Atlanta Logos: How to Design, Protect, and Use Logos in Atlanta, Georgia

If you search for “Atlanta logo”, you might mean a few different things:
– The official City of Atlanta logo
– Professional logo designers and branding in Atlanta
– How to create and protect a logo for your Atlanta business, nonprofit, or event

This guide walks through how logos work specifically in Atlanta, Georgia—from understanding city and sports logos to finding local design help and handling legal protection like trademarks.

The Different “Atlanta Logos” You Might Be Looking For

When people say “Atlanta logo,” they’re usually referring to one of these:

• Official government logos – the City of Atlanta seal and related department marks
• Sports and university logos – Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta United, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, etc.
• Business or organization logos – local restaurants, startups, churches, nonprofits, festivals
• Tourism or neighborhood branding – designs used for Atlanta tourism or specific districts like Midtown, Buckhead, or the Old Fourth Ward

Understanding which category you fall into helps you know what you can use, what you must license, and what you should create from scratch.

The Official City of Atlanta Logo and Seal

What the City of Atlanta Logo Is Used For

The City of Atlanta uses a set of official visual marks, including:

• The city seal (often featuring the phoenix and the word “Resurgens”)
• Department-specific logos (for example, Atlanta Police Department or Department of Watershed Management)
• Logos used on official documents, city vehicles, signage, uniforms, and websites

These marks represent the municipal government and are generally not available for casual or commercial use by private individuals or businesses.

Can You Use the City of Atlanta Logo?

For most residents and visitors, the answer is no—not without formal permission.

Common restrictions include:

• No use of the city seal or logo to imply endorsement of a business, product, or event
• No altering the seal or logo for your own branding
• No use on merchandise (shirts, hats, flyers for a business) unless you have written approval

If you’re unsure whether your use is allowed (for example, a school project, news article, or educational poster), it’s best to ask the city directly.

Key City Contact for Logo/Brand Use Questions
City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office or Communications/Press Office
Atlanta City Hall
55 Trinity Ave SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone (main city hall line): (404) 330-6000

When you call, explain that you have a question about using the City of Atlanta logo or seal, and ask to be directed to the appropriate department (often communications or public affairs).

Atlanta Sports and University Logos

Atlanta’s sports and college logos are highly recognizable—and also highly protected.

Common Protected Atlanta Logos

Examples include:

• Atlanta Braves (MLB) – team name, tomahawk designs, “A” logo
• Atlanta Falcons (NFL) – falcon bird logo, wordmarks
• Atlanta Hawks (NBA) – hawk icon and wordmarks
• Atlanta United FC (MLS) – circular crest and “A” logo
• Collegiate logos – Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Georgia State Panthers, Emory Eagles, etc.

These logos are typically protected as trademarks. Unauthorized use, especially for commercial purposes (selling shirts, hats, or using them in your own advertising), can bring legal problems.

When You Can and Can’t Use These Logos

Generally allowed:

• Personal use like collecting licensed merchandise
• News, commentary, or educational use with proper context (e.g., a school report that includes an image with attribution and no branding confusion)

Typically not allowed without permission:

• Printing or selling unlicensed merchandise with pro team or college logos
• Using team logos in the logo or marketing for your own business, league, camp, or event
• Creating a logo that is clearly confusingly similar to a major team or university

If you want to use a team or university logo in a meaningful way—like on event flyers, sponsored campaigns, or products—look for official licensing or partnership options through the team or school’s athletic or licensing office.

Creating a Custom Logo for Your Atlanta Business or Organization

If you’re running a small business, startup, nonprofit, or side hustle in Atlanta, designing a distinctive logo is often a key early step.

Local Considerations for an “Atlanta Logo”

Many Atlanta-based organizations want their logo to feel connected to the city. Typical local elements people consider:

• Symbols: The phoenix, skyline silhouette, peaches, beltline-style paths, MARTA stripes
• Geography: Peachtree Street, Chattahoochee River, neighborhoods (West End, Inman Park, East Atlanta, etc.)
• Culture: Music themes, film & TV influence, street art feel, southern hospitality motifs

It’s fine to draw inspiration from Atlanta, but be careful about:

• Directly copying city government marks
• Making your logo too similar to a well-known brand or team
• Using a neighborhood or district logo that’s already officially in use

Where to Find Logo Design Help in Atlanta

You can approach logo creation in Atlanta in a few main ways:

1. Freelance Designers and Creative Studios

Atlanta has a large creative community, especially around:

• Downtown and Midtown – often home to design studios, agencies, and coworking spaces
• West Midtown and Old Fourth Ward – strong creative and startup scenes
• Film and media hubs near southwest Atlanta and surrounding areas

Many residents:

• Look for local freelance designers through coworking spaces, creative networks, or referrals
• Work with small branding agencies that understand local neighborhoods, trends, and audiences

2. Design Support for Small Businesses and Startups

If you’re launching a business in Atlanta, you may be able to get low-cost or guided design help through:

Atlanta small business support resources
These types of organizations often host workshops about branding and visuals:

• Invest Atlanta (City of Atlanta’s economic development authority) – offers guidance and sometimes grants or programs that indirectly support branding
• Atlanta City Studio (if active) and local urban design initiatives – can offer insight into neighborhood identities and public-facing design
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) – such as the UGA SBDC at Georgia State University, which provides counseling and may advise on branding strategy (not direct design, but helpful planning)

Check with these types of programs for seminars or referrals to branding help. They’re often particularly oriented toward Atlanta-based entrepreneurs and nonprofits.

3. Design Programs and Student Collaborations

Atlanta’s universities and colleges, such as:

• Georgia State University (Downtown Atlanta)
• Georgia Tech (Midtown)
• Atlanta University Center schools (Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Spelman)
• Local art/design programs

may have:

• Design students seeking portfolio projects
• On-campus business incubators that match student designers with startups

This route can be more affordable, but typically requires more hands-on direction from you and flexibility with timelines.

Legal Protection: Trademarks for Atlanta Logos

Once you have a logo for your business or organization, you might want to protect it so others in Atlanta (or elsewhere) don’t use a confusingly similar mark.

Trademarks: Federal vs. State in Georgia

In Atlanta, you generally have two main paths:

1. Federal Trademark Registration

   • Handled by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
   • Applies nationwide
   • Common choice if you plan to operate online or beyond Georgia

2. Georgia State Trademark Registration

   • Handled by the Georgia Secretary of State
   • Protects your mark within Georgia
   • Often used by businesses with a primarily local footprint

You can be based in Atlanta and pursue either or both options, depending on your goals.

Where to Go in Atlanta for Trademark-Related Help

You don’t file trademarks at a local city office; they’re handled at the state and federal level. But if you want in-person or localized guidance, Atlanta offers:

1. Georgia Secretary of State – Corporations Division
Responsible for Georgia state trademark registrations.
While much is done online or by mail, the central office is:

Georgia Secretary of State – Corporations Division
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE
Suite 313, West Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone (main line): (404) 656-2817

They provide:

• Forms and instructions for state-level trademark applications
• Information on fees and required specimens (examples of your logo in use)

2. Intellectual Property Attorneys in Atlanta

There are numerous law firms and solo practitioners in Atlanta focusing on:

• Trademarks and branding
• Startups and creative businesses

Residents often consider hiring an attorney if:

• The logo is central to the brand and business value
• The name or design might conflict with others, or you’re unsure
• You expect to expand beyond Atlanta or sell products widely

If cost is a concern, you can look for legal clinics associated with Atlanta-area law schools that sometimes offer intellectual property assistance to small businesses and nonprofits.

3. Local Support for Application Preparation

While not legal offices, resources like:

• Small business assistance centers
• Entrepreneurship programs at local universities
• Nonprofit support hubs

often host workshops on intellectual property basics, which can help you understand whether a state or federal filing makes sense for your Atlanta logo.

Checking If Your Atlanta Logo Is Available

Before printing signs across the BeltLine or putting your logo on a Peachtree Street storefront, it’s wise to check for conflicts.

Common steps Atlanta organizations take:

1. Search existing logos and names

   • Use search engines to see if similar Atlanta or Georgia businesses already use that name or a similar logo
   • Search the Georgia Secretary of State business registry (for existing company names)
   • Check the USPTO’s online database (for federal trademarks)

2. Look around locally

   • Pay attention to signage, neighborhood branding, and established local companies
   • Make sure your logo won’t easily be confused with someone already active in Atlanta

3. Adjust your logo if needed

   • Change colors, fonts, or design elements
   • Consider stronger original imagery tied to your unique story, not just generic Atlanta themes

Using Your Logo Around Atlanta: Practical Tips

Once you’ve settled on an Atlanta logo and confirmed it’s reasonably safe to use, think about where and how you’ll apply it:

Common Places Atlanta Businesses Use Logos

• Storefronts & signage – physical locations along major corridors like Peachtree Street, Ponce de Leon Avenue, or neighborhood business districts
• Local events and festivals – street fairs, pop-up markets, food truck gatherings
• Digital channels – Google Business Profile, delivery apps, local directories, neighborhood social media groups
• Printed materials – menus, flyers, business cards, brochures for conventions (especially in areas near the Georgia World Congress Center or downtown hotels)

Working With City or Neighborhood Requirements

In some Atlanta neighborhoods and districts, there are signage rules or design guidelines:

• Historic districts (like Inman Park, Grant Park, or parts of West End) may have restrictions on sign types or sizes
• Certain commercial areas overseen by Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) or neighborhood associations may have decor or signage standards

If you’re planning a prominent logo sign:

• Check with the City of Atlanta Office of Buildings for sign permits
• Contact your neighborhood planning unit (NPU) or business association for any design expectations

Quick Reference: Key Atlanta Logo Topics

If your goal is to design, use, or protect an Atlanta logo—whether it’s for a new restaurant near the BeltLine, a community nonprofit in Southwest Atlanta, or a startup in Midtown—the key is to:

• Avoid unauthorized use of official city, sports, or university marks
• Create a distinctive, locally appropriate design
• Consider trademark protection through Georgia or federal channels
• Follow Atlanta’s local rules for signage and public display

These steps help your logo work for you across the city while minimizing legal and branding headaches.