Steps of a logo

[13yrGuru]

Hello, could anyone direct me to a website or webpage that would give me step by step directions on creating a logo. They need to be very detailed directions. Thanks.

[JaCkinbOx]

Step 1: Vector software.

Step 2: A ****load of patience to learn the workings of said vector software.

Step 3: You must eat the bladder of a dingo on a full moon on an even-numbered night in December.

[13yrGuru]

Thanks a lot, i'll put that into consideration.

[PrintDriver]

Jack you've given away the secret for obtaining talent, not building logos! D'oh!

Step by step on how to make a logo... Good one.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

[morea]

13yr guru, the folks here have given you some excellent advice on your showcase threads... you might want to re-read over those.

[13yrGuru]

No, i mean coming up with a theory, how to get ideas, all that inspiration crap.

[JaCkinbOx]

Jack you've given away the secret for obtaining talent, not building logos! D'oh!

Step by step on how to make a logo... Good one.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Dammit, I always get those two mixed up.

[Vikia]

reach inside yourself for effort and look around you for creative inspiration -

[mylkhead]

Look at logos for inspiration. Learn color theory. Learn lots of history of logos. Learn what different typefaces mean. And what message the portray - wait, you wanted step by step. Sorry, there is no such thing.

Just go to logoworks.

[EC]

13yrGuru, I think everyone has their own "steps" so that's why you're not likely to get a good answer on this one.

But I think it's safe to say, though, that research is step #1 -- First you learn about the client/customer and what they want/expect. (Including but not limited to -- company goals, past branding efforts, company vision, aesthetic likes/dislikes, competition, etc.)

After that, the process varies from designer to designer.

Some people start with a sketch pad and just begin to doodle. Some people brainstorm a list of keywords and concepts before they pick up a pencil. Some might spend the afternoon flipping through logo books and magazines looking for inspiration, then put the books down and begin their next step. Some might start by looking at various typefaces. Back and forth people may go between various techniques to generate ideas and concepts.

Then when they're ready, they'll flush out the logo further by sitting down at the computer to create some vector sketches. Then they'll refine those sketches. They might find that nothing is working as planned, and go back to the sketch pad or the logo books (not to "copy", but to break out of thinking patterns and gain inspiration) or the keyword list (etc. and what have you) and look for fresh ideas.

It's a fluid process, not linear -- of course, this is speaking from personal experience, and from everything I've learned and read from others.

Hope that helps.

[D Lucks]

Oh damn it's a dingo? Ah oh well the kola bear was still pretty good!:eek:

[PersonasBinar]

EVEN numbered? Damnit that explains EVERTHING!!!!

[morea]

It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes. ~ Douglas Adams

[jamodu]

I think there was a article about this on the QXP website a while ago - I'll have to see if I can find the link. It went something like this...

Creative Steps to Logo Design

1. Draw a square
2. Round off 3 corners leaving the bottom-right corner
3. Draw a circle in the middle of the square
4. Pick any blue pantone and rename it Guru Blue™
5. Write *************s shouting about the startling originality of your new logo
6. Deny the existence of any other logos that look like yours

;-)

[steve-o]

No, i mean coming up with a theory, how to get ideas, all that inspiration crap.

Yikes. This should be something you want to do.

[13yrGuru]

Yikes. This should be something you want to do.
I don't know, that inspiration, idea, concept stuff dosn't come natural to me.

[PrintDriver]

Perhaps you should consider a different field. Like accounting.

[Mynock]

I don't know, that inspiration, idea, concept stuff dosn't come natural to me.
and that is why you fail

[13yrGuru]

i plan to go to colledge for software engineering and programing. I also love Web-design
and graphic design (maybe a side-job).

[Mynock]

At 13 years I was just worried about catching cooties, and you rest of your life planned out. I think you need to concentrate on being 13 first.

[13yrGuru]

I know, I love being a kid. I just want to be prepared for what's to come.

[13yrGuru]

I just spend some of my spare time(when i'm not doing homework) to get on the computer and mess around. Its freakin fun.

[13yrGuru]

Have you guys ever seen space balls?

[13yrGuru]

or...

Monty python and the holy grail
Happy gilmore
Envy?

[steve-o]

"I also love Web-design and graphic design (maybe a side-job)."
Not every graphic designer gets his or her idea for a design from inspiration. It doesn't just come to them. Sometimes it does, but most of the time it's problem solving using knowledge of graphic design principles and process combined with a tuned aesthetic sense. In this regard it is a lot like engineering, which you say you want to do.

I think you are trying to do Web design and graphic design as a break from engineering/programming, something to excersize your artisitic side.

Commercial graphic design is not art. Don't think it's about people paying you to express yourself. It's not. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Of course, you can use graphic design as a way to express yourself. You say it's freaking awesome playing around on the computer. Then go nuts and have fun!

But to do commercial graphic design well consistently, it's got to be more than a side job. It's a whole profession.

[MD]

Well said Steve-o.

[13yrGuru]

Thanks stevo

[Mynock]

Here's a logo with steps in it:
http://www.sidscanada.org/steps/steps_logo.jpg

[Only Seen Here]

Wow, their acronym is an acronym with an acronym in it...

That's like a really huge christmas present with a second, very small, christmas present inside.