values and its mission. Symbols for logos should be recognizable, simple, and relevant to a specific target market. But how do you choose that perfect symbol? Let’s figure it out. 

Choosing a Logo Symbol

Before you start developing a logo, it’s critical to realize that a symbol serves as both a visual component and a communication tool. An impactful symbol helps instantly communicate your brand’s message to the public.

To understand how it works, you might ask yourself, for example, what is this brand logo trying to tell me? However, there is no universal solution here: the choice depends on the field of activity, the target audience and the message you want to convey.

To make the selection process easier, consider the following aspects:

• Reflect the essence of the brand. Suppose that you own an eco-store. A leaf or tree symbol can emphasize your commitment to environmental friendliness.
• Consider uniqueness. Try not to choose trite business symbols that can be used by competitors.
• Simplicity is the key to success. The logo symbol should be understandable and easy to reproduce, even on a small scale.

After you determine the main characteristics of your branding symbol, you can move on to choosing the type of symbol. Let’s highlight the main categories with examples.

Animal Symbolism in Logos

Animal symbols are among the most popular choices in logo branding companies. They can effectively form associations with certain qualities, such as speed, power, freedom or wisdom.

For example, a lion is associated with royalty and strength, an eagle with height and freedom, and a dolphin with intelligence and kindness. They are often presented in the sports industry, the automotive industry and children’s products.

• One of the symbolic logo examples here is Lacoste, which uses the image of a crocodile. This symbol for the brand was chosen by the founder, René Lacoste, nicknamed “The Crocodile” for his tenacity on the tennis court. The crocodile became not just an emblem, but a part of the brand’s history, emphasizing its sporty and elite character. 
• Another example is Jaguar, where the jaguar symbolizes speed, strength and elegance. This is an ideal choice for a car brand that aims to underscore the luxury and dynamism of its products. 
• The legendary Puma logo is an outstanding case as well. The image of a jumping puma reflects the sporty spirit, energy and strength, perfectly complementing the identity of the brand focused on an active lifestyle.

Geometric Logo Symbols

Geometric symbols in logos use basic shapes such as circles, squares, triangles, or combinations of these to convey the core ideas of a brand. Geometric shapes have a visual harmony, and evoke a sense of order, stability, or dynamism in the audience, depending on the element chosen. 

• The first geometric brand symbol that comes to mind is the Mastercard logo, consisting of two intersecting circles. The circles symbolize partnership and connection, emphasizing the global reach of the brand. If you are looking for inspiration, studying some well-known brand symbol examples might be helpful.
• The Adidas logo symbol, with its triangular stripes reminiscent of a mountain, conveys the idea of ​​overcoming challenges and achieving goals.
• Another example worth mentioning is the Microsoft logo, featuring four squares that form a window. This geometric structure symbolizes multitasking and diversity of the company’s products.

Logos with mascot symbols for brand

A mascot is a character that serves as the central symbol of a business, adding friendliness and charisma. This approach helps brands stand out while building an emotional connection with customers. Mascots are often used in industries targeting families or children, but can be effective for other industries if the style is chosen correctly.

• A classic example is Colonel Sanders, the mascot of the KFC logo. The brand sign conveys its values: tradition, quality, and family atmosphere. The Colonel has become not just a symbol, but also a kind of “face” that inspires trust in customers.
• One cannot help but recall MIchelin with its famous “white man” mascot made of tires. This mascot symbolizes comfort, safety, and reliability, emphasizing the company’s mission to improve the quality of life of drivers.
• Another notable example is the Pringles mascot —a jovial gentleman with a lush mustache. Not only does this differentiate the company from its competitors, but it also adds emotional appeal to the brand logo design.

Abstract symbols for logos

The advantage of abstract logo symbols for brands is their versatility. They are fitting for any industry, be it technology, fashion or sports. Such styles often look modern, universal and minimalist. Abstraction avoids literal interpretation and allows the brand greater flexibility in conveying its symbolism in logos.

• For example, the Nike logo with its famous Swoosh is the embodiment of speed and movement. Despite the simplicity of the design, the logo symbol has become one of the most recognizable in the world.
• The Pepsi logo, with its abstract circle and colored segments, represents the brand’s dynamism and friendliness. 

Due to their simplicity, such logos are easy to adapt to various formats and materials, which makes them especially popular in the era of digital marketing.

Interactive Branded Logo Symbols

Interactive logos for brands are an emerging trend in design, gaining popularity with advances in digital technology. Such symbols adapt to different platforms and formats, often changing depending on the context or user interaction. This allows brands to be flexible and creative.

• An example of an interactive logo is Google’s ‘doodles,‘ which change periodically to celebrate holidays or events. This not only creates interest among the audience, but also helps the brand stay relevant and close to users.
• The YouTube logo is a simple yet effective example of interactive branding symbols. The red triangle in the center of the logo resembles a play button, instantly associating it with watching a video.
• Another example is Dropbox, where a simplified box company logo icon invites users to “expand” their file storage space. 

Font Brand Signs

Logos featuring typography are often called wordmarks. They represent the company name, made in a unique font or style. This type of logo is particularly effective for companies that want to focus on their name and make it the central focus of communication.

By prominently featuring the company name in logo brand identity, these designs leverage simplicity and clarity to enhance memorability.

• The Coca-Cola logo, with its iconic font, has evolved into much more than just a label; it’s one of the most recognizable brand name symbols in the world, representing not just a beverage, but a cultural phenomenon.
• Another example is the Disney logo, whose graceful writing is associated with magic and childhood dreams, emphasizing the brand’s core values.
• The FedEx logo symbol, in addition to the hidden arrow, is a prime example of effective font-based design. Clear letters emphasize the professionalism and reliability of the company.

Coats of Arms as Symbols of Logos

Coats of arms and emblems are logo symbols that are often associated with history, tradition and prestige. They include sublime elements such as shields, wreaths, ribbons or text, and are favored by brands aiming to project heritage, status, or superior quality.

While not commonly created by typical branding companies, these elaborate designs are frequently adopted by organizations in sectors such as education, the automotive industry, and fashion.

• A classic example is the Harvard University coat of arms, which combines Latin inscriptions and book symbols in the logo, reflecting the knowledge and prestige of the university.
• The Porsche logo, featuring numerous crests, highlights its German origins and high standards.
• Emblems are also popular in sports. For instance, the logos of football clubs such as Manchester United or Barcelona create powerful associations with the team’s traditions and successes. Such symbolism in logos looks impressive and often becomes an intrinsic part of the image.

Monogram Logo for Brands

Monograms are a sophisticated choice for brands that value minimalism and luxury. These symbols for logos consist of one or more letters, usually the company’s initials, and are suitable for creating an elegant and memorable image. You should choose a monogram logo to keep the focus on your brand name without complicating the design, making it especially relevant in today’s digital world.

• A prominent example is the Louis Vuitton logo symbol, where the intertwined letters “L” and “V” represent exclusivity and style.
• Another successful example is Chanel, where the double “C” symbolizes sophistication and unrivaled quality. Both brands use monograms as a way to highlight their uniqueness and high reputation.
• Monograms are also popular among corporate brands. For example, the IBM logo consists of three letters, made in a simple and strict style, which showcases the company’s innovation and reliability.

Examples of Hidden Brand Symbols

Some logos hide more than meets the eye. Hidden logo symbols add mystery to a design, creating a “discovery effect” for the audience. This not only strengthens the emotional connection with the brand, but also makes the logo truly memorable.

The Beats by Dre logo uses a hidden visual effect to connect with its audience. The lowercase “b,” enclosed in a circle, subtly resembles a person wearing headphones. This design choice goes beyond mere aesthetics; it delves into the brand symbol meaning, associating the visual identity with the core experience of enjoying music through their products.

The Baskin Robbins logo is a great example of how design can conceal key information. Hidden among the pink and blue letters “BR” is the number “31”, which symbolizes the number of unique ice cream flavors offered by the company. This branding symbol not only tells about the variety of products, but also emphasizes the brand’s focus on pleasure and choice.

Also pay attention to the Toblerone logo — the outline of a bear is hidden inside the silhouette of a mountain. This is no coincidence: The brand’s bear symbol represents the city of Bern in Switzerland, known as the “city of bears”, where the company was founded.

Finding Engaging Logo Symbols in a Generator

In the modern world, designing a logo has become accessible even to those who do not have professional design skills. Online generators, such as Turbologo, open up incredible opportunities for finding the eye-catching symbols for brands. This tool offers a huge library of high-quality SVG icons, where you can quickly find images that reflect the essence of your company.

Turbologo stands out by allowing users to choose logos and icons they like and instantly see how they appear in various styles. Minimalism, retro, geometric shapes or bright and modern solutions — the generator allows you to test all the options and find the one that best suits your needs and customize it.

Try creating a logo, starting with the simplest brand icon examples, and then add elements, shapes, or experiment with colors. Often, it is minimalism that allows a symbol to better convey the idea of ​​​​the brand and make it universal in all media. 

Conclusion: How to choose the perfect symbol for logos?

Choosing a logo symbol is a strategic step that affects the success of your venture. Taking into account both the specifics of your company and the needs of your audience is vital. Animals, talismans, abstractions, or fonts — every symbol type for a brand has its own benefits. The key is to choose the one that best aligns with your values ​​and helps you stand out from your competitors.