What is a monochrome logo? How do you make one?
What is the difference between a color and a monochrome logo?
First, do you know what a monochrome logo is? The word monochrome is made up of two elements: mono, meaning one, and chrome, a suffix used to designate colors. So, a monochrome logo is simply a logo that uses just one color.
Important: Although black and white are the main colors used for monochrome logos, another color can be used if needed. Also, whatever hue you decide to use, remember that your logo should look good in black and white too. You could create a specific version and add it to your logo collection.
What are the advantages of creating a monochromatic logo for your brand?
Now, why would a company opt for a monochrome logo for its brand image? Wouldn't it be better to choose several colors? In our opinion, this type of logo has several advantages:
Simplicity
A monochrome logo is often considered simple and minimalist. It's one of the most important trends in logo design at the moment. By using just one color, you reduce the chances of creating something that will look messy or chaotic. You'll also notice that the big-name brands only use one or two colors for their logos.
Flexibility
Monochrome logos also have the advantage of being more flexible. In fact, by using just one color, you increase the chances that your emblem will always be used optimally, whatever the medium. In other words, by using just one color, it's easy to use your logo everywhere, on any background.
Sophisticated
Have you noticed that many high-end brands only use one color for their logo? If you want to create alogo for a luxury brand, it might be worth choosing something monochrome. For example, black remains a timeless color used by many famous brands. Why not opt for something both simple and sophisticated?
How to create a beautiful monochrome logo design
Where do you start if you think a monochrome logo is what you need? What are the steps involved? The design process remains fairly similar.
Do some market research
Whether you're designing a logo for a business or a restaurant, it's essential to take the time to do some market research as soon as you have an idea. This will enable you to position your project and learn about a number of components that will help you create your logo. Think about your values and your target clientele.
Think about the type of logo
Even though you're creating a monochrome logo, you can still use any type of logo you like. It's up to you to decide what best suits your needs. It works just as well to use one color for a signature logo as it is for a combination logo.
Choose your color
As we explained above, a monochrome logo is made up of just one color. So, it's essential to choose a hue that exactly matches your values. Note, however, that your brand image can include more than a single color if required.
Find the ideal font
Since monochrome logos use only one color, it's vital to use a font that will represent the company and its values well to solidify the message. For example, traditional companies choose a serif font, while creative ones might opt for script typography.
Revise it
Once you have a draft logo, check that it meets your needs. Can you use it everywhere? Is it unique and does it represent you well? Why not show it to other people for feedback? If everything looks good, all you have to do is use it on the web and in your important documents.
Three examples of well-known business monochrome logos and their meanings
To help you understand the subtleties of monochrome logos, let us show you three examples you're probably already familiar with.
Uber: a great black and white logo
The Uber logo is a good example of a simple monochrome logo that can be used anywhere, whether in cabs or on a mobile app. Although Uber hasn't always used just one color for its logo, it's still an interesting example of a modern, flexible logo.
Chanel: one of the best emblems
Speaking of simplicity and sophistication, you may have thought of the Chanel brand. When you know the story of Gabrielle Chanel, the brand's founder, it's no surprise that the emblem of this French company uses just one color: black. Why be complicated when you can be simple and elegant?
Apple: a bold but simple symbol
Finally, among the most fashionable tech companies, there's Apple. Right from the start, they've made a name for themselves by using their logo on all their products. Since they've long since opted for a monochrome logo, this is easier to do. The color may change, but the apple icon remains the same.
In conclusion, just because you choose to create a monochrome logo doesn't mean it's not original or representative. On the contrary, it can be a great way of showing your values and defining that you operate in a more luxurious market while keeping up with the latest trends. Once you've chosen the ideal type of logo for your project, all that's left is to define the ideal color to represent what you have in mind.
