Brand and logo are two terms you must know when discussing corporate identity. Although they are used interchangeably by many people due to the role they play in marketing, they also have significant differences.
In our topic today, brand vs. logo, we will explain what the terms mean, their differences, and their similarities. Keep reading.
Logo
Let’s start by explaining what a logo is. As you may have guessed a graphic defines a company, a brand identity or products.
A classic logo comes with some writing and visual elements. It’s a crucial component in the representation of a brand. Visit websites and social media profiles or check product packages; you will not miss seeing logos.
In simple terms, a logo is like the face of a company. The role it plays in customer engagement and brand loyalty is crucial. You can create a great logo with an online logo maker that will help you stand out in the marketplace and make you successful.
Components of a logo
To understand a logo better, we need to dig deeper and look at its components. That is, what should appear on a good logo.
The first thing you will see is a brand mark. If, for instance, the company works in the medical field, you will see a red cross or a hospital sign. Or perhaps the company is in electricity, in which case a lightning bolt might represent it.
Next, there is a brand. After the visual element, the mark comes the brand name. This could be the product or a company. It might be fully included in the logo or as part of the mark.
Another important element is the tagline. These are a few words, perhaps in a short sentence providing additional information to support the logo. If the logo is not very clear to the customer, this information will explain it.
So, brand mark, name, and tagline are the best components of a logo. Even though they are not requirements for creating a perfect logo, most companies find various ways of combining them for successful branding.
Brand
How does a company represent itself to its audience? When people look at their website, communications, and visual elements, what do they see?
The answers to these questions define a brand. In short, it is how a company presents itself. And that is why a company will spend so much on creating and managing its brand to be recognized.
A brand is a name the company creates for itself in the face of consumers. It comes with trust, reliability, and offering unique products or services to stand out from the crowd.
Elements of a brand
Just like the logo above, the brand also comes with several components. The first one is brand identity, which summarizes what a company does. Brand definition is often created first to lay the foundation for the other elements.
Secondly, there is brand identity. This is the specific area of focus where the company is best known in terms of self-portrayal and customer perception. It is basically how people describe the company.
Thirdly, a brand comes with brand culture. This explains how the company shares its values and mission with customers. A company may use its experience through customer base, interactions, and employees to create, maintain and share a great culture.
Brand positioning is another crucial element. This is how the company relates with other brands in a similar field and how they stand out.
Similarities Between Brand and Logo
Logo and brand are both important components in branding. And hence, they come with several similarities. These include:
- Scope. A logo is one element of a brand, which is why it has a smaller scope. Brand, on the other hand, is much wider.
- Design. Designing a brand requires using several logo parts, including color and font.
- Application. A logo is used primarily for sealing a memorable visual element of the company in people’s minds. Hence, it is important to have colors and elements that an audience easily relates with. A brand tells a story on different platforms. Together, they play the biggest marketing role.
- Branding. Companies create a series of design and marketing materials that set them apart from other companies. A logo and a brand must be part of such efforts.
There you have it, the best definition of brand and logo. Now you can create a good logo and brand for your company.