A strong sense of identity is essential to defining your business goals. Such a statement still rings very much true for academic institutions. If we wish to appeal to potential attendees, we’ll first need to establish well-defined brands that will undoubtedly leave a mark in people’s minds—which starts with choosing the right school logo template.
The design should be as unique as it is eye-catching while representing our schools’ values nicely. With this in mind, people naturally gravitate to bespoke school logo designs, but there is an excellent alternative found in school logo templates.
Logo templates make great branding tools because they’re easy on the funds, coming with much lower price tags than graphic design services. Quality isn’t an issue either since skilled designers are the ones crafting the templates. Plus, anyone with a computer can effortlessly edit templates due to the fact that they come in various formats.
That said, there are some things that we need to learn more before we can proceed with choosing school logo templates that represent our brands the best.
The Most Common Logo Types Used in Academia
Logos, like other design elements, don’t just come in one set fashion. There are various logo types to look out for, each with unique traits suitable for certain industries.
The Classic Choice
First on the list is the Emblem, a classic choice considering schools have used it as a crest for centuries. This type of logo typically features a classic font within a symbol or icon. It’s traditional in design and leaves a strong, lasting impression in a world full of modern styles.
The school logo template below is an outstanding representation of the Emblem type.
It features a soft decagon shape that perfectly frames the design elements that define the template.
We have the trophy symbol between the stars, showcasing the excellence that the school can help the students achieve. Alongside it is a print font that cleanly depicts the school’s name. Combined, these elements create a bold look that tells the audience what school it stands for.
The Dark Horse
Following the Emblem is a type of logo that has recently risen in prominence in the academic field. Known as the Mascot, this logo features an illustration of an animal or anthropomorphic character, which provides the audience with a friendly face that they can easily relate to the school.
The Contemporary Design
The third logo type is perhaps the simplest and most straightforward of the bunch: The Wordmark. As the name hints, Wordmark logos are composed of pure words, which can come in various fonts depending on the brand. It’s a striking logo to have, one that instantly tells the viewer the school’s name.
Here we have an example of the Wordmark logo:
The key to creating an effective Wordmark logo is by choosing a typeface that best suits one’s brand. Academic institutions typically opt for a design that exudes clean sophistication, so a print typeface makes the greatest choice.
Such is the case for this school logo template, which showcases the school’s name and slogan in a sans-serif typeface. It also comes with the bonus of a sleek arrow symbol.
When using a Wordmark logo, it’s important to consider how often it needs to be revised to keep the school’s logo fresh.
The Not-So-Secret Option
Aside from these three options, there is another logo type available for use. This logo is borne from innovative ideas mashed together and doesn’t have a specified name or permanent form.
So, let’s refer to it as a Combination design. We can arrive at such a logo by combining one type with another. For example, a Wordmark design further boosted by a Symbol is a Combination logo. So is a Lettermark accompanied by a Mascot.
Below is a school logo design that encapsulates what the Combination logo has to offer.
The most striking element in this template is the fox-like picture mark. It’s created by combining an open book with abstract prints, resulting in an unforgettable mascot. With the fox mascot is a Wordmark written in a neat typeface. This school logo template combines functionality with eccentricity, providing the user with a unique look.
Related to this: How to Choose the Best Logo Template for Your Needs
The Stylistic Trends That Affect Logo Design
Once we have studied the various types of logos, we can then move on to the stylistic choices that can affect school logo designs as a whole. Unlike the previous section, these selections are trends, ever-changing, and reflect the progression of design.
Minimalism
Less is more. At least, that is the case with the Minimalism design trend. Many are aware of what minimalism entails, but often get it confused with providing the bare-bone details. To get a more accurate portrayal of Minimalism, we need to understand it as the style that leaves only the most important elements to highlight them better.
Let us take a look at this music school logo template, which offers two key elements: The note symbol and the classic typeface.
The note symbol makes a great hint regarding the school’s primary offering. Meanwhile, the classic typeface makes it easy to read the school’s name even from afar.
One of the best things about minimalist logos is that they are easily given flair, often through classic color combinations.
Maximalism
On the other end of the spectrum is Maximalism, but it isn’t quite the Maximalism we are all used to. In this regard, Maximalism pertains to logos that come with illustrations and graphics. It’s the trend that encourages designers to include more details despite the small canvas.
This logo template, which features a golden mandala cross, displays the aforementioned trend. While originally crafted for religious supply stores, Catholic schools can easily edit the template to achieve a school logo design that fits the school’s image. The stunning cross is a formal typeface that helps balance out the design.
Gradient Shades
Color is another main component that can make or break a logo design. Considering its role, it isn’t at all surprising that the trends dictate what designers should use in the coming years. In 2021, it has been foreseen that Gradient Shades will be all the rage.
Instead of featuring various colors in the logo, artists are encouraged to use the full spectrum of a specific color. This isn’t to say that we should limit ourselves to fit this one box, though.
For example, the school logo template below features simple people shapes in four distinct color gradients. With a dark background and the thin line frame, these gradients instantly draw the eye.
When using gradient shades, we need to keep in mind that the colors shouldn’t be random. Like all other elements of the logo, our final choices should uplift the design while representing our schools well.
Typography
The Typography trend links back to the Wordmark logo type. Using this logo pushes brands (in this case, schools) to stand out in a world filled with graphics-based logo designs.
Crafting an effective Typography logo is no easy feat. Several logistical aspects need to be minded, such as aesthetics, visibility, and uniqueness. However, when done right, Typography logos can help cement a solid brand for schools.
Here we have a combination Typography logo originally intended for publishing companies. It can easily morph into a school logo design, given the right edits.
As we can see, it offers a decorative typeface akin to the writing one achieves when using a fountain pen. Alongside it is a fountain pen nib, completing the design. Founders of institutions that focus on writing can benefit from such a design.
Eye-Trick
The Eye-Trick is the final design trend for 2021, and it leads us back to graphics-based logos. As the name suggests, Eye-Tricks use shapes, linear perspective, and curvature to create an illusion of depth in logo designs. This trend is an interesting way of adding another layer of creativity to otherwise simple logos.
If you’re looking to open a training center to offer sports classes, why not consider this logo template? It’s simplicity isn’t a hindrance given its use of the Eye-Trick trend.
The circle and curved shapes are arranged so that the final form mimics a person about to strike with their leg. Using contrasting solid colors for this logo template can help one achieve a simple yet bold school logo.
Another example of an Eye-Trick logo is this design that suits both media companies and media arts schools.
Here we can see three brushstrokes creating a laptop shape. It’s a clean school logo design that is further amplified by the right color palette and bold writing for the school name and slogan.
The Best Logos That The Internet Has To Offer
Throughout the article, we have mentioned several key considerations that can affect our school logo designs. Aesthetics, which consists of colors, graphics, typeface; Visibility; and Adaptability, should never be forgotten whilst we peruse the internet for logo templates that best represent our academic institutions.
Moving forth, those who find themselves overwhelmed with the countless choices need not fret. TemplateMonkey is an excellent starting point that can even lead to the end. The site catalog offers various logo templates, from the simplest to the most elaborate.
Take a look at this classic school emblem, which comes with a bottle cap shape base and an eagle and stars graphics. Combined with simple fonts, these elements create a remarkable logo design that aerial schools can be proud of displaying.
There are many others that are similar and not so similar to this logo template. Users only need to narrow down their search, and who knows, we may even find the school logo design that can freshen up our brands today.