8 Modern Logo Design Trends to Expect in 2018

Considering the short shelf life of most fads, it may seem pointless to care about them. Logo design trends tell you what’s already happening in the industry, and your goal is to stand out.

An effective logo is memorable and true to your brand story. And thanks to apps and social media, logos take center stage on key marketing channels. A distinct design can even spark interest on sight.

But don’t be too quick to dismiss trends. Popular logo styles are a reflection of consumer preferences. Knowing the latest dos and don’ts can help you create fresh designs that are striking in a good way.

Fads aside, we looked at powerful trends that are going strong and evolving in inventive ways. So far, it looks like minimalist reboots and wordmarks will dominate 2018 logo design trends. If you need a dose of creative insight, watch for these logo styles emerging in the new year.

1. Color overlay

Boldness is vital in an age when businesses are constantly fighting for attention online. As a result, contemporary audiences aren’t afraid of brilliant saturated colors. Designers love the balance of simple design and vivid color, so bright hues are a continuing trend. Naturally, the next step is finding ways to showcase and subdue color at the same time. Enter: color overlay.

Overlay techniques involve layering transparent colors. The overlapping sections usually contain a blend or a gradient. The style is perfect for adding dimension and texture to flat logo designs. Look to brands like Slack and Tassimo for inspiration.

2. Intricate line drawings

Be prepared for contrasting aesthetics to collide in the coming months. Monoline logos made up of one continuous line wowed fans of minimalism in 2017. Whether thick or thin, line weight stays neat and consistent throughout the design. This understated style is crisp and clean while capturing the artsy, hand-drawn look of a notebook doodle.

Expect the monoline trend to evolve into more intricate linework logos. Many business owners will want to apply this authentic, sketch-like style to pictorial and ornamental shapes. The colors in monoline designs are exceptionally simple. The linework is often white or black on a single, solid color or the reverse. Going forward, colors will be simplified even more to offset the detailed imagery. Versace and the Charming Press are proof of how unique you can be with drawing styles.

3. Elementary shapes

The mass availability of design tools and logo makers is fueling the minimalist fire. And that’s why geometric logo design trends aren’t going away anytime soon. Total novices can play around with simplistic shapes and happen upon a decent, attractive design.

Get ready to see clever geometric designs that are scaled down to their most basic form. Animals, abstract symbols, and dot or pixel grids will continually show up in geometric logos. Picture how Trello uses a simple square with rectangular cutouts to represent interactive lists.

4. Streamlined mascot logos

Old-fashioned ornate mascots are out, and sleek updates are in. The move toward simpler, refined styles is influencing the entire graphic design field. Older mascot logos tend to have an abundance of tiny sketch marks and details.

In contrast, 2018 logo design trends emphasize sharper outlines and uninterrupted areas of color. After all, if a mascot logo is well illustrated, you don’t need extra stress marks to convey action or emotion. Check out the evolution of big brand logos, such as the Milwaukee Bucks and Deliveroo, to guide mascot designs.

5. Gradient wordmarks

Chances are, you’ve been hearing about gradient or ombre logos a lot lately. Displaying smooth, bright color transitions across a logo creates a sense of movement and texture. Gradients are incredibly versatile, and they add dimensional impact to flat and 3D logos.

Why not try out gradient and ombre effects on wordmarks next year? Gradient wordmarks build on the multicolored logotype of brands like Google and the rainbow icons of brands like Instagram. More designers will unite these techniques in logotype. Gradients can run diagonally, vertically or horizontally, as in the Adani logo. If you have to print media without color, you can use an alternate black-and-white or grayscale design.

6. Cap-free logotypes

Lowercase logotypes are growing a big fanbase among many startups and B2B organizations. Uncapped sans serif fonts show the playful side of businesses that don’t make “fun” products.

To adopt this rising look, choose ultra-simplified fonts in large sizes. Lettering with smooth curves and thin stems have a sleek, contemporary feel, especially when paired with a simple logomark. Sharper fonts are equally common for tech, communications, and corporate businesses. Look to Houzz, Intel, and Omada Health for style inspiration.

7. Framing and text boxes

Sometimes, designers just have to frame a logo the right way to make an impact. Framing techniques are another offshoot of minimalism. They allow you to arrange wordmarks in contained spaces, so they aren’t just floating in space. Text boxes also make it easy to use multiple fonts without destroying the balance in a design.

Depending on the length of the business name, you can spread letters out or place words in stacked, adjacent or off-center arrangements. Framing has always been popular, but colors are simpler in modern versions. Instead of the bright duo-tones of brands like Ikea, use black or negative space for contrast, like Supreme. 

8. Faded and broken letters

There’s only so many ways to create artistic, yet readable text and images. But that hasn’t stopped designers from trying to create logos that trick our visual perception. Fragmented logos with faded, broken, or cropped sections offer a clever way to transform plain logos. Our minds naturally complete broken images when the defining traits are still visible. So, designers can get away with removing or altering shapes and letters without losing legibility.

For this style, context is everything. Faded and broken styles can look vintage, depending on the logo colors and background. Keep the background stark and simple to go in a more contemporary direction, much like Augusta Ventures.

A new year gets the graphic design world excited about how to stand out with fresh ideas. If you’re crafting the visual branding for your business, use logo design trends as a starting point.

While trends aren’t set in stone, they speak volumes about the aesthetic values of your audience. Study the pros to avoid outdated designs and create a logo that can grow with your business.