I am needing to design some kind of logo for business cards and flyers. I figured I will give it a try myself and learn the process but need a few tips and suggestions first. I am not wanting to go crazy here with a logo, something simple and old hot rod looking with 3 or so basic colors. I have a few questions but figured I will start out with one or two first and go from there. I do not have much experience making logos, I know more about video editing (final cut pro, etc) but would like to learn this. First off, what programs do most of you use to do a logo? I have Photoshop 7.0 (probably a bit old but it works) and a few other small programs. Second, do you start by drawing a basic logo out and then putting it onto the computer and go from there or do it all by scratch on the computer? Thanks a lot for any help, suggestions, and information!
photoshop is good, illustrator a little better for logo design. I have made plenty in photoshop, just keep in mind you will have to convert to curves to use on anything other then web, flyers, business cards. So do it in layers and in high resolution.
Thanks a lot for the info. Do you know of any websites/forums that would be helpful for these kinds of things? In a month or so I will be taking a web and/or graphics design class and once I do I will see the program they use (which I think they said it is Illustrator AND Photoshop), once I am done I will most likely buy the product. This is something I have been wanting to learn for a few years now even though I do enjoy the video editing and such, I think the designing and logos is something I will enjoy more because I can put all my ideas down and see them in person instead of having them in my head and no way to express them I guess you could say.
Oh also, what do you mean convert to curves to see it on other than web, flyers, business cards, etc? Sorry if that is a stupid question, I just do not see what you mean.
Ok.... I am a graphic designer. I can tell you that probably the most important ingredient in any logo is an easy to read font as well as striking colors. Keep in mind that the eye always sees the color red first while you are designing. One of the things that I try to incorporate in my logos is what we call branding. If you are starting a business, the logo and the name are what you want to put in stone first.... after this, then everything else falls into place, the colors of the showroom/uniforms and everything else. The best example that I can give you of branding is Will Castro on Unique Whips, from the window stickers to all of the different shirts to the license plates, he has a wonderful program going on, because when you are at his shop or around anything that he has worked on, you know it. Another thing that you need to think about is color. In this business, there is one, two and four color printing. When you price work at the printer, they will ask if it is two or four color. This is very important. The more colors, the higher the cost. One color is obvious, two color is usually black and some other color, four color is where it gets confusing. To understand four color, first I need to back up and tell you how a press works. In a press there are only four colors: Cyan, Magneta, Yellow, and Black. Every color in the world is made of a variation/mix of these four colors. I use Adobe Illustrator and InDesign for all of the commercial work that I do. I would advise not doing any logos in Photoshop because it is primarily a photo program. This means that when you type anything in Photoshop it automatically converts it to a picture. When you try to resize it for a poster, billboard etc. it pixelates (turns into a bunch of illegible dots) and you cannot read anything. InDesign and Illustrator, on the other hand, are what we call "vector programs" when you resize and INDD or AI file, the type, stroke, shadow etc stays the same no matter what. If you do not have either of these programs, it is acceptable to make a logo in Photoshop and then take it to a commercial printer and they can turn it vector. It depends on the complexity of the logo and the idea if you want to draw it out first. I have a Wacom tablet which is essentially a digital canvas that you draw on and it shows up on the computer screen. You can find them for as little as $99. If you have next to no knowledge of drawing in photoshop, I would strongly advise drawing at least a rough sketch first. If I would have done Littleman's logo for example, I would have sketched it out first because of the unique angle and all of the detail. I hope this made any sense at all. Do you have any other questions? Remington EDIT: Whoops... I just saw your other question. Photoshop logos are just fine for the web as long as they are at least 200 resolution. I think what he means by curves are the colors have to be web safe. By this I mean that there are i think 256 basic colors that everyone in the world has in their monitors. If you make your logo with those colors, it will not look weird on a 16 color, 32 color, 512 color, 14 million color monitor etc. Other wise when you use some wacko color that older monitors cannot create... it will "dilute" your logo terribly.
It's strange to me that you (or any business) would want to hammer out a logo that will represent everything you and your company stands for and hopefully last for years to come just because you happen to have have a computer. I have a welder but I would never put my future (or my life) at stake by "learning how to weld" on a race car chassis. Why not use the skills, and more important, the marketing experience of one of the great designers on this forum to insure a quality image for your business? Chadillac, Norwell, heck Ryan - and many more! Yeah, I'm biased from 30 years of marketing in this industry.
Start on paper... sketch out ideas that appeal to you... Take ideas that work, and combine them, keeping it simple in the end. Remember, a good logo is simple, clean, and easy to read. Make sure that your logo works on a small scale, as well as large. Choose a simple color scheme that looks good in black and white as well. Create something that reflects your personality, and appeals to the clients you wish to attract. Research what works in some logos, and what doesn't... As far as software, I use Illustrator, as vector graphics (see "curves" in the above reply) can be scaled infinitely, and not lose quality.... besides, any printer will love you for using vector artwork... easier to separate, easier to modify, and again, highest quality.... You can export from Illustrator (or Corel, et.al.) to almost any format, so it's ideal cross-platform, whether print, web or otherwise.... There are open-source (read as "free") vector programs, like Inkscape and more that will give you an idea of the complexity of a program like Illustrator... Before spending the money on it (you can buy it in a bundle, with Photoshop, InDesign, etc... expect to fork out about $1400-$2400, unless you have a valid student ID... then hop over to JourneyEd and save a ton... Hope that's a good start for you, and best wishes on it! EDIT: Saw remingtonbox's reply after posting... EXCELLENT stuff in there!
Thanks again you helped a lot there. I now understand that photoshop is not something I will be using. I plan to just use the basic colors of black, white (off white possibly) and red. As for the logo I do like the (again) basic bently styled wings (I dont know what you would call them but that is what I call it) with something in the middle of them. Pretty much what I do is a little bit of everything and the name is simple unless I come up with something else before doing the logo. I am still in the planning stages and want to learn the logo part so when I am fully set I can just GO. I will be doing some custom paint work, airbrushing, basic body work and a lot of vehicle detailing. As for detailing I do mostly new vehicles but I like the old vintage look of logos and stuff and I think that it should not take away business for that sort of work. Most of my advertisement is by word of mouth but I want to stop doing the side work kind of thing and get a name, all the legal stuff taken care of, some business cards done, etc. I want the basic logo and font (old style script or such). As for the font I want it to look like a script on a car like the old Chevrolet emblems or valve covers and that is where the 4th color may come in with a silver/chrome looking lettering. I don't know, maybe some of you can toss around some ideas or something?
As for letting someone else do it, I may end up doing that but like I've said, I have been wanting to learn to do such a thing myself for a few years now. It's a way to get idea's out of my head and onto paper or computer for that matter.
Okay, a few more things. Unless printed on black, white is not counted as a color. So what you are describing is a two color logo, which at the market prices here, for 500 business cards is about $40. Not a bad deal if you ask me. If you add a third and fourth color, expect that price to double or triple. The reason for this is that, like I mentioned earlier, each color has to be "burned" onto a separate plate, hence the cost increase. Also, labor to line up a four color job is a huge factor. By all means man, I'd toss around some ideas with you. Oh ya, and listen to flyingpolock. His ideas and renderings are awesome!!!! Not a bad standard to shoot for, I do everyday. I can't say enough good about them.
I understand what you mean. I appreciate you taking the time to explain this all to me. The two color will probably work just fine. Hell the only colors I really like are black, white and grey. Everyone says I am too plain but that's what I like and I am stickin to it.
I'd do a lot of research to find the style you want first, then sketch some ideas. Like they said stick to Illustrator, it'll work the best for any future project you have after the logo is designed. Even in illustrator you can do some trick stuff. I'd definitely take the class and learn illustrator first, then work on the logo. Heck do a search and check out the Friday artshows here, there's plenty of eye candy to check out.
My buddies use 48hourprint.com for business cards and brochures, they said the quality is excellent. Also, I like to start designing in B/W first and get the logo finalized, then pump it up with color. B/W will be the simplest form for the logo, like mentioned above, ie work shirts or stickers.
Chad, thanks man, will do. I want to do some of my own T shirts, jackets and hats as well. Not to make money off of or anything, just for the hell of it and I figured if I do it, I want it to have my company name on it instead of just making a name up for clothes. Guess you could say it will serve two purposes, one being it is like advertisement and the other for fun.
Ok sounds good. I will check out that site and see what I come up with. I have heard about starting with black and white and then when it's all final add the color so I am glad to get a final OK on that. Man I can't wait to get started with the classes and learning some of this. I am tired of drawing on paper (which I do not do much) and not having colors.
heck yea, if you're gonna take the time to do a logo, I'd get it printed on everything! I've done a couple shirt designs with my logo that I had printed up, and stickers.
I just want a logo that will look good on cards, back window of my truck, side of the enclosed trailor, and shirts. Nothing too busy at all. I like the bently wing deal I mentioned earlier or even a plain oval behind the name. I have a lot of websites saved with little ideas I liked as well so that will help with my planning.
There are some great artists and graphic designers on this board. If their plates are full, I might suggest contacting Stacie at www.heelgrinder.com she does some killer stuff. Adios, Scott
I agree with El Gato, the HAMB "pencil pushers" are fab! Look at the HAMB-O-DEX for some of the guys & gals that are offering their talents to help us. Most of 'em offer a pretty good HAMB discount. I've been happy with the work I had done.
I created this one recently for my t-shirt business, just for fun. I used a combination of Photoshop and Freehand. I also use a tablet. The tablet will drive you crazy to begin with, but persevere and you'll soon find you can't live without it. The course will be really helpful. btw, the design is inspired by an old Harman & Collins logo from the '50s.
Without offering a lesson in graphic design, I will simply point you here: http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/ Keep in mind that ALL kinds of people frequent this forum, and while they are mostly very helpful, some will be your typical "design snobs" as I like to call them. I have been in graphic design for over 25 years now and have come to realize and accept that I do not fit the standard mold. Many if not most graphic designers are somewhat tempermental, or elitist and/or a little snobbish. I would like to say however that the guys here seem to be a lot like me in attitude and approach...nice to see some down to earth designers out there. As far as recommendations go, there is some wonderful advice here. Vector or "curves" is the best way by far to create a design that you will be using across many forms of media. I personally use Adobe Illustrator for likely 99% of my logo work, the nice thing being that the files can be converted into any other format required by any possible printhouse, web design studio, sign shop or screenprinter. As far as vinyl window signage/stickers go, you will want to provide them with vector graphics. They may require a file saved as an earlier version of Illustrator, a PDF or a DXF...all of which can be accomplished by Illustrator 7 all the way through CS3. If I wasn't so ready to go home I'd be tempted to show you some of my designs, but I want to leave and it would bore you probably to death anyway. Suffice to say I've created around 300 logos or so, 100 websites, 2,000+ shirt designs, a hundred or so sticker designs, and a few hundred pieces of collateral over the years...man I need to get a life. Good luck, have fun and feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
I will post my sketches up here once I make some... I have pretty much nothing right now, just a few ideas in my head. When I get some time I will draw something up and post it. Thanks.
Do you graphic artist charge by the hour or by the design? I'm looking for two logos for my off road race truck. I'm looking for a small simple logo containing a skull (think day of the dead type skull) with a mexican sombrero with the word "Baja" on top and "Bandidos" on the bottom, these will go on stickers. Second design is way more detailed that will go on the doors and hood of my racer. Please send me some samples of your work and pricing. Thank you. Chris
You need a guy who specializes in airbrush type art for your doors and hood...and I would bet that it won't be cheap as the guys I know are pricey as heck. The skull logo would be something I would likely quote a final price for...
Since this is a racer I'm going to go with a vinyl application instead of air brushing since it's most likely going to get banged up and no need to spend all that cash having it redone over and over again when I can have a shop print me out a big sticker.
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