There is something undeniably attractive about good logos with animals. They resonate with us in a way unlike text-based designs or those using inanimate objects.

A few great examples are the World Wildlife Fund and Penguin Books.

With a glance, they evoke emotion. Whether it’s playfulness, compassion, or some other feeling, animals have a way of speaking volumes.

So how do you design a strong logo using these powerful, wordless messages?

Find out with our tips on how to create symbolic animal logos.

Tips on Creating Symbolic Logos with Animals

Creating a great animal logo takes a bit of planning and forethought. We walk you through the critical thinking that goes along with logo design to help you achieve the best results.

Decide What Animal Best Represents Your Business

Before you even begin sketching out designs, ask yourself:

• What do I want my brand to stand for?
• How do I want consumers to feel when they look at my logo?
• What animal represents my organization best?

You can’t just pick your favorite animal. For example, a snake wouldn’t be a good representation of a local home and garden store. Neither would a kitten pair well with a nearby shooting range.

Every animal has its own reputation which influences the kind of impression it makes on viewers.

Start with exploring animal symbolism. Many cultures have specific interpretations of various animals and what they represent. Even if you or your consumers don’t believe in these old symbols, their descriptions are useful.

Find lore relative to your demographic and research what emotions each type of animal evokes. Try to track down one that aligns with your brand and what you want it to represent.

• Are you clever and quick like a fox?
• Does your company find its success through owl-like intelligence?
• Do you reign over the industry like a lion?

Find an animal you can relate to your brand, then make sure you can explain why it fits. Once you have the right animal in mind, you can move on to the design phase.

Decide How to Use Your Brand Colors

If you haven’t already chosen your brand colors, the animal you choose may be an influencing factor. However, if your brand already has an established palette, don’t feel the need to change it to suit your animal’s natural design.

Keep your color scheme simple. Animals may showcase many colors, but simplicity is important when creating a logo. One to three colors is a good range to stay within.

Think not only about what colors pair well together but also what they mean. Like the animal you chose, colors have certain emotions they evoke. Use the wrong one and you may end up confusing your audience.

For example:

• Red evokes hunger, passion, or urgency
• Blue can be calming, serene, or sad
• Yellow is joyful, optimistic, and exciting
• Green represents life or growth

Couple these with your animal’s symbolism and you can reinforce its meaning. Don’t limit yourself to “natural colors”.

Remember, an animal logo doesn’t have to be realistic. You can get creative with your color scheme.

A great example of this is the Zebra from Fruit Stripe bubble gum, who was anything but black and white. Think outside the box. Capture emotion as well as attention.

Once you decide on your brand colors, you can start working on your animal logo design.

Choose a Style of Graphic that Represents Your Brand’s Personality

Whether you’re browsing stock or going with a custom design, the graphic style of your animal logo says a lot about your business. Make sure you think about impressions as you consider your options.

A cartoon style logo won’t match the cut and dry image of law firms or other white collar agencies. Likewise, a plain, realistic logo for a creative agency may fall flat in the eyes of your target client.

You can combine your animal logo with text or let it stand alone. Put together several different variations to explore your options. Once you have a selection you like, consider not just what you think but how your potential client base will react to each one.

Go with what your clients will respond to best, even if it’s not your favorite. After all, they are the individuals your logo is aiming to attract.

Make Sure Your Design Looks Good in All Formats

One of the biggest mistakes new logo designers make is not thinking about how the logo will be printed and used. As part of your brand’s face, it will be displayed in many ways, shapes, and forms:

• On your website
• In brochures
• On your business card
• In flyers and news clippings
• On vehicle wraps
• In Mailers
• Etc.

Because of this, you have to consider both scale and grayscale.

You know your logo looks good as-is, but what if its reduced to a 1″ x 1″ scale? Is it readable? Is it recognizable?

The same goes for enlarged designs. Designs can look surprisingly different based on how big or small its represented. Make sure your logo is flexible enough to suit all occasions.

Consider also how it looks without color. Sometimes you won’t be able to add your brand’s palette to your logo. There may be instances where grayscale is the only option.

In this case, you want to make sure your logo doesn’t lose its personality. Test it before you finalize your design by viewing it both in color and black and white. Make sure you don’t lose any of the detail or the impression you’re trying to convey.

Create an Awesome Animal Logo Without Photoshop

You don’t have to be a Photoshop genius to design quality logos with animals. In fact, all the tools you need are right here, online.

Get started on your free logo and discover how easy it is to create the perfect design for your brand. The steps to use our logo maker are so simple, anyone can do it.

Ready to get started? Open our logo maker now and let your creativity run loose.