How to Design a Logo - Video Tutorial

[Daniel Evans]

Here is my logo design video which details how I developed one of my published logos - SouthEastern Music.

Sorry about the audio quality. I have since upgraded all my equipment.

I hope you find it useful and I'm free to answer any questions.

 

[davidfranco]

I watched your video, its very professional and creative.

Just curious, how long does it take you to finish that logo?

 

[ulterios]

Nice informative video Daniel. I was taking some notes so that I can try to create a couple of logos myself when I get more time. That's pretty cool how you were able to take the guitar image and use it a a guide to create the shape of the guitar in your logo. I tried something similar myself but just couldn't get it to turn out right. After seeing your video I am going to have to give it another try.

I bought AI about 6 months ago and haven't messed around with it too much. I don't know why but it just seems a lot more intimidating that Photoshop was when I first started working with it about a year ago. Photoshop did seem to get easier and less intimidating once I used it, so I am hoping that it's the same with AI.

Great job and I look forward to your next video.

 

[Daniel Evans]

I watched your video, its very professional and creative.

Just curious, how long does it take you to finish that logo?

Thanks a lot!

The video shows how to compose a logo using Illustrator.

The development in the video is 13+ mins, but there's steps taken beforehand in the mind mapping process, which involves gathering of reference material from various sources and exploring word associations which yield design ideas noted with pencil and paper. This process can take me as little as 30 mins or a couple of hours. Next is the sketching process which can take a couple of hours.

I don't have the mind map for Southeastern Music Gallery at hand, but here is a screenshot of a computer representation of a mind map from another project of mine. You've seen one before no doubt. Also know as a 'brainstorm'. It's an invaluable part of the logo design process and takes the difficulty from being stuck for concepts and reaching dead ends.

Here are the imperative sketches too which derive from the mind mapping process. These are scanned and then recreated digitally within Illustrator:

 

[Daniel Evans]

Nice informative video Daniel. I was taking some notes so that I can try to create a couple of logos myself when I get more time. That's pretty cool how you were able to take the guitar image and use it a a guide to create the shape of the guitar in your logo. I tried something similar myself but just couldn't get it to turn out right. After seeing your video I am going to have to give it another try.

I bought AI about 6 months ago and haven't messed around with it too much. I don't know why but it just seems a lot more intimidating that Photoshop was when I first started working with it about a year ago. Photoshop did seem to get easier and less intimidating once I used it, so I am hoping that it's the same with AI.

Great job and I look forward to your next video.

Thanks for watching!

The mind map and sketching process detailed above helps considerably in ensuring that the project flows from idea to a pleasing digital piece of art eradicating the mental blocks.

You'll learn Illustrator in no time. It's actually quite primitive in its function whilst still having masses of potential in the hands of the artist. You'll probably find that the bulk of the learning is in the Pen Tool and it's the most crucial, most valuable tool in your Illustrator arsenal.

 

[ulterios]

You'll learn Illustrator in no time. It's actually quite primitive in its function whilst still having masses of potential in the hands of the artist. You'll probably find that the bulk of the learning is in the Pen Tool and it's the most crucial, most valuable tool in your Illustrator arsenal.

At least one of us is confident!

I like how you showed details when creating the shape of the guitar. Other videos that I have seen are way too vague. My problem was figuring out how to get the curves to come out right and not all blocky. The other videos I had seen skip through and don't explain how the main shape of something like that was made. If you're a novice with Ai, skipping these steps like others were doing doesn't help us.

Now that i've seen your video I now need to go and try to do something like this myself.

Thanks for your time and sharing this with us Daniel, it's appreciated.

 

[Daniel Evans]

A lot of videos these days are actually time lapsed too meaning that you get to see very little detail of a speeded up, lengthy process. They are more of a 'look what I can do', rather than a 'how-to'.

Attractive curves are usually the product of a well executed pen tool using good use of anchor point positions and control handles.

A guitar is actually a great shape to use to practice pen tool curves.

 

[ulterios]

A lot of videos these days are actually time lapsed too meaning that you get to see very little detail of a speeded up, lengthy process. They are more of a 'look what I can do', rather than a 'how-to'.

Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking. Instead of showing something someone can use to try to learn a little, it's about showing off what the videos creator can do.

Good and helpful videos are hard to come by, especially with technical things, which is one reason I liked your video. You actually gave useful information and were more along the lines of showing how to do something, rather than telling you what IS possible if you knew.

 

[Dean]

Here is my logo design video which details how I developed one of my published logos - SouthEastern Music.

Sorry about the audio quality. I have since upgraded all my equipment.

I hope you find it useful and I'm free to answer any questions.

I finally got a chance to watch your video all the way through last night and really liked it. I picked up a couple of things that I want to try out. I have been messing around with AI a little but still do not know how to do much but I picked up couple of things to try after watching your video.

Thanks for sharing this with all of us!

Cheers, Dean

 

[Daniel Evans]

I finally got a chance to watch your video all the way through last night and really liked it. I picked up a couple of things that I want to try out. I have been messing around with AI a little but still do not know how to do much but I picked up couple of things to try after watching your video.

Thanks for sharing this with all of us!

Cheers, Dean

Thanks very much for watching Dean!

I'm glad to hear that you picked up some tips!

All the best!
Daniel

 

[Maria Marketing]

Here is my logo design video which details how I developed one of my published logos - SouthEastern Music.

Sorry about the audio quality. I have since upgraded all my equipment.

I hope you find it useful and I'm free to answer any questions.

Hello, I have a quick question for you.

Would it be possible for someone to learn how to design logo's who has only very little experience in dealing with the good software that is used for this?

Whilst I know that you can not give me a yes or know answer most likely, I am just curious as to if a complete amateur has any chance of learning how to do this.

I have been thinking about trying to learn how to do this but do not know if I should even waste my time based on my lack of knowledge in this area.

 

[Daniel Evans]

Hi Maria


Thanks for your post.

It's important that you learn your tools (software).

That's the first step in the learning process which ultimately transforms an amateur into a competent designer.

You shouldn't choose not to learn because you don't know. Knowledge is acquired by learning.


Regards
Daniel

 

[Maria Marketing]

Hi Maria


Thanks for your post.

It's important that you learn your tools (software).

That's the first step in the learning process which ultimately transforms an amateur into a competent designer.

You shouldn't choose not to learn because you don't know. Knowledge is acquired by learning.


Regards
Daniel

Hi Daniel,

I know how to do some basic stuff but not really any of the more advanced things which is why I consider myself an amateur. I just am not sure how much I need to know before trying to learn how to make logo's.

I really would like to learn how to do this but do not know if making logo's is more for advanced users like you.

 

[Daniel Evans]

Amateurs become advanced by learning. I started without any knowledge at all, like everyone else, so you've got as much potential as anyone.

You just need to dedicate time to learning and enjoying what you produce as you do so.

Regards
Daniel

 

[Dean]

Amateurs become advanced by learning. I started without any knowledge at all, like everyone else, so you've got as much potential as anyone.

You just need to dedicate time to learning and enjoying what you produce as you do so.

Regards
Daniel

Hi Daniel, How long did it take you to learn this?

Also, how long do you think it would take an average someone to learn this if they dedicated a good amount of time to this?

I saw a blog post earlier today that said it can take a couple of years to learn and that sounded like that was a bit too long. I can understand that it can take that amount of time to completely master it but just to learn enough to be proficient at it that seems kind of long, especially if the person is dedicated and puts a good amount of time in.

I know you can't give exact time frames but I was just curious as to roughly what kind of time frame there would be on average.

Cheers, Dean

 

[Daniel Evans]

Hi Dean



It will firstly depend upon what you want to achieve, what you consider as a goal, how fast you can learn, how effectively you use your time etc. There's many variables.

Learning doesn't end and I'm constantly striving to improve, so the goal posts are constantly moving.

For the sake of giving an answer however, relating to myself (and all those variables mentioned), I was at a stage where I felt my logos were matching up to the quality of popular corporate logo design companies after 7 years or so.

Note that you could easily learn how to output quality work long before this and it's by no means an average. I was running a business long before and was enjoyed and appreciated every part of the process whilst using what I knew to run a business. With greater knowledge and skill, it simply allows me to run my business more effectively and offer render a more premium service.

It's just a case of appreciating every stepping stone. The most important thing (which is true of anything) is to take the first step.



Regards
Daniel

 

[Dean]

Hi Dean

It will firstly depend upon what you want to achieve, what you consider as a goal, how fast you can learn, how effectively you use your time etc. There's many variables.

Learning doesn't end and I'm constantly striving to improve, so the goal posts are constantly moving.

For the sake of giving an answer however, relating to myself (and all those variables mentioned), I was at a stage where I felt my logos were matching up to the quality of popular corporate logo design companies after 7 years or so.

Note that you could easily learn how to output quality work long before this and it's by no means an average. I was running a business long before and was enjoyed and appreciated every part of the process whilst using what I knew to run a business. With greater knowledge and skill, it simply allows me to run my business more effectively and offer render a more premium service.

It's just a case of appreciating every stepping stone. The most important thing (which is true of anything) is to take the first step.

Regards
Daniel

Thanks for sharing this Daniel. I just really have no idea how long learning something like this takes which is why I wanted to ask a professional like you since you have been through the learning process.

I was just curious about if this was something that I would like to get into or not, depending on how much time it would take to be proficient at it. There really isn't a lot of information that can be found around the web that gives any kind of times to achieve proficiency so your reply helps me get an idea.

Thanks for the information and sharing your experience.

Cheers, Dean

 

[Storm]

Here is my logo design video which details how I developed one of my published logos - SouthEastern Music.

Sorry about the audio quality. I have since upgraded all my equipment.

I hope you find it useful and I'm free to answer any questions.

That is a sweet logo! I wish I was able to design logos like that myself.

 

[ulterios]

That is a sweet logo! I wish I was able to design logos like that myself.

Well then you should try to do it. You have to start somewhere and you will need to dedicate time into learning how to design logos. I am not very good myself but I am a lot better than I was when I first started. Graphic design is something that is going to require lots of practice and some good information as well as some guidance.

Go ahead and give it some trial and error and see what you can do. I think that you might surprise yourself!

 

[John11]

Great logo designs. Designing is not an easy task and it is more difficult to design logos because you need to produce innovative and unique designs. The design of a logo needs to portray brand identity and should also have a memorable design. Even the fonts and color needs to be selected according to the audience. Because the colors and the font both produce positive and negative effect on the audience.