Logo Tutorial

mn3tpg · 02-01-2005, 11:17 AM

I just noticed a new thread about a directory of logo designers. I thought I'd add another suggestion. Would any of the designers out there be willing to put together some kind of tutorial on Logo design ie. what software they use and if they source any graphics from public places how others could get them.

Can I for instance make a basic logo using some common applications, powerpoint, clipart, photo editor etc?

I don't mean to devalue any of the great work they do or to suggest that I or anyone else could simply pick up a tutorial and create great logos.

However it is apparent that demand is outstripping supply for logos at the moment and the more logo designers there are out there the better.

I set up a fictional league recently and put up a list of 36 teams for which I wanted logos! I was so pleased with the response I got and got 10 or so amazing logos within a week. However other requests came in and then the logo competition started and understandably I dropped down the list (please don't interpret this as a complaint - its not!)

So designers...anyone willing to share some hints and tips for the rest of us would be greatly received by me for one!

jaxmagicman · 02-01-2005, 11:39 AM

I use Photoshop. It is good for basic stuff. But for stuff that Cuss makes you really need a program that is just for graphic art. I say that a good place to start is Adobe's website. They have some graphics program. As for resources a good place is logoserver.com.

Ktulu · 02-01-2005, 12:33 PM

To start out get Paint Shop Pro, the demo is free and it has all the tools you need to get started.

Le Grande Orange · 02-01-2005, 03:00 PM

I use a drawing program myself, CorelDRAW specifically, and do a bit of finishing work in Photoshop.

You need not be an expert to do good, basic logos. Just take a look at some real world examples, like the Oakland A's, San Francisco Giants, Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, or Arizona Diamondbacks. These logos are all fairly simple in their design and layout.

My first recommendation is to look and print copies of all the real world team logos that you personally find interesting or have design elements that appeal to you (even if the whole logo is not that attractive). For my own use I've printed off some 31 pages of logos, with around 6-8 per page. I find I'm often flipping through these pages looking for ideas and inspiration.

Try www.logoshak.com to find a ton of real world logos, from a wide variety of sports leagues (including minor league hockey and baseball, and U.S. college teams). Many of images are available in a large size, making it easy to see the details. This site is where I got all of the logos I printed out as examples.

This should be enough to at least get you started.

Eugene Church · 02-01-2005, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mn3tpg

IHowever it is apparent that demand is outstripping supply for logos at the moment and the more logo designers there are out there the better.

I set up a fictional league recently and put up a list of 36 teams for which I wanted logos! I was so pleased with the response I got and got 10 or so amazing logos within a week. However other requests came in and then the logo competition started and understandably I dropped down the list (please don't interpret this as a complaint - its not!)

Just keep bumping your request thread until all of them are done...you are right...it really takes a while to get them done now...especially with 36 to do...we only have about 4-5 regulars now...and the logo compilation has slowed down logo production a little...hopefully this competition will inspire more designers to be more active and create a few logos each week outside of the competition.

I have always found it is better to list your logos one at a time...and just keep bumping it when it drops down near the bottom of the first page...don't ever let it go to the second page...it will never get done there.

Just post one logo request per thread...but post only one thread at a time...when someone does that request...then post another one.

It may take a few days to a week to get it done...but over several weeks and maybe a few months you could get all of your logos.

Good luck with your plan to learn how to create your own logos. I intend to try to learn the skills one of these days, too. That will be my next project after I get my website up and running for my 3 leagues.

I look forward to seeing you creations.

Eugene Church · 02-01-2005, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange

I use a drawing program myself, CorelDRAW specifically, and do a bit of finishing work in Photoshop.

You need not be an expert to do good, basic logos. Just take a look at some real world examples, like the Oakland A's, San Francisco Giants, Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, or Arizona Diamondbacks. These logos are all fairly simple in their design and layout.

My first recommendation is to look and print copies of all the real world team logos that you personally find interesting or have design elements that appeal to you (even if the whole logo is not that attractive). For my own use I've printed off some 31 pages of logos, with around 6-8 per page. I find I'm often flipping through these pages looking for ideas and inspiration.

Try www.logoshak.com to find a ton of real world logos, from a wide variety of sports leagues (including minor league hockey and baseball, and U.S. college teams). Many of images are available in a large size, making it easy to see the details. This site is where I got all of the logos I printed out as examples.

This should be enough to at least get you started.

LGO, why do I get a message that I do not have permission to access the server for the logoshak link you gave?

How does one get permission?

Le Grande Orange · 02-02-2005, 12:22 AM

I just tried a moment ago and it worked. Here's the link again: http://www.logoshak.com/

If you try to access it late in the month the site may have exceeded its bandwidth allowance and thus you won't be able to view it. That happened to me awhile back when I tried to view it near the end of the month. I guess the site doesn't have the greatest ISP, or it gets too much traffic for the ISP it's on.

mn3tpg · 02-02-2005, 03:08 AM

So when you guys are using Photoshop or Corel Draw are you actually drawing images yourself or editing things you've downloaded from other sources?

I might just have enough imagination to be able to edit things myself but apart from doodling in work meetings I haven't done any proper drawing since I was about 10!!

Le Grande Orange · 02-02-2005, 03:35 AM

I prefer to make each logo I do wholly original, but there are others here who prefer to use elements from existing logos. It merely depends on what one is more comfortable with and what works best for them.

Again, for the simpler logo designs, like say the San Francisco Giants or Minnesota Twins, you don't need to draw that much. It's mostly basic shapes and the drawing programs have tools which make those easily. Of course, the more familiar you are with the tools the more you can do with them.

For a simple circular logo, you'd use the circle tool to whip out a background circle, then another circle for the interior. Type out the text and then fit it to a circular path, which takes only a moment. Put the city initials in the middle and the basics are done. Then add the colours - the fills and outlines for the various elements. After that, it's a matter of fine-tuning; adjusting the position of things, trying different colour combinations, making the outlines thicker or thinner depending on what looks more interesting, and so forth.

And then as one gets more experienced with the program, one does more with the tools that are available, eventually doing more and more sophisticated designs.

It's a learning curve, as with most things.

mn3tpg · 02-02-2005, 06:43 AM

Cool, that's really useful. And what about pictures like a baseball bat or ball? Do you get them from clipart or something? If so can you seperate an element of a clipart or picture file (ie a baseball bat) from the rest of the picture and use it on its own?

02-01-2005, 11:17 AM	#1
mn3tpg Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Chester, UK Posts: 54	Logo Tutorial I just noticed a new thread about a directory of logo designers. I thought I'd add another suggestion. Would any of the designers out there be willing to put together some kind of tutorial on Logo design ie. what software they use and if they source any graphics from public places how others could get them. Can I for instance make a basic logo using some common applications, powerpoint, clipart, photo editor etc? I don't mean to devalue any of the great work they do or to suggest that I or anyone else could simply pick up a tutorial and create great logos. However it is apparent that demand is outstripping supply for logos at the moment and the more logo designers there are out there the better. I set up a fictional league recently and put up a list of 36 teams for which I wanted logos! I was so pleased with the response I got and got 10 or so amazing logos within a week. However other requests came in and then the logo competition started and understandably I dropped down the list (please don't interpret this as a complaint - its not!) So designers...anyone willing to share some hints and tips for the rest of us would be greatly received by me for one! __________________ www.safc.com "Keep the Faith"

02-01-2005, 11:39 AM	#2
jaxmagicman Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Retired defloration-maker living in Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 7,801	I use Photoshop. It is good for basic stuff. But for stuff that Cuss makes you really need a program that is just for graphic art. I say that a good place to start is Adobe's website. They have some graphics program. As for resources a good place is logoserver.com. __________________ See ID Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of MLB Advanced Media, L.P. Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with the permission of Minor League Baseball. All rights reserved.

02-01-2005, 12:33 PM	#3
Ktulu Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: BC Posts: 4,710	To start out get Paint Shop Pro, the demo is free and it has all the tools you need to get started. __________________ "The ice is getting even more thinner, my friend!"

02-02-2005, 03:08 AM	#8
mn3tpg Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Chester, UK Posts: 54	So when you guys are using Photoshop or Corel Draw are you actually drawing images yourself or editing things you've downloaded from other sources? I might just have enough imagination to be able to edit things myself but apart from doodling in work meetings I haven't done any proper drawing since I was about 10!! __________________ www.safc.com "Keep the Faith"

02-02-2005, 06:43 AM	#10
mn3tpg Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Chester, UK Posts: 54	Cool, that's really useful. And what about pictures like a baseball bat or ball? Do you get them from clipart or something? If so can you seperate an element of a clipart or picture file (ie a baseball bat) from the rest of the picture and use it on its own? __________________ www.safc.com "Keep the Faith"

02-01-2005, 03:00 PM	#4
Le Grande Orange Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Up There Posts: 15,642	I use a drawing program myself, CorelDRAW specifically, and do a bit of finishing work in Photoshop. You need not be an expert to do good, basic logos. Just take a look at some real world examples, like the Oakland A's, San Francisco Giants, Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, or Arizona Diamondbacks. These logos are all fairly simple in their design and layout. My first recommendation is to look and print copies of all the real world team logos that you personally find interesting or have design elements that appeal to you (even if the whole logo is not that attractive). For my own use I've printed off some 31 pages of logos, with around 6-8 per page. I find I'm often flipping through these pages looking for ideas and inspiration. Try www.logoshak.com to find a ton of real world logos, from a wide variety of sports leagues (including minor league hockey and baseball, and U.S. college teams). Many of images are available in a large size, making it easy to see the details. This site is where I got all of the logos I printed out as examples. This should be enough to at least get you started.

02-02-2005, 12:22 AM	#7
Le Grande Orange Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Up There Posts: 15,642	I just tried a moment ago and it worked. Here's the link again: http://www.logoshak.com/ If you try to access it late in the month the site may have exceeded its bandwidth allowance and thus you won't be able to view it. That happened to me awhile back when I tried to view it near the end of the month. I guess the site doesn't have the greatest ISP, or it gets too much traffic for the ISP it's on.

02-02-2005, 03:35 AM	#9
Le Grande Orange Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Up There Posts: 15,642	I prefer to make each logo I do wholly original, but there are others here who prefer to use elements from existing logos. It merely depends on what one is more comfortable with and what works best for them. Again, for the simpler logo designs, like say the San Francisco Giants or Minnesota Twins, you don't need to draw that much. It's mostly basic shapes and the drawing programs have tools which make those easily. Of course, the more familiar you are with the tools the more you can do with them. For a simple circular logo, you'd use the circle tool to whip out a background circle, then another circle for the interior. Type out the text and then fit it to a circular path, which takes only a moment. Put the city initials in the middle and the basics are done. Then add the colours - the fills and outlines for the various elements. After that, it's a matter of fine-tuning; adjusting the position of things, trying different colour combinations, making the outlines thicker or thinner depending on what looks more interesting, and so forth. And then as one gets more experienced with the program, one does more with the tools that are available, eventually doing more and more sophisticated designs. It's a learning curve, as with most things.