How to design a logo - Part 1

Note: This is not a tutorial. If you want a spoonfed tutorial, google is your best friend. This is the workflow which I use make logos, from start to finish, and I thought it would be nice to share it to help beginners break out of the “just Font-and-Colour” mould.

            Consider this scenario: you are a hobbyist image manipulator, who knows their way around image editing software like photoshop or GIMP. A friend asks you to design a logo for their band. Or someone wants you to make a catchy header for a flyer to a party. You naturally agree, and jump right into it. You open up your software of choice, and go about producing the best work that you can. Your friend has nothing to complain about.

            Why I think that is wrong: Believe it or not, by starting on software, you are actually restricting yourself. You limit yourself to the knowledge that you already possess on using that software, and if you make enough designs, you will find that some of them have some recurring elements in them because of that.

            If I’ve held your attention so far, I’m assuming you want to read on :p , so lets get to it.

WHAT YOU NEED
  • ·         Working knowledge of image editing and creation software like Photoshop, GIMP, Illustrator, Inkscape etc.
  • ·         A pencil, an eraser
  • ·         Paper
  • ·         Lots of patience

            Logo Elements: Think about what your logo should comprise of. If it’s a logo for a company, it should be clear, legible, and  crisp.  Something that would look good at the top of a website, and on letterheads. If it is for a music band, it should have more volume, striking elements, and more often than not, horizontal symmetry. If it’s for a party or an informal gathering, here is where you get to go wild with the design!

            Research: A quick google image search will get you tons of images of existing logos which you can use to get a foothold before you start the logo. Do your background research. Learn more about the event/ object in which your logo will be used. You do not want a dull, straightforward logo for a design company (but if they are a design company, they will be getting their logo designed in-house anyway, so don’t worry about it :p). If it is a music band, listen to their music, and get a feel for their style. The research is meant to make it easier for you to draw a mental picture on what you want the logo to look like.

            You have probably noticed how I have not mentioned anything about actually MAKING the logo yet. That comes in the next portion of this post. Till now, it was only a brainstorming of sorts, now the actually logo making begins!


Onward to part 2!

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