Are you looking to fix your logo, rebrand your company, or completely redesign your logo? You've come to the right place.

In this guide, we'll explore the reasons to consider a logo redesign, the steps involved, and best practices to ensure your new logo effectively represents your brand.

During my career as a graphic designer, Ive lead numerous logos redesign projects for my clients, here are some of them:

So I thought It’d be a great idea to use them as examples to explain my process of redesigning a logo.

Why Redesign a Logo?

Logo redesigns are often necessary when a brand undergoes major changes.

Whether you're aiming for a fresh look, aligning with new market trends, or addressing issues with your current logo's functionality, a redesign can breathe new life into your brand image.

Here are some common reasons to consider redesigning your logo:

• Brand Evolution: As companies grow and evolve, their logos should reflect these changes.
• Outdated Design: Design trends change over time, and an outdated logo can make a brand feel old-fashioned.
• Poor Versatility: Logos that don’t work across digital and physical media can hinder brand consistency.
• Audience Shift: If your target market changes, your logo should appeal to that new audience.

Steps to Redesign Your Logo

Redesigning a logo is a strategic process. Here are the essential steps involved:

1. Analyze Your Current Logo: Identify what aspects of the logo are working and what needs to be fixed.
2. Research Your Audience and Market: A logo should resonate with your target market and align with current industry standards.
3. Define Your Brand's Core Message: A strong logo reflects your brand’s mission, values, and personality.
4. Sketch and Explore Ideas: Experiment with different design elements, colors, and typography.
5. Create Mockups and Test: Visualize your logo across various formats like business cards, websites, and social media.
6. Get Feedback: Gather feedback from both stakeholders and your target audience.
7. Finalize and Launch: Choose the best version and launch your rebranded logo.

PS. I also created a video of the same title—check it out my YouTube channel.

So without further ado, let’s look at some examples.

1. Logo Refresh

In the case of a logo refresh, the goal is to modernize the logo and make it more visually appealing, while still maintaining the overall look & feel.

A great example of a logo refresh is my recent redesign of the Lyntics logo.

In this example, we can notice that the typography and gradient were improved and the colors were made brighter.

And another great example would be the logo I slightly improved for AMI.

Plus for this client I also design a new brand architecture.

As you can see in the example of logo for Lyntics or AMI, even small change can make a big difference overall.

2. Brand Redesign

On the other hand, a brand redesign involves starting from scratch and creating a completely new logo.

This is often necessary when a business has evolved or is focusing on a specific niche.

An example of a brand redesign is my recent work done for SweetGrass.

In which the old logo was replaced with a new wordmark set in an Art Deco style typeface with a luxury feel.

Another good example is the redesign of the Medihuanna logo, which features a brand new logo with a simple, modern sans-serif typeface (no generic snake symbol).

In rebrand, we basically dismisses the existing logo (and its look & feel) in favor of a totally new idea.

3. Reasons for Change

There are several reasons why a company may choose to redesign their logo.

One common reason is that the existing logo is outdated and no longer reflects the brand.

This can be due to the passage of time, or it may be that the logo was created cheaply and is now in need of an update.

Another reason for redesigning a logo is that the business has changed, whether it has evolved or is now focusing on a specific niche.

A third reason is that the company may be growing and needs a proper brand architecture to reflect its new size and scope.

Other reasons for redesigning a logo include issues with trademarking, reputation damage, or a desire to reposition the company in the market.

4. Elements to Keep / Change

When it comes to redesign—the big question is “What elements should I keep or change?”

As they say: “Don’t fix it if it ain’t broken!”—sometimes many people recognize the existing logo already (brand equity) so it might be too risky for the company to change it all.

That’s why you need to carefully plan your redesign.

Elements to consider when evaluating a logo:

• Fonts: Pay attention to typography: fonts style, weight, kerning etc.
• Color: Make sure the colors are well-suited: the hue, tin and tone.
• Proportions: Tweak font size vs. other elements to achieve balance.
• Composition: Align elements properly in the composition.

A great example of that could the logo I redesigned for Focal PM.

Where the idea was good, and that’s why we retained all of the elements from the existing logo, but just executing in a much better way.

There was a lot of room for improvement in terms of: proportions, margins, line weight, fonts etc.

Ultimately, the decision of what elements to keep or change will depend on the type of logo you have.

Seek the input of a professional designer, as they will have the necessary experience to envision almost immediately how the logo could be improved upon.

5. Logo Refresh vs Rebrand

Ultimately, you’ll have to decide whether to focus on updating the existing logo, or starting with a totally new idea.

A great example of that would be the complete rebrand I’ve done for Periti.

To summarize: there are two main types of logo redesigns: logo refreshes and brand redesigns.

A logo refresh involves updating and improving upon an existing logo, while a brand redesign involves creating a completely new logo.

If the idea behind the existing logo fits the brand (and its strategy), then you might want to improve on the execution (better design).

However, if the idea wasn’t so good, or the brand has changed and it doesn’t work anymore—they you might want to start from scratch.

Companies also redesign their logos and brand identities periodically (every few years or so) just to stay relevant and up-to-date (and look fresh).

You can find a lot of examples of great redesigns on the BrandNew blog run my Armin Vit, who was also a guest on my podcast.

Conclusion

In conclusion, redesigning a company logo can be a crucial step in maintaining a strong brand and staying competitive in the marketplace.

There are two main types of redesigns: logo refreshes and brand redesigns.

The decision to redesign a logo may be driven by a variety of factors, including the need to modernize an outdated logo, changes in the business, or the desire to better communicate the brand.

By carefully considering the goals and needs of the company (brand strategy), businesses can successfully redesign their logos and continue to thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions about Logo Redesign

What is the cost of redesigning a logo?

Logo redesign costs vary widely depending on the complexity, designer expertise, and project scope.

On average, a professional logo redesign can range from $500 to $5,000.

Larger companies with complex requirements may spend more to get a brand-aligned logo.

How long does a logo redesign take?

A logo redesign typically takes anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. Factors affecting the timeline include research, concept development, revisions, and feedback rounds.

Make sure to allocate enough time for a thorough and polished result.

Should I completely change my logo or just update it?

This depends on your brand goals. Minor updates (often called a logo refresh) can modernize your logo without losing brand recognition.

A complete redesign, however, may be necessary for rebranding a company that has significantly evolved.

Best Practices for Logo Redesigns

When rebranding a logo, remember these key principles:

• Keep it Simple: Simple logos are memorable and versatile across various media.
• Think Long-Term: Avoid design trends that will quickly date your logo. Aim for timeless elements.
• Prioritize Versatility: Your logo should work well in black and white, on mobile devices, and in large formats.
• Ensure Brand Consistency: The logo should be cohesive with other brand elements, such as color schemes and typography.

Need Help Redesigning Your Logo?

At Ebaq Design, we specialize in logo design & brand identity design.

If you're ready to redesign your logo, check out my portfolio, and then schedule a call to discuss your project today.

Also check out my other article where I walk you though my logo design process step-by-step.