Logo, Icon and Symbol Design
Create icons, symbols and/or logos for your portfolio in this workshop-style course.
Logo, Icon and Symbol Design
Create icons, symbols and/or logos for your portfolio in this workshop-style course.
What you’ll be able to do — competencies
- List and apply the Principles of Effective Logo Design
- Differentiate between the three main types of logos
- Differentiate between effective and ineffective logos, icons and symbols
- Demonstrate techniques for creating logo and icon “families”
- Produce a vector-based print– and Web–ready file in Illustrator
- Make a family of icons, symbols and/or logos to incorporate into your portfolio
Course description
Apply concepts learned in Design Foundation Series and tools learned in Visual Design Series to create a family of icons, symbols and/ or logos to incorporate into your portfolio. The concepts of corporate identity and user experience are discussed. Course is conducted in a workshop format; portfolio pieces are developed through homework and in-class critiques. Refinement will occur throughout the course, and work on a computer outside of class is vital.
Prerequisites
- Successful completion of Design Foundation and Visual Design Series or equivalent knowledge
Syllabus
Session 1
- Student introductions
- Review objectives
- Demonstration of effective and ineffective logos, icons and symbols
- Logo, symbol and icon terminology
- Principles of effective logo design
- Discuss the Research Stage – Creative Brief, Brainstorming and Mood board
Session 1 Assignments
Preliminary research:
- Choose a client that you will be creating a logo or group of icons for and fill out a creative brief
Research project topics:
- Choose from project options; research client; gather info and brainstorm keywords; and create a mood board
- Bring creative brief and some initial sketches to class the following week
Session 2
- Review homework: Students will discuss their creative brief, key words and proposed project with initial rough sketches
- Discuss the Production Stage of logo design
- Appropriate use of typefaces in logo design
- Resources for fonts and symbols
Session 2 Assignments
- Discuss creative brief and explore various possible solutions through sketching in class to arrive at a series of potential visuals
- Sketch out Concepts: Develop a variety of sketches (5–10 drawings per icon/logo). Take these home and use them to explore different type treatments and symbols
- Bring printouts to the next class
Session 3
- Review homework
- Discuss type treatments
- Review Illustrator techniques to form vector-based designs
- Use of color in logo design
Session 3 Assignments
- Continue to work on designs at home in Illustrator
- Edit and Refine Logo Concepts. Translate initial concepts into vector form in Adobe Illustrator
- Bring concept printouts to class
Session 4
- Critique of students’ logo comps
- Review all concepts that have been created and narrow down selection to the strongest options
- Discuss presentation skills and persuasive practices
- Add a color palette
Session 4 Assignments
- Choose the best three logo concepts and narrow them down to the final choice for creative review
- Finalize designs at home and prepare for final 10-minute presentation
Session 5
- Students will present final design in front of the group as though presenting to a client
- Give feedback and discuss changes that could be made before finalizing for portfolio
Session 5 Assignments
- Presentation of final designs
- This should include persuasive, supportive verbal and visual articulation of the design direction, process decisions and final solutions
- Use one multi-page PDF plus printed samples presented on mat board
Next available start dates
Online — Evenings
Logo, Icon and Symbol Design
Total classroom hours
15 hours
Schedule
Online
Evenings, 5:30 PM - 9:15 PM, 4 W - 5/3/2023 - 5/24/2023
Quarter: Spring
Total cost
$379
Instructor: Morgan Olson
Morgan Olson has been teaching graphics and animation courses for over a decade. She prides herself on customizing course materials in a dynamic theme that optimizes the needs of the students. Before teaching, she worked as an in-house graphic artist and a freelance animator and now owns her own graphic design business, MeMoDesigns.
Notes
Online courses require an internet connection and the ability to interact both through audio and video using either a web cam/microphone, speakers/headset using a computer or via a mobile phone connection. Any costs associated with connectivity or equipment are the responsibility of the student.
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