Logos - How you make it?

[leon_nerd]

Hi Guys,

I have improved my skills as a web designer over the past few months but one thing that I wish to get a command on is creating logos. I start with great enthusiasm whenever I am asked to create a logo. But, I cannot really go far ahead on it. I can either think of creating a text based logo (with some "different" font style) or use the initials of the business name and try to create some kind of art.

I keep checking logos on the internet and often wonder how people get ideas. What goes through the logo designing process? How you decide what kind of logo you should go ahead with? Text based, symbols, both? I always end up frustrated due to lack of ideas. I just cannot go beyond the name.

I would like to know how do you go about creating logos? I believe I need a direction to start with. Or just any kind of help/tips that I can obtain here.

Thanks.

[Gashe]

Well you can get a big inspiration from internet search, but only inspiration. You need to know what are you after for.
1. You need to know the owner and the buyers from the company, analyze them, what they want what they need what colors they like, what they wear and that stuff
2. Try to keep it simply, fonts only, play with them
3. Use some symbol but again very simple easy to remember
4. Have this in mind : "if you have to tell people what your logo says its not a very successful logo" and "imagine your logo how it will look on pencil"

Best Regards

[jonze]

David Airey writes some great article's about the logo design process:

Logo design and card for Hilcon | David Airey » graphic designer, logo designer

[jameson]

I have a related question about logos (that was a great article, by the way). I'm also just starting out in logo design and coming from mainly a web design background. I was wondering if it's acceptable to use Photoshop for logo design as long as you stick to vectors, or if Illustrator is absolutely necessary.

[Gashe]

yep you can design logos in photoshop but need to be vectors, as long you stick to vectors you will have no problem
but still its almost the same as drawing in illustrator but illustrator have more functions, so try to learn illustrator you gonna need it sooner or later for logos and all that vector art stuff

[StiligeCecilie]

Read this thread :)

45 Rules for Creating a Great Logo Design

[Jjpeacha]

Some really useful links here. Thanks. I, like some previous posters, come from the web design industry and didn't know much about logo design. This thread has really helped me.