How to Create a Professional Graphic Design Logo
Learn how to create your very own graphic design logo in just 5 easy initial steps. Get exclusive insider tips, from a professional graphic designer with years of experience; on how to create a professional logo for your business.
- Step one
This is the step graphic designers typically refer to as the brainstorming process. The brain storming process involves writing everything down imaginable that pops into your head. For instance if you own a flower shop, you would think of flowers naturally and you would write down whatever thoughts evade your mind. No matter how weird or unlikely the words are to your business just write everything down. -
Step 2
Step 2
Now that you have written everything down you will want to pick 5 random words and incorporate them into a sketch which is professionally referred to as the thumbnail process. Graphic designers typically sketch out their logos, as tiny thumbnails before they start the design process. During this stage, you will want to make sure that whatever concept you come up with portrays your company in some kind of way. For instant a flower company will usually want to portray flowers.You do not necessarily have to design your logo as a flower if you are a flower shop owner, you can think outside the box and create a unique logo. An example would be something like Nikes swoosh, the swoosh has nothing to do with tennis shoes, however it uniquely identifies the company and its brand in a way that’s acceptable. As a non -designer you will need to do some research on logo design, look at examples of how logo designs are created, and make sure you think long and hard about how you will portray your company into your designs. A fun fact you should know about professional designers, is that none of us started out as a pro, so you shouldn’t get discouraged if you’re not producing quality designs right away. Professional graphic designers such as myself, have over 10 years of experience so we definitely have an advantage over someone who, say has never designed a logo before; so the playing field isn’t exactly fair. Instead try and concentrate on improving your designs, rather than discouraging yourself by comparing your designs to the pros.
-
Step 3
Step 3
Some guide lines to follow before creating your mock ups:
1.) you’re logo must be able to look good in black and white as well as in color.2.) Your logo design must be readable even from a distance, a lot of companies advertise on billboards, flyers and postcards, and posters ect. If the public cannot read or even see your logo, than it’s a waste of time and money.
3.) Your logo must reflect your company portray your image represent you in a professional manner.
4.) If you use colors in your logo design, they must be tasteful and complimentary. If you are unfamiliar with color schemes visit adobes kuler Adobe features a free color scheme generator that is used by Professional graphic designers worldwide.
5.) Think outside the box and create a different or unique design.
6.) Logo design is 70% typography, so you should research typography and how to use it correctly. There are many free graphic design resources available on the web related to typography. I have a huge compiled list of free font sites located on my website that you can download for free, a perfect collection for the graphic designer or non designer who is just starting out.
-
Step 4
In this stage you will create your mockups; I usually create 10 however, if I like a single particular design more than any of the others, than I chose that particular design. Then what you’ll want to do is load your final comps into your favorite graphic editing program and begin the logo design process. If you don’t own any graphic editing software, than you will need to purchase some software to edit your graphics in, you can download adobes 30 day graphic editing suite absolutely free.
-
Step 5
Step 5
Once you have come up with a final design, you will need to print it out or send it to a printing company to have your logo design professionally printed, at this stage most will want to incorporate their logo design on a business card or in some form of media. If you need help choosing a printing company I know a few good ones that I could recommend I even have some great coupons listed on my website for discounts on printing services feel free to check them out.