19 June 2023 Laura Bottaro
Journal of Experiences
The logo design and Noorda’s 5 rules
Logo design is a fundamental element for any brand. An effective logo can communicate a company’s identity and values in an immediate and memorable way. A well-designed logo can help build consumer trust, distinguish a business from the competition, and foster brand memorability.
There are many good practices and principles to follow to design a successful logo.
To talk about this, it is impossible not to mention Bob Noorda, renowned Dutch designer, known for his extraordinary contributions in the field of visual design, especially in the field of graphic design and logo design.
There are 5 rules that Noorda provides us for the creation of a successful logo design. Let’s see what they are and how they can be applied to create a strong and recognizable brand.
1) Synthesis and simplicity
An effective logo must be simple and easily understandable. Avoiding excessive details or superfluous elements is essential to ensure quick memorization and recognition of the logo. The key is finding the essence of the company and translating it into a powerful and immediate visual form.
2) Timelessness
A well-designed logo must be timeless and stand the test of time. The advice is to avoid following the fashions and trends of the moment. A logo that manages to remain relevant and contemporary even years after its creation is a sign of quality design. The longevity of the logo helps build trust with your audience and maintain a consistent impression over time.
3) Reproducibility
A logo must work in different sizes and on different mediums, maintaining its legibility and visual impact. It is necessary to design a logo that can be reduced or enlarged without losing its integrity and recognition. The logo’s ability to adapt to different applications helps maintain visual consistency across all audience touchpoints.
4) Memorability
A well-designed logo should be easily remembered. The suggestion is to avoid conventional solutions and instead look for unique and innovative ideas that distinguish themselves from other brands in the sector. Creating a logo that is different from the others allows you to grab the attention of the audience and leave a lasting impression in the minds of the viewers.
5) Consistency
A logo must be consistent with the brand identity and values of the company it represents. It is important to fully understand the company and its target to create a logo that effectively communicates the essence of the brand. The logo must be an authentic and visual reflection of the brand and its personality.
Our approach
For us, this last rule is definitely the most important. Listening deeply to people is part of our DNA and even in the design of logos, all our actions start from this foundation.
The first step, for us, is always to fully understand who is in front of us. Only in this way is it possible to design the right identity together, the image which will then forever reflect the soul of the brand.
We involve people in the company right away, trying to understand who they are and what they expect. Let’s then proceed together to understand if we are going in the right direction. And finally, we validate the work, which we are satisfied with only if it fully reflects the company’s values.
Furthermore, to create a meaningful logo, we actively involve the people who will later be potential users of the product or service, listening carefully to their opinions. We believe it is essential to understand if the logo we are creating reflects the identity of the company and meets people’s expectations. We try to understand what they expect and what they think, so that we can convey authentic values through design.
By involving people in the logo creation process, we ensure that we resonate with their sensibilities and convey the values they consider important. Hearing from their opinions gives us valuable perspective and helps us create a logo that has authentic meaning to them. Ultimately, this participatory approach allows us to develop a logo that resonates with the company and can effectively communicate the values people identify with.
In this way it is possible to create a successful logo, which has the power to create an emotional bond with the public, generating trust, recognition and brand loyalty. It is through the logo that a business can stand out and leave a lasting impression on the minds of the consumers.
Bottom line, logo design requires a combination of creativity, strategy, and attention to detail. A good logo is one that summarizes the essence of a company in a powerful and impactful visual form. With the application of the fundamental principles and an understanding of the business context, it is possible to create successful logos that will be a hallmark of a brand’s identity for many years to come.