How to Design My Own Logo

By Shelly McRae

Overview

With the advent of user-friendly computer imaging programs, designing a simple logo for your personal use, such as for a letterhead or website, can be done without the assistance of a graphic designer. However, you do need to be proficient in the program of your choice and familiar with computer imaging formats. Logos, both personal and commercial, tell a story, and they need to tell it in seconds. The image you create represents who you are and what you have to say to the world.

How to Design My Own Logo

Step 1

Decide what message you want to send. If you want to portray your edginess, choose colors that are dark and brilliant, such as deep blues and raw reds. If your personal logo represents your desire to follow a greener lifestyle, choose earthy colors. The colors you use in your logo are the first thing others will recognize. Color has a distinct effect on the psyche, and which color you choose will have a direct psychological impact on viewers.
Step 2

Choose a font that best represents who you are. In the program you are using to build your logo, type your name in a commonly used font such as Courier or Arial at 20-point size. Type your name again beneath the first entry. Highlight it and change the font. Change the size if necessary. Do this until you find one you like. Copy it and put to the side on your workspace. Repeat this process until you have three separate fonts you like.

Step 3

Create an image for your logo. The image can be an exact representation or a stylized image. A stylized image is one in which the object is somewhat abstract in appearance, yet still recognizable. It can also be an abstract image. To create a logo using abstract shape and color, begin by doodling, either on paper or in your program. Manipulate shapes filled with the color or colors you've chosen. Continue to "doodle" until you find an image you are satisfied with.
Step 4

Combine the image with your name. Move one of the name entries from your font exercise onto the image. Does the style of the font compliment the style of the image? Do the shapes compliment each other? Do this with the other font choices to understand how each font changes the appearance of the logo in its entirety.
Step 5

Try different fonts from your original choices, or tweak the image a bit more, if you wish. When you are satisfied with the final product, save it to a jpg format.

Skill: Moderately Easy
Tip: Your logo, now in a format compatible with both web and personal printers, can be applied to web pages and word-processing documents. Test the logo in both applications, and adjust the size as needed. Remember to keep separate files of the logo for each application.

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