How to create Logos, advice ?

blinko

Hi All

I was looking for some advice on How to create Logos. Does anyone recommend any software packages or websites etc

Thanks

mo786uk

Dpened sif you wnat soemthing simple or something very creative that works with your brand (i.e paying a professional)/

Photoshop is considered one of the best packages to image editing.
GIMP is free http://www.gimp.org/

pitkin2020

Depends what you want the logo to do, if your looking to convey a message through the logo rather than just text then really you need to pay for that expertise.

Websites etc that offer logo design are just templates, there is nothing unique about having a template. Logo design isn't a 5 min process if you want it to mean something specific to your business anyway or your lucky enough to have a clear image of exactly what you want.

Of course though you could just do something in word, nearly everyone who has word is a designer lol!!

EchoLocation

Have a look at this thread.

d1087

I looked into it, been trying to design one myself (least creative person ever) but I think paying someone is the best option if you want a decent logo!
Been quoted £90 (cheapest) and £1400 (most expensive) just deciding what to do as I have 0 money to start up.........

WLM21

You'll need a vector based program rather than a Photoshop style program.

Vector graphics mean any logo (or any drawing) can be enlarged / reduced without any loss of image quality. With a 'bitmap' graphics program, like Photoshop the image is made up of bits / dots so any change to the original size causes loss of quality. Enlarge a photograph and you'll see the dots / pixels

The industry standard is probably Adobe Ilustrator, but that isn't too cheap. Might be able to get a free 30 day trial, so you could design your logo and that's it.

A free vector program is Inkskape, available here http://inkscape.org/

pitkin2020

d1087 wrote: »

I looked into it, been trying to design one myself (least creative person ever) but I think paying someone is the best option if you want a decent logo!
Been quoted £90 (cheapest) and £1400 (most expensive) just deciding what to do as I have 0 money to start up.........

Start with just a text logo, find a decent font and build from there. You may find an actual logo will come from building there.

Logo design is a bit of an art form, some people are good and some people just think they are good, usually they are worlds apart.

Are you having any signage done, business cards, leaflets etc done for your business, if so go to your logo printer or sign shop and see what they can do for you.

As for having zero money for your start up best of luck as no one will work for free.

pitkin2020

WLM21 wrote: »

You'll need a vector based program rather than a Photoshop style program.

Vector graphics mean any logo (or any drawing) can be enlarged / reduced without any loss of image quality. With a 'bitmap' graphics program, like Photoshop the image is made up of bits / dots so any change to the original size causes loss of quality. Enlarge a photograph and you'll see the dots / pixels

The industry standard is probably Adobe Ilustrator, but that isn't too cheap. Might be able to get a free 30 day trial, so you could design your logo and that's it.

A free vector program is Inkskape, available here http://inkscape.org/

Designing in vector is by far the best method but for people who have never designed it can be a bit in depth. If you have experience with the likes of photoshop its easier to start the design on a larger scale then scale down for each application.

Personally I only use vectors and once you get to kow what your doing is far easier to design with than the likes of photoshop. Like you pointed out though illustrator/corel draw aren't cheap but if you intend to use them a lot they can be a good investment. Illustrator cs5 will set you back around £300.

blinko

Hi guys thanks alot for your replies I was looking for a very basic logo nothing too fancy and ideally as free as possible. I had a look at GIMP and it looks fab but it looks like its some sort of add on to photoshop which is a little bit beyond me.

I think overall i am looking for a very basic logo, possibly even a symbol merged into a word or something

Anyone else please feel free to add

thank you

Suarez

Sometimes the most simple logos are the best.

Think of how many large companies have simple logos..All of the supermarkets, all of the high street stores etc etc..

StumpyPumpy

One (mild) word of warning. When designing your logo be sure that any elements within it (fonts, graphics etc) are not copyright in any way. Don't just assume that if a picture appears to be free it is - some are free only for "personal" use. Take special care to avoid using anything from another logo as these are usually well guarded by corporate lawyers. A design company should ensure this for you, but obviously, that service costs.