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Project: Design a Logo

 

LOGO DESIGN PROCESS

You will design an effective logo for a fictitious company, non-profit organization, product or event or your choosing. The process of logo design will be emphasized as much as the end result.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P2 TIMELINE

This timeline applies ONLY to P2

 

February 17, 2015

Date Assigned

(I am aware this overlaps with the skateboard deck project. Some people work faster than others.)

 

HOMEWORK:  10 thumbnail sketches

Brainsstorming session sheet

 

February 23, 2015

10 thumbnail sketches due

Brainstorming session sheet due

 

February 24, 2015

Rough implementation should be underway in Adobe Illustrator

 

February 25, 2015

Digital rough draft due

 

HOMEWORK: Concept Brief

 

February 26, 2015

Concept Brief Due

 

February 27, 2015

Final Logo Due

 

HOMEWORK:

5 thumbnail sketchs EACH of:

business card layout

1/4 page ad layout

coupon layout

t-shirt layout*

van wrap layout

 

March 2, 2015

ALL Thumbnail sketches due

 

March 3, 2015

Business Card due

 

March 4, 2015

1/4 page ad due

 

March 5, 2015

Coupon due

 

March 6, 2015

T-shirt due

 

March 9, 2015

Van Wrap due at beginning of class

 

March 10, 2015

PEER CRITIQUE

 

March 11, 2015

rework issues with images based on peer critiques

 

March 12, 2015

ALL Items due for grading

PLEASE make a folder and share your folder from Google Docs

 

STEP

1

Target Market - sample file


During class we will study what a target market is. You will be designing a logo which appeals to a specific demographic (or target market).

We will also distinguish between a for-profit business, non-profit organization, specific product and event. Currently you need to design a logo for a restaurant.

STEP

2

Planning for Your Logo Design - sample file

  1. You will design a logo for a fictitious food-based for-profit business.

  2. Create a name for the entity.

  3. Describe what this entity does. Be clear because nobody has ever heard of them before.

  4. Clearly describe their target market. Include information on their gender, age, lifestyle and socio-economic status.

  5. You will need to write this information in a shared Google Doc.

STEP

3

Brainstorm - sample file

List as many things that relate to the entity as possible. There are no wrong answers at this point. Brainstorm! Use the internet. Ask friends. Ask your parents. The more you come up with, the easier the next step will be!

STEP

4

Thumbnail Sketches - sample file 1  sample file 2

Thumbnail sketches are small (thus the name 'thumbnail') and quick.
The emphasis is on the logo CONCEPT as opposed to the drawing ability. CONCEPT, CONCEPT, CONCEPT!

 

Remember to keep your concepts SIMPLE!
Text is a vital element of a logo design so don't forget about it.

 

Remember the professional techniques that you clipped out of magazines: reversal, attach to path, comstock (offset path), hard shadow, replace type with image, type modification, & type contrast.

 

Extra credit will be awarded for generating more thumbnails than are required.

STEP

5

Digital Rough Drafts - sample file 1  sample file 2

Narrow down your thumbnail sketches to the 2 concepts with the most potential. Use your Illustrator skills to create digital versions of these 2 concepts. Explore fonts. Carefully consider text size and placement.

Design in black and white for now.

 

Concept Brief: Briefly explain the overall concept of your logo.

Explain WHY you designed the logo concept the way you did. 50-75 words.

Do this in Google Drive and "share" with RanchoGraphics@gmail.com

being sure to check "can edit" so I can leave you comments.

 

Use a pen to check off which techniques you used.

Download rough draft concept 1 Illustrator template.
Download rough draft concept 2 Illustrator template.

STEP

6

Final - sample file

Choose the best of the 2 digital rough drafts. Finalize the logo. This is the place to fine tune it. Attention to detail is key. Nail down exact colors. The final logo is a 2 or 3 color design...not 1 color, not 4 colors.

 

Layout and placement very important because this is the logo that is locked. It won't ever change.

 

Company/Organization Info: Briefly explain who this company, organization or event is. Who is their target market? You have ALREADY DONE THIS! Refer back to step 2.

 

Concept Brief: Briefly explain the overall concept of your logo. Explain WHY you designed the logo concept the way you did. You can probably just copy/paste most of what you wrote for your rough concept.

 

Download final logo Illustrator template.

STEP

7

Practical Use

Show your logo in a practical setting. Include your logo as you design ALL of the following forms of advertising:

 

Download business card Illustrator template. sample

Download 1/4 page advertisement Illustrator template. sample
Download coupon Illustrator template. sample (do NOT use a starburst - EVER)
Download t-shirt Illustrator template. sample
Download delivery van Illustrator template. sample

 

Check with Ms. Kennedy if you have an alternate idea. Due to time constraints, this is only recommended for advanced students

 

Here is a video showing how to do a clipping mask which will come in very handy for this assignment.

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