AnatomyNo1 Anatomy of a Logo

Sketches

Most of my logo work begins with several sketches. Because these are "idea generators" I am not so much looking for the perfect Anatomy of a Logo Imagesketch, but rather seeking direction. As such, frankly, the sketches are often pretty lame, but why spend time sketching to perfection when all you are looking to do is generate ideas? There are no bad ideas because often one idea leads you to modify another and the two of them together become the perfect solution.

That being said, I often trend in a direction and then completely abandon it. Then again, I can wait a few days, re-visit it and see it in a whole new light. Sketching text is especially problematic, as I tend to have in mind a particular type of font, so I only try to convey to myself a general theme and play around with letter shapes and combinations.

Next I will scan in the sketches I want and put them on their own layer in Illustrator. Sometimes I'll trace a particular curve or shape if I really like it, other times I'll just use the scan as a reference and begin drawing an image close to what I had in mind.

The interesting thing is, sometimes the ability to create cool cutouts and splits in vectors creates a whole new energy to the design.

Bottom line, even when I think I know where I am going with a design, by the time I'm done, it can often be 180˚ from where I started!

Black & White, then Color

If a logo looks good in black and white, then you have something to work with. Even in a situation where the logo is more than likely always going to be in color, there are still b&w laser printers and line art versions that are needed for engraving etc. Not all logos are cut out for this, even some of mine, but the goal is to be able to facilitate the use of any logo on any medium, print, web, laser etched, etc.

Original Sketches for the Tony Maddox Band Logo ~ Sept 2010

Final Logo and Color Variations

More anatomies on the way