Ever wondered why some logos stick in your mind? Well, it's not magic. It's good design.

A perfect logo design isn’t just a random symbol. It’s the face of your brand. Your company logo helps customers distinguish you from the competition. And it's what they call to memory when they need your products or services.

the final logo

This is why your corporate logo is so important when establishing your brand or rebranding. It's what your target audience will see on your website, product packaging, marketing materials, and social media platforms.

This step-by-step tutorial will showcase how to create a well-designed logo using Linearity Curve's powerful vector design tools.

Scroll down for detailed instructions on how to design a logo using Linearity Curve.

Jumpstart your creative ideas with Linearity Curve and Linearity Move

Step 1

Brainstorm and research

Before we get into how to design the logo using Linearity Curve, it’s best to take some time to brainstorm and conduct initial research. This step helps you create a logo that truly represents your brand. Here's what to consider:

Define your brand identity

What are your brand's core values and personality? Brainstorming keywords is a great way to define these aspects of your brand identity. Describe your brand’s ethos:

  • Mission: What’s your company's ultimate purpose? (e.g., “We want to achieve X by doing Y because Z”)
  • Values: What are your guiding principles? (e.g., innovation, trustworthiness, sustainability, etc.)
  • Target audience: Who’s your ideal customer and what are their demographics, interests, and needs? (e.g., youthful, professional, ahead of the curve, etc.)

Develop a brand word list

Create a list of keywords that resonate with your brand identity. This word list will be a reference point throughout the logo design process. Here's a helpful strategy:

  1. Brainstorm individually or as a team: Write down any words that come to mind about your brand.
  2. Refine your list: Group similar words together and eliminate redundancies.
  3. Identify core themes: Look for overarching concepts from your word list. 

Do competitor analysis

Research your competitors' logos. Analyze what works well for them and identify areas where you can differentiate your brand visually. Pay attention to logo styles, color palettes, and their overall brand message.

What color palette they have is particularly important. Colors trigger feelings that influence brand perception. Red screams excitement, while blue whispers trust. Your competitors likely have chosen colors that align with your audience and evoke the right emotions in them.

“Color psychology provides valuable insights to select the most suitable color palette for a specific project. For example, if all veterinary clinics use a dark ocean blue to convey seriousness, professionalism, and calmness, I might opt for an orange (a complementary color on the color circle) to stand out and combine it with a pastel sky blue.”—Nastya Kuliábina, Designer and Marketer

Make sketches

Don't underestimate the power of pen and paper. Sketching logo ideas allows for free exploration before translating them into digital tools. This low-fidelity approach can help you solidify concepts and experiment with various design directions before committing to specific elements.

Here are some tips on how to sketch and ideate effectively for digital design:

  • Experiment with shapes and symbols: Don't be afraid to try out different shapes, lines, and symbols to see what resonates with your brand identity.
  • Play with typography: Consider different fonts and text layouts to explore the visual impact of your brand name.
  • Think outside the box: Don't be afraid to come up with unconventional ideas. Sometimes, the most memorable logos are the most unexpected ones.

Try out different combinations of text and shapes to find one that most resonates with your brand. You can also have logo variations for different applications, such as small icons for apps or full logos for printed brochures.

The different types of logos for you to consider are:

  • Emblems (like crests and badges)
  • Pictorial marks (or logo symbols)
  • Wordmarks (or logotypes)
  • Monogram logos (or lettermarks)
  • Abstract logo marks (non-pictorial)
  • Mascot logos (contain a character)
  • Combination marks (any combination of the above)
Step 2

Set up your Artboard

You'll need a fresh canvas to work on.

Open Linearity Curve on your Mac, iPad, or iPhone and create a new document. We'll use an iPad for this tutorial.

Linearity Curve Artboard

You can choose a template or custom size. We recommend something like 2000 x 2000px for a square logo.

Linearity size options
This is a good size for most logo uses. But remember, you can scale your vector designs for larger projects like banners and static and digital billboards.

If you'd like to add a colored Artboard background, use the Shape Tool to draw a rectangle over the entire Artboard. Set your Fill Color to Solid or Gradient.

Then, you can go to your Layers tab and lock the background layer by tapping on the open lock icon on the right. This will stop the background shape from accidentally being moved around while you're designing.

Select a background color

The background might be a supporting player, but it can make your logo pop in unexpected ways.

Your canvas is ready, and you're all set to start designing your logo.

Step 3

Add a new layer in the Layers tab for your logo. With Curve's design software, managing layers is a walk in the park. Add, rearrange, and lock layers with just a few taps or clicks.

lock the background color

Depending on your brand's look and feel, you may start your design with a photo to trace, a wordmark, or a few organic shapes.

If you don't have a graphic designer on your team and have limited design experience, don't fret. Check out our library of 3000+ free design assets you can use to design your logo, like these business card designs:

image
image

Our example uses a realistic crab image to create a fish restaurant logo. Here's how we did it:

In Curve, open the Library (+) tab and upload an image or search for a free stock image on the Unsplash Library.

choosing a Unsplash image
Pro tip: If your chosen image’s background is too complex, try using Curve’s AI Backgrounds feature to simplify the background before using Auto Trace.
AI background chooser

Go to the Style Tab and use Auto Trace to turn the image into a vector shape.

auto trace feature

Select your traced shape and add a Fill Color. This is your logo symbol or mascot. Choose a contrasting or complementary color that'll grab the attention of customers.

fill color of the image
Learn more to get the most out of our Auto Trace feature.
Step 4

Choose fonts and add your company name

You need to add some text so potential customers know what your brand is about. We'll add the company name—in this example, it's Holy Crab Seafood Grill & Bar.

Go ahead and select the Text Tool and choose your Fill Color. Drag the Text Tool across the area where you want your logotype to appear and type or paste your text.

Navigate to the Style tab to change the font, size, letter spacing, and other text options. For our Holy Crab logo text, we'll choose the Didot Bold font.

Add your text

In Linearity Curve, you’ll find a variety of fonts to match any brand personality. Running a tech startup? Go for something sleek and modern. A local bakery? Maybe something more handwritten and friendly. The key is consistency—your font should match the vibe of your image and overall brand.

Choose your fonts
Learn more about using different fonts in your designs to create visual harmony.

Drag your text anywhere on the Artboard until you're happy with its placement for your logo. Holding down one finger while moving your artwork ensures it moves in a straight line.

To align two or more items, use the Selection Tool and choose Multi Select Mode. Select all the elements you want to align and tap on the Align item in the Quick Actions toolbar that appears below your selection.

Pro tip: You can also use the Nudge joystick in the bottom-right corner of the screen to incrementally move your text up, down, left, or right.

Now, we'll add 'Seafood Grill & Bar' in Didot Italic underneath 'Holy Crab.' Follow the same process as above to add and edit the text. We'll also make the font smaller to create a visual hierarchy.

Align all your multiple elements

In the next step, we’ll wrap up our logo design journey with final adjustments and exporting tips.

Step 5

Make your final adjustments and export

Your logo has shape, color, and character. Now, let's tie everything together.

Add any finishing touches to your logo. Resize and edit elements as needed.

Head over to the File dropdown, tap on Export To, and choose your file format. To optimize it for web, choose a vector file type like SVG or PDF.

Export your file
Spacing is crucial. If your logo is too cramped, it'll look cluttered and be challenging to read. It may feel disjointed and lose its impact if it's too spread out. Play around with the spacing between elements until it looks just right.

You can also play around with the white or negative space in the logo. It's the empty area between and around the logo's design elements. But don't be fooled by the name—effective use of white space is anything but empty and many recent logo designs make use of this.

Linearity Move is our animation platform for fast and easy marketing motion graphic creation. You can animate your new logo in Move in seconds. Follow our logo animation tutorial for a step-by-step.

 

Animated logos work great for websites and marketing videos that actually convert viewers into customers. Try one of our animated design templates below to get started. 

image
image

What's next for your brand? Your logo is just the start.

Linearity Curve's ease of use and efficiency are unmatched, making it a go-to platform for novice and seasoned designers marketers. You can use our software suite to create static and animated brand assets like business cards, online ads, promo videos, and social media announcements.

If you haven’t already, get started for free with Linearity below, or check out our special pricing for professionals and teams.

Design with Linearity Curve and animate with Linearity Move

Get our software

And we have more handy tutorials where this one came from. Check out the Linearity Academy for free design courses.

We're all about community at Linearity, so we encourage you to share your logo designs with us. We love seeing how our tutorials inspire new creative work.

Frequently asked questions

When designing a logo, how do I choose my brand colors and fonts?

Making a logo is often the first step in the brand design process. Whether you're creating a company or personal brand, there are a few steps you can take to come up with winning font and color combinations:

  • Create a mood board: Use different colors, typography, and design elements that convey your visual identity.
  • Align colors with brand personality: Think blue for trust (finance), red for excitement (sports), or green for growth (eco-friendly products).
  • Evoke emotions with fonts: Serif fonts like Times New Roman suggest tradition (law firms), sans-serif fonts like Helvetica feel modern (tech companies), and script fonts add a personal touch (handmade crafts).
  • Test for a cohesive brand aesthetic: Experiment with colors and fonts to see how they work together and create a unified brand image.

Custom logo design and branding go hand in hand, so we recommend reading up on how to create a brand guide. This document acts as a style guide for your identity design to ensure your brand appears uniform across all touchpoints.

What’s Linearity Curve, and how does it help in logo design?

Linearity Curve is a vector design platform that simplifies creating professional logos. It's suitable for beginner, freelance, and professional designers. Curve is powerful and versatile for handling any digital and print design project.

It offers features like Background Removal, Auto Trace, various fonts, and customizable layers, making it ideal for professional designers and marketers.

Can I use Linearity Curve if I'm new to design?

Absolutely. Linearity Curve is designed to be user-friendly, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional. Our step-by-step guides and intuitive interface make it easy for anyone to create stunning logos. Plus, we have a free version of our software, which you can use to try out our amazing logo capabilities before you invest.

What are the ideal dimensions for a logo design canvas?

A standard size like 2000 x 2000px is a good starting point. It provides ample space for creativity while ensuring your logo remains clear and scalable for different uses.

How important are layers in logo design?

Layers are crucial as they allow you to separate different logo elements for easier editing and adjustment. This is especially helpful when working with complex designs.

Can I import my own images into Linearity Curve for my logo?

Yes, Linearity Curve allows you to import various image formats. You can then integrate these images seamlessly into your logo using tools like Auto Trace.

How do I choose a font for my logo?

Consider your brand's personality and the message you want to convey. The font should align with the logo's overall aesthetic and be legible across various sizes and mediums.

How can I ensure my logo looks professional?

Focus on alignment, spacing, and balance in your design. Avoid clutter and ensure your logo is readable and memorable. Using Linearity Curve’s precision tools can help achieve a professional look.

How can I share my logo design with others for feedback?

Linearity Curve allows you to export your logo in various formats. You can easily share these files with colleagues or on social media for feedback.

What are some common logo shapes?

Understanding different logo shapes can help you convey the right message about your brand. Here are some common shapes and what they typically represent:

  • Circles: Often associated with unity, community, and stability. Brands looking to portray a sense of inclusivity or longevity might opt for circular logos. You may most often see circles used in food and beauty logos.
  • Squares and rectangles: These shapes suggest stability and reliability. They're popular choices for banks and law firms wanting to project strength and professionalism.
  • Triangles: Triangles can indicate direction, movement, or progress. Depending on their orientation, they can also suggest stability (when positioned on their base) or dynamism (when positioned on a vertex). These are often used for business services logos.
  • Organic shapes: These include more natural, less geometric shapes. They’re often used to represent comfort, uniqueness, and approachability. These shapes are popular for homemade product designs and handmade clothing logos.

Each shape can have various interpretations based on cultural contexts and design execution. In Linearity Curve, you can create and experiment with these shapes to find the one that best suits your brand's identity and values.