Black And White Logo: Embracing the Power of Minimalism

When you think about black and white people often think of old timey black and white television sets. 

But we assure you that black and white logos are anything but outdated. In fact black and white logo design offers an extra level of simplicity, class and elegance that you don’t often find when looking at more colourful logo designs. 

And below we dive into the world of black and white logos. 

We will be exploring some of the world’s most famous brands that utilize black and white logos in hopes of showing you just how powerful and iconic a monochromatic design really can be.

The Power Of Black And White Logo Design 

Take a look at some of the logos we have shown above and you’ll see just how elegant and sophisticated black and white logos can be. 

But these types of logos don’t only look great… 

The high contrast also provides a great design choice for catching people’s attention and getting them to take notice of your branding. 

Pro Tip 

When designing black and white logos, clever designers do their best to make use of any negative space in the design. Think of logos like FedEx or Toblerone’s which have hidden images in the logos themselves.

Bold Black And White Logos 

Now let’s take a look at some of the meaning and symbolism behind black and white logos. 

Sophisticated Elegance 

We’ve already mentioned how black and white logos look more sophisticated than more colourful logos. That’s because they are simple yet elegant and the designer doesn’t need to try to make the design pretty or fancy. Black and white logos are naturally elegant without having to try which offers a more refined image for the brands who use them. 

Pro Tip 

Because black and white logos are naturally elegant it’s a good idea to choose fonts and typographies that are also simple yet elegant. So there is no need to choose flowery cursive fonts or intricate design patterns when creating a black and white logo. 

Timeless Versatility 

Yet another great reason to go with a black and white logo is because they’re timeless. They look great today. And they will still look just as great tomorrow. Monochromatic logos outlive design trends. They remain elegant no matter how much time goes by. 

Pro Tip 

Black and white monochromatic designs are great but you can also choose other monochromatic colour themes for your logo designs like all red or all blue. Keeping your colour palette simple is one of the best ways to ensure your logo looks great no matter where you place it. 

5 World Famous Black And White Logos To Inspire Your Next Design 

You now know that black and white logos are anything but basic. They are truly eye catching and can infuse your branding with a sense of elegance and timeless versatility. So to drive that point home let us now take a look at some of the world’s most famous black and white logos. 

Apple 

Apple’s logo icon (an apple with a bite taken out of it) is simple to begin with. But because they use a monochromatic colour palette the logo is just as sleek and modern as the brand is. It’s the perfect way to align a logo with the brand’s cutting edge technology.  

Nike 

The Nike swoosh is yet another extremely recognizable brand logo that doesn’t need any colours to make its presence known. It’s also a great symbol that reflects the movement and dynamism of the people who wear Nike products. 

Chanel

By using a pair of interconnected C’s this logo is the perfect symbol to evoke a sense of luxury and high end sophistication. It is both a simple yet genius design which makes it ideal for representing the brand’s high quality products. 

Adidas 

The Adidas logo is another easily recognizable logo. And it’s mostly due to its monochromatic palette and simplistic design. It’s also very versatile. That is why it looks so good on jersey’s, t-shirts, shoes and all sorts of other apparel. 

The New York Times 

Here’s yet another incredibly well known logo. By pairing this black and white design with an elegant font, The Times’ logo designers have created an emblem that speaks directly to the publishers’ high quality and reputable journalism. 

Pro Tip 

Whether you’re designing a logo for the first time or you’re a pro graphic designer we always recommend studying iconic logos to understand what works and what doesn’t. Taking design lessons from famous brands like these is one of the best ways to design logos that are just as recognizable. 

Adding A Splash Of Colour 

Now we’re obviously here to showcase the power of a simple black and white logo. But sometimes just a splash of colours can make your design even more elegant. Check out these complementary colours and how they can change the overall feel of your design. 

• Blue – Calm, reliable, trustworthy… Blue is a perfect choice for brands that want a touch of professionalism in their logo.
• Red – Feels dynamic and adds a bold accent to any black and white logo. Red stimulates excitement and can entice people to take action. 
• Yellow – Yellow feels fun and vibrant. So it’s a great choice for anyone who wants to frame their brand as a fun or modern company. 
• Green – This is a great choice for sustainable or eco friendly brands. It’s a colour that is often associated with nature. 

Pro Tip 

Remember that we’re talking about black and white logos here. Sure there’s nothing wrong with adding a touch of colour here or there. But you want to use colours sparingly to avoid having them steal the show. We also recommend that you experiment with different colours to see how they might influence the design one way or another. 

Designing A Great Black And White Logo – GraphicSprings 

Thinking of designing a black and white logo? Then you’re already on the right track. Here’s how!

1. Choose a logo style – Choose from various logo styles including modern, vintage, fun, playful or minimalist. Aim for a style that’s aligned with your brand persona and the type of products of service you provide. 
2. Colour and design elements – Next you’ll want to experiment with different colour variations, contracts, tones or shades. Then add whatever other design elements you might want to include such as symbols, icons, fonts, etc. 
3. Download your brand new logo – Once you’re happy with your logo design all that’s left to do is to download your brand new logo. Place your design on merchandise, product labels, websites or anywhere else you want your customers to see it. 

It’s really that easy to design high quality black and white logos with GraphicSprings’ logo maker. Browse our ideas pages or head right on over to our design page and get started today!