Can you think of someone who you know personally without their face predominantly present in your mental image?
The answer is no, you can’t. The same goes for a business. It’s impossible to imagine McDonald’s, for example, without the big yellow “M.” Without the logo, your sports bar wouldn’t be as nearly as recognizable as it should be, so take a seat and strap in because today I’m helping you create your “business face.”
What Makes a Good Sports Bar Logo?
A logo is connotation at its finest. When someone looks at a logo, they don’t think of what or how it looks like, but what it represents instead.
A good logo should be instantly recognizable and associated with the qualities of your restaurant, because it embodies the soul of your business. Having a logo means having identification.
But it goes beyond that. A logo can’t be without meaning. A black square, for example, doesn’t carry much significance unless you’re representing a void, but that’s hardly one’s objective since a void isn’t the most inviting place someone can go. There’s always a concept behind good logos and it needs to communicate it’s intended message quickly.
Remember: every great logos need great execution.
The Sports Bar Logo Design Process
The process and the result of creating a sports bar logo are very different from a logo for the average American business.
A sports bar logo shouldn’t be minimalistic. It should represent everything your bar has to offer in a slick and intuitive way, and it changes drastically depending on the kind of bar it’s giving a face to. To cover all that ground you’ll need – or be advised to – follow these steps.
Research Your Bar
Look into what your bar is and what it offers.
Let’s say, hypothetically, beer is the most sought after beverage; you sell meals with a focus on grill; the main sport in your bar is American football, and your bar has a vintage aesthetic. Your logo should also include beer, a football, the word “grill” and an old school pub graphic design.
Also think about your sports bar’s colors. What palate screams your sports bar? If you focus mainly on one specific team, you’ll probably want to steal their color scheme to create that connection. For example, Boston Red Sox bars would want to use the same red and blue as the team. If you’re more single-sport focused, you may want to use colors that elicit the sport in people’s minds – like green and brown for football, or blue and orange for NCAA basketball.
Reference Other Logos
Try and find other logos that slightly, or entirely, fit your bar’s description to gather inspiration. Art always comes from other art. A simple Google search will do the trick.
Conceptualize More Than One Logo for Your Sports Bar
To create the best and most optimal logo for your sports bar, there often needs to be more than one designed to choose from. You never know if the second or third logo idea will end up being better than the first without options.
Having multiple options to choose from is a process most designers have to go through to be pleased with the result. There’s even the possibility of mixing various elements from each design choice to reach the best rendition.
Pitch Your Ideas
Choosing from the multiple logos you’ve created shouldn’t be a lonesome job. Your guests are your business, so gathering a few of the regulars and asking which one of the logos elicits a vision of your sports bar is an excellent idea. Not only will it help you in making a decision, it will also show you what the most attractive logo is for your clientele and possible newcomers.
Characteristics of an Effective Sports Bar Logo
Now, your logo should be appealing and effective at its static job while representing the identity of your sports bar, therefore it should follow these three basic principles:
Memorable
Make sure it is simple and unique enough to make it memorable. You don’t want it to blend in with the competition.
Timelessness
Make it stand the test of time, and try to figure out if it is still effective after a decade or more.
Appropriate
The look and position of your logo should appeal to your audience while it represents integrally what your bar is and offers.
Conclusion
At the end of things, you should be left with an instantly recognizable image that truly shows your bar’s identity and what it has to offer. In addition, it should be welcoming to newcomers and make the regular clients feel at home while saying, “This here? This is a great sports bar. Get in and make yourself comfortable, ‘cause the NY Giants are playing tonight.”
Hopefully, we made your job easier, but the credit is all yours.
Photo by Eric Tompkins on Unsplash
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