Practice logos are important, just like your in-office equipment, staff and training. You wouldn’t skimp on any of those things, would you? Your logo should not be any different.
Branding is an investment in your practice’s first impression. The logo will be one of the first things a potential new patient sees when they visit your website or read a direct mailer. You don’t need a multicolor, ornate logo to catch the eye; your practice will stand out with a quality logo that is unique and customized.
So what should you look for in a logo? How do you direct a designer to create something that will best suit your practice and grab viewers’ attention? Here are some tips for dentists when working with creatives on the branding process:
-Versatility is key. Logos are not static; they need to be malleable and adaptable. A logo will look completely different printed on a window sign versus sitting in the footer of your website. A good logo should have multiple layouts: horizontal, vertical, icon-only, type-only. Similarly, your logo needs to work in full black and full white, as well as in color. A good designer will provide all of these versions for you in many different file types, so you can get your logo printed on a door in addition to a business card- and it will look great in both spaces!
-Harness the aesthetic of your area. Is your practice near the beach? Do your office windows offer a killer view of a mountain range or skyline? Are there picturesque oak trees lining the street? Telling the designer about your geographic location helps us visualize your logo in your environment. Patients will view a logo designed to the area as familiar and comforting, and you’ll blend into your community well.
-Practice culture comes first. You’re not designing a logo for your house or your softball team, so make sure the design preferences you’re communicating to a designer are coming from the heart of the practice. If you work at a spa-like dental office, but your apartment is tastefully grunge, remember to separate the two aesthetics. Your logo will accompany your office’s tagline and mission statement, and it will live within the practice’s physical environment. So make sure your logo is cohesive with the rest of the brand.
-Have fun in the process. You’re the lucky one here. You get to look at logo spreads and pick out everything just the way you like it, just like you would with a dream house or car. So sit back and relax as your designer guides you through this process, and get excited for the final product!
To get inspiration for practice logos, check out our portfolio over at Wonderist Agency.
