What Type of Logo Design?
Examples of logo types can be useful for our design and discovery of your logo project. Here’s a roundup of six different types of logos: lettermarks, wordmarks, brandmarks, combination, emblem, and mascot.
Lettermark (initials or monograms)
Lettermarks are made of letters. Whether you call them monograms, initials, or acronyms, they’re in the same category.
Wordmark (text only)
Brandmark (object/mark with logotype/text)
Brandmarks are the opposite of wordmarks. They are symbols without words. Most easily-recognized brandmarks started out in a “lockup” with a wordmark company name. Over time, through repeated exposure, the symbol itself became associated with the brand. The symbol can now be used on its own, separated from the company name.
Combination (object/mark + logotype/text)
Combination marks pair a symbol with a wordmark and might be difficult to display them separately. This style of logo may always best used as one logo only.
Emblem (badge or text inside of a shape)
Similar to combination mark logos, emblem logos combine images with text.
The difference? Emblem logos encapsulate their design features within a frame or border. Combination logos do not.
Logo System (multiple lockups)
Go beyond the emblem, badge, or a circle logo — get a logo system! Multiple logo lockups will provide different style options making sure the brand is consistent but flexible for marketing, signage, merchandising, social media, digital marketing and more.
Mascot (illustrated character)
What is a mascot logo? A mascot is defined as an illustrated character that represents a business. You can think of a mascot as the spokesperson or brand ambassador. These types of logos can have the wordmark as part of the illustrated character or separate like Wendy’s logo.
