Typography - Logo Design
in class
Intro to Typography - Font Fundamentals
During this introductory skills unit, you will learn about some of the basic principles font and their use. Review the Intro to Typograhy class presentation to help you with four main font families, and different text styles available for design.
POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
We often don’t pay much attention to typography, but it can dramatically affect how we react to an ad, poster, package or text. Type forms the basis for many designs. Designers are careful to choose type styles that suit the purpose of their designs. The type should fit the “mood” of your work (suggests feeling). Regardless of type uses or purpose, you want to make sure your text is readable. Fonts are measured in POINTS (72 points = 1 inch) and traditionally, Picas. More importantly the font/type chosen allows the designer to create an "image" for the client. This is especially true in design work that may range from simple logos to newsletters through to web site designs.
TYPE ASSIGNMENT #1: Due TBA in class
Intro to Typography - Font Fundamentals
During this introductory skills unit, you will learn about some of the basic principles font and their use. Review the Intro to Typograhy class presentation to help you with four main font families, and different text styles available for design.
POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
We often don’t pay much attention to typography, but it can dramatically affect how we react to an ad, poster, package or text. Type forms the basis for many designs. Designers are careful to choose type styles that suit the purpose of their designs. The type should fit the “mood” of your work (suggests feeling). Regardless of type uses or purpose, you want to make sure your text is readable. Fonts are measured in POINTS (72 points = 1 inch) and traditionally, Picas. More importantly the font/type chosen allows the designer to create an "image" for the client. This is especially true in design work that may range from simple logos to newsletters through to web site designs.
TYPE ASSIGNMENT #1: Due TBA in class
- Look through old magazines or newspapers to find/cut-out at least 2 samples (large if possible) of fonts from each of the 4 font families (min. 8 total). Note: only cut magazines that you have permission to use.
- For each sample, record where you found it and what purpose you think it had in the publication, ad, etc.
- Use the examples provided, this assignment should be well organized, i.e., one font family with 2 samples on one page -- complete this assignment using MS Publisher (as demonstrated).
Logo Design
This may be a basic overview for more experienced designers, but in order to best serve your client, you should know the different types of logos and when one is better suited than another.
A great logo design can help strengthen your brand image and the way your consumers view your company. There are 3 basic logotypes in the design industry all of which have their own positive and negative traits.
This may be a basic overview for more experienced designers, but in order to best serve your client, you should know the different types of logos and when one is better suited than another.
A great logo design can help strengthen your brand image and the way your consumers view your company. There are 3 basic logotypes in the design industry all of which have their own positive and negative traits.
Graphic Logo
Graphic logos are images used to help convey a representation of a company or brand without the use of text. If the design is instantly recognizable, memorable and has the ability to still keep clarity while being reproduced in small sizes, then the designer has done a great job in conveying a symbolic logo. Companies such as Apple, & Nike both use symbolic logos and are also some of the most recognizable logos in the world today. Graphic logos are symbolic or iconic logo design that are uncomplicated, and are used to simply convey the message of the brand without being overly complex or metaphorical. Although some icons are metaphorical, they must be able to reflect the message, to those who do not understand the metaphorical undertone. The graphics can be abstract, or accurate in design. Iconic logos are the most common logos. Designing an graphic logo can be complicated. At first glance, it would seem that “simple” would be easier, but designing an iconic logo is difficult. You are limited in space and scope to convey the message of the brand, without being complex, and keeping the integrity of the company mission. This can be difficult when you are only working with a few shapes. |
Text Logo or Wordmark
The second basic type of logo is called the Wordmark (Text Logo). This includes a company’s name or brand into a stylized font that tries to convey the idea of what the company is about. Typically, script fonts are used to imply a sense of formality or refinement whereas thick fonts try to display strength and power. Wordmarks can also include hand-drawn type to add a bit of originality and style and to increase the interest of the logo. Like the graphic logos, you should also choose a font that when scaled to a small size is still clear and visible to the viewer’s eyes. Most wordmark logos do not include graphics, but there are those that do. Creating a wordmark is difficult because most often, you only have the text to work with. There are many creative things you can do with a wordmark, but it can be the most difficult to create, because you are somewhat limited. |
Combination Logo
Next, is the combination mark logo. This type of logo features the best of both worlds in combining both an image and text within the brand or logo. These logos are the most frequently used in the design world. You will see in the example to the right a style of combination. There are many different types of logos and as a designer you should never be constrained to just one style. A logo is intended to represent the look of the company and brainstorming ideas and thoughts about what the company wants to achieve with their logo should always be done before you hit the drawing board. |
ASSIGNMENT: PERSONAL LOGO DESIGN : Due: TBA in class
During this assignment, you will create a well-designed personal logo that will serve as your graphic identity on future projects.
ILLUSTRATOR
After completing your sketches you will use Adobe Illustrator CS4 to create your logo. Adobe Illustrator is a vector drawing program. Thus anything -- shapes/text -- you create in Illustrator will retain it's clarity regardless of the amount of zoom or scaling of the object. This is the program that is ideally suited for creating logos, etc. You will later create a button -- pin or magnetic -- to display your logo
PROCESS:
During this assignment, you will create a well-designed personal logo that will serve as your graphic identity on future projects.
ILLUSTRATOR
After completing your sketches you will use Adobe Illustrator CS4 to create your logo. Adobe Illustrator is a vector drawing program. Thus anything -- shapes/text -- you create in Illustrator will retain it's clarity regardless of the amount of zoom or scaling of the object. This is the program that is ideally suited for creating logos, etc. You will later create a button -- pin or magnetic -- to display your logo
PROCESS:
- Begin by creating a series of thumbnail sketches of potential logo ideas based on the effective principles of design. Thumbnails are rough sketches of your ideas - quickly drawn and fairly small (hence the name "thumbnail"). If you come up with a great idea, you should test out variations of the logo during this stage.
- You will produce AT LEAST (but feel free to produce many more):
- 3 Graphic Thumbnails
- 3 Text Thumbnails
- 3 Combo Thumbnails
- After completing your thumbnails and sharing your ideas with your instructor, you will choose your favourite thumbnail from each category and create a reworked sketch of each design. This drawing should be much larger and far more carefully drawn than your thumbnails. Consider using drawing tools, like a ruler. etc. at this stage. You should also make an attempt to properly sketch fonts you may use for the text and/or combo logo.
- NOTE - all rough work must be checked BEFORE working on the computer!
- From your three final reworked designs, pick the FINAL logo you wish to create on the computer. Carefully reproduce your design using ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR CS4.
- Your final computer design must fit within the smaller circle on the template (2.25 inches); the larger circle is "wrapped" around the button, and some of this will be visible, i.e., edges of the button.
- CLICK HERE to view a sample logo thumbnail sheet.
- CLICK HERE to download the Illustrator sheet (2 1/4" button templates).
- CLICK HERE to check-out Button Makers website as well as the video instructions to create your button.
Some helpful links to get you thinking...
BEST (AND WORST) LOGO REDESIGNS WEBDESIGNER DEPOT - 12 STEPS TO EFFECTIVE DESIGN LOGO DESIGNER BLOG - GREAT RESOURCES FOR INSPIRATION LOGO FAVES - INSPIRATION GALLERY LOGODESIGNLOVE - AMAZING SITE WITH PLENTY OF SAMPLES/GALLERIES BEST BRANDS OF THE WORLD - FAMOUS & SUCCESSFUL LOGOS DESIGNRFX - LOGO DESIGN (GREAT RESOURCE SITE) |
How to make 2 1/2 inch buttons, thanks to Button Makers.
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