Have you ever wondered if there was intelligent life out there? Maybe it has crossed your mind that Bigfoot could be just a hairy man hiding in the woods, or that you would like to have a conversation with ghosts… just to see what they like to chat about. If any of these sounds like you, then you’re going to love GOKOOKOO, a paranormal locations directory app for those curious to explore the unknown with a sense of humor.

In need of a slick logo to match their crazy biz, GOKOOKOO turned to 99designs, a website that pairs companies up with freelance designers from around the globe. This match-making format gives companies the chance to choose from countless logos, but figuring out which design is perfect can be a little like trying to spot Nessie in the wrong lake- knowing what you’re looking for and where to look is super important. That’s why I’m here to teach you the tips and tricks behind what makes a logo supernatural!

Let’s explore the top three designs created for GOKOOKOO. I’ve captured these spooky-fun logos below on Quality Logo Product’s best-selling Star Stress Relievers! Seeing logo designs in use is an important step to considering their versatility and staying power.

The winner: Design #1

Who should have won: Design #1

Why is Design #1 the Winning Logo?

Design #1 radiates the humor and inquisitive enthusiasm that drives this company and their values best. The logo sets the company up with a mascot that can be used in various contexts, at any scale, while keeping the focus of the design on the paranormal UFO. The versatility is outstanding, and the logo is sure to be a hit.

Design #1 vs. Design #3

Kookoo for Cuckoos: How a Mascot Can Boost Brand Impressions

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Although design #3 made its mark with its impossibly cute bird mascot, it still fell short in meeting the company’s needs. What sets the winning bird of design #1 apart? The strength in this logo comes from the use of the UFO as the primary focus. The bird suggests a nod to the company’s cuckoo bird-based moniker, but having the UFO take up the largest part of the logo urges us to focus on what the company actually specializes in- paranormal locations and the idea of travel!

Beyond appearances, a mascot is a reliable approach for a company that wants to be seen as customer friendly. If your character has a personality, your audience will more than likely project its personality onto your business. When you picture companies like Geiko or Pillsbury, the quirky little gecko and jolly doughboy probably come to mind before any other aspect of their brand. See how it works?

Design #2 vs. Design #3

A Logo Should Be on Brand

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Designs #2 and #3 just didn’t match up with the vibe that GOKOOKOO was looking for. The italicized text and swirling shapes that make up design #2 read as “cool and mysterious,” but don’t have any of the humor or silliness that the brand was seeking. Design #3 was off base as well with bubble letter text, rounded shapes, and pastel colors. These elements, combined with the cartoon bird, give off a genial nature, but stray from the supernatural. It falls short in granting us the feeling of adventure that the other two logos do and emanates the misguided feeling that this app could be exclusively directed at children.

Design #1 vs. Design #2

Go Boldly… But Be Relatable!

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What is it that sets design #1 above design #2? Both logos make use of bold lines, black fills, and vibrant colors in their designs- all great techniques for quickly drawing in wandering eyes. The difference is that there is much less for the brain to process in design #1. The best logos do not make us think, rather they make us feel! Although Design #2 is very interesting and artistic, there is a lot going on that we have to decipher whereas the winning logo makes use of iconic and easily recognizable shapes to gain immediate traction with viewers.

Final Thoughts

Spirits and ghosts might be unexplained, but good logo design doesn’t have to be a mystery. When channeling quality logo design, stay true to your brand’s style and message. Your audience will be beamed up by a design that is easy to connect to and interpret. Consider working in a mascot for extra memorability.

Still don’t feel quite ready to get to designing your own stunning logo? You can travel far and wide, or you can just explore more of our ongoing design tips articles to learn the do’s and don’ts of designing a one of a kind logo that’s so good it’s spooky!