Before & After Logo Redesign: Real Examples to Inspire Your Brand Update
Whether you’re considering a subtle refresh or a complete overhaul, these before-and-after transformations will give you practical insights into the logo redesign process.
Why Consider a Logo Redesign?
Before we dive into the examples, let’s talk about why you might need a logo redesign.
Maybe your current logo was designed years ago, perhaps even by yourself when you were just starting out.
Now, as your business has grown, you might be realizing it doesn’t quite match the level of professionalism your brand deserves.
Here are some common signs that it’s time for a logo update:
- Your logo doesn’t scale well on different devices or platforms, making it hard to read on mobile screens or social media
- The design feels outdated or amateur compared to your competitors
- Your business has evolved, but your logo still reflects your old brand identity
- The typography feels dated or doesn’t align with your current brand personality
- Your color palette lacks versatility across different media
- The overall design has technical limitations that affect its usability
- Your brand has expanded and needs a more sophisticated visual system
Types of Logo Redesigns
Before we look at specific examples, it’s important to understand that there are two main approaches to logo redesign:
1. Logo Refresh
This is when we keep the core elements of your existing logo but improve the execution.
It’s perfect when you have strong brand recognition but need to modernize your look.
Think of it as giving your logo a professional polish while maintaining its familiar feel.
2. Complete Rebrand
This approach involves creating an entirely new logo, usually when your business has significantly evolved or when the existing logo doesn’t serve your brand’s needs anymore.
It’s more dramatic but can be necessary for major brand transformations.
Real Before & After Examples from My Portfolio
Let me walk you through some actual logo redesigns I’ve done for some of my clients (also see my full portfolio).
Here are my favorites because they perfectly illustrate how to fix a logo.
These examples will show you how thoughtful changes can transform your brand’s visual identity.
1. Focal PM: From Good to Great
When Focal PM, a project management consultancy in Greece, approached me, they had a decent logo that needed refinement.
The challenge was to maintain their brand recognition while improving the technical aspects of their design.
What we improved:
- Strengthened the “focal” effect in the symbol
- Enhanced typography for better readability
- Adjusted proportions and spacing for better balance
- Refined the blue color palette for more impact
- Enlarged and capitalized “Project Managers” text for improved hierarchy
The result was a more professional, polished look that maintained their core identity while working better across all applications. This is a perfect example of how small, strategic changes can make a big difference in brand perception.
2. Lyntics: Modernizing Tech Branding
Lyntics, a German SaaS company, needed their logo to better reflect their sophisticated data analytics offering.
This was a perfect example of how subtle changes can create significant impact.
Our improvements included:
- Refined the existing four-part symbol that represents teamwork
- Enhanced the color gradients for a more modern feel
- Improved typography for better digital presence
- Created a more cohesive visual system
- Developed a comprehensive brand strategy to support the new look
The updated design better represents their cutting-edge technology while maintaining the core concept of their original logo.
3. AMI Corp: Strategic Evolution
For AMI Corp, a real estate company in India, the goal wasn’t just to update their logo but to create a comprehensive brand architecture.
This project shows how a logo redesign can be part of a larger strategic evolution.
We focused on:
- Refining the existing logo’s proportions
- Developing a new brand architecture for sub-brands
- Creating consistent guidelines for all applications
- Maintaining market recognition while signaling growth
- Designing a comprehensive style guide for future brand consistency
4. Medihuanna: Professional Transformation
Medihuanna, an accredited medicinal marijuana education provider in Sydney, needed a complete rebrand to convey professionalism and credibility in their industry.
The transformation included:
- Creating a new, sophisticated wordmark
- Removing generic industry symbols
- Implementing a refined color palette
- Developing a complete brand identity system
- Establishing a more professional market presence
5. SweetGrass: Elevating the Brand
For SweetGrass, a cannabis dispensary in Mississippi, we created an upscale brand identity that would stand out in their market.
Key improvements included:
- Designing a custom wordmark with Art Deco influences
- Creating a stylized grass symbol
- Implementing a luxury-focused color palette
- Developing secondary patterns and design elements
- Building a comprehensive brand system
How to Approach Your Logo Redesign
Based on these examples, here are some key principles to consider for your own logo redesign:
- Keep What Works: Don’t change everything just for the sake of change. If certain elements of your logo have strong brand recognition, consider refining rather than replacing them.
- Focus on Functionality: Your updated logo should work seamlessly across all platforms and sizes. This often means simplifying complex elements while maintaining your brand’s character.
- Think Long-Term: Avoid trendy designs that might look dated in a few years. Aim for timeless elements that will grow with your brand.
- Consider Your Brand Story: Your logo redesign should reflect your company’s evolution while staying true to your core values and mission.
- Plan for Versatility: Ensure your new logo works across all applications, from business cards to billboards.
- Maintain Balance: Pay attention to proportion, spacing, and visual hierarchy in your new design.
Elements to Consider in Your Redesign
When updating your logo, pay attention to these specific elements:
Typography
- Font choice and style
- Letter spacing and kerning
- Weight and proportion
- Readability at different sizes
Color
- Primary and secondary palette choices
- Color psychology and industry relevance
- Digital and print compatibility
- Gradient usage (if applicable)
Symbol/Icon
- Simplicity and recognition
- Scalability
- Relationship to typography
- Cultural relevance and meaning
Composition
- Balance and hierarchy
- Negative space usage
- Flexibility for different formats
- Overall harmony
Common Questions About Logo Redesign
How Much Should I Change?
It depends on your goals and current brand equity. Sometimes a subtle refinement (like in Focal PM’s case) is all you need. Other times, a complete overhaul might be necessary if your brand has significantly evolved.
How Long Does a Redesign Take?
Typically, a professional logo redesign takes 2–4 weeks, including:
- Initial research and analysis
- Concept development
- Design refinement
- Client feedback and revisions
- Final file preparation
What Should I Budget?
Professional logo redesigns can range from $1,000 to $5,000+, depending on:
- Project scope and complexity
- Deliverable requirements
- Brand strategy needs
- Timeline requirements
- Industry standards
How Do I Know Which Approach to Take?
Consider these factors:
- Current brand recognition
- Market position
- Business goals
- Industry trends
- Technical requirements
The Redesign Process
When I work with clients on logo redesigns, we follow a structured process:
1. Discovery Phase
- Analyzing current brand assets
- Understanding business goals
- Researching market position
- Identifying target audience
2. Strategy Development
- Defining design objectives
- Creating design brief
- Setting project parameters
- Establishing success metrics
3. Design Phase
- Sketching initial concepts
- Developing digital versions
- Refining selected direction
- Creating variations
4. Implementation
- Preparing final files
- Creating usage guidelines
- Developing application examples
- Planning rollout strategy
Ready to Update Your Logo?
As a branding expert with years of experience working with clients worldwide, I can guide you through the process of transforming your logo into something that truly represents your brand’s value and vision.
👉 Check out my new product: “Fix Your Logo”.
However, if your logo need a fundamental update—Let’s discuss your project!
Schedule a free consultation call with me, and we can talk about:
- Your current logo challenges
- Your brand goals and vision
- How we can work together to create a logo that elevates your brand
- Timeline and budget considerations
- Next steps in the process
Don’t let an outdated logo hold your business back!
For more content on logo design and branding, visit my my blog.
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Arek Dvornechuck