How to Create a Hip Hop Logo

Hip hop logos are easy to customize.

Whether you are starting a new music production company or advertising an event or musical act, you may want to create an original logo to display in the interest of promotion. Art, design, and aesthetics are an especially important aspect of the hip hop genre of music. Visual artists have been closely associated with emcees and beat-makers since the start of the hip hop movement. Fortunately, creating a hip hop logo allows for a lot of creativity on the part of the artist, and it requires no previous graphic design experience.

Instructions

1. 

   Sketch an outline with all necessary information at-a-glance.

   Brainstorm the message that your logo will convey, and outline a draft with paper and pencil. If you are promoting a band, plan to feature the act's name prominently. If you are displaying the name or insignia of a company, business, or special event, make sure to emphasize the most important information clearly and in a straightforward manner. Try not to include too much clutter.

2. 

   Edit your outline to include essential information.

   Simplify your outline. This process is much like editing a written piece down to the essentials. Make sure that your logo is very memorable and draws the viewer's eye without too much unnecessary detail. Logos should look neat and be scalable, meaning they are effective when shrunken down to a small size. If you have bold lines and strong shapes, you are on your way to an effective logo. Good logos also look good in black and white, so emphasize lines over color.

3. 

   Your logo can be colorful and fun while maintaining simplicity and effectiveness.

   Download Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, or your preferred design software to create a graphic on your computer. Take the elements which you used in your paper outline, and transfer them to a digital file, which is cleaner, sleeker, and more easily reproduced. Your hip hop logo should be simple and bold so that it instantly grabs attention without overwhelming the viewer. Color schemes and shapes are entirely up to you, but make sure that your audience knows what is being conveyed with a simple glance.

4. 

   Ask your friends or the client for their opinions.

   Test your new logo with friends or your client before disseminating it. Attractive hip hop logos are usually edgier and more daring than other designs, so your demographic should recognize the unique style instantly. Ask for editing suggestions from those who are familiar with graphic-design concepts. Often, the most successful logos are the simplest ones, but you can sometimes get away with more detail if it's artfully done.

References

• Entrepreneur.com: How to Create a Logo
• 5 Useful Logo Tips