Different Types of Logo Grids and When to Use Them

Precision is no longer optional in today’s competitive branding landscape. Whether you're working on a start-up logo or a full-scale corporate identity, your designs are judged not only by creativity but by structure and craftsmanship. A well-constructed logo grid is a fundamental tool that ensures your designs maintain optical balance, scalability, and professional polish.

‍

At Akrivi, we understand the challenges designers face when balancing creativity with technical execution. That’s why we created Akrivi Gridit — a suite of Adobe Illustrator tools (both free scripts and paid extensions) to help designers automate grid construction and elevate their workflows.

‍

In this guide, we'll explore the different types of logo grids available to designers today, when to use each one, and how the right tools can dramatically enhance your design efficiency and outcomes.

‍

‍

What Is a Logo Grid?

A logo grid is a construction guide — a geometric framework — used to align, proportion, and balance the elements of a logo. While grids may seem restrictive at first glance, they actually enhance creativity by providing a disciplined structure that ensures consistency, readability, and visual harmony.

‍

Scientific studies on design cognition suggest that humans naturally perceive structured designs as more aesthetically pleasing and trustworthy (Ware, 2013, Visual Thinking for Design). Grids tap into this innate bias toward order.

‍

‍

Key Benefits of Using Logo Grids

• Optical Balance: Helps account for visual weight differences, ensuring a harmonious look.
  
• Scalability: A well-gridded logo maintains clarity and consistency at any size.
  
• Efficiency: Using pre-built frameworks or tools saves time and reduces revisions.
  
• Professionalism: Clients and stakeholders view gridded logos as more sophisticated and considered.

Now let’s explore the different types of grids and where each excels.

‍

1. Square Logo Grids

Square grids are the simplest form of logo grids, composed of equally spaced horizontal and vertical lines.

‍

Best For

• Logos based on geometric shapes
  
• Tech companies or brands seeking clean, minimalist identities
  
• Beginners practicing foundational grid work

‍

Use Case Example

Square grids are often used for logos requiring a strong, stable feel — think finance, tech startups, or architecture firms.

‍

Tip

Use Akrivi Gridit’s Square Grid Template (available as an Ai file) to get a head start on your square grid logos.

‍

2. Golden Ratio Grids

The golden ratio (~1.618) is a mathematical principle found in nature, architecture, and art. Golden ratio grids use circles and rectangles based on this ratio to construct balanced, naturally appealing logos.

‍

Best For

• Luxury brands
  
• High-end product lines
  
• Institutions emphasizing heritage and timelessness
  
  

Use Case Example

Companies like Apple and Twitter famously incorporate golden ratio principles into their logo designs to achieve elegance and visual appeal.

‍

Tip

Akrivi offers a Golden Ratio Grid Template for Adobe Illustrator to automate the construction process and save valuable time.

‍

3. Isometric Grids

Isometric grids use 30-degree angles to create three-dimensional-looking structures without traditional perspective distortion.

‍

Best For

• Tech-focused branding
  
• Gaming and entertainment logos
  
• Brands embracing futurism or innovation

‍

Use Case Example

An isometric grid can help create dynamic, dimensional logos for SaaS platforms or virtual reality startups.

‍

Tip

Download the Isometric Grid Template through Akrivi’s free resources to align your designs accurately without tedious manual setup.

‍

‍

4. Lockup Grids (Horizontal, Vertical, Condensed)

Lockup grids help arrange logos, taglines, and visual elements into neat, professional configurations.

‍

Subtypes

• Horizontal Lockup: Logo and text aligned horizontally
  
• Vertical Lockup: Logo and text stacked vertically
  
• Condensed Lockup: Optimized for narrow spaces or condensed typefaces

‍

Best For

• Corporate identity packages
  
• Print collateral and website headers
  
• Ensuring consistency across formats

‍

Use Case Example

A brand might use a horizontal lockup for their website masthead, but a vertical lockup for mobile app branding.

‍

Tip

Akrivi provides scripts for Horizontal, Vertical, and Condensed Lockup Grids inside Adobe Illustrator, allowing designers to automate their lockups with precision.

‍

‍

5. Custom Logo Grids

Sometimes, the project calls for a grid tailored entirely to the concept, using unique measurements, curves, or intersecting lines to build a one-of-a-kind structure.

‍

Best For

• Bespoke branding projects
  
• Artistic or conceptual brands
  
• High-budget, high-visibility campaigns

‍

Use Case Example

A museum or an art gallery logo might rely on a completely custom-built grid to reflect its ethos.

‍

Tip

With Akrivi Gridit’s Custom Grid Automation tools, building a custom grid no longer means starting from scratch — you can create modular frameworks faster and more efficiently.

‍

‍

When Should You Use Each Grid?

‍

‍

How Akrivi’s Tools Simplify Logo Grid Design

At Akrivi, we’ve developed tools to help logo designers create faster and more precisely. More specifically, we've created Adobe Illustrator scripts that automate grid building, alongside pre-made templates to reduce repetitive tasks and improve design efficiency.

‍

Our offerings include:

• Free Illustrator scripts for lockup grids
  
• Free Illustrator templates for Square, Golden Ratio, and Isometric grids
  
• Paid extensions that automate more complex grid generation
  
• Educational resources, including the Mastering Logo Grids in Adobe Illustrator ebook

👉 Explore our free resources here.

‍

Mastering the Grid for Modern Logo Design

The best logo designs don’t happen by accident. They are the result of thoughtful concept development, precise alignment, and a deep understanding of structure. Whether you're creating logos for start-ups, global brands, or your own personal projects, logo grids are essential tools in producing work that stands the test of time.

‍

If you're ready to design logos with greater precision and efficiency — and build identities that impress clients and users alike — explore Akrivi’s growing suite of free and premium Adobe Illustrator tools at www.akrivi.io.

‍

Take your logo designs from good to extraordinary — and let structure set your creativity free.

‍