Blue skies and breathtaking views as far as the eye can see… What’s better than the great outdoors? Nature is chock full of the most magnificent, awe-inspiring, straight-up stunning imagery in the universe—and if you want your brand to make an impact, nature logos might be just the way to go.
Nature logos are an obvious choice for any type of business that people typically associate with nature or the outdoors. Think sports, outdoor adventures, yoga studios or organic food brands. But even if “nature” isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your company, you can still bring it into your brand in an effective way.
Depending on what imagery you use, you can communicate all sorts of feelings, emotions and brand attributes to your audience. Are you a brand that wants to to position yourself as strong and unwavering? Incorporate mountains into your logo. Going for a more chill, laid-back vibe? Try designing your logo around the beach.
The point is, no matter who you are as a brand or how you want your audience to see you, there’s a way to communicate that using images and colors found in nature.
Let’s take a look at some of the best nature logos out there (and when you should use them) so you get inspired by good ol’ Mother Nature.
Serene nature logos
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Nature can often be a serene experience. Laying by the beach listening to the waves, eating lunch at the base of a tree, watching snow slowly fall on a mountaintop… Just thinking about those things can make you feel all sorts of calm.
Well, guess what? You can invoke that same sense of warm, fuzzy calm in your audience when you incorporate the right imagery into your logo. Incorporating serene nature images (think gentle waves, lush flowers or scenic mountains) is a fast-track towards getting your audience to associate peacefulness with your brand.
A serene nature logo is a great fit for a “calm-focused” businesses like yoga studios, spas or herbal tea companies.
Rugged nature logos
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Nature can definitely be serene, but the flipside is also true. Nature can be rough, and depending on what kind of business you run (and what kind of feelings you’re trying to stir up in your audience), leaning more on the rugged side of nature could be a better bet for your logo.
Head this direction if your brand is all about being tough, adventurous, resilient and an all-around bad-ass. Think businesses like: Crossfit gyms, river-rafting tour guides or snowboarding gear. Incorporating more rugged nature imagery will build more of a connection with your ideal audience. Imagery like forests, mountaintops, or animals (like a wolf!) will do the trick.
Subtle nature logos
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Sometimes, bigger is better. But when it comes to nature logos, the opposite is often true.
If your brand isn’t directly tied to the outdoors—or if you don’t want your branding to be all about nature imagery—a little goes a long way. It is possible to incorporate nods to nature in your logo without it taking over the design or feeling too over the top.
If you’re running a more traditional business (like a consulting firm or a law office), using limited imagery and natural colors is the best way to get the perks of incorporating nature into your logo without confusing your audience.
Kids nature logos
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Whether it’s playing in the mud, splashing in the lake or running through the park, kids love nature. And if you have a brand targeted towards kids (like a children’s clothing line, a childcare center or a toy company), you can definitely take advantage of that love of nature and build a stronger connection with your tiny-sized audience by incorporating nature imagery into your logo design.
When it comes to successfully designing a nature logo for kids, remember who you’re designing for. Kids like color, cartoon-like graphics and fun. Even though you’re technically marketing to the parents, the more kid-friendly your logo, the more likely parents will do business with you.
Bring the great outdoors into your brand
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There’s nothing more inspiring than nature, and if you want a logo design that’s going to connect with your audience, consider bringing the great outdoors into your brand. The key to success? Know who you are, and use nature to paint that picture for your audience.
