Combination Mark Logo: Balancing Symbols and Typography

September 25, 2024

Logos are important in branding and graphic design because they help to create an effective and powerful visual identity for a brand. One of the most effective and versatile logos is the combination mark logo. It is a logo that combines symbols and typography to form a consistent visual representation of a brand.

So, to get a better understanding, this article will explain more about the combination mark logo, its advantages, basic elements, design processes, and other important aspects. 

A combination mark logo is one type of logo that combines symbolist elements such as icons or images with typographic elements such as fonts and texts. This makes it possible for a brand to deliver their message both visually and verbally. Unlike wordmark logos that utilize only symbols, combination marks combine both to make the logo even more versatile and memorable.

The History and the Evolution

The concept of a combination mark logo has been around for a while, as have design trends that change over time. Initially, these logos tend to be simple and useful. However, as time advances, designers begin to test their creative boundaries by combining more sophisticated and appealing graphic aspects into their logos. 

Flexibility

We can use this logo in a wide range of media and formats. Depending on their demands and circumstances, the brand can decide to employ it together or separately.

Powerful brand identity

By combining both symbols and texts, this logo helps create a strong brand identity that is memorable to the audience. 

Easily adaptable

Combination mark logos can be used in a variety of media, including print and digital, without compromising the brand’s fundamental aspects.

Basic Elements

The combination mark logo has two basic elements that become the principle of its creation. 

Symbol

A visual element that represents brand identity. A symbol needs to be simple, memorable, and relevant.

Typography

The text or the brand’s name in the logo should employ fonts that can reflect the brand personality. Therefore, choosing typography is an aspect that you need to carefully consider as it affects readability and aesthetics. 

Design Process

combination mark logo

Designing combination mark logos requires a meticulous and creative process. The following are important steps in the design process.

Understand your brand

Before starting the design journey, keep in mind your brand’s core values, mission, target audience, and selling point. A comprehensive understanding of this will be helpful for the next process. Caleb Smith, the founder of BrandVillage, said, “A design logo is the foundation of a brand, and it needs to resonate well with the audience from the basic step.”

Generating the concept

The design process starts with brainstorming for ideas and rough sketches. In this stage, it is crucial to consider values, vision, and your target audience. 

Choosing symbols

After figuring out the concept, vision, and mission, the next thing you need to do is choose symbols that should be relevant with your brand. To deliver a message well, a symbol needs to be simple yet powerful. For instance, the swoosh symbol in the Nike logo can represent movement and speech, making it suitable for sports.

Typography

You need to carefully choose your typography. The type of letters you employ should reflect the brand personality and be easy to read. Additionally, it should be in harmony with the symbol so that it can create a consistent visual effect.

Element integration 

The next step is to combine symbols and text harmoniously. Pay attention to the alignment, spacing, and proportions to create visual balance. These elements should work well so that it can be a cohesive and appealing design. 

Test and Revision

After the basic design is complete, it is critical to test the logo with the target demographic and gather feedback. Based on the feedback, the designer can make adjustments and refinements to ensure that the logo serves the intended purpose.

Examples of Successful Combination Mark Logos

The following are some famous brands that utilize an effective combination mark logo for their brands:

Nike

The combination of the distinctive swoosh symbol and the word “Nike” is a successful use of the combination mark logo. The Swoosh symbol emphasizes movement and speed, while the word “Nike” helps the audience remember the brand. This combination results in a powerful, memorable brand identity.

McDonald’s

This brand utilizes the Golden Arches symbol with the word “McDonald’s” as its logo. It has become very popular all over the world. 

Starbucks

The brand combines mermaid with the text “Starbucks Coffee.” The mermaid symbol gives an elegant and mysterious touch to the brand, while the text explains directly the main product offered to the customers. The combination creates a unique and appealing visual identity. 

Elements in Making Combination Mark Logos

There are some key factors to consider when you want to create an effective combination mark logo. Below are some guides and principles you need to remember to make your logo creation journey go well.

Relevance 

First and foremost, your logo must be relevant to the brand identity. Your logo should reflect your personality, values, and target audience. Imagine designing a logo for a law firm but making it bright and colorful; wouldn’t it be strange?

Simplicity

A good logo should be straightforward, like Nike or Apple. Avoid cluttering your design by including too many details and unneeded elements, as this will make the logo difficult to recognize. The actual challenge is ensuring that the logo conveys the brand’s message effectively through the simple use of graphics and text.

Flexibility

A successful combination mark logo, like all other types of logos, must be adaptable to a variety of sizes and media. Consider where you want your logo to be used, whether digitally or in print. Also, make sure your logo is scalable and flexible for diverse media.

Distinctness

Given the abundance of logos from various brands, it’s crucial to ensure that your logo stands out from the crowd. And that’s where your creativity needs to work to ensure that you design a distinct and memorable logo. Avoid making it cliche and try creating something that leaves a lasting impression. 

Balance

Finding the correct balance between symbol and text is critical when designing a combination mark logo. Symbols and text should have equal proportions, with nothing being covered or dominated. Because both must work together to create a cohesive visual.

Color and Typography

Color can evoke emotion and convey a variety of brand messages. Typography, on the other hand, manages the brand’s tone. Choose them wisely, as they complement the brand’s symbol and aid in effectively communicating the brand’s value.

 

To sum up, a combination mark logo is a powerful tool in modern branding, combining visual symbols and typography to create a unified and recognizable identity. Its versatility, strong identity, and adaptability make it an excellent choice for both new and established brands. While establishing a combination mark involves obstacles such as preserving visual balance and aligning with company values, the benefits greatly exceed the difficulties.

In a constantly changing design world, combination mark logos stay relevant by adjusting to market demands. Therefore, brands should create logos that not only fascinate but also serve as the foundation of their visual presence by combining meticulous design and a thorough understanding of brand identity.

Furthermore, the combination mark logo you create should not only be focused on the design but also on how well it communicates the brand’s value to its consumers and makes a positive and unforgettable impression on them.