Animal In Logos: Famous Examples + 10 Tips to Design Your Own

Logos come in all shapes and sizes. Some are purely text-based, others rely entirely on imagery, and many combine both. Let’s be honest: imagery adds a vibrant, dynamic touch to any design. And when it comes to choosing that imagery, animals often top the list for logo designers. Have you noticed how many animal logos are out there? From tech giants to fashion brands, animal imagery seems to dominate across industries.

So, what’s the deal with animal logos? Why are they so appealing? And if you’re considering using one for your brand, what strategies should you keep in mind to make it effective? In this blog, we’ll dive into these questions and explore the fascinating world of animal logos. Let’s uncover the secrets behind their allure and how you can leverage them to create a memorable and impactful brand identity. Ready? Let’s get started!

Why Do Brands Love Animal Logos? 

People have an innate fascination with animals. Whether it’s the regal majesty of a lion or the charm of a bunny, animals evoke deep emotional connections that resonate with us on a fundamental level. This emotional connection makes animal imagery a powerful tool for brands looking to add depth and meaning to their logos.

Moreover, brands can leverage these associations to tell a story and thus make their logo memorable. Or even to connect with a specific group of audience. Thus by incorporating animal symbolism, a logo becomes not just visually appealing but also unique and impactful. 

In some cases, animal symbols carry cultural or regional significance, which can be particularly valuable for brands aiming to honor their heritage or roots. 

For example, Fraser and Neave, a Thai-Singaporean food and beverage brand, features a lion in its logo. Beyond symbolizing credibility, power, and market dominance, the lion also holds cultural importance as it ties into Singapore’s national symbol, the lion head. This dual meaning strengthens the brand’s connection to its origins while reinforcing its market presence.

With so many benefits to tap into, it’s no wonder animal logos are a popular choice for brands. Let’s take a closer look at some animal logo designs to see how different brands have successfully harnessed these ideas. 

Animal Logos With Direct Brand Relevance 

Does your brand’s offerings directly connect with the animal kingdom, then an animal logo is a natural fit. Think pet care, veterinary services, animal welfare organizations, wildlife conservation, and even certain agricultural businesses. 

1. Tap into the power of Gestalt Principles 

We are talking about niches like pet care and others where the connection to animals is evident. Therefore you are sure to find several animal logos. So, how do you stand out? 

Use Gestalt principles to create an element of intrigue instead of direct animal icons or representations. 

For instance, have you seen the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) logo? You see the Panda instantly but the figure isn’t complete. This design uses the principle of closure where your brain automatically fills the gaps to perceive the whole shape. A subtle detail but it gives the audience one more reason to appreciate the logo! 

Or take the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium logo for instance. Here it is the figure-ground principle like the well-known Rubin Vase illusion. In the case of the Pittsburgh Zoo logo, the tree at the center of the logo initially grabs attention, but upon closer inspection, the negative space reveals the hidden profiles of a lion and a gorilla. This adds more layers to the meaning of the logo and makes it unique. 

Similarly, instead of a straightforward animal icon, consider how elements can be arranged so as to let the brand do some of the work. This engagement and invitation for the audience to interact with the design makes your logo memorable. 

2. Consider adaptability 

A great animal logo should also be adaptable – versatile enough to be used across different platforms and in different sizes and mediums without losing its impact. This ensures brand consistency in an age where an omnichannel presence isn’t a luxury. 

Simplifying the logomark, in this case the animal symbol, is one way to achieve this. The Animal Planet logo currently in use is a great example of a trimmed-down down adaptable version. Without too many complicated details, the logo feels flexible for digital platforms while keeping the brand’s spirit intact. 

Need help designing and iterating adaptable logos for your brand? Get KIMP! 

3. Silhouettes add an enigmatic touch 

Looking to set your brand apart in a crowded space? How about adding a touch of mystery to your logo? Adding silhouettes of animals is one way to do that. Is there a particular animal that feels relevant to your brand but you think its symbolism is overused in your industry? Then how about incorporating an enigmatic silhouette to give your logo a fresh twist? 

For instance, bunny imagery is pretty common when it comes to Easter-related events. Therefore, the below logo incorporates just a sleek silhouette to set itself apart while also preserving the message and relevance. 

4. Sometimes you need more than one 

Do you need to stick to just one animal icon in your logo? Not really! If you think that your logo benefits from featuring more than one animal, then go for it. You don’t just make your logo more interesting but also distinguish yourself from your competitors.

But here’s the catch – too many details can clutter the design. Hence you need to figure out the best way to synchronously combine all the animal elements in your design. From how they are positioned with respect to each other to how your brand name is positioned amidst them, every little detail counts. 

Here’s a logo that achieves this balance brilliantly. The cohesive visual style and the simple illustrations ensure that the design does not feel overwhelming. 

Animal Logos as Namesake – To Reinforce Brand Identity 

Sometimes, your brand has no direct connection with animals or animal-related products/services. But your brand name has the name of an animal in it. In such cases, the choice of animal symbol is straightforward. So, let’s talk about some ideas and tips to make this work.  

5. Choose fonts that resonate with the animal symbol 

When your brand name has an animal name in it, your customers expect your logo to have animal imagery. There’s no surprise there. So, what can you do to make your design more interesting? Inject your brand’s unique personality into your design. 

But that’s not enough. You also need strong typography to reflect this personality and work seamlessly with the animal imagery. The logo below exemplifies this approach. The font and the imagery both look powerful and rugged. 

Similarly, identify what font works best for the chosen animal and the chosen style. For example, sharp, bold fonts work well for powerful animals like tigers or hawks, while softer, rounded fonts complement gentler creatures like rabbits or dolphins. A well-matched font not only improves readability but also strengthens the brand’s overall message.

6. Use the right colors 

Like fonts, you also need the right colors to capture the spirit of the brand, the personality of the logo. 

For instance, red is one of the most popular colors in the food industry and it communicates a sense of excitement. The logo below effectively utilizes this color and effortlessly complements the rugged gorilla imagery as well. Besides, the color red goes well with grilled food therefore tying back to the brand’s specialty as well. 

Another good example is Mailchimp’s use of a vibrant yellow to represent the fun and fresh personality of the brand. Which is also represented effectively with the smiling chimp mascot in the logo. 

7. Blend symbols for maximum impact 

Animal logos do not always have to have only animal symbols. If you think that adding one more symbol amplifies the meaning or improves the clarity of messaging, combine the symbols creatively. 

But when doing so, ensure that your symbols do not take up too much space or complicate the design. If possible, integrate one design into another within the negative space to create a small yet powerful design. The below logo is a good example. The design includes imagery to represent the words “Fruit” and “Monkey” from the logo but it does so without cluttering the layout. 

The Red Bull logo is another cool example. It combines the raging bulls staying true to the brand’s name and the symbol of the rising sun creating balance and cohesion in the logo design. 

Animal Logos as Symbolic Storytellers 

Even if your brand name does not have an animal name in it and your brand’s offerings or industry do not tie back to the animal kingdom in any way, you can still use animal imagery to evoke emotions, to tell a story,y and to resonate with your target audience. 

8. Communicate values

The deep-rooted associations and symbolic meanings of animals come in handy when designing logos. In fact, they help simplify the process of communicating your brand values. 

To use this approach effectively, clearly define your brand values and identify animals that are most commonly known to symbolize something similar. 

Okay, so if we ask you to think of speed, what animal comes to mind? The Cheetah maybe? Or power? Did you think of the lion? These are the kinds of associations we are talking about. Use them and you have a strong and hard-to-ignore logo for your brand. 

There’s the Ferrari logo for example. The brand’s prancing horse logo isn’t just a stylish emblem. It represents speed, power, and elegance, the core attributes of Ferrari’s high-performance vehicles. 

Similarly, you’ll find the lion symbol being used in several places. It commands respect and establishes trust while also symbolizing power and heritage. Here’s one such use of the symbolism in the logo for an educational institution. 

9. Tie back to a story 

An animal logo can also serve as a direct link to a brand’s heritage or origin story. Featuring animal symbols to represent a personal or historical significance unique to your company helps create a deeper, more authentic connection with your audience. 

Lacoste’s crocodile logo is an example of this. The logo was inspired by the brand’s founder, René Lacoste, a legendary tennis player who was nicknamed “the Crocodile” due to his tenacity and fierce style on the court. 

Hence the crocodile not only became a symbol of Lacoste’s personal story but also embodied the brand’s values of resilience, elegance, and sophistication. This connection between the logo and the brand’s origins adds a layer of authenticity that resonates with customers.

To achieve something similar for your brand, dig into your brand’s history and identify an animal that feels relevant. 

10. Deliver an abstract message 

Do you want to use symbols in your logo to transcend the obvious? To communicate broader ideas and emotions that are otherwise difficult to put into words? Or perhaps too abstract to communicate? Then metaphorical representations of animals are just what you need. 

A very good example of this approach is the DeepSeek logo. Yes, the brand that recently made waves in the AI industry. It features a friendly whale symbol in its logo. In addition to symbolizing the “deep” in the brand’s name, the whale can also be seen as a visual representation of traits like depth, intelligence, and curiosity which summarize what the brand is all about. 

Moreover, the DeepSeek logo also demonstrates that branding for AI and tech companies does not always have to be austere like most tech logos are! This brand’s logo has a friendly demeanor which feels like a fresh deviation from the industry norms. 

KIMP Tip: When designing an animal logo for abstract messaging, consider how the movement, form, and characteristics of an animal can align with your brand’s core vision rather than its literal function. This helps you come up with a symbol that adds a sense of mystery and sophistication to your branding. 

Design Unforgettable Animal Logos With KIMP 

To conclude, there are countless ways to infuse your creativity into creating something truly exceptional when featuring animals in logos. It all depends on how you bring your vision and your ideas to life. Working with a professional design team makes this so much simpler. 

Ready to create stunning logos for your brand? With animals that communicate your brand values or symbolize something deeper and more meaningful? Then now is a good time to sign up for a KIMP subscription.

Book a call with the KIMP team to understand how design subscription can transform your branding process.