What’s the Difference Between a Logo and a Symbol?

Since you’re following this, you’re still trying to figure out the distinction between a logo and a symbol.

First and foremost, we have two critical points to make to clear this up:

There is a conceptual gap between both logo and a symbol.

We always mix up the two, so it’s not a huge thing.

Designers and developers are the only ones who are concerned with using the specific words properly (it seems, it is their responsibility to know these things). For anything or anyone, though, you have a free pass to swap here between individual terms; the party you’re speaking with will most likely understand what you mean.

*Superpave*: When debating logo design with customers or a developer, it is important to define what a logo is so that everything is on the page. Is it a wordmark, a lettermark, a graphic mark, or a hybrid label?

Read the rest if you want a better explanation of the distinction between icons and logos, as well as information about some of the most popular forms of logos.

Is it a symbol or a logo?

Through everyday language, a logo is described as “a name, emblem, or blend of the following that is being used to display an organization, brand, or event.”

Even then, whether you looking up the various words in a dictionary (which we would do), you’ll see that a logo may only be text—such as a phrase or initials—while an icon can only be a photo. Besides, there is a third word for the combination of different: hybrid mark. (Isn’t that logical?

These concepts are appropriate for brands such as Netflix oil, Sony, Dell, and eBay. But what about Blackberry’s well-known icon? It’s difficult to argue it that’s a mark rather than a logo.

Although using the word “logo” is great much of the time, which to be sure, you should decide which sort of logo you’re responding to.

The most popular styles of icons used by well-known entrepreneurs and international businessmen are as follows.

Wordmarks are trademarks that are dependent entirely on fonts. There are no logos or symbols in these logotypes, which rely only on the brand’s name.  Wordmarks are commonly used for brands with a positive, appealing, and concise name. Wordmark logos are used by a variety of businesses, including Dell, Apple, and Netflix. Wordmarks will be almost as powerful an asset of photo logos when partnered with a distinctive font and color scheme.

When another business is new to the marketing scene, a wordmark is a smart option. Using the company’s full name will help increase market loyalty, but only when the logo is brief enough that the logo does not seem cluttered.

Lettermark logos (or monogram logos) are made up of just the brand’s initials. A lettermark logo focuses solely on letters. As a result, selecting a font type that corresponds to the company’s persona and characterization is critical. If your company name is a morsel because you need to brand your logo through several media channels, a lettermark will help.

Mark Pictorial is pictorial mark is a type of digital logo that employs an emblem, image, or symbol. When anyone mentions an emblem, this is most likely the first thing that comes to mind.

Abstract photographs can also be used as pictorial logos.

So that you can only connect your business to a picture or symbol, you have achieved one of the most powerful levels of branding. It suggests your name has been so powerful that it has surpassed any need for expression.

When you want to use a pictographic mark, it’s best if it’s a descriptive image of your brand’s name (like Microsoft) or if you can use an image that represents the service you do or the items you sell.

Mark of Combination

But, as previously stated: What occurs when a wordmark, lettermark, or pictorial mark are combined? You get a mixed symbol.

The icon may be put above, beneath, to the liberal or conservative, or also behind the document. Many well-known brands, like Dunkin Donuts, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s, Delta, and Mercedes, use a combination of their logo, acronym, and a picture.

That uses a mixed symbol often gives advertisers the flexibility to select which components of their logo to use in specific contexts, such as web ads or publishing their logo on actual products like brochures and cards.

As such, however, a sign and a logo are not technically the same, they often perform the same functions. Although explaining the difference can not be helpful to you, it is better to use precise terms when discussing logos with designers to prevent misunderstanding.

And, so now you understand the four most popular logo styles, you can still convey your message clearly and fully.