Some Great Web Logo Designs for Inspiration
Whenever I see a really good logo or icon on a web site or even on promotional items, I save a copy to refer to later when inspiration is running dry, as a reminder of what a great logo looks like.
I’m sharing my on-going collection here for the inspiration of others.
I’ll explain what I love about each of these.
I’m not advocating copying anything you see here, respect the copyright of the designers, but look for the features that work and seek to apply them in your own logo designs (or creative briefs).
So, in no particular order…
Havok
This logo has loads of character & energy, created by the jaunty letter positioning and the mass of competing diagonals on the saw blade.
Logoholik
This guy Bojan Stefanovic is a really productive logo designer who turns out heaps of top-quality work. Check out his portfolio for more good logos. His own logo is one of my personal favourites, with really strong black text and the super-iconic bold-coloured square.
Things (by Cultured Code)
Love this one, for a simple task-management app! A real-world metaphor delivered with enough simplicity and maintaining a strong shape and contrast.
KeepOpen.com
I love the way this uses just 3 colours on a white background (negative space) to create the illusion of space. Strong, simple shapes and diagonal lines make for a recognisable and powerful logo.
Loladex
A great solution combining “rolodex” with “people”. Genius.
Qik
Really strong font feels organic and energetic while making a pleasant shape.
Seedcamp
Nice organic logo combines with a serif font to create a human-feeling brand.
Seriosity
I simply love the way black alone is used to suggest the shape of the man’s shirt (the “negative space” illusion). First class logo.
Vanilla
Simple geometric shapes making a recognisable image that reflects the product name.
SwapTree
It’s always good for your logo to reflect the brand name (but not essential!). This one says “Swap” and “Tree” in a pretty simple form.
>MooTools
Soft white and blue work well against the dark grey background. The font is original, and the spanner echoes the “Tools” theme.
Adaptive Blue
Few colours and a simple shape still create a nice 3D illusion. The diagonals created by the angle give the logo a sense of dynamism.
Bungee Labs
Simple but recognisable form. Green/white/black creates a sharp combo.
Email Centre Pro
This one comes into the general category of “Strong shape with rich surface effects”. While there are a lot of colours going on, the clear outline make the form recognisable. You could reduce the colours down to 3 without losing the essence of the logo.
Goodtext?
Not really a classic logo (may not be a logo at all, I can’t access the site), but the strong points on the diagonals really catch my attention.
>gOS Operating System
The grey on white plastic with one strong highlight colour is strong yet feels open and welcoming.
Joost
When you’ve got a typeface/text combo that creates a silhouette this strong, you don’t need anything else.
Flock
Although the “bleeding pixels” style was done to death in about 2004, this shape is pleasant and energetic, with an iconic silhouette and dynamism from the angled plane.
Source unknown…
The clasped hands speak directly about the service on offer, and also make a pleasing heart shape. Simple lines reduce the hand shapes to the most abstract form, while retaining recognition.
Mahalo Greenhouse
Complex, but still a recognisable shape, combined with really pleasant colours.
Kitchenbug
A simple, cheerful shape and strong colours, with added surface effects.
Odeo
Strong outline and star with contrasting colours make for a striking and recognisable logo.
New Radcru
The first distressed logo of the bunch. Again, this would work on shape alone, without the grungy effects, thanks to outstanding use of typography. By UK web design agency Satsu.
Snagsta
Not a beautiful piece of work to my eyes, but that doesn’t matter because the type and shapes create such a strong, memorable shape. Logos don’t have to be lovely to be appealing and effective.
Bluestring
Really simple and cheeky logo that reflects what it says. Suggests that the service will be simple & straightforward.
Boobox
A basic concept with the illusion of 3D space, combined with subtle shine make a logo that sticks in your head.
Buzzlogic
One of the most basic geometric shapes simply echoes the “buzz” theme effectively. The combo of light & heavy weights in the type work well (you need to use weights at least 2 steps apart for this effect to work).
Chilirec
The first “shiny table effect” in the list. You just can’t help but want to pick up the shiny ball, aided by the intense contrasting red. Quite unique specular reflection too.
EngineYard
A complex shape still creates a dynamic and iconic image. The added shininess gives it a 3D tactile appeal.
EQO
Just 2 main colours in the palette, with a very recognisable outline, and added polish make this nice & appealing.
IMified
Nothing unique about the speech bubble, but logos don’t have to use unique components to work. Note the heavy/light text weight combo again. The rounded “im” gives a friendly, easy feel.
Mahalo.com
Highly characterful typeface combined with a lovely organic flower image. Friendly and cheerful is just right for the brand and the name.
MailChimp
I don’t love the chimp character, but a logo doesn’t have to be loveable. Minimal colour palette and quirky, friendly design lend the HTML email service a simple feel.
MarketWatch.com
A strong favourite of mine. The “W” reflects the ups & downs of the market with simple colours and a dynamic, 3D effect.
Cake Financial
Not particularly likeable, but the outline is clear & strong, and the double-meaning of the “cake” and pie-chart are “just clever enough”.
Viewdle
What impresses me about this logo is the way it creates a believable eye image using only circles, managing to get in the specular highlight.
Mixx
I like the metaphor and clear outline, but I always wonder how the effect would be altered if the low tonal contrast in the porridge were missed.
Newsvine
Simple form with combination of natural greens suggests “growth”.
Streetadvisor
Fairly complex shape is still recognisable, evoking a friendly, old-world sense of community. Maybe it doesn’t need the outer ring?
Tribler.org
Highly distinctive shape does just enough to suggest “people coming together”. While it’s really powerful here, the logo’s far too small on the site itself, for some reason.
Source unknown…
The bold, strongly-vertical font feels serious and businesslike. Simple and effective.
Zwinky
The electric blue & yellow colour combination, together with the suggestion of flattened perspective feels very youthful and “pop”, which perfectly suits the brand.
45Royale
Simple geometry again, and relatively small colour palette, making a rich logo.
Source unknown…
Simple geometry, only 5 colours used, making a credible 3D (isometric) form.
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