Objectives

  • Learn about the design process
  • Understanding the difference between a logo, brand, and identity
  • Addressing the needs of the client and target audience
  • Being able to successfully combine type and visuals
  • Express meaning and convey information visually using the principles of design
  • Being able to design concept from beginning through completion

Project Details

Define the the Design Problem
Design a logo for your design business. What area of design do you want to specialize in the future? 

Project Process

Collect Information
​Create a text document with the results of your research.
  • Start by learning more about Logo Design Basics.  Why are logos used? What makes a good logo? How do you create meaningful design?
  • Consider the qualities you want the logo to express. What are the design elements and color choices that aide you generating those concepts?
  • Who is the target audience for your business? 
  • Who is your competition?
  • What type of logo suits your business best?

Brainstorm and Analyze Ideas
​Start ideation of possible solutions to the design problem. Think about the project criteria; reflect on the research you have completed.

Preliminaries - use pencil and paper
  • Create a mind map that lists words that you feel express what you want your logo to communicate.  
  • Create 30 thumbnail sketches on post-it notes of logo designs for your business.  Analyze your thumbnails. Ask yourself which ones most closely represent your business and you believe will resonate with your target audience. Choose your three best designs.
  • Render your three best designs. One design per  8.5" x 11" sheet paper.

Get Feedback
Group critique (count-off or discussion board). Be sure to ask appropriate questions. You may not use subjective language in your critique. Things like: "I like it." or "It looks nice." or "You did a good job."USE visual language to discuss the icons.

Some questions you might try to answer are:
  • Did the artist/designer accomplish their goal?
  • Did the artists/designer follow the "rules" of good logo design?
  • What techniques did they use to achieve their goal. 
  • Is the meaning of the logo clear? Does it represent what the artist was trying to represent?? 
  • Does the color used enhance the meaning of the logo? 
  • Explain which principles of art and design you see and explain how those principles support the design.

Be sure to take notes for your self-critique sheet.

Develop Design Solutions
  • Choose the best design and move forward with into Adobe Illustrator. Scan or photograph your design and add it to a template layer. On a new layer redraw your design using the pen tool and basic shapes. Remember use the least amount of anchor points (nodes) possible. 

Get Feedback
Class critique. Be prepared to discuss your concept and design decisions. 

Improve Design
After receiving critique improve your design.

Submit
Follow the project specs for submission.

Project Specs

Software / Format
Adobe Illustrator / Vector

Color Space
CMYK

Dimension
8.5" x 11" artboard, .5" margins
Illustrator Tools
Artboards (video), basic shapes (video), pen and curvature tool (video), pathfinder, layers (video), template layer, color palette and swatches (video), lock/group/hide content (video), selection tools (video)
Design
Showcase your design at three sizes - small, medium, and large. 

Color Variations
Black and White, Greyscale, Color
Submit via Canvas
  • Native file - Adobe Illustrator
  • PDF file
  • Self-critique sheet

Use the Design Process

Define the Design Problem
  • What concept are you trying to communicate? 
  • Who is your target audience? How do you want them to feel when viewing your work? What should they take away?

Collect Information
  • Research your topic. Learn as much as you can about the topic.
  • Gather reference images (keeping track of all sources).

Brainstorm and Analyze Ideas
  • ​Conceptualize possible design solutions
  • Create thumbnails & sketching
Develop Appropriate Design
  • Break down images into their minimal components. 
Design considerations:
  • Composition using the Principles of Design and Elements of Art.
  • Choose appropriate colors.
  • Bring your idea into the software and begin your design.
  • Technique matters.
  • Use the correct tool to solve the design problem.
Get Feedback
  • In this course we will seek feedback throughout the entire design process.

Improve the Design
  • "Digest" feedback and improve your design. 

Submit
  • Submit your best variation.