How to Create a Retro Logo

Should I do it or stay away?

Over the years, we have often heard, “Retro doesn’t go out of style.” Although this saying is true for some areas, such as fashion or home decor, it is necessary to bring a special touch to it so that your pieces of clothing or your decoration do not push too far into the “vintage” style. 

Before the trend resurfaced, retro was considered outdated and bland. In the field of design, it’s all about balance and the right domain.

Of course, some industries or services must remain more neutral and avoid the retro look. These industries, such as health, politics, or a law firm, would be better off creating a more corporate logo in order to be taken seriously.

The retro look could be an interesting touch to add to your logo if you are in the restaurant business, an animal shop, a bar, a cinema, or any other related field. Obviously, if the interior decor of your company or business already has a vintage touch, a logo that complements your decoration could be relevant.

How to successfully create a retro logo

Several stages are presented to us when creating a vintage logo. In the world of design, the retro style is represented by several elements that form a whole resulting in a logo straight from the past. Let’s see how it is possible to recreate this look in a logo.

Colors

As for the colors, it’s quite simple. Unless you’re recreating neon lights, the colors have to be desaturated. So we’re talking about any color like orange, red, or blue, but they have to have as little saturation as possible. These will be your accent colors. Indeed, we did say “accent” because the main colors will have to be more subtle shades such as green, brown, beige, and light grey.

Typography

A retro logo essentially means that the typography used will have to be rounded, artistic, and bold. Cursive typography can also be used. If you’re going for neon, feel free to research the types of typography used to guide you in designing your logo. 

Also, several resources are available on the web to sell retro-style font packages developed by designers. If you decide to go in this direction, this is an option to consider since you will have commercial rights to use the font on any means of communication. Free resources such as Google Fonts can also be a good alternative.

Shapes

More often than not, circles and double circles are used to recreate a retro effect on your logo. If your company name is longer, you may want to consider using an oval. On the other hand, hexagons or banners are often used to demonstrate a vintage brand effect. 

Don’t hesitate to try several shapes to see what captures the essence of your brand and what best highlights the name of your company.

A few examples

Several companies have launched their logo in retro style. Some companies do this from the start so that style is recognized as an integral part of the brand. Meanwhile, others go back to a past logo that worked very well. 

Indeed, this is the case with the restaurant giant Burger King and its logo. In an interview with Deezen, Lisa Smith (designer for Burger King) said that no matter what they tried, they always went back to the 1969 and 1994 designs. Although it evokes a feeling of nostalgia, it also brings a sense of belonging to previous years and simplifies the logo to the maximum. A retro logo does not mean overloading components; everything is played out in colors, shapes, and typographies.

In summary

The retro style is to be used with particular attention. Does the style apply to the industry in which you operate? If the answer is yes, follow our steps to create a totally vintage logo with style. Good luck!