Recent Retro & Vintage
Logo Design

Vintage & Retro Logos Explained

First of all, pop culture’s love affair with all things retro and vintage seems to be an enduring phenomenon. Making it worthwhile to learn how to design retro logos. Furthermore, with a vintage logo design, you can not only make your logo pop, but you can also create something so instantly recognizable that it becomes a statement as well as a brand.

From the sharp angles of 1920s art deco to the wholesome details of authentic 1950s design, choose your decade and put together an eye-catching and unmistakable retro logo. Here are a few fundamentals to know when learning how to create a vintage logo design.

The ABCs of Retro Design

For example, the basics of designing a vintage logo design/retro logo are generally the same as with other types. Leveraging common sense along with knowledge of your brand, product, and overall idea are the most important aspects. First of all, you have to begin with a rough outline of the vintage logo design. That is where some designs get hung up, so try to make it an easy-to-follow process:

1) Create a brief outline, whether you make a sketch or jot more abstract ideas

2) Research your niche, popular design trends, and competitors’ logos

3) Start conceptualizing in earnest, with more detailed sketches

4) Take a step back and reflect

5) Revise, smooth, and polish

6) Get feedback before finalizing

Therefore, these tips work whether you use a vintage logo maker or get help from a professional logo designer. After all, your own process may go differently because every artist knows what works on an individual basis. However, following the general guidelines above will undoubtedly be helpful in creating retro logos. These are just the ABCs, however. You need to know the full alphabet to put together your own vintage logo design.

Choosing the Color Scheme

Most importantly, the color palette you choose for your retro logos is always important. Therefore, it is one of the most essential aspects of logo design because you want the colors to pop. Furthermore, they also have to complement the vintage logo design itself, but you’ll want to avoid doing something boring or so overdone that your retro logo ends up looking dull. You have to consider the layout of your vintage logo design vector, as well, to ensure smooth visibility.

So, when selecting your color scheme, you should think about the psychology of colors, of course. Above all, certain colors evoke specific emotions, thoughts, and even impulses. Therefore, you can easily inspire or lead your market in the right direction by paying attention to what each color means. After all, you do want to know how people react to your vintage logo design. 

For example, yellow evokes optimism, warmth, and clarity. Furthermore, orange is friendly, confident, approachable, and cheerful, so it likely will inspire the impulse to smile. For instance, if you want to evoke a bold, youthful, or exciting sentiment, go with red.  Another example that appeal to creativity and the imagination of your target market is purple. However, blue inspires feelings of trust while making your brand seem strong and dependable. Therefore, if your brand is peaceful, or if you want to tap into health, growth, and even the green movement, then obviously green is perfect. Last up, for balance, calmness, and neutrality, choose a shade of grey or a mix of black and white.

Retro logos vibe of the 1960s and 1970s

Most importantly, these psychological principles hold true for a vintage aesthetic, but there are subtle twists to keep in mind. Depending on the era you want. For instance, if you are going for the vintage logo design vibe of the 1960s and 1970s then bright primary colors work. That is true for aspects of 1950s retro logos too. Furthermore, look at vintage car logos or vintage sports logos for examples. Excellent examples of retro logos.

However, if you’re going for a 1920s look, then softer shades and pastel nuances will serve you better. After all, complementary shades also are important, but with an appropriate twist. For example, one vintage color combination you’ll see a lot of is turquoise paired with red instead of orange.

Finding the Right Font for your vintage logo design

First of all, a vintage logo design font can easily make or break your logo. Furthermore, typeface is a tricky subject because it’s imperative to find the perfect match. With respect to vintage designs, you will want to stay away from too many sleek, modern fonts. Such as Century Gothic or Helvetica, even though the latter is a classic. Conversely, fonts such as Times New Roman or Baskerville Old Face are a bit too old-fashioned even for a vintage logo aesthetic.

For instance, something more stylistic is certainly appropriate. However don’t choose something that’s impossible to read. Likewise, you should avoid anything too frilly or fancy because it usually won’t send the right vibe. Actually, the vintage look calls out for a mixture of fonts. You don’t want to get too messy or busy, but you will want to be bold with your typography. Therefore, mix cursive-type fonts with a cleaner, retro design complement. To this end, it’s often better to design or personalize your own font. Furthermore, if you do find something you like already, customizing it is a perfect way to make it tie-in with your vintage logo design.

Some popular vintage typefaces include:

1) Matchbook

2) Bazar

3) Hill House

4) Riesling

5) Upper East Side

6) Park Lane

7) Blessed Day

8) Candy Inc.

9) Playball

Certainly, these are just examples, of course. However you, and you alone know best what works with your own graphics, design, and color palette. So whatever you do, do not ever be afraid to mix clean lines and bold choices.

Determining the Details for your retro logos

For instance, the details and graphics you choose will further the vintage charm. Giving your vintage logo design a very specific, attractive look. Therefore, think classic and bold, yet still eye-catching. I know that this might sound like a tall order, but I think it is entirely within reach. Just try it. Also, adding a vintage patina is incredibly easy, especially with a vintage logo design tutorial to help. Fade your logo a little, either by making it more transparent or using a speckle or scratch filter. Furthermore, add a few sepia tones if the color scheme lends itself well to that. Lastly, you can even go with a predominantly black and white retro logos that features a few vivid pops of color.

Top Vintage Logo Design Trends

In conclusion, to find further inspiration, look at authentic vintage logos from the eras you prefer. Perhaps such as the original retro logos for popular restaurants, beers, candies, or stores. For instance, to see how vintage logo design looks translate to the modern age, check out retro logos for Walker Tire. Or perhaps the Lavender Fastener Company, Charlie’s Catering Experience, The Astor Theatre, and Tokyo Bicycles. Furthermore, vintage gas station signage is also a great source of inspiration for this paradigm as well. Inspiration is everywhere you look. 

Most importantly, you will see a lot of contrasts, especially regarding the color and typography. Therefore, pay close attention to the spectrums and shades, sizes of images, and interesting positions and orientations. Especially with the fonts and layouts. I know many retro logos also use framing techniques, such as lacy details or geometric shapes that frame the logo itself and draw the eye.

Most important to remember is the vintage style is a bold-yet-delicate balance, and The Logo Company can help you bring your vintage vision to life. From the colors and the typography to the graphics, you can watch your idea pop off the page and admire a finished product that can make your brand a household name. 

Furthermore, nostalgia sells, so get in touch with The Logo Company to tap into the retro logos and trend and we will make it work for you.