Illustrations of animals are a common motif on logos and posters, but how to make one that looks like it belongs in the animal world?
The answer is not as simple as it sounds.
“Animals are very visual and we can see their faces,” said Alison O’Hara, the associate creative director at the graphic design agency.
“They can tell a story in their movements and the shapes they use.”
It’s a complex process, but it’s something you can do yourself.
Here’s how to start: Start with the fundamentals, such as a design’s size and shape.
Next, think about how you’d like your logo to look.
“When you design something, you want to make sure it looks good and doesn’t look over-the-top,” O’Mara said.
You can start with a logo that’s a bit more simple, but you’ll want to think about what kind of images you want the logo to convey.
“You might think that it’s a cute little animal, but if you have a logo like this one, then you’re going to be hard pressed to sell it,” O’,Hara said, adding that it would take more than a few design decisions to come up with something that looks good.
“For me, the biggest thing that is really important is consistency.”
To start with, choose an image that you think will look good on a logo.
You’ll want something that matches your design language, like your font or the design of your text.
O’Hallara said that her clients tend to use icons and text that look familiar, and so it’s important to choose a logo or a design that fits into that general theme.
“In this case, I used the logo for a new company, so that’s really good for me,” she said.
Next is the way the logo should be positioned.
“It should be placed just right, with the text and the logo centered and with the logo in the center,” OHara explained.
Then, figure out how much space your logo needs to cover the design space of your logo, which is often measured in pixels.
For this example, O’Mahara used 1,400 pixels for her logo.
“The first thing to do is find the smallest amount of space that will be available on your logo,” O,Hara added.
“That’s when you can begin designing your logo.”
For a logo, this space will typically be between 40 and 60 pixels.
If you want a logo to be bigger, you can either cut it to a specific size or make it bigger with a different font, color or design.
If your logo is a font, it should fit perfectly in a letter or even larger, like in a graphic or poster.
“A font needs to be a size that fits the letter and its a big problem when it comes to creating a logo,” said O’Haara.
“Because you can have the same logo but it will look different.”
Once you’ve determined your size and size should be a consistent size, you’ll need to think through how you’re using it.
If it’s going to look like it’s meant to be printed, then use a print with a nice high-quality ink, O’,Haara said by adding that this is a good idea because it makes the logo appear more professional.
“If you use a font that’s not as high quality, you will look like you’re printing something out of a bottle,” O Hara said to help you find the right font.
“So, try to make your font look as nice as you can without it being as high-end as it could be.”
For an illustration, you might choose to use a photograph or a video.
“Don’t go overboard with the photography,” O Haara added, noting that when designing logos, it’s good to avoid overly formal fonts.
“I’m a big fan of the print,” O O’ Mahara said about using illustrations to convey the idea of your company.
“But you need to have a little bit of a range in the illustration so you can tell people what your logo can do.”
The next step is deciding what kind, if any, graphic elements you’re looking for on your design.
“There are a lot of elements that you can use that have nothing to do with your logo.
It’s all about the design,” O Mahara added about using elements such as text and illustrations.
“Use them to convey your message or to express what your company does.
Don’t be afraid to make a little joke with them.”
Then, you have to decide if you want your logo on the back of a piece of paper or a printed design, O Hahara said using an illustration is a great way to get your logo out there.
“And you can really use an illustration to sell yourself.
You have to be sure it’s done right, but don’t be too formal with it,” she added.