When it comes to creating logo designs, we can study the famous logos that have been imprinted on many minds in the nation. We recognize dozens of logos, those little bits of art that represent companies we all do business with. For instance, the Nike swoosh or the Coca Cola broad-tailed “C” are immediate interfaces with the products they advertise.

It certainly is a not a new idea. As far back as the imperial age of Rome, the imprint of an eagle was ample warning to enemies that they were facing a potent force. And each legion had its own logo to distinguish it from others. In Egypt, a carefully designed cartouche was the insignia of a pharaoh. Even the American flag, with its meaningful stars and stripes, is a logo of sorts that is recognizable around the world.

Even those who do business on a smaller scale often find it helpful to design a logo that makes their product immediately recognizable to customers without writing it out. Setting yourself apart from the competition is the whole idea, so designing a logo is one of the tasks many start-up companies undertake at the start. Imprinting it on the products themselves, or using it in packaging, makes this particular item uniquely yours.

Learning from the experts is good advice. Take a closer look at these popular logos and see how forms, styles, colors, shapes and symbols have been combined to make a memorable representation.

The long-standing BMW logo tells about the company’s background, for those who can interpret the symbol. BMW has a background in aviation and the blue and white segments of the classic circle show it: white to represent propellers and blue for the sky.

Goodwill effectively repeats a theme to draw the viewer into the feel-good aura of the charity. The smiley face in the upper left corner is simply an enlarged repeat of the “g” underneath.

Proud of its accomplishments, TV pioneer NBC touts itself in a logo that embeds a white peacock in the 180-degree spread of colorful plumes. Since peacocks are a widely accepted symbol of pride, the message is easily absorbed.

Eagle proclaims itself in a simple word that might be taken at face value if not for the highly stylized “E” that takes the shape of an eagle’s head.

FedEx has what appears at a quick glance to be a very straightforward bi-colored logo, but the company’s devotion to speedy delivery is proclaimed in the arrow artfully place between the “e” and the “x.”

Amazon uses a contrasting curved arrow to show that it is an “a to z” company, covering products from hundreds of industries.

A little pin cleverly placed in the Capital “P” of the Pinterest logo tells customers what they need to know about the company . . . that it provides users a way to “pin” web clippings onto their own customizable online board.

An old and well-known brand, Gillette, too, has a hidden message. The razor-like slash between and “G” and “I” is a plug for the sharpness of the product.

These and others are a handy guide to creating a logo that you’ll be proud to make the insignia of your own company.