Animal Logos: From Wild to Whimsical

For hundreds of years, we have used animals to represent our businesses. Zoos, restaurants, sports teams, even book publishers – all have continued that tradition by incorporating animals into their branding efforts. Sometimes these are realistic animal images and in other cases they are more…whimsical. In all cases the reasons why designers use animals is easy to understand – individual animals hold a particular symbolism and some of their traits are understood around the world. We know that pumas are fast so it makes sense to associate them with a sports shoe. Or that swans have a certain elegance and grace which is what we expect from crystal.

In this post we’ll look at how animals have been used in logos and what you should consider before including one in yours.

5 Keys for Designing an Animal Logo

When you decide to add an animal into your logo, think of it as an element of a broader design, not the total design. This will help you to develop a logo that fully supports your brand. You are also going to want to consider these five questions.

1. What is Our Brand? – In order to choose the right animal to include in your logo, you need to have a clear understanding of your brand differentiators. This will enable you to select an animal that conveys the strengths and unique parts of your brand. 

2. How Simple Can We Be? – The best animal logos are simple and clean. This makes them immediately recognizable and understandable. 

3. A Symbolic Statement – Using an animal in your logo lets you tell someone a lot about your company. The right icon can do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to conveying your brand message. 

4. What Colors Should We Use? – When considering a color palette for your animal logo you need to think about these three things:

• What are the available, brand-approved colors?
• What feeling should people take from seeing this logo and what colors support that?
• What colors work well with the animal I have chosen?

5. How Versatile Should Our Logo Be? – You want a well-designed logo but it’s also important to have a versatile one as well. That means having a logo that looks good, is understandable, and delivers the message cleanly wherever it is placed.

6 Groups Using Animal Logos

Animals are popular logo choices in many different organizations. That’s because of the animal’s ability to convey strength, comfort, and playfulness or to just be cuddly.

Political Parties – Animal logos are a popular symbol for many political parties around the world. In the United States the two major political parties are represented by illustrations of animals. The Democratic Party uses a donkey, an “inspiration” that came from one of the first leading democrats Andrew Jackson. The Republican Party is represented by an elephant and it’s believed that it started because of the animal’s perceived strength.

Automotive – It comes as no surprise that several leading car manufacturers have decided to use animals in their logos. After all, when you want to showcase the speed, power, ability to travel across difficult terrains, and unique styling of an automobile you can do that quickly with an icon of a jaguar or a horse or a lion.

Fitness – Fitness companies can use animals to showcase the strength and toughness they can help you achieve. Animal Pak simplifies this approach by just using the name “Animal” as part of their logo. 

Vets – Animals are a popular choice to include in the logo for a vet office. You will generally see silhouettes of the animals that the vet treats. It acts as an assurance that as a pet owner you’ve found the right place.

Toys – Toys, particularly for younger children will often include cartoon animals in their logos. Bears, kittens, and even dinosaurs will make an appearance as a way to make a connection with the child.

Rescue Orgs – Animal shelters and emergency response organizations often use realistic icons and images of animals as a way to showcase their mission focus.

What an Animal Logo Can Say

What’s important is not just what animal you choose to add to your logo but how they are portrayed as well. Is it a cartoon or a realistic version? Is the animal at rest or in action? Is it an “animal” or has it been given human characteristics? 

Keeping Cool

Pufferfish are silly. Dogs are friendly. Cheetahs are a cool animal. Including animals that have a universal “cool” about them with a modern color palette can give your logo a fresh, stylized appearance.

Be Memorable 

One of the key tasks your logo has is to always remind people of your brand. In other words it has to be memorable. That’s why giving it a timeless appeal will help people who see it to have an instant recall for what it represents.

Charming and Playful

Seeing an animal unlocks a little of our inner child. If your brand is something like a toy company or even a restaurant, including an animal in your logo can bring that inner child to life again. And your customers will thank you for that. (Think of Disney.)

3 Popular Animal Logos

Animal logos can be found in a number of different styles across a variety of industries. These are three of the most well known.

1. Lacoste

Crocodile’s are an interesting choice for a luxury brand but it works. Perhaps because of its interesting design, exotic nature, and timeless appeal. All exactly what you want from your fashion as well.

2. World Wildlife Federation (WWF)

The WWF uses a panda in its logo to striking effect. This beautiful, black and white creature speaks to the global nature of their work and the tenuous nature of wildlife today.

3. Firefox

The logo for the Firefox web browser shows a red fox wrapped around the globe. It’s not about world domination though, it’s a statement that the browser covers the world.

Easily Build an Animal Logo With GraphicSprings

We understand the importance a logo can have in building your business and strengthening your brand. Our team can help with your logo needs with our:

Custom Logo Design Service: Our talented team of designers and strategists have been helping companies strengthen their brand with professionally created logos for a number of years. We have experience across industries and in a wide range of logo styles. 

Logo Ideas and Inspiration: On the site you will find library upon library filled with icons and images to turn to for logo inspiration. 

Logo Maker Tool: If you want to be more hands-on with the creation of your logo consider using our AI-driven logo maker tool. It has an easy-to-follow, user-friendly interface and a wide selection of icons, fonts, and colors

With our tools, creating your own animal logo is easier than a walk through the jungle.