When it comes to designing logos, is it better to strive for a more interesting design, or stick to something simple?

As Chris explains in this video, the best logos ever designed are simple; they’re not interesting and they’re not overworked. Think about the most popular brands in the world: Apple, Nike, and Google. Are any one of these logos trying to be sophisticated, or overly interesting that we can’t recognize them?

Of course not. These logos are considered some of the best because of their simplicity. They’re instantly recognizable and memorable. They’re legible from a distance. And most importantly, they’re easy on the eyes.

The ‘cleverness’ of a logo does not define its value. Designer Michael Beirut has said that a logo is only a very small aspect of the brand. It’s not the whole story, it’s just the opening paragraph of a long story.

The next time you work on a logo design, think about what makes the  simple logos you see on a day-to-day basis so impactful. It could be the common typefaces used, or the ‘minimalistic’ style.

The best logos ever designed are simple, recognized for years and years, and help us instantly identify certain brands.