How To : Design a Logo on Illustrator
Part 1: Sketch!
Welcome to my “How To” series, In this post you’ll learn how to create your own logo. Mind you, this will be an on going series, thus please feel free to follow me to learn more about designing logos, brand identities and much more. I have decided to embark on this design series to share my skills and teach others how to design, and along the way teach myself too.
What You Will Need :
- Paper (preferably a sketch book)
- Pencil
Where :
- Somewhere inspiring (your desk, café, library, kitchen floor, roommate’s bed, studio, park, under a tree, toilet seat etc.)
It is important to choose a place that inspires you, where you feel your ideas will flow out beautiful into the your sketch book.
When :
- Now!
Weather you want to sketch your ideas after you’ve pampered yourself with that warm cup of tea, or after you’ve worked out at the gym is your choice, but try to sketch your ideas as soon as possible, and whenever you can.
Why :
A. It’s fun!
B. It brings out your best ideas
C. Helps you think outside the box
D. Your Sketch book will be your source of inspiration
E. It saves time (if you don’t like something, then your eraser is there to help)
F. It teaches you about ‘your learning and design processes’
How :
Seek Inspiration (literally), from everything around you, and within you : your life, culture, things you believe in, your struggles, your accomplishments, your hopes, your dreams.
Remember when you were a kid; when you had a bunch of ideas up your sleeves from “building” a friend robot to “growing” wings to fly. you’ve got it all in you (trust me), you just need to give it try and allow yourself to be curious again. It might be true that all those years of strict traditional education has made loose a part of our creative selves, but never the less, creativity, curiosity and exploration is part of the human experience, and in one way or another we’re all born creative creatures.
So my friend, you're allowed to let your creative juices flow (again)!
Friendly Tip: Don’t forget to immerse yourself in that idea after you’ve drawn out you idea. Immersion is a big part of the design process. Immersion can take up to 1 day to 7 days, but it really depends on your immersion style. I know some one who “sleeps on it”, and when he wakes up, he magically knows where to go with his idea or project. As for me, I like to step away from my idea for a little bit, then revisit it after 3 days.
My Example :
This is the sketch I will use through out the series. Together we will watch it transform into the logo it’s meant to be.
Your Homework :
Sketch ! Sketch ! and Sketch your ideas and take the time to immerse yourself in the process.
*Save your sketch some where safe because in part 2 of this series I will teach you how ways to transfer your sketch into your computer, and then from there learn how to take your simple idea and transform it into a digital work of art.
