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What is a logo?
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What is a Logo?

A logo is a combination of letters and/or graphics creating a single design to visually represent an organization.

Text Logos (Logotype)
Symbol Logos
Text & Symbol Logos


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Text Logos
Some logos consist of stylized text only. The graphic style of the lettering (solid, bold, delicate, energetic, modern, playful, etc.) represents the overall brand personality of the organization. Often the design subtly tweaks, connects or integrates the letters in such a way that the overall mark is a unique entity, more than just a typed out word:                                      
            
                   Logo: Mother & Child, magazine
                   Designed by: Herb Lubalin and Tom Carnase



           

                   Logo: Families, magazine
                   Designed by: Herb Lubalin



       
                   Logo: Morningstar Investment Advisers, financial company
                   Designed by: Paul Rand



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Symbol Logos
Symbol logos use an image to represent an organization. A symbol can be open to wider interpretation than text alone and is most effective when unique rather than heavily based on a pre-exising symbol.

        
                 Logo: Nike, sports footwear and apparel company
                 Designed by: Carolyn Davidson


       
                  Logo: Apple Computer, computer technology company
                  Designed by: Rob Janoff



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Text & Symbol Logos
Some logos use both text and symbol; the text and image compliment each other but are fairly separate:

          
                   Logo: Time Warner, media & entertainment company
                   Designed by: Steff Geissbuhler


               
                  Logo: NBC, media & entertainment company
                  Designed by: Steff Geissbuhler