Clever Negative Space Logos: 18 Designs with Hidden Symbols
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Clever Negative Space Logos: 18 Designs with Hidden Symbols

Discover some of the best negative space logos on the internet! From hidden symbols to unique font choices, these examples are sure to inspire you.



gap logo mark with a gap instead of letter a in the middle

Logo design is an art form that can be used to communicate a company’s values and mission. In some cases, logo designers will use negative space to create clever designs that incorporate hidden symbols. In this blog post, we will showcase 18 examples of clever negative space logos. These logos are sure to inspire you with their creative use of space and hidden symbols!


A memorable logo is one that can immediately “catch” a person’s attention with its aesthetic features. A clever design may even include a secret meaning behind logos. Puzzles are popular, right? When people discover the secret messages hidden within well-known emblems, they experience an immediate sense of gratification and something enjoyable.


It is logo designers’ goal to produce an effective logo that stands out and leaves a lasting impression. Negative space can be used to create unique and memorable logos. When done correctly, the hidden symbols will be cleverly disguised within the design. In this blog post, we will showcase 30 clever negative space logos from around the web. These examples are sure to inspire you with their creative use of space and hidden symbols. Enjoy!



What is white space in logo design?


White space is the negative space in logo design. It’s the unoccupied or blank space around and between the elements of a logo. White space is often used to create emphasis, contrast, and visual stability. It can also be used to create a hierarchy of information, draw attention to certain elements, and create a sense of movement.


Logos that use white space effectively can be very clever and memorable. They often have hidden symbols or messages that are revealed when the logo is viewed from a certain perspective.


Why you should use negative space in your logo design?


Logo designers often use negative space to create clever and unique logo designs. Negative space can be used to create hidden symbols and messages within a logo. This makes for an interesting and engaging logo that can be appreciated by viewers on multiple levels.


When used correctly, negative space can add an extra level of sophistication and elegance to a logo. It can also help to create a logo that is both unique and memorable. If you’re looking for some inspiration, be sure to check out these 18 clever negative space logos. You’ll see how negative space can be used in a variety of ways to create beautiful and eye-catching logo designs.


Do you have a logo that uses negative space? Share it with us in the comments below! We’d love to see what you’ve created.


How can you utilize negative space for a logo design?


There are a few ways to utilize negative space in logo design. One way is to use it to create hidden symbols or messages within the logo. This can be done by hiding part of the logo behind another element, or by using light and dark colors to create an optical illusion. Another way to use negative space is to create a sense of movement or flow within the logo. This can be done by using curved lines or by placing elements in a way that suggests movement.


Finally, negative space can be used to create emphasis, contrast, and visual stability. This can be done by using light and dark colors to create contrast, or by using white space to frame a logo element. When used correctly, negative space can add an extra level of sophistication and elegance to a logo.


18 Example Logo Designs with Hidden Meaning


1. “GAP” – Negative space logo design by Designer Murat

gap logo mark with a gap instead of letter a in the middle

Instead of using letter “A”, I used a “gap” icon to create the wonderful logo which can still be easily recognized as “gap”. One of my favorite creations till this day. You can see some other creations I worked on here - Wordmark & Logotype Collection 2020.


2. “GRILL” – Negative space logo design by Daniel Carlmatz

grill logo with "ill" negative space inside a grill spatula

Daniel Carlmatz created this grill wordmark logo by using the “ill” part as part of the metal spatula we all use while grilling. Very clever!


3. “Spartan Golf Club” – Negative space logo design by Richard Fonteneau

spartan golf club logo with a golfer in the middle looking like a spartan soldier face

The golfer’s swing creates an arc in the Spartan helmet designed by Richard Fonteneau. OH, and wait! Have you noticed the face of a Spartan in the logo?


4. “ED – ElettroDomestici” – Negative space logo design by Gianni Bortolotti

ED Electricity logo with E letter used as negative space and overall design looks like a power plug head

In this fantastic work by Gianni Bortolotti, you’ll notice an excellent and fascinating use of negative space. The designer utilized the first two initials side-by-side for a company that provides electricity. This unique design combines form and function in an unusual way. What do you notice first? Is it the plug or the initials?


5. “FedEx” – Negative space logo design by Lindon Leader

fedex logo with a hidden arrow between letter e and x

The FedEx logo is an excellent example of a negative space logo. This logo, which has been consistently titled as “the finest logo design” and winner of numerous design competitions, contains an arrow between the E and X. Lindon Leader created this logo in 1994, which proudly displays the company’s dynamic qualities.


6. “Mister Cooper” – Negative space logo design by Johnson Banks

mister cooper lip logo with a hidden icecream negative space text between words

Mr. Cooper called Johnson Banks when it comes to creating a logo for an adult-only ice cream firm. The distinctive typographic lipstick mark was used by Banks for this alcoholic ice-cream brand, and as you can see, the brand name is printed inside!


7. “WWF” – Negative space logo design by Gerald Watterson

minimalist panda animal logo with white areas created using negative space

The World Wildlife Fund’s logo is the most adorable illustration of negative and positive space. This panda in negative space form was created in 1986, and it has since become the symbol not just for the WWF but also for the conservation movement as a whole.


8. “NBC” – Negative space logo design by Steff Geissbuhler

NBC tv channel logo mark with a colorful peacock hidden

The emblem of NBC, designed by Steff Geissbuhler at Chermayeff & Geismar, is still one of the most recognized logos in the world. The peacock has six feathers: the six primary and secondary colors in the RYB color palette to symbolize NBC’s six divisions: yellow for news, orange for sports, red for entertainment, violet for stations, blue for network, and green for productions.


9. “Moby Dick” – Negative space logo design by Alexander Johnson

moby dick m letter monogram logo with a hidden whale tail as negative space

Alexander Johnson’s creative logo design is something we admire. Have a look at the beautiful design shown above; the Letter M comprises both the whale’s tail and the Harpoon.


10. “Flight Finder” – Negative space logo design by Rajendra Prasad

flight finder logo created with 2 F letters facing each other and a plane hidden as negative space between them

This lovely logo was created by using 2 F letters and creating a plane in the middle negative space.


11. “Pet Store” – Negative space logo design by Zeljko Ivanov

pet store logo with a solid color man and a dog silhouette in negative space

The logo designer used the negative spaces in designing a dog and dog owner’s face, which is very creative.


12. “Annecy” – Negative space logo design by Graphéine Design Agency

annecy agency wordmark logo with a plus hidden as negative space


13. “Bolt Shoes” – Negative space logo design by Stanislav Regis

bolt shoes logo created using 2 loafer shoe silhouettes on top of each other and having a bolt sign hidden in the middle as negative space

14. “Bird” – Negative space logo design by Yoga Perdana

bird wordmark logo with a bird as negative space between letter B and I

15. “Handy Tracker” – Negative space logo design by Niko Dola

handy tracker logo created using a hand and a hidden location symbol hidden between thumb and pointer fingers

16. “Motorcyclist” – Negative space logo design by George Bokhua

a motorcyclist logo created using a solid color motorcycle and negative space motorcyclist

17. “Horse Performance” – Negative space logo design by Silvia Ansaloni


horse performance logo created with a solid color horse and a woman hidden as negative space between horse neck and head

18. “Dabbing Ghost” – Negative space logo design by Kareem Magdi


dabbing ghost logo created as a ghost dabbing in its own negative space

Some more great negative space logo designs


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