The logo world has gone dotty—at least if you look at a lot of the latest dotted logos coming off designers’ desks. Circles and polka dots are one of today’s hottest logo trends. As with trends in the fashion world and other areas, a trend can be handled in a way that is boring and dated or in a way that is unique and timeless. These dotted logos manage to be unique and timeless even though using a very stylish, contemporary design style.
Graphic design is like a language, with different elements sending different messages. While a circle usually means either friendliness or inclusiveness, using many of them together can change the message somewhat. These ten very different but nonetheless interesting dotted logos all have slightly different meanings that are relevant to their fields.
AntiParticle Dotted Logo
1 When people think of particles, they tend to think of small spheres. This makes the use of circles in this logo very appropriate. While the lowercase A in the image is made primarily of black dots, there is a single blue one as well. Because blue generally represents trustworthiness and calm, the suggestion is that this business is a kinder alternative to the pack. The writing is plain, although the use of two different thicknesses in the letters adds a little interest and makes it easy to distinguish the two halves of the word as separate. Here is another example of a design is made of shapes blended together.
Coloruse Logo
2 With a name like this, only a colorful logo design would do. This logo uses circles to enclose bright blobs of color that give a friendly feeling, which is emphasized further by the use of lower case letters. Because the circles are arranged to give a bubbly feeling, they tie into the tagline as well. Again the two words in the name are printed slightly differently to help distinguish them, this time in barely distinguishable black and charcoal gray.
I’m Just an Artist Logo
3 This business name is a little offbeat, but very direct. The logo design is just as direct, with lower case letters finished with circular blobs of color. Although the writing is as basic as it could be, the J is cleverly dotted to make it look like a paintbrush. This combined with the small variations in the color of the circles gives the impression of an artist’s palette. This logo is designed to work well with either a white or a black background, which is an advantage in the modern world of advertising.
Xanadu Logo
4 Because the word Xanadu doesn’t conjure up any specific images, this logo design can use any of a wide variety of images and color schemes. In this case, an image is a person made of lines and circles. If you look closely, even the lines are actually portions of a circle. The writing is plain, but if you closely examine it, it is of identical thickness and color to the lines, giving a complete feeling. The red and yellow are eye-catching but modern.
101 Princess St Logo
5 Bubbly and light with a touch of seriousness and functionality, this logo design is everything that an office supply space business could ask for. The bright colors and use of friendly circles make it clear that this is not the overly serious office environment that we are all sick of already. However, the straightforward font in a serious shade of gray makes sure we all understand.
The Creative Company Logo
6 As we saw in the previous example, circles can indicate creativity and inspiration when they are formed in a bubbly configuration. The Creative Company logo takes from this concept, with the company initial formed from light, airy bubbles that are in jewel tones of violet and aqua. Several brightly-hued circles formed into an attractive whole? This concept seems to describe not just The Creative Company business but their brand as well. This is an ultra-modern color palette that is complimented by a similarly contemporary font that is plain but has serious pointy edges. It’s hard to think of a way to indicate creative in a more concrete and yet subtle fashion.
Ethical Studios Logo
7 Dandelions may use the popular dot theme, but they do so to give the idea of ideas being transmitted. That makes this flower a great image for an ethically oriented production studio such as Ethical Studios. Using a theme that expresses ideas instead of one hinting at strength or artistry says a lot about this company’s products. The modern yet earthy color palette and the simple contemporary lettering add to the impression that this studio and production company is very different from the rest.
EcoLabor Logo
8 This environmental analysis laboratory has a logo design that is scientific yet creative at the same time, with more than a hint at their green leanings. The image is a cleverly created one of a test tube filled with bubbles, hinting at both the field in general and the imaginative nature of this company in particular. A generally green color scheme is the obvious choice for an environmentally minded company, while the red provides contrast and helps create an overall interesting image. The upper case letters are all business, but they are gentle and rounded to avoid feeling too overwhelming.
Firetail Logo
9 This company has a name that demands attention and a logo design that does the same. Bright, fiery colors pop when set against a black background. The tail in question appears to be a fox’s tail, and it ends in a series of circles that could be taken to hint at either sparks or bubbles of creativity. The writing is informal in all lower case letters that have curvy elements to add a friendly feeling.
International Filter Solutions Logo
10 This company logo ties into the name with a sphere that refers to the planet Earth, with shades of both earthy green and watery blue. However, the blue clearly dominates the scene, tying into the nature of the business. Circles give an accessible feeling that is bolstered by the simple, no-nonsense writing.
