Practical tips and inspiration for designing a beautiful Catholic school logo

Jul 12, 2022 by

Brandon Duncan

While it may seem insignificant, your logo is actually an important part of your school’s brand identity. 

Logos communicate who you are to the community and families you serve. They also offer prospective students and parents a glimpse at your school’s most notable traits and gives them confidence in the quality Catholic education they should expect. 

For many, your school’s logo could be the first (and perhaps only) impression they get before walking through your doors. In fact, one research study revealed that most people subconsciously judge a product (yes, that means your logo too!) within 90 seconds of initial viewing. With lots of schools in your area competing for attention, you have a very limited window of opportunity to make a lasting impression. But fear not! Our eCatholic Branding Team has provided us with six helpful tips that are sure to inspire your new Catholic school logo design. 
 

1

Keep it simple, don't overthink it! (Simplicity)

To make your logo stand out and instantly recognizable we encourage sticking to a simple design.

While a flashy logo loaded with details and vivid colors can be fun, you have to consider the various mediums where your logo might appear (print, online, etc.). Try considering the following:

• Will it look as good on a brochure or letterhead as on your smartphone or website? 
• Is it refined enough to catch the attention of a parent zipping by your street sign on their way to work?
• Or does it get lost in the crowd because it's too busy?

One clever way to determine if your logo meets the criteria for a simple design is to see how well it translates to black and white. Doing so will allow you to evaluate with a critical eye and identify areas within your design that some might find distracting or unnecessary. 

Does your current school logo pass the “simple” test? Try giving it the ol’ B&W treatment and see for yourself!

Passing with flying colors: St. Mary’s Cathedral School (Amarillo, TX) achieved a simple logo design that’s distinct and memorable and converts beautifully in color and B&W.
 

2

Think different, and be memorable! (Originality)

Realize your new logo is a special and unrepeatable mark that derives its meaning from your school’s core values. As you sit down with your team to brainstorm ideas and concepts, strive for a distinctive design that fully expresses your school’s unique identity.

For example:

• Do you want to display a crest, a person (such as Jesus, Mary or another saint) or an animal in your design? 
• Do you desire to include a custom font in your design? 
• Will you be including any colors besides your official school colors?

But above all, what do you want others to say, think, or feel when they see your brand? Whatever it is, your logo’s mission is to deliver a visual impact to your target audience.
 

3

A flexible design opens the door to creative possibilities (Versatility)

Remember that your new logo must also adapt to a wide range of media in both digital and print – from your school’s website, stationery and marketing materials, and even the embroidery on student uniforms. A logo must maintain its integrity no matter what surface you print it on.

To achieve this, you’ll want to make sure your logo has a variety of configurations, including horizontal and vertical orientations featuring the brand mark and text, and others with just the brand mark itself. (P.S. - our logo design service can do that!) This will allow you to get creative with logo placement while still looking snazzy and keeping your brand on point!

See what's possible when you have a strong brand system in place.
 

4

Looks great at any size (Scalability)

A versatile logo design is a must, but you’ll also want to make sure it’s easily recognizable even in smaller sizes. As you begin designing the initial concepts of your new logo, occasionally take a step back and see if the design is legible, whether scaled up or down.

Imagine all the possible settings where your logo might appear – large and small.
 

5

Pleasing to the eye (Balance & Proportion)

While your logo design can be a very personal decision, it's important to understand that a perfectly designed brand mark maintains an appropriate balance of shapes, colors, and font styles that make it stand out.  

Here are a few pointers to help you achieve a well-balanced and beautiful design:   

• Shape: The shape of your logo can either be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Whichever you choose, you’d want to make sure there is an even distribution of elements so the design doesn’t feel heavier on one side or the other. 
• Color: Having the right balance of color is essential. A combination of lighter and darker shades gives depth to a design, while a flatter, single-color look can be just as sharp. But don’t stress! There are a number of online tools to help you decide on a color palette that works for your school brand. 
• Fonts:The days of using Comic Sans and Papyrus typefaces are history! Don’t be afraid to venture out and try some new and refreshing font combinations. Finding the right typeface may be one of the biggest challenges you’ll confront with designing your new logo. Here are some awesome guides to help you decide on the style and combination that works for you: 
  • Canva’s ultimate guide to font pairing
  • VistaPrint guide to selecting fonts for your brand 
  • Play around with font styling with free Google Fonts

Splitting a logo down the center is a quick way to spot the harmony and balance (or lack thereof) that forms a strong logo design (Logo design: St. Paul School, Princeton, NJ).
 

6

Don’t follow trends, be a trend-setter (Timeless)

We always encourage against following design trends or fads that can quickly fade. Instead, focus on creating a logo that’s not only stylish by today’s standards but will be just as relevant in 10, 15, or even 30 years from now! Timeless doesn’t have to mean “old” or “boring” either; it’s all about combining every aspect of what makes a great logo to form an unforgettable design.

With the proper guidance and resources at your disposal, you too can design an awesome new logo that will help revive a sense of mission and school spirit and even attract the curiosity of new families ready to enroll. It’s time to get to work!
 

Let’s keep the conversation going! What other qualities do you believe make a great logo design? What logos have you noticed lately that really stand out? Share your thoughts and feedback with us in the comments section below.