3 Ways to Create a Logo

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

A logo is more than just pictures and words, a beautiful logo tells the story of your company - who you are, what you do and what you stand for. That's a lot to ask of a work of art, so it's important to take the time to create your logo to make it perfect. Fortunately, you are not alone. The following steps will guide you through the process of designing a logo, which will successfully represent you in the market.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Brainstorming

Step 1. Determine the primary functions of your logo

A logo represents your brand through the use of shapes, fonts, colors and images. Clarifying why you need a logo can help you decide on the design.

• Increase recognizability. Is your company new or does it compete in a field with many other companies? A well-crafted logo can help you recognize your brand more readily.
• Create something easy to remember. Consumers shop with their eyes and logos are easier to remember than names, products and services. Over time, consumers will learn to associate your logo with your company.
• Gain confidence. To attract and not lose customers you will have to win their trust. A well-made logo that conveys honesty and integrity can help customers trust your company more.
• Increase admiration. If customers already have a good impression of your business, you can work from there, creating a logo that is appreciated for its looks, its brilliance or its simplicity.

Step 2. Think about the target market

It is important to be clear about who your customers will be and to customize the appearance of your logo based on who will use your services.

• A logo for a flower shop could incorporate a humorous font and bright colors; such a logo would not be suitable for a body shop.

• A logo for a law firm must communicate integrity and strength; they are not characteristics suitable for a catering company.

  

Step 3. Decide whether to incorporate the company name into the logo

Of course, you will want your name to be recognized, but including the name in the logo design may not always be a good idea.

• Include the name if it is reasonably distinctive, if it is not well known, or if your advertising funds are limited and your goal is to make a name for yourself.
• Do not include the name if it is too general, too long, is not suitable for use in different language countries or does not have a great personality. Leave the name out even if you have to put your logo on a product, such as a shoe or bag.
• Think of all the different ways you intend to use your logo. Imagine the smaller size you need; if the company name is not legible when the logo is small, it may be best to leave it out of the design.

Step 4. Follow the company's color scheme

If your company already uses some colors in its signature, advertisements, and other materials, it's important to recall those colors in the logo.

• Consistent use of colors creates familiarity. You want your customers to be able to mentally connect your logo to the company.
• If your company is associated with specific colors, the audience will have developed an unconscious connection with those colors.

• If there is no fixed color scheme for your business, research the psychology of colors so you can choose them appropriately. For example, red evokes strength, passion, energy and safety but can also signal danger.

  

Step 5. Get inspired, but don't copy other successful logos

While it might be tempting to create something that looks like your favorite logo, it would convey an inconvenient message to your audience - that you are lazy and uninspired.

• Study the logos of companies similar to yours. Ask yourself what you like and what you don't like about them. What works and what doesn't. Don't go through too many examples - 10 or 12 should be enough to give you some idea of what to do and what to avoid.
• A successful logo should be simple, easy to remember, timeless, and appropriate. Keep these goals in mind as you experiment.

• If you don't come up with ideas, try using different keywords for your online searches or use a dictionary of synonyms and antonyms to guide your thinking in other directions.

  

• Scribble. Draw sketches and experiment. Write the keywords in different fonts. Look for something that evokes an idea.

  

Step 6. Design a simple logo

To design a logo it is important to be concise. While it may be tempting to convey a lot of messages with your design, trying to include too many will prevent you from making a successful logo.

• Avoid using too many colors, many different fonts and overlapping images. A messy or cluttered logo will not convey a clear message.
• If there are too many visual elements in your logo, it will be difficult for a consumer to process them all. He won't know where to look and he won't understand the meaning of the logo.
• In practical terms, a simple logo is easier and less expensive to reproduce. Since your logo can appear on many objects - from writing paper to advertisements to promotional bags - simplicity can save you money in the long run.

Method 2 of 3: Test the Design

Step 1. Create multiple designs

In the early stages, you may have several ideas that you will want to express in your logo design. Put them all in black and white so you can see what the best ideas are.

Even a simple sketch can give you an idea or represent an element that you will want to keep in the next version of the drawing

Step 2. Draw a draft of the logo

Create something in pencil in the early stages of logo creation. Drawing a draft is a quick and easy way to put ideas on paper, where you can evaluate them more easily.

• Plain white or gingham paper makes a great background for your pencil sketches.
• Do not cancel. Creating a logo is not a linear process. Keep the pages with the designs you don't like. They might give you an idea or, after reviewing them, offer something of value.
• Large design companies will often make dozens of pages of prototypes before touching a computer mouse. Take the advice of the professionals and focus on the drafts first.

Step 3. Show the logo to a test market

You may be tempted to move on when you've found what looks like a winning logo, but it's important to get critical feedback.

Step 4. Get the opinions of the people who are part of your target

Show your designs to a sample of people who fit your ideal customer profile. You could show them more drawings or just what seems like the best candidate to you.

• Ask key questions that reveal their reaction to the logo. Do they think it's boring or exciting? Ugly or eye-catching? Generic or unique? Also ask what image or message your logo communicates, if they can easily read and recognize it, if it seems consistent with their idea of your company.

  

Step 5. Be careful not to rely too much on family and friends

While you may want to get the opinions of loved ones, their comments may not provide you with much useful information.

You can ask for help from family and friends to test how easy it is to remember your logo. Let them observe the logo for a few seconds, then ask them to draw it. If they can largely remember it, it will be the right logo

Step 6. Make sure the logo is scalable

Consider all the different uses you could make of your logo - insert it in newspaper advertising, in your signature, on your website. Your logo must work well, reproduced in both large and small format.

• If a logo has too many details or lines that are too thin, these elements may get lost or the logo may appear too confusing in small sizes.
• If a logo is meant to appear only on business cards, it will look rough when printed in a larger format.

• Graphics programs such as Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape will allow you to test the scalability of the logo. If you're working by hand initially, try drawing copies of your logo in different sizes.

  

Method 3 of 3: Finish the Design

Step 1. Create a final draft

Eventually, you will need to bring your logo in digital format. You can do it yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.

• Learn to use a graphics program. The most used program is Adobe Illustrator, but Inkscape is almost as good and can be downloaded from the internet for free.

  There are many educational books and websites that can help you learn Illustrator. You can also find online tutorials and evening courses dedicated to this program

• Hire a computer graphics professional. If you don't have the predisposition or the time to learn how to use a graphics program, hire a professional.

  

  • Visit the designers' websites to view their books. Choose a person who has experience in logo design.
  • Ask for delivery times. Depending on the stage of completion of your drawing, an artist review may be required, who will alternatively just reproduce your idea as it is. In any case, find out how long you will have to wait from the moment the professional starts the assignment until he gives you the logo.
  • Know the costs. Again, the stage of progress of the project will have an impact on the cost of the service. If you need a person to redesign the logo from scratch, it will cost you more than simply digitally transposing a logo you have already created.
  • Check out the online services. There are many online graphics services that allow you to pay a fixed amount and receive different logos in return from the artists trying to get the job. You will be able to choose the design you like best and work with that artist until the end of the project.

  

  Step 2. Keep listening

  When your logo is finished, you will need to continue to be open about the opinions you will receive on its design.

  • Use social networks. If your business has a strong online presence, show the logo to the people you're connected with and hear what they have to say.

    

  • Test the logo on your website first. If the response to your logo is not positive, it will be easier and cheaper to modify it and re-publish it on your site than to reprint promotional materials.

    

  • Ask for details. If customers say the logo "confuses" them or is "hard to read," ask them to go into detail. The more information you have at your disposal, the easier it will be to improve the drawing.