A logo is one of the most important ways to communicate the purpose and identity of your business. Certain design elements, colors and fonts help bring a brand to life and stand out among the competition. Whether you’re working on a rebrand for your company or helping a client develop its brand, it’s more important than ever to create adaptable logos that are memorable and effective, no matter the context.

Here are three logo trends to help inspire you in 2022.

1. Multidimensional Logos

Logos with multidimensional versions are trending, thanks to the growing popularity of virtual reality and the metaverse. (designed by Carly Schulman)

Thanks to the growing popularity of the metaverse and virtual reality, many brands are giving their logos a multidimensional refresh to ensure consistent brand identity both on and off the screen. One of the most notable examples comes from Facebook’s rebrand to Meta. Its launch included a representation of how the new logo exists in a three-dimensional space as well as on a flat surface. Meta’s outsized influence will undoubtedly lead other companies – particularly in the tech space – to develop multidimensional branding.

While logos are still mostly used two-dimensionally, these adaptations can help customers visualize your brand in a different way. Logos “can live flat on our promotional products but can live in a new life on our screens,” says Tricia Parsons, design director at Top 40 distributor Kotis Design (asi/244898).

2. Bold Colors

Bright color schemes are gaining traction over black-and-white logos. (designed by Carly Schulman)

The choice of color palette for a logo can be very important in establishing brand identity. In recent years, brands gravitated toward a black-and-white color scheme. Recently, however, many are adopting bold and bright colors. It’s a way to distinguish themselves among a crowd of black-and-white or neutral logos, design experts say. “Brands are becoming less afraid to stand out and be different, realizing that it’s best to be unique instead of having a logo that blends into everything else,” says Sol Spier, owner and creative director of Dawning Digital, a digital marketing firm.

Vivid colors can sometimes be difficult to work with, but advancements in direct-to-garment printing, screen printing and other decorating techniques can help a multicolored logo come to life on promotional products.

3. Simplified & Streamlined Logos

A simpler and more streamlined logo is often the best way for a brand to make a lasting impact. (designed by Carly Schulman)

Though not new, this trend will be more prevalent than ever in 2022. Simplicity can be a helpful aid to more clearly represent a brand without unnecessary distractions. Many design experts advise brands to streamline their logo to help people easily identify their company. “People should be able to recognize your logo at a glance,” says Craig Mertens, general manager at Graphics Flow, a graphics productivity tool owned by InkSoft and built for the print, promo and decorated-apparel business.

Simpler is always better, according to Mertens, because too much complexity can dilute a logo’s impact. Streamlined logos are also easier to translate into different contexts – looking good whether they appear on screen, paper or a promo product.

While logo trends come and go, there are a few considerations to keep in mind when trying to design a successful logo, such as relevance and versatility. Spier says to begin the branding process by “really defining your brand’s personality” in order to clarify what your brand stands for. Regardless of trends, the most important goal of logo design is to create a visual identity that matches the values of your company.