iDesigned: RAFFLESIA logoI thouth I might explain on this blog how I create logos. I will show you step-by step how I created this logo, not only final version but also versions that weren't selected or never showed to the client. This particular logo is for a metalcore band called Rafflesia.
CHAPTER 1 - THE INSTRUCTIONSFirst, I got some instructions from the client. I think I asked him what does he want and, of course, what he doesn't want. The more information I get from the client - the better and quicker I create the design.
The client also showed me some examples of what kind of a logo style he prefers. Those were
Neaera logo and
Caliban logo.
Instructions were:- something really cool
- fresh style
- little bit aggressive
- not
gore, no brutal or standard medieval lettertype
- easy to read
- own personal touch
- 3 totally different ideas of logo
- it has to look professional
I was then off to the thinking process.
CHAPTER 2 - THE THINKING PROCESS
CHAPTER 3 - THE SCRIBBLING
After some thinking and creating shapes and letters in my head I wanted to put some of them on paper to see if my ideas look good in reality.
At first I was still just scribbling and searching for the right forms and letters.
You can click on each image to see it in full size.
These are just scribbles, nothing special. But from those I developed some new ideas as you will see in the next chapters.
I haven't found anything interesting in these sketches, so I moved on...
CHAPTER 4 - SCRIBBLING SOME MORE
The first version of logo
After some scribbling comes a little more scribbling until I find what I am looking for.
Something along those lines... |
Closer... |
I didn't like the lines on this one, too curvey. |
Maybe...I like the letters. |
A new concept, I went wild on this one with all those lines. I kinda liked it all intertwined and connected. The curves give the logo gracious, majestic kinda look. I also liked the fact that the logo is not symmetrical. It gives it a sense of dynamics which is enhanced with those curls and wavy lines. |
Now the cleaning up part. I use transparent paper to trace the sketch. |
I think this is it... I liked the joining at the top of letters F and L.
Also, every letter is created for itself, no repeating like when you use some fonts.
It's ready for tracing and further editing. Digital editing. |
After tracing and little editing in Illustrator the logo is almost finished.
Few touches here and there and that's about it.
Little more customization. Adding grungy washed-out feel. And that's about it..
Finishing touches.
Now it's time to fancy-up this logo and place it on a cool background for a presentation.
This is what I did:
Grayscale version.
After seeing this the client asked me to make a few colored versions. |
...so I did. Version 1. |
Color version 2. |
This is the logo my client selected among 3 other I created.
Now I will show you other logos I made and the short process for each.
CHAPTER 5 - VERSIONS, VERSIONS...
Logo version 2 - the edgy, "blown away" logo.
The sketch... |
...cleaning it up for tracing. |
Final version. |
Logo version 3 - "circular" logo.
The sketch... |
...cleaning it up for tracing. |
Final version. |
Logo version 4 - "nails" logo.
The sketch (on this image you can see some other ideas for the logo but I never pursued them. I thought I had enough versions already... |
..finding a similar font for a base and editing it in my way. This logo I did in a classic way using fonts. No tracing and drawing after the sketch. |
Final version. |
Some other ideas that I never finished.
some other ideas... |
..maybe... |
..never finished it... |
CHAPTER 6 - THE CONCLUSION
Well, now you saw the process of creation of a logo. From my point of view logo needs to have something special. Simple grungy font is not enough for me. I hope that this is shown through all of my logos and work.
If you have any questions feel free to ask, or comment this post. Maybe I left something out, or didn't explain something thoroughly. This is my first attempt to show the creative process from the idea to the final realisation. I hope you got a general picture of how this works...
It took me about 10 hours to make this logo, 20 sheets of paper, some ink, some sweat and some spent electricity... :)
Maybe I'll tackle another subject along the way, CD cover design or something else... We'll see...