A logo is a great way to promote your band. It allows its fans to immediately recognize the belonging of the songs, it is therefore a visual reference point for the public. Newcomer bands or bands already established on the music scene can benefit from creating an effective logo.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Research Your Logo Ideas
Step 1. Consider band logos similar to yours
Look at those of the other groups to get the right inspiration. In this way (hopefully) you will get an idea of what you really want. Don't copy a logo, trying to pass it off as your invention. Consider bands that play a similar genre of music to yours. If you are part of a heavy metal band, don't try to take a cue from country bands.
You may find common symbols that you can adapt to a logo created by you. Many hard rock bands, for example, use icons such as the sword, skull, snake and heart
Step 2. Analyze some successful logos
Knowing commercial logos will help you design one for your band. Look at some famous brands like Apple, IBM, CBS and other similar companies. You can draw new ideas from the graphic features of company logos and apply them to your project. Be careful not to slavishly copy a company logo to avoid the risk of violating copyright.
Step 3. Talk to your community
You will be surprised at the number of feedbacks you may receive. Members of your background and the music community have their own ideas and knowledge about what might work. Tell them the name of your band and the genre of music you produce. Post a post on your Facebook page, asking for advice and opinions on the logo.
- After specifying the genre of music, ask if they have any new images or ideas in mind. You never know what might come up.
- You may even have the support of professional graphic designers.
Step 4. Determine which stylistic elements would suit your band well
Some groups simply use their name written in a certain character as their logo. Others shorten it and still others use only an image.
- Examples of bands that use a text logo are Metallica, AC / DC and Anthrax.
- Examples of bands that use an image not accompanied by the text are the Rolling Stones, the Weezer and the Grateful Dead.
Step 5. Evaluate the current situation of your band
A well thought out logo can become an effective promotional tool for bands that have not yet reached a large audience. Design a logo that your potential fans will like and grab their attention.
Method 2 of 3: Sketch and Refine the Logo
Step 1. Jot down a lot of ideas
Draw anything that comes to your mind. It is right to fantasize about words and images, but the most immediate results are obtained by realizing one's projects. Get a scrapbook or notebook and start scribbling your ideas.
- For the initial project it is important that you do not preclude any possibility.
- The best way to proceed is to have as many sketches as possible.
- Don't pay too much attention to the quality of the logo. You will then dedicate yourself to refining and perfecting the projects you feel satisfied with.
Step 2. Review your favorite projects
Consult the other members of your band to choose some of your favorite sketches. Try to narrow down your choice to five or six logos. If it helps you, cut out all the drawings and place them next to each other. Now create variations of each of them. Modify the original in some way, for example you could simplify it and reduce it to the extreme. Try to keep the right proportions regarding graphics, colors and size.
- Use one of the revisions to redesign the original design in such a way as to achieve a more linear and clean design.
- If the design is full of superfluous elements, try to create a balanced relationship between text and images.
- The more ideas you throw out, the more chances your band will accept at least one.
- Keep all sketches and designs even if you are not satisfied with them.
Step 3. Show them to your friends or group members
Spend some time reflecting on the projects with them. Take the comments of others seriously: let each member of the band choose one from the whole series of drawings. Set aside the projects chosen by each of them.
- Line up the selected designs and put them to the vote if there are conflicting opinions on the choice of the final logo.
- Hopefully some of your group members will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of your projects. If they don't raise any issues, ask them for their opinion on which logo appears to be most effective.
Step 4. Continue with your revisions
Once you've narrowed down your choice to 3 or 4 projects, you should keep editing and reviewing them. During this phase you should not excessively alter the design, but limit yourself to making subtle changes. For example, you could make a line thinner or thicker. If one of the logos is in color, draw it in black and white.
- Show your teammates the latest changes and collect their opinions.
- If someone still disagrees, you'll need to repeat the process and make more drastic changes to your plans.
Method 3 of 3: Display Your Band Logo
Step 1. Digitize your logo
Try to get a scanner to transfer the drawing to a PC. It is also useful to have photo editing software, such as Photoshop, but it is not essential.
- You can also go to a stationery to request a scan of the design. You will be able to obtain the digitization in the desired resolution and save the project on a USB stick or in the cloud.
- Scan multiple designs in case you decide to change direction later.
Step 2. Save the scanned image for editing with photo editing software
There are quite a few alternatives besides Photoshop, but this is the industry standard. Open the program and upload the logo. Then save the image.
- You can download one of these free software from the internet: GIMP, Pixlr, Paint.net or PicMonkey.
- Be sure to check the requirements of each program to verify that it is compatible with the technical characteristics of your computer.
Step 3. Make digital changes
Once the image has been saved, you can change the logo. Play with the filters, vary the colors or add the band name. Care must be taken not to overdo the use of these tools to avoid making the logo too rich in details. You could use photo editing software to get rid of the white background.
- This way you can insert your logo on any flyer, regardless of its background color.
- You can also change the image quality. Tiff is a great image format.
Step 4. Publish the logo online
Add it to your band's web pages. Insert the logo as a profile picture of your band's social pages. Include it in all flyers for upcoming performances. Spread the word on the internet.
Step 5. Print the logo
When you and your band are completely satisfied with the logo, you can start printing it on gadgets. Send it to a silkscreen for them to make t-shirts. Add the logo to your latest album. The best place to put a band logo is on the back of the album, but another idea is to use it as a cover.
- The options are unlimited after you have a logo at your disposal.
- The secret is not to change your band's logo or name. If you make any changes to the logo later, it will no longer be effective.
- You can also print the logo on the badges and stickers.
Advice
- An alternative is to find a symbol or a rune, such as the hook cross of the Blue Oyster Cult.
- Once you've chosen a font, don't change it.
