Designing A Church Logo? Some Things to Remember
I like logos, and I certainly like church. I design church logos, in fact. So as I’ve sought inspiration by looking at other church logos, I’ve run across a lot of church “logos” about which I’d have to say, Jesus would not do this! So I thought I’d give some “subtle” advice in the way of some tips and tricks, beginning with what NOT to do… I mean never!!
Photos aren’t logos.
Don’t put a photo behind your church name. It’s a photo and a photo isn’t a logo. It doesn’t belong in a logo. It doesn’t stretch like a logo, feel like a logo, or smell like a logo. No photos!
If you have to use a photo, which you should never do, don’t use a photo of your church sign. Sure it’s pretty, but it’s a sign. No one cares. Instead, find a nice, pretty, flower-covered photo of your church cemetary. That will show everyone your church is alive!
Comic Sans is for comics.
Choose your typefaces wisely, and let’s just go ahead and rule out comic sans and anything like it, even if you advertise in the comics section.
Use doves, flames, flags, crosses, and globes sparingly, if at all.
I have a few logos to boast of that incorporate crosses or globes, but these five images are terribly abused and over-used. Nobody outside of Christianity has a clue what the dove means. Flags alienate people who don’t carry the ones you display. Flames can mean passion, but they can also mean other things. Crosses are ancient electric chairs, instruments of cruel execution. Don’t gold-plate them. And globes are okay, they’re just everywhere.
Don’t animate anything.
Crosses don’t spin. Flames don’t look like flames when crackling on a computer screen. And please, please, don’t let any images bleed on your web page. Besides, seems like I read somewhere that crosses and flames are overdone.
Avoid clipart.
Clipart has its place – right next to the comic sans font. It was an 80’s thing, like shell necklaces.
Look at great inspiration.
Look here… please!
Creattica’s Logo Gallery (Church logos)
Have You Seen Any Good Church Logos?
Thanks for the link to my images. Great advice. A church identity should convey the essence and spirituality of the organization and its congregation – and that will usually result in unique imagery that may not normally be associated with a church.
Not sure why when a person thinks of designing for a church they stick to the idea of crosses n etc. If anything I agree to use those things sparingly. Designs for a church like Jeff said should have a result that isn’t the norm.
Interesting post! I totally agree with pretty much everything in here. The only area where I have maybe a bit of disagreement is with the cross. Granted, if you can make a wicked logo without it, go for it, but I don’t think that people should avoid it just because it is so popular. Just give it a creative twist.
I hear what you’re saying about the instrument of torture, but the power of the symbol cannot be understated. Personally, I think it’s just another testament to the wonder of God’s plans that the instrument of Christ’s death was something that translated so well from a sign of death and pain into a sign of hope and salvation. I’ve given this quite a bit of thought over the years, and I honestly can’t think of another instrument of execution that could have surpassed the symbolic power of the cross.
But yeah… sorry for the rant
Like I said, awesome post! Especially about Comic Sans. And, if I can add one other font in there – Papyrus!
Duly noted about the cross, bro, thanks. And Amen to the death of Papyrus. Thanks!
Can I add one more item to leave out? I was an associate pastor in a Vineyard Church for years before joining a new church plant. I can’t stand seeing grapes in logos for Vineyard Churches, or the simple cross and flame for UMC churches. Unless you are a denominational agency, use denominational images sparingly in your logo designs. Your church is unique and your logo should be too.
Excellent point, Bill. SBC Churches should watch the use of the whole combination of the cross, globe, and Bible thing too.