Four important design parameters when it comes to branding identities, are:
1. Describable in a second.
2. Memorable and wordmark-able
3. It sent your message effective with/without colour
4. Relevant to the industry in question.
Points one and two go hand-in-hand, because if you can’t describe what a logo looks like, then how will you be able to remember it and how your logo can communicate if only the company name is using as identities?
Point number three is important because colour is secondary to the shape and form. I always leave colour to the end of the design process, because if the mark doesn’t work in black only, no amount of colour will rescue it.
Lastly, the design must be relevant for the business it identifies. This is accomplished through indepth research into the industry involved, and helps to differentiate from closely associated competitors who use a lot of an abstract icons.