Nike, Apple, and McDonald's are all reputable brands with iconic logos. These signature symbols help customers identify their products and have become representations of what these companies stand for.

What design elements contribute to their brands' continuous successes? All three logos have unique qualities that make them stand out in a crowd. To make your brand shine in an era characterized by information overload, it's important to keep your logo design and visual identity unique.

As graphic designer David Airey points out, your logo doesn't need to represent what your company does. For example, an apple has nothing to do with technology. The idea of using an apple in their logo came from the infamous moment where Isaac Newton "invented" the concept of gravity, undoubtedly considered an innovative moment in history. Steve Jobs related himself to Newton, and the well-known apple logo was born.

Are you working to design or redesign your own company's logo or visual identity? Below are four attributes that characterize a timeless logo:

1. Simplistic
Keeping it simple will help your logo stand the test of time. Take the Nike swoosh, for example. Because it is so simple, it can be interpreted differently based on an individual's experience with the brand. However, it should still be unique and engaging enough to grab your customer's attention.

2. Memorable
What is the reasoning behind the brand of laundry detergent you buy? It is likely because it's the same detergent your parents used when you were growing up. Memory is a powerful tool that you can use to connect emotionally with customers. Matt Mickiewicz suggests staying away from commonly used symbols, such as globes and arrows, to prevent your logo from getting lost in the masses.

3. Versatile
Branding comes in all shapes, sizes, formats, and channels these days. Your company's logo must be adaptable so that it translates across multiple platforms without losing the power and details of your brand. Ask questions like, will our logo still be effective if it is printed in color, reverse color, as small as a postage stamp, or as large as a billboard? Artists today suggest creating your logo in black and white before adding color because it allows you to focus on the concept and shape, which is the heart of your logo.

4. Appropriate
Who is your intended audience? What do they value? It's important to consider this when choosing icons, color schemes, and fonts so that you're appealing to the right crowd. Make sure you communicate the right tone to signify what your brand represents. You wouldn't use the same font or color scheme for an investment bank logo as you would for a children's store.

It's time for you to stand out from your competition. Fuse the attributes above and these 5 Tips to Building a Strong Brand together to help build your own timeless brand identity.

Coauthored by Allison Czaicki and Jordan Noel