How to use circles in graphic design and logo making?

Few logos are circular. But, some prominent ones like ‘Wikipedia’ and ‘Nickelodeon’ are. Should your brand use circles in its logos? If it should then why? If it shouldn’t then what alternatives do you have? How to use shapes in graphic design? Let us explore all these questions.

Circle design meaning explained…

A circle has no corners. It represents loyalty and wholesome goodness. All curves look elegant. The circle is also a curve. The circle represents collaboration and tenderness. It also represents a cycle and things operating in a cyclic fashion.

The circle meaning in graphic design explained

A lot of brands can use circle graphic logo design. NGOs and green businesses can have circular logos. NGOs can use blue color to represent health and peace. Green businesses or herbal product manufacturers can use green colors. Organic farming products can also use a circular vine with leaves.

Organic farming and green businesses

The circular vine shows that what comes from nature goes back to nature. The vines coming out of the central vine are also round. They show the interdependence of natural cycles. The red dots could both be fruits or flowers. They are the extensions of the messing that the greenery seeks to depict. The green seed leaves show that what grows in nature is a part of that cycle.

Cosmetics and herbal products

Cosmetics and herbal products can use the shape of most flowers. They are circular. The five petals in a logo represent the minimalism of a simple flower. A rose-inspired logo design inspires extravagance and luxury.

The ideal herbal product brands for kids. The purple color represents good health. Purple is a luxurious color. It resonates with baby creams and lotions. The minimalistic five-petal flower shows the simplicity of the product.

Clothing brands

A major reason for using circles in logos is their simplicity. A logo needs to represent the beauty behind your business. Logos that use geometrical shapes are suitable for it. Circles are simple, happy, and memorable. Kidswear and confectionary brands can use circles. Clothing brands that produce woolens and winter wear can use it.

A fashionable woolen jacket is caring. It can give warmth during harsh winters. Pink purple or sea green circles can represent fashion. Healthcare and sanitation products also care for others. They too can use circular logos to display the care they provide. Blue will be the most suitable color in this case.

The rose pink color exudes extravagance. The light pink represents tenderness. This logo is suitable for any fashion brand. Companies making ethnic and colorful dresses can make such logos. Pink is a color that exudes luxury and love. So, it is good for a brand that makes wedding dresses and accessories.

Tourism Company

But what if your brand does not represent these ideas? What if you have a tourism company? Circles can still be helpful in you use them with some corners. Use semicircles or an arc or a sector. Use neutral colors like brown. These match the mountains.

Electronics brands

Electronic gadget brands can also use circles. Atoms and black holes are circular. Galaxies are spiral. And, a circle with a suitable gradient can have a mysterious effect.

Blue is a healthy and mysterious color. Purple adds to its appeal and makes it luxurious. Here, the circle represents the atom, electrons, its nucleus, etc. It seems to be right out of a physics website. Electronics brands can use such logos.

Read more: Color theory concepts and cheatsheet for graphic designers

Companies making solar-based gadgets can use the yellow or orange circle. It represents the sun.

A circular frame is a great way to highlight a picture. So, if you want to highlight your product range then use a circular boundary for each image.

A circular boundary marks it as a logo and not a scenery. The circular boundary has a way to contain whatever you see inside it. The circular boundary creates an illusion of watching the scenery through binoculars. Or, a circular window that is fairytale-like and rare.

Circular images on collages

Circular buttons are more attractive and funnier than rectangular ones. So, write your CXall to Action on your circular button.

Use circular images on collages because circles use a lot of negative space among each other. This improves visibility.

But circles are unsuitable for brands targeted at men’s products. But if your brand sells natural cosmetics for men then three is a way out of it. Use a grey color to blur down the circle. Or, use any neutral color like white or black.

Key takeaways and wrapping up:

• The circle is a gentle and happy shape.
• A circle represents care for nature.
• The circle can represent grandeur.
• Circles are not suitable for brands that target men’s products.

Hope you enjoyed this shape theory graphic design guide about circles. Follow me for more such shapes and design tips. Visit my website for more. Email me at subarnacreative@gmail.com.