How to Build a Logo

Let's go logo design. The most prominent identity item for many businesses is the logo. It appears on almost all printed materials. Explore my techniques to help you design the best logo for your business or your clients.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A computer
• Vector Graphics software: Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw
• Creativity!

1. Logo in wireframe, black & white, and full color Basic Building Blocks
   
   The basis of many a logo design and graphic image are simple geometric shapes -- lines, circles, squares, and triangles. Even the graphically-challenged can create great graphics for logos, newsletters, fliers, or web pages using these basic building blocks. In logo design, simplicity is a good thing. Discover (or rediscover) ways to use simple shapes in logo design and creating other custom graphics.
   
   My example was done in Adobe Illustrator, a vector drawing program. They utilize only the most basic tools -- no fancy filters, fills, or complex manipulations. Look for the simple shapes that make up each graphic illustration or logo design.
2. Various Line Thicknesses and Curves Use Simple Lines
   
   Be aware of what the shape of lines can convey. Sharp edges could indicate tension, crispness, hardness, formality, or high tech. Soft edges and curves may be softer, flowing, more casual, or more personal.Even small changes in line thickness, endings, or shape changes can alter the look and feel of a design.
   
   You can also create interesting patterns with a series of repeating lines. None of these designs rely on color -- although changes in color can further change the appearance of the lines.
3. Various Simple Shapes and Patterns Shape It Up
   
   There are so many things you can "draw" using only circles, squares, or triangles. Group several together to form interesting patterns. You can make one shape from another.
   
   Alternating direction or color, disrupting a pattern with another shape or a shape out of alignment can add interest or suggest abstract ideas. A triangle alone or a series of overlapping ones can "point" in one or more directions.
   
   Replace letters in a word or name with shapes that suggest those letters. A triangle for A or V is obvious. Less obvious is the E made of squares or perhaps two stacked circles for an S or a pair of triangles an N.
   
   Logo designs don't need to be elaborate -- and usually work best when they are kept simple. So keep it simple!!!
4. Various Logos with Simple Shapes Combine Lines and Shapes to Create Your Logo
   
   A checkerboard of squares is a versatile pattern. It could be a tile floor, a racing flag, or, as seen in the illustration, a tablecloth. Can you pick out the shapes used for the different eating utensils?
   
   A simple shape (triangle) does more than just sit there. Can you tell what they represent in the above black and white logo design?
   
   The SpiroBendo logo design in the illustration is nothing more than a rectangle, some circles, and some very thick lines with round ends (filled rectangles with rounded corners could work too) that combine to look like a spiral notebook.
   
   Letters with a tail are fun. The tail on this Q (the circle) is a curvy line that does triple duty. It underscores the name, is the tail on the Q, and its curves suggest water -- an obvious tie-in with the surf supply company.
   
   Take the stack of circles from the Using Shapes illustration and turn 'em purple, add a "leaf" (distorted polygon shape), squiggly line, and some text for a nice logo. No art lessons needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient when building a logo - it's your brand on everything!
• Think hard about character, your product(s), and your client base when desiging you logo
• Use PMS (Pantone Matching System) colors that will be easy to duplicate in any media: website, t-shirts, pens, signage, letterhead, etc.
• Look at other well designed logos for inspiration
• Periodically leave your logo alone for a few days and come back to it. You'll be surprised how different it may look after only a day or two.
• Think Simple. McDonalds is a big "M", Nike is a swoosh, The silhouette of the coca-cola bottle is the most widely recognized symbol in the world!
• Be sure to get your work trademarked if you intend to use it heavily.