what should I do to improve brainstorming process

[ngquochung86]

A few days ago, I posted some LOGO works onto this forum to see the feedbacks over my works. Through the feedbacks I realize that my concept is not strong enough. Would you give me some suggestion to come up with good concepts for design before playing with application like photoshop, illustrators?
The problem is that I stay for hours but could not come up with good idea so I search in google for logo of famous company and try to borrow concepts or combine between different concept. But this does not work and the consequences are a number of logos that do not have any meanings and look like a mess since they do not have actual good concept. I need some helps or suggestion from professionals in this fields. I've learnt the theory of creative techniques long ago but it seems that there're still a lot of thing left that I need to do. What should I do to come up with good idea? Should I practice a lot more in tutorials? The problem is that I am good at implement the available idea but I am still not good at evoking new, good idea. What should I do to have good ideas for design?
The link that contains the feedback of my logo
GRAPHIC DESIGN FORUMS: the logo design for company : Web Design Forums
GRAPHIC DESIGN FORUMS: the logo for VSVN : Web Design Forums

[Picha]

What is the logo trying to represent

[strev]

Design the logo after you research what the company does. Try to symbolize their business. Make it unique. Make it legible. Use appropriate colours and fonts.
Try sketching on paper first, then refine your sketches in the software of your choice. Try word association (that relates to the business).
Don't copy other logos.

[rickl]

i think to be a good logo designer, you first need to "know" a lot of logos. i think logolounge probably has the biggest database of logos. unfortunatlely they charge membership. does anyone know of any other logo databases that are free?

you look at logos, you see what makes them work and eventually you internalize it. then you start making logos.

of course i haven't designed many logos... :)

[LaurenMarie]

Logo Pond is another option like Rickl was talking about.

Strev had some great tips, too. I do word associations, look at different ways the initials can interact with each other, think about the concepts that make the business unique and definitely do tons of sketches on paper before ever going into the computer. You have it right, too, in doing research.

Look at articles that talk about what is a good logo design, like What Makes a Good Logo?. David Airey is a great resource for all things logo.

Above all, it just takes practice!

[dooberywotsit]

I always start with a bit of research first. Find out all about the company that needs the logo. See what they want, what they've had before, any history that can be picked up on. Then I start by writing down a pile of words associated with that company. If it was say, an ice cream company, I'd write down words associated with the type of company they are.... Fun? Classic? Traditional? Then I'd go mad and think of anything to do with their product. Milk. Cream. Cows. Cones. Flakes. Sprinkles etc. I'd think about colours that represent them and their values, and also possible fonts. I'd even have a look on the web and see what's already out there, especially if I'm in a rush. Sometimes it's possible to find an element or style in an existing logo that can be used in some way for your new logo. I don't mean copying, but certainly existing logos can inspire you and help you to see what works and what doesn't.

I'll then move onto squiggles on paper, with shapes, colours, maybe ideas for icons etc that might work. Usually it becomes clear at this stage that a few might be worth taking further, which is when I move to the computer and start putting my ideas down properly. Sometimes logos can be worked up drastically on screen.

Everyone has different ways of working, but the more information you have, the more productive and inspired you'll be. It's very difficult to stare at a blank screen and come up with an idea out of fresh air..... but that can work for some people too!

[ngquochung86]

thanks a lot for your help