How do I start improving my logo design skills?

Question

I'm in graphic design school, and I've been working with Adobe for 3 years now. I can do great things with digital painting, but I just don't have the skill set necessary for creating winning logos. I get a lot of practice by submitting designs to contests all the time, but I just can't seem to make a logo that impresses people. In school, we are still working in Photoshop, and I go into 3d Modeling next term. I'm blowing right through these classes. But I'd like to get started learning now. What do I need to know to really make some good logos?

I'm about intermediate level in Illustrator. I haven't really gotten much practice in InDesign, but that's going to be a big part of my career. Photoshop is nothing for me. I've recreated all kinds of paintings and done a few of my own, so I've got the creative bone... but why can't I design a freakin logo???

Answer 1

you want to try using illustrator to draw more so for logos, indesign as well for large layouts with multi-mediums, learn the methods and standards required for platforms from drawing to printing, with color matching from Pantone, and printing press companies like Heidelberg, you can always draw sketches of various designs on paper before using computer, and mix and match elements and designs as you go,

try looking at the design from the costumers point of view, use their colors and products to base design on, design more than one layout, use storyboard techniques to get ideas for the topic at hand,

~if you have access to acrobat 3d you can dabble with that a bit for format compatibility, other programs are better for learning design and

Adobe - Illustrator CS3

http://www.adobe.com/products/illustrato...

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4

http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/c...

ACDSee - Canvas

http://store.acdsee.com/store/acd/Conten...



also try elements and others for adding to design after,

  Adobe Photoshop Elements

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshope...

After Effects CS3

http://www.adobe.com/products/aftereffec...

Autodesk 3ds Max

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ind...

LightWave®

http://www.newtek.com/lightwave/

  Softimage - 3D Software  

http://www.softimage.com/

..

Answer 2

First, don't get discouraged when trying to create that perfect logo.  It takes time and practice.  A lot of people don't realize that there is more to just slapping a name and picture together to try and identify a company or person.  As you probably know, colors, font choices are just a couple of other things to consider.  Researching your clients business, corporate identity, the message they want to convey are a few more things to consider, as well.  

Using Illustrator CS3 and CorelDraw are excellent tools when creating logos.  Always better to use vector when doing logos, especially when it comes to resizing.  You don't lose resolution.  

But what I've always done after I collect my info from my clients is to do a lot of thumbnails and roughs just to get me started in the right direction.  It helps get those creative juices flowing.  It also helps me think outside of the box.  Try looking at things from different perspectives.  Also, talk to those who don't have a clue about design.  Sometimes you can be so close to the project that you don't see certain things and you can miss your target audience completely and send mixed messages that you didn't intend to.  Get an outside opinion and be open to criticism.  This, in my opinion, will make you a more successful graphic designer.  I should add that you should keep it as simple as possible too.  

And from personal experience, you will have some winners and some losers.  Just keep moving forward.  Good Luck!