Exploring Types of Logos: Selection & Trends for 2025

Choosing your logo type is like picking your outfit for a make-or-break moment.
Do you want to come across as bold and stylish? Clever and approachable? Minimal and modern?

Your logo doesn’t just show up—it communicates. And the type of logo you select defines that tone from the very first glance.

At DolFinContent, we’ve seen firsthand how a strong logo sets the tone for lasting brand identity. Below, we’ll walk you through 10 essential logo types and 5 of the biggest trends redefining logos in 2025.

What to Consider Before Choosing a Logo Type

Before diving into visual treatments, start with clarity on your brand’s:

• Personality and values: Traditional, rebellious, playful, luxurious?
• Context: Will this logo appear mostly on mobile screens, storefronts, packaging, or presentation decks?
• Industry norms (and how to stand out): Do your competitors lean minimalist or maximalist? Can you break that mold intentionally?
• Versatility: Will your logo scale well, adapt to different media, and still make sense in black and white?
• Longevity and trends: Are you after a timeless look or a progressive edge?

10 Types of Logos (And When to Use Them)

1. Wordmark

These are typography-based logos built entirely around the company name. Simple, recognizable, and highly brandable—especially when paired with a unique typeface.

Best for:
Tech platforms, agencies, fashion, or businesses with short, memorable names.

Pro tip:
Custom typography or slight tweaks to letters can elevate a wordmark into something iconic.

Examples: Klarna, Vimeo, Zara, Dropbox

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2. Lettermark

Lettermarks—also called monograms—rely on a brand’s initials rather than the full name. This makes them ideal for longer brand names or when acronym recognition is key.

Best for:
Financial services, enterprise software, fashion, and legacy brands.

Pro tip:
Ensure your letters are distinct and scalable. Avoid complex ligatures if it weakens legibility.

Examples: H&M, GE, HBO, MKB

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3. Pictorial Mark

These use an icon or symbol to represent the brand. It may relate directly to the name or be symbolic of the brand’s mission or product.

Best for:
Brands with high visibility or those who want an app icon-friendly symbol.

Pro tip:
Avoid overused symbols (like globes or leaves). Focus on originality and scalability.

Examples: Penguin Books, Bolt, The North Face, Vivino

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4. Abstract Mark

An abstract logo doesn’t depict a specific object—it uses form, shape, or color to convey meaning. Think of it as emotional branding through geometry.

Best for:
Modern brands in tech, energy, or finance looking for differentiation.

Pro tip:
Abstract doesn’t mean meaningless. Ground your design in a real brand value or personality trait.

Examples: Avaya, Airtable, Nova, Wipro

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5. Combination Mark

Combination marks blend text with a visual symbol, giving you flexibility in branding. Use them together—or separate them once recognition is built.

Best for:
New businesses building awareness and looking to establish both name and icon.

Pro tip:
Ensure the text and image aren’t competing. Both should work individually and as a unit.

Examples: Trello, Glossier, Burger Lounge, SnapKitchen

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6. Emblem Logo

Emblems lock text and symbol into a single badge-like form. These often feel classic, formal, and institutional.

Best for:
Universities, sports teams, governmental groups, or brands signaling heritage.

Pro tip:
Design with scale in mind. Emblems often struggle in small sizes if overly intricate.

Examples: Porsche, NHL, Oxford University, Stumptown Coffee Roasters

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7. Mascot Logo

Mascot logos are character-based and brimming with personality. These create emotional connections and often serve as brand ambassadors.

Best for:
Consumer-facing brands, entertainment, education, and food.

Pro tip:
The mascot should evolve with the brand—not become outdated or too niche.

Examples: Mailchimp’s Freddie, Duolingo’s owl, Planters’ Mr. Peanut

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8. 3D Logo

3D logos use gradients, depth, and dimensionality to simulate realism or visual pop. When done well, they feel immersive and tactile.

Best for:
Gaming, media, hardware, or innovative tech products.

Pro tip:
Don’t overdo effects. Subtle shadows or realistic textures often outperform gaudy gradients.

Examples: Epic Games, MSI, Razer, Vimeo Live

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9. Dynamic Logo

A dynamic logo system is one where core elements remain the same, but color, shape, or layout vary based on context or product line.

Best for:
Large brands with sub-brands, creative industries, or platforms with modular services.

Pro tip:
Keep at least one anchor element fixed (like shape, font, or negative space).

Examples: Google Workspace, Firefox, Mozilla, Nordkyn

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10. Animated Logo

Animated logos come to life with motion—looping, morphing, or responding to interaction. These work especially well in video, web, and digital products.

Best for:
Creative, tech, or forward-thinking brands who live online.

Pro tip:
Keep your static version just as impactful. Animation should enhance, not be essential.

Examples: Notion, Adobe Express, Vimeo, Animade

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5 Trending Logo Types for 2025

These are the logo styles gaining momentum across industries this year.

1. Mixed-Typography Wordmarks

Designers are breaking the rulebook with eclectic, mixed-font wordmarks. By combining multiple typefaces, these logos balance surprise with sophistication.

Look for:
Unexpected serif and sans-serif pairings, quirky kerning, or variable weight.

Examples: Lorien, Aesop Agency, Delly

2. All-Lowercase Lettermarks

Lowercase logos signal friendliness, humility, and simplicity. Many Gen Z and millennial-facing brands are embracing this tone.

Look for:
Rounded fonts, muted palettes, and ultra-clean linework.

Examples: notion, monzo, figma, otto

3. Animated Flat Logos

Flat vector logos with subtle motion effects are becoming mainstream—especially on digital-first platforms.

Look for:
Wiggles, pulse effects, hover reactions, and ambient loops.

Examples: motion-based logos by Framer, Viddyoze, or Hiplay

4. Minimal Abstract Marks

Brands are trimming complexity and distilling meaning into ultra-simple shapes.

Look for:
Single-stroke icons, geometric loops, or refined negative space usage.

Examples: Deel, Turo, Linear

5. Hand-Drawn & Imperfect

Sketchy, scribbled, and oddly proportioned logos are popping up in contrast to sterile digital aesthetics. This approach screams authenticity and human touch.

Look for:
Custom brush lettering, doodles, and deliberate asymmetry.

Examples: Yuno, Bark & Co., Homie

Choosing the Right Logo Type for Your Brand

The perfect logo isn’t about being trendy—it’s about expressing who your brand is and where it’s headed.

Whether you’re refreshing your look or launching something new, DolFinContent can help you explore logo directions that reflect your unique voice, strategy, and story.

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