How to Design an Emblem
- 1). Start doodling some ideas with your regular pencil, considering how to best represent your idea visually, while still making sure your designs are simple. Keep the graphics constructed with basic shapes and not too many textures. You should play around with value and contrast also to try to make your idea unique compared to other logos out there.
- 2). Make sure the symbols on the beginning stages of your emblem stand out with a statement and can be clearly understood, without having to guess what they mean. They should represent possibly your mission statement, or the message you're trying to convey. Have at least three different ideas drawn out on your sketch pad.
- 3). Take some time for thinking and consideration. Once you have some ideas drawn out on your sketch pad, critique it wisely. Ask yourself, is this logo timeless? It should still be deemed appropriate even after years have gone by. One more thing to consider is your emblem should be versatile enough to be turned into different mediums, like stickers or vector designs.
- 4). After your three prototype ideas have been outlined and critiqued, it's time to bring out the colored pencils. When coloring, remember colors are symbols which express personality and emotion. The chosen colors also spread a message about your emblem. Try using colors that best match your business or idea. Think, secondary colors or primary colors? Figure out what enhances your ideas easier.
- 5). Now it's time for public opinion. If you can, show your rough designs to a friend or family member to get their own opinions on the style of the emblem and colors used. Their reactions should be considered as a sample of the public's general opinions. Public opinion should be a huge deciding factor of which prototype emblem should be discarded, or used out of the rest.
- 6). In the final stages of decision-making, try to decide which emblem out of the three you've designed grabs you most. Figure out which is most attractive, simple to understand and most versatile. Weigh in the opinions of the public. Only decide which emblem to use when you're 100 percent confident of your choice.
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