Here at Milk & Tweed, we get lots of enquiries about designing a brand and logo for a company. It’s a topic we’re pretty fond of… But did you know that they aren’t the same thing? Confusing right? In this article, we’re going to explore what both terms mean, and understand the similarities and differences between the two so that you can start using the right terminology (it’s about time). Let’s jump into it!
What is a logo?
A logo is a symbol that is designed to represent your brand, and be easily recognisable. It should help build brand awareness and create a strong visual connection with potential customers.
There are several different types of logo, including brand marks, word marks, emblems and mascots (this can be confusing, we know). When designing a logo, one should carefully consider the brand’s identity, target audience, and overall brand message. A well-designed logo can greatly improve brand association, boosting a brand’s overall success.
What is a brand?
A brand, on the other hand, is the whole identity of a company. It is made up of a collection of brand elements and components that marry your whole brand together. Think of it more as an umbrella term in which the logo sits under. Effective branding involves creating consistent messaging that your target audience can relate to and that expresses what you want to say.
Building a strong brand is extremely important for businesses, as it can lead to increased customer loyalty, positive word-of-mouth, and a competitive advantage in the market.
Why is branding important?
Branding is an important part of marketing. It is what makes your business identifiable to your consumers and a cohesive brand gives you a nice competitive edge. There are a number of different components of branding. These include:
- Packaging
- Social media presence
- Slogans
- Tone of voice
- Website
- Customer service
Branding can help your business in multiple different ways. It helps your business gain credibility, build customer loyalty, and make you stand out from your competitors.
Learn more about the benefits of branding here.
Why is a logo important?
Your logo is arguably the most important part of your brand. It’s the foundation of which your brand identity is built on. Even more of a reason to make it strong and memorable!It will be seen on every aspect of your marketing – your website, signage, social media, packaging, maybe even uniform. You shouldn’t be able to escape it!
Your logo is what helps your customers to remember you. When you think of McDonalds, for example, the golden arches will flash before your eyes. Need we even mention Apple? Your logo separates you from the competition, is instantly recognisable and memorable, and grabs attention. That is why it is crucial to get it right.
What is the difference between a brand and a logo?
Here’s where we get to the crux. To put it simply, the difference between a brand and a logo is that the brand represents the entire identity of a company, whereas a logo is just a single component.
It is difficult, though, to separate a logo from a brand, because logos are the representation of the entire branding strategy. A logo’s design embodies the personality of a brand and should encapsulate the different elements of its branding. The use of colour, imagery and typography are all carefully chosen for a reason – to control how the brand is interpreted by its potential customers.
The logo can only go so far though. The brand is what makes customers want to come back. Every interaction your company makes, whether it be your website, advertisements, email communications, your store’s layout, or your face-to-face customer service, forms a part of your brand.
What comes first, brand or logo?
This isn’t too much of a chicken and an egg scenario. In our opinion, there’s a clear first place. In order to be able to design your logo, you need to have already figured out your target audience, discovered your brand messaging and confirmed how you want to be perceived by your customers. This means, therefore, that your brand needs to come before your logo. Once you have a clear bigger picture in mind about how you want your business to be represented, only then should you start conceptualising a logo.
How can Milk & Tweed help?
Still confused? Milk & Tweed are branding wizards. We help companies to build brands and design logos that withstand time and truly reflect the heart and mission of businesses across all sectors. If you’re ready to start your branding journey, get in touch with us today. We’d love to discuss how we can help you elevate your brand and score you business success.
