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You can create successful logotype just using letters and type adding just little accent. Creating logotype just search over different fonts, avoid using two or more fonts in logotype – most of the cases, different typefaces do bad more than something good. Every font has it’s own personality, keep it simple, avoid using fun fonts, because they will add a little bit shallow feel in most of the cases. There are great free font services, where You can choose between thousands of free fonts, and test them online simply typing desired word and browsing over different categories.
There are 3 kinds of typefaces :
1.Sans-serif
More modern look, without any serifs. More minimal, elegant – often used in fashion companies and
2.Serif
Serif is visually more appealing type than sans-serif adding more elegant, sophisticated look.
If You don’t know the difference, image below will explain it better than I can say with words:
Compare sans-serif with serif ( I used Times New Roman for this example) and I hope You see the difference. And the name “serif” is pretty self explaining.
3.Script
Convey more friendly feel with handwriting fonts, if You are good at handwriting try to create Your own calligraphy on Your tablet or scan Your handwriting – why do that? If You use typeface – every letter will be the same using those, but creating something Your own , You can create really unique touch.
There are lot of possibilities to create unique logo using just these variations – all caps, spacing, uppercase, lowercase, size, different colors, different weighting (bold, thin, roman.. etc.), transparency, 3D look or just create combination of these ways.
a) Just using font ( Delicious font for this example) lowercase with no spacing:
b) all caps:
c)spacing:
d) size:
e) different colors:
f) different weighting ( roman, italic, bold):
g) transparency:
This is too complex example by the way, but it’s ok for You to get the point.
h) 3D look:
If You use Adobe Illustrator, You can extrude&bevel in this way – Effect –>3D –> Extrude&Bevel.
You might consider using rotation, distortion, perspective tools too.
Done using Illustrator’s Revolve tool ( Effect–>3D–>Revolve):
Tip:
Keep in mind trying to create logotype “square” form type if You consider printing it on different posters, brochures – then You won’t got any problems with resizing and keeping it good looking.
And don’t forget about millions of different fonts You can choose from! While choosing the right typeface – compare them, just adding below each other copies and variants – try to look over repeating, more elegant letters and bits of those to get Your vision and inspiration going – to create successful logotype sometimes You need to just add one accent changing one thing in the typeface describing companies business activities, goals in eye catching way and remember to keep it simple! If You haven’t got inspiration or ideas what to do, how to do, there are also different roundups and sites summarizing different logs and ideas.
I often use logopond.com – there are huge amount of professional logotypes there, giving You great inspiration!!
brandsoftheworld.com is another handy resource with advanced search options using – brand name, description, author, uploader, url, category, country.
And one more time, use free font resources and their great online testing features!
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Dainis Graveris is 23 years old blogger and designer, founder of 1stWebDesigner, now more silently managing everything behind the scenes. He usually hangs out in Twitter tweeting design related links and chatting with people. If you have any questions or feedback that's the best place to start! Cheers!
Friday, January 22nd, 2010 14:50
Nice! This is great informative post lot of resources thanks for sharing us….
Friday, June 26th, 2009 18:12
Nice tips Dainis, thanks, I learn a lot from your articles
Stop Dreaming Start Actions last blog post : Follow Your Dream
Friday, October 10th, 2008 02:33
Nice, great because I am a beginner when it comes to messing with Illustrator.
Jim Gaudets last blog post : Why are you here?
Friday, October 10th, 2008 02:55
@eduardo this is not that kind of article, these are just basics and were meant to. Keep following if You want to see more advanced articles about logo creation.
@BloggerNewbie I appreciate Your words, and thanks for joining!
@Jim this article is really about techniques and variations not how to use Illustrator, however in future I think I will do tutorials to help You use Illustrator.
Thursday, October 9th, 2008 10:53
Very simplistic, but a nice article though!
But man, you’re site waaaay to slow!! What’s wrong with it?
Thursday, October 9th, 2008 16:11
Great (and timely) article. I will definitely be following this series. subscribed to your RSS so I don’t miss a thing!
STUMBLED!
BloggerNewbies last blog post : I Don’t Care What People Think!
Thursday, October 9th, 2008 12:28
I know that’s pretty simple stuff, but it’s just simple article to catch up!
@Santhos yes, I am sorry for problems You got, for a little while it will be like this, because hosting I have is really slow, that’s the problem..
Thursday, October 9th, 2008 02:52
I find it’s well written :D
Very useful to read before starting to make a logo. Cheers!
Johnson Kohs last blog post : Making of Fiery Planets Collision
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 22:37
It would be nice if you actually followed this on to CREATE a logo.. not just examples of things that one might do during the creative process.
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 19:48
Just a typo correction in your link to “logopond”.
Nice post though for the beginner.
Matts last blog post : Which Layout is for me?
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 22:41
@John You really guessed my next step – I will show You my next 1stwebdesigner logo creation process step by step – just wanted to catch up with some basics.
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 20:18
@Matt oh thanks for correction! I promise to continue those logotype creation series, and this is just beginning, and Yes simple one at first! :)
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Dainis Graveris
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 20:18
@Matt oh thanks for correction! I promise to continue those logotype creation series, and this is just beginning, and Yes simple one at first! :)
Johnson Koh
Thursday, October 9th, 2008 02:52
I find it’s well written :D
Very useful to read before starting to make a logo. Cheers!
Johnson Kohs last blog post : Making of Fiery Planets Collision
John
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 22:37
It would be nice if you actually followed this on to CREATE a logo.. not just examples of things that one might do during the creative process.
Matt
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 19:48
Just a typo correction in your link to “logopond”.
Nice post though for the beginner.
Matts last blog post : Which Layout is for me?
Dainis Graveris
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 22:41
@John You really guessed my next step – I will show You my next 1stwebdesigner logo creation process step by step – just wanted to catch up with some basics.
Dainis Graveris
Thursday, October 9th, 2008 12:28
I know that’s pretty simple stuff, but it’s just simple article to catch up!
@Santhos yes, I am sorry for problems You got, for a little while it will be like this, because hosting I have is really slow, that’s the problem..
BloggerNewbie
Thursday, October 9th, 2008 16:11
Great (and timely) article. I will definitely be following this series. subscribed to your RSS so I don’t miss a thing!
STUMBLED!
BloggerNewbies last blog post : I Don’t Care What People Think!
artistmax
Friday, January 22nd, 2010 14:50
Nice! This is great informative post lot of resources thanks for sharing us….
Stop Dreaming Start Action
Friday, June 26th, 2009 18:12
Nice tips Dainis, thanks, I learn a lot from your articles
Stop Dreaming Start Actions last blog post : Follow Your Dream
Jim Gaudet
Friday, October 10th, 2008 02:33
Nice, great because I am a beginner when it comes to messing with Illustrator.
Jim Gaudets last blog post : Why are you here?
Santhos Webdesign
Thursday, October 9th, 2008 10:53
Very simplistic, but a nice article though!
But man, you’re site waaaay to slow!! What’s wrong with it?
Dainis Graveris
Friday, October 10th, 2008 02:55
@eduardo this is not that kind of article, these are just basics and were meant to. Keep following if You want to see more advanced articles about logo creation.
@BloggerNewbie I appreciate Your words, and thanks for joining!
@Jim this article is really about techniques and variations not how to use Illustrator, however in future I think I will do tutorials to help You use Illustrator.