Emblem Logos: Design Tips for your own badge logo design

When it comes to logos, emblem designs are about as prestigious and fancy as it gets. These kind of logo designs combine text and symbolic images or icons inside a specific shape like a badge or crest. The result is an emblem-style logo that just screams heritage, authority, and timeless tradition. This guide will showcase all different kinds of emblem logo design, Let's get started!

What Is An Emblem Logo?

Emblem logos are generally logos that a text or icon embedded within a specific shape. Commonly seen as badge logos or shield logos, they have an emblematic style that portrays a sense of authority to the target market.

The defining features of an emblem logo are:

Text placement: The logo name is usually embed inside a specific shape, for example a circle or a badge.
Symbolic shapes: Common shapes include a badge, shield, emblem, seal, or oval border around the text.
Authoritative style: This complex composition deliver a sense of prestigious and authority.

Classic examples are the Starbucks siren, Harley-Davidson's bar & shield, Mercedes' three-pointed star, and the Harvard University crest logo.

What is the Difference Between Symbols and Emblems?

There's an important difference between the two. A symbol is a basic image or icon that represents the brand messaging or brand value. An emblem is a more complex design that combines text, symbolic images, and a defined shape like a badge or crest. This kind of design showcasing the organization's or the brand's heritage, values, and prestige.

Emblem Logo Design Tips

For companies looking to create an emblematic visual identity brimming with meaning and tradition, considering these emblem logo design ideas and tips for your inspiration.

Pick the Right Container Shape

The container shape framing the emblem logo is the most important factor for setting the overall brand style and personality. Common shapes like triangle, rectangle or badges each deliver very different brand personalities, some are bold, others can be bring out traditional and prestige for the brand. So choosing the container shape carefully for your next logo design.

Vintage Badge Logos

For brands aiming to evoke nostalgic to create vintage logos, emblem logos are an excellent choice. Their ornate, symbolic designs inherently communicate a sense of heritage, quality, and reliability that pairs perfectly with nostalgic brand positioning.

Opt For a Medieval style

Medieval emblem styles are ideal for conveying a sense of heritage, tradition and authority. The ornate heraldic elements like shields, crests, scrollwork and antiquated typography evoke a regal, long-established brand legacy. This vintage medievla styles aligan with those brand that wants to deliver a sense of prestigious and authority into their brand.

Be Bold About the Color Combination

Baskin Robbins' emblem logo breaks from tradition by embracing a vibrant, multi-colored palette that perfectly convey the brand's fun, playful image and diverse array of flavors. by being bolding combine the vibrant colors with the traditional circle emblem design, this unique approach allows the logo appears not only modern but also carry a sense of long-standing timeless vibe.

Academic Emblems for Prestigious Institutions

When it comes to academic institutions like universities, colleges or elite schools, having an emblem logo helps establish a prestigious, respectable image. These emblems essentially act as the visual insignia representing the academic excellence and heritage of the institution.

The key aspects to focus on are choosing symbolism and imagery that meaningfully connects to the institution's history, values and area of study.

When You Can Use Emblem Logos?

Emblem logos are a great choice for brands looking to showcase their heritage, prestige, and tradition. They work well for:

Universities and academic institutions - Emblem logos convey an established, respectable image fitting for schools with long histories.
Luxury and high-end brands - The ornate, intricate designs signal quality and an exclusive, premium brand positioning.
Government agencies and law firms - Emblems portray an authoritative, trustworthy brand persona suitable for official organizations.
Sports teams and athletics - The crest-like emblems represent team pride, spirit, and longstanding tradition.
Rebrandings for legacy brands - Adopting an emblem allows an existing brand to revitalize while maintaining ties to its iconic heritage.

In essence, emblem logos are ideal for brands aiming to flaunt their legacy, elite status, and distinguished brand story through a vintage-inspired, symbolic visual.

When You Should Avoid Emblem Logos

Here are some cases when emblem logos may not be the best fit:

You're a modern, minimalist brand - they look too fussy/outdated.
Budget is tight - emblem logos are complex and costly.
Your brand doesn't have a rich history/story to represent.
You're in a non-traditional industry like tech, fashion, etc. - they seem too stuffy.
You need to appeal to diverse global audiences - the symbolism may not translate.
Your brand identity evolves frequently - emblems look firmly established.

In general, emblem logos work best for brands looking to establish heritage, prestige and authority. But for modern companies prioritizing simplicity, versatility and appealing to broader demographics, a simpler logo may be the wiser choice to ensure longevity and universal recognizability.