Logotype - Isotype How do we differentiate their importance?

Logotype - Isotype How do we differentiate their importance?

In order to properly understand and define the use of these terms, we must separately clarify the meaning of each of them.

Let's start with the basics, the meaning of the term LOGOTYPE assigned by the RAE is understood as a distinctive formed by letters, abbreviations, etc., peculiar to a company, commemoration, brand, or product.

So we take for granted that it is the use of letters only. The logo is made up of just a unique, distinctive and original typography that is usually the name of the company or brand. To clarify the use of this term, examples of well-known brand logos are named here.

So what are the shapes and figures used by brands?

This is where the term that we will use as ISOTYPE comes in, and it is understood as the figurative or abstract image known as an icon and this canbe a drawing, scheme or lines that identify a company or brand and lacks the typographical presence in it.

Examples of Isotypes:

However, there is a composition where both combinations are used: Isotype + Logo this is called ISOLOGOTYPE, here we leave these examples:

The use of these terms is only used to refer to a specific situation. Nowadays almost everyone refers to these terms previously said the word LOGO is used (a word of Greek origin that means WORD OR EXPRESSION) and we all understand that this can be a LOGO, ISOTYPE OR ISOLOGOTYPE.

We have come to simplify the term and concentrate it as a kind of fingerprint of a company, brand or product.

A LOGO (logo, isotype, isologotype) must meet three conditions:

• Functional
• Aesthetic
• Credible

In this way, it must also meet the objective of being what it represents (company, brand or product) and leave a visual mark on the collective memory.

Joel Ascencio 

Designer