A Complete Guide on Logo Design for Beginners
Logos are part of what defines a company. These designs are seen by long-time purchasers and potential customers, they are used to promote product, and ultimately contribute to what the target market should feel. Unfortunately, if a logo is unattractive, people may be less likely to associate positive emotions with it and, by extension, the company with which it is associated. Companies, such as Nike, Facebook, and McDonald’s, have globally recognized logos that don’t need words to describe them – they are memorable and unequivocally attached to the brand, and consumers have been trained to create that strong association that is critical for brand awareness. It’s important to take the time to decide how you want your logo to be seen – will it be a single, simple image, or will it be a highly structured design that’s acts as a story in its own way? Learn how important colors, themes, and pre-planning are before you tackle the design head-on, with these provided resources, so that you can make a meaningful logo that has real impact.
Pick Logo Colors
The color(s) applied to a logo are a representation of the company with which it is associated and will define how consumers feel about the product or service. When these customers look at your design, the first thing they notice may be the color, and because different colors are associated with different emotions, it is important to choose those that best reflect how the company wants to be perceived. Color psychology plays an important role and the science has been proven affective. For example, blue largely represents confidence and dependability within the mind of the consumer; because of this association, blue is a popular choice for those in the financial sector.
- The Psychology of Color in Logo Design: Picking the right colors for your logo will determine what customers think when they see it.
- How Much Does Color Define A Logo: Color is the first thing a person will notice when they see your logo.
- The Most Powerful Colors in the World: How have successful companies utilized colors in their product?
- Designing Logos with Color Psychology: Colors will trigger specific emotions.
- How to Choose the Right Colors for Your Brand: Colors can determine sales – make the right choices!
- The Psychology of Logo Design: In addition to color, shape, and font can determine the effectiveness of your logo.
- The Psychology of Color: An insightful PowerPoint presentation on the importance and impact of color as it relates to consumer perceptions.
Get Inspiration from Famous Logos
There are tried and true principles of logo design that major companies and logo designers consistently apply to their designs. Referencing famous and well-done logo designs is a great way to draw inspiration and key into design principles that have worked well. That being said, it is equally important that your design be original and avoids infringing on existing logos and copyrights. Applying design best practices and effective use of layout, colors, shapes, and so on will help create effective logos that invoke the intended consumer response. Draw from the following for inspiration:
- Famous Logos – Facebook: Why is Facebook’s logo so influential?
- Did You Notice The Big Changes In These Famous Logos In 2012?: Some of the world’s most popular designs need to change to keep up with the times and to reflect their present-day mission.
- 25 Famous Company Logo Evolution Graphics for your Inspiration: How companies such as Starbucks, Pepsi, and Apple have changed since their inception.
- Famous Logo Designs and How Much Did They Cost?: Some famous logos have cost thousands of dollars and some have been a pocket changes.
- The Meaning Behind 12+ Famous Logo Designs You Will See Today: The intention behind some popular logos.
- What Inspired These Four World-Famous Logos?: How Android, Apple, Starbucks, and NASA came up with their logos.
- Unraveling the Tale Behind the Apple Logo: Apple is known around the world and its logo doesn’t need words.
Pick a Common Theme for your Logo Design
Incorporating a clear theme within your logo design is another way in with the desired response can be pulled out of the intended audience. Typically, a when in the beginning stages of logo creation, a theme will be decided on; this can be a thought, connotative message, or symbol. That theme is then applied to one or more logo designs in different ways, from there, the process of narrowing down what is approved or declined in terms of style, colors, etc., can begin knowing that the overall theme has still been applied in one form or another. For example, if one was to design a logo for a surfboard manufacturer, they may choose to focus on waves and harmony; that could be done by including a clear image of a wave alongside a company name or integrated into the company name itself through the use of creative typography, whichever direction is taken, the theme is still present.
- 40 Fabulous 1 or 2 Color Logo Designs and Tutorials for Your Inspiration: How to make an effective design with only a few colors.
- Vital Tips for Effective Logo Design: The important things to consider when making a logo.
- 8 Ways to Make Your Logo Stand Out: Tips from an expert on how to stand out in a field of logos.
- What Makes a Great Logo: The steps to take when making a great design.
- Turn Your Logo into an Icon: Push your logo to the next level to become legendary.
- How to Decide What Logo Design Layout You Need: Everything to be considered when structuring the image.
- 5 Secrets for Making Your Logo Stand Out: Don’t let your logo blend in with the rest!
Draw Logo Samples on Paper
Once all information related to preferences in colors, approaches to design, and theming has been obtained, it’s time to begin drafting and sketching out potential designs. This step may make the actual digital design process much easier by allowing for an exploratory, free-hand approach, prior to putting in the meticulous work needed to make an idea a reality. After trouble shooting potential design flaws on paper, you’ll be more prepared to create a digital draft. Tangible sketches are also a helpful reference that can be used to ensure that all logo concepts and requirements are carried through conception to production without losing any key points.
- Logo Creation Process from Sketch to Vector: A video providing step-by-step information for those using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
- Pencil Drawing Beginner’s Guide: What you need to get started withdrawing, and some basic techniques.
- Pencil Drawing Techniques: Basic pencil skills for shading and making borders.
- From Sketch to Vector Illustrations: Turning your hand drawing into a vector image for computer use.
Get Colleague and Customer Input
Constructive feedback and critique are an important part of any commercial design or logo design process; because opinions and approaches to a single problem may vary greatly, there may be several important “buy-ins” that need to be cleared prior to the final draft being implemented and integrated into the company’s identity. Professional critiques are also a way in which the client can feel that they are involved in the decision making. To meet the needs of the client in the most effective way, consider all provided feedback and apply it as needed. If there is, as is likely, a difference in opinion, it’s important that any suggestions that may compromise the effectiveness of the design be addressed and clearly explained for the benefit of the client. Likewise, it’s important that the designer keep an open mind.
- 5 Tips on How to Prepare a Design Presentation: Take the edge off before you go in, and walk-in confident.
- How to Design a Logo – A 5 Step Process: The entire process from pre-planning to providing the finished project to the client.
- 5 Logo Design Presentation Methods to Impress Your Clients: Simple ways of displaying your project to add to the overall tone of your assignment.
- Designing Employee Recognition Programs: How to develop an environment where you can work well with colleagues and get feedback on projects.
- Presentation Tips for Graphic Designers: Preparing your product and your personal presentation properly!
