What is a logo?
A logo is the visual mark that identifies a brand. Wordmark, icon, or combination — the smallest expression of your entire visual identity.
Definition
A logo is a graphic mark, symbol, or stylized text used to identify a brand, product, or company. It's the most condensed expression of a visual identity — recognizable at any size, from favicon to billboard.
How it works
There are three main logo types: wordmarks (text only, like Google), symbols/icons (image only, like Apple), and combination marks (text + icon, like Airbnb). For startups and developer products, a combination mark is usually the pragmatic choice — the icon works as a favicon/app icon, and the wordmark works in headers and documentation. You need multiple variants: full color, monochrome, reversed (for dark backgrounds), and icon-only.
Why it matters
Your logo appears everywhere — browser tabs, app stores, social cards, Slack previews, investor decks. It's the most-seen brand element. But here's the counterintuitive truth: for early-stage products, a decent logo is infinitely better than a perfect one you spent 3 weeks on. Ship something professional, iterate later if needed.
Example
A minimal developer brand needs: `logo.svg` (full mark, light background), `logo-dark.svg` (for dark backgrounds), `logo-icon.svg` (icon only, for small sizes), and all favicon sizes derived from the icon.
Related terms
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