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Shawn Barry

This course is a logo design bootcamp, and it's good for all levels. Beginners will see how the design process unfolds and be able to follow along and learn a professional logo design workflow. Intermediate designers will sharpen their skills and refine their process by learning to evaluate ideas against a brief and become ace presenters. Advanced students and pros will enjoy this refresher, and if they've never tried logo design, this course will give them a push in the right direction toward creating great logos based on solid theory and design strategy.

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This course is a logo design bootcamp, and it's good for all levels. Beginners will see how the design process unfolds and be able to follow along and learn a professional logo design workflow. Intermediate designers will sharpen their skills and refine their process by learning to evaluate ideas against a brief and become ace presenters. Advanced students and pros will enjoy this refresher, and if they've never tried logo design, this course will give them a push in the right direction toward creating great logos based on solid theory and design strategy.

This course is purely creative. NO software tutorials. NO tool tips. Just pure concept and design. Choose a brief, follow along, and create great logos.

if you want to learn logo design, sharpen your skills and develop a professional design workflow, you need to take this course.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Design better logos
  • Generate more ideas
  • Think conceptuall
  • Create professional files, like style guides
  • Learn design principles like colour theory

Syllabus

Students will be introduced to the course and instructor.

Introduction to Logo Design Theory & Application Bootcamp by Shawn Barry, Creative Director and Youtube Educator.

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In this video lesson, we cover the objectives of the course. The main one: design an amazing logo for your portfolio, based on a realistic brief, provided.

Knowing what makes a good logo, good, is the first step in creating a good logo. In this brief video, we discuss some of the most common elements found in great logos.

In this video lesson, we review all three briefs in detail, and the student is encouraged to choose the one that they're most interested in working with for the course.

In part 01 of the research chapter, we discuss the importance of image research, and what types of images to gather, and what types to avoid. in addition, we generate a list of keywords that will help us get into the right territory for concept development.

In part 02 of the research chapter, we dive deep into the process and talk about the type of image research to include to get us fired up for generating ideas.

In this video lesson, we talk about competitive analysis. We look at other logos in the industry space we're designing to, see what they do so we can either avoid it, exploit it, or at least, understand it. This is a valuable step in the logo design process.

In this video lesson we go deep into the subject of a concept versus a literal representation, and why as a logo designer, you don't want to fall into the literal trap.

In this video lesson, we review the difference between a full logo lockup, an icon or graphic element of a logo (or brand), and a word mark.

In part 01 of the Sketch phase chapter taking the first steps into generating ideas. Not logos, but ideas that will become logos.

In the second video lesson of the sketch phase chapter, we talk about the level of "drawing" that's required to generate ideas. SPOILER: none.

In the 3rd video in this chapter, we begin an extensive review of the sketches I've done for my project, and this will serve as a measuring stick for the types of sketches required to generate logo concepts.

The final part of the sketch review process.

In this video lesson, we review the concept sketches are start to identify ideas that meet the brief, have concept variation and are ready to be developed into logo treatments for client presentation.

In this video lesson, we talk about the differences between a vector image and pixel-based image, and why vectors are better for logos.

In this video lesson, we talk about building basic shapes. Some people are afraid they "can't draw", but I'll demonstrate the creating images for logos is only a matter of observation and analysis that you can do easily once you know how.

In this part 01 video lesson of the design phase chapter, we prepare to begin building logos by first re-visiting the creative materials, and thinking about fonts.

In this part 02 video, we review the fonts and start building files with shapes for concept #1.

In this 3rd video of this chapter, we review the options for concept #1 after the deep dive into design and variation, and start adding fonts and building completed logo versions.

In part 04 of this chapter, we review the font and graphic compositions for concept #1, and move into development of concept #2.

In this 5th lesson of the design chapter, we review ALL completed logo variations, and start getting ready to think about presentation to client.

In this video lesson, we complete a design analysis and determine if we've met the brief and have good logo variations to share with the client.

In this video lesson, we talk about an effective method for preparing a creative presentation using mockups of our logo concepts that demonstrate each design in a real situation, like a shirt or vehicle wrap.

In this video lesson, we complete a presentation document with a creative setup, concepts, mockups and solid rationale's. Feel free to download the PDF version for your reference.

In this video lesson, we discuss the importance of having a presentation strategy - something to talk about. Not small talk, but rather logo talk. This is a vital skill to cultivate for good presentations.

In this video lesson, we dive into the basics of colour theory. Not all the way in - that would not be possible, but we cover the essential foundations of colour that will help the student to understand the "colour landscape".

In the first video lesson of this chapter, we dive into colour development and the thought process for creating a colour foundation for your logo and subsequently, brand.

In part 02 of this chapter, we review the colour variations for the final logo concept, all the way through to choosing the final colour combination, and selecting a Pantone SPOT colour.

In this video lesson, we go through a complete logo style guide, using Greenlite as the example, and talk about the basic information you'll want to capture for your style guides. Feel free to download the attached Style Guide as reference.

In this video lesson, we cover the basics of creating good files, and good file structure. This is one of the most important skills you can learn as a graphic designer.

In the first video of this chapter, we begin the process of building out the final logo file kit, beginning with the CMYK logo files.

In this 2nd video lesson of this chapter, we move straight to the RGB version files and keep pushing through. RGB requires a little more work, and we cover off those options as well.

In the final video lesson of this chapter, we wrap up the final files for delivery to client, and call the project complete. Feel free to download the attached logo file kit for reference.

In this video, we talk about the next steps... create a logo, style guide and logo kit and share them in the project section.

Final thoughts and advice to close out the course. Thanks for coming on the journey!

Reach me at http://shawnbarry-creative.com and use the contact form. I'd love to hear from you!.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches how to evaluate design work and compare versions, which is essential for selecting the best logo options to share with clients and stakeholders
Explores the differences between vector and pixel-based art, which is crucial for understanding why vectors are better for logo design and scalability
Covers the basics of color theory, including primary, secondary, tertiary, and complementary colors, which is foundational knowledge for creating effective logo color versions
Requires students to choose from one of three project briefs, which may limit some students who want to work on their own projects or prefer a different type of brief
Focuses purely on creative concepts and design, so learners should be aware that it does not include software tutorials or tool tips for specific design programs
Develops skills in creating professional files, such as style guides, which are essential for maintaining brand consistency and providing clear guidelines for logo usage

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Reviews summary

Logo design theory and process bootcamp

According to learners, this course provides a strong foundation in the theory and process of logo design, particularly focusing on concept development, sketching, and presenting work to clients. Students appreciate the structured approach and the emphasis on strategy over software tools, which is explicitly stated as not being included. While some absolute beginners found the lack of software guidance challenging, the majority found the focus on the 'why' and 'how' of design thinking to be incredibly valuable for developing a professional workflow and improving their ability to create conceptual logos.
Course explicitly avoids software guidance.
"Be aware this course teaches process, not how to use Illustrator or other software."
"The instructor makes it clear upfront: no software tutorials here, just the design thinking."
"If you're looking for button-by-button software help, this isn't the course for you."
Offers foundational process for novices.
"As a beginner, I learned a lot about the steps involved in creating a logo from scratch."
"Provides a clear roadmap for beginners, but you'll need software skills elsewhere."
"It lays out the fundamental process very clearly, which is essential for anyone starting out."
Strong focus on idea generation.
"Loved the emphasis on sketching and generating multiple concepts before jumping into design."
"The sketching phase lessons really helped me break through creative blocks."
"Learning to think conceptually rather than literally was a major takeaway for me."
Instructor is knowledgeable and clear.
"The instructor explains complex ideas in a very accessible way."
"Shawn Barry is knowledgeable and his passion for design comes through."
"Engaging lectures that keep you motivated through the process."
Helps refine skills and workflow.
"As an intermediate designer, this course helped me refine my process and think more conceptually."
"The sections on client presentation and file preparation are incredibly useful for a professional practice."
"Even experienced designers can benefit from this structured approach and focus on fundamentals."
"Great for designers who want to build a more solid professional workflow."
Emphasizes design thinking and workflow.
"I appreciated that this course focused on the 'why' and the process behind logo design, not just tool tips."
"This bootcamp really digs into the theory and steps needed to build a logo from concept to delivery."
"The structure of the course provides a solid workflow for tackling logo projects professionally."
"It's refreshing to find a course that prioritizes concept and strategy over specific software tutorials."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Logo Design Theory & Application Bootcamp with these activities:
Review Color Theory Fundamentals
Solidify your understanding of color theory to make informed decisions when creating logo color versions and palettes.
Browse courses on Color Theory
Show steps
  • Review the color wheel and its components.
  • Study primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.
  • Explore complementary and analogous color schemes.
Read 'Logo Design Love'
Gain insights into the logo design process and learn practical strategies for creating effective brand identities.
Show steps
  • Read the book cover to cover.
  • Take notes on key concepts and strategies.
  • Reflect on how the book's advice can be applied to your own logo design projects.
Design a Logo for a Fictional Company
Apply the concepts learned in the course by designing a logo from start to finish, including research, sketching, and digital execution.
Show steps
  • Choose a fictional company or brand.
  • Develop a brief outlining the company's values, target audience, and desired brand image.
  • Research existing logos in the industry.
  • Sketch multiple logo concepts.
  • Digitize your favorite concepts and refine them.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Logo Design Case Study
Document your logo design process for a specific project, highlighting your research, concept development, and design decisions.
Show steps
  • Select a logo design project you've worked on.
  • Gather all relevant materials, including briefs, sketches, and final designs.
  • Write a detailed account of your design process.
  • Include visuals to illustrate your key points.
Read 'Designing Brand Identity'
Expand your understanding of brand identity design and learn how to create a cohesive brand experience.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes.
  • Focus on the sections related to visual identity and brand guidelines.
  • Consider how the book's principles can be applied to your own logo design work.
Develop a Logo Style Guide Template
Create a reusable template for logo style guides, ensuring consistency and professionalism in your logo presentations.
Show steps
  • Research existing logo style guides.
  • Identify the key elements that should be included in a style guide.
  • Design a visually appealing and easy-to-use template.
  • Test the template with different logo designs.
Provide Feedback on Logo Designs
Reinforce your understanding of logo design principles by providing constructive criticism to other designers.
Show steps
  • Find a forum or online community where designers share their work.
  • Select a logo design to review.
  • Provide specific and actionable feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Logo Design Theory & Application Bootcamp will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Logo Designer
A Logo Designer creates visual symbols that represent a company, product, or service, and this course is designed to help anyone, from beginner to advanced, learn to create great logos based on solid theory and design strategy. This course helps you build the workflow needed to develop and present logo concepts by emphasizing the importance of research, conceptual thinking, and iterative design. The course's focus on generating multiple ideas from a brief, evaluating these ideas, and refining selected concepts into professional presentations are all essential for a successful logo designer. The course also helps you gain a solid foundation in the fundamentals of color theory, which is critical to any design work.
Entrepreneur
An Entrepreneur starts their own business and needs to develop a brand identity, and this course is a direct fit for their needs. The course provides a comprehensive approach to logo design, from concept to final files. This course teaches entrepreneurs how to create an effective logo that represents their brand, from learning to evaluate other logos to understanding conceptual execution and colour theory. The focus on generating ideas, creating style guides, and preparing final files are all valuable skills for an entrepreneur. The skills taught in this course can form the basis of a strong brand identity.
Freelance Designer
A Freelance Designer provides design services to clients on a per-project basis, and this course is a good fit for someone who seeks to improve their logo design abilities. This course provides a professional workflow for logo design, from initial client briefs to final presentations and files. The course's emphasis on research, conceptual thinking, and generating multiple ideas is directly applicable to the challenges faced by freelance designers. The skills taught in style guide creation and file management are also very important for freelance work. This course provides a comprehensive guide to the logo design process, which is a common request for many freelance designers.
Brand Identity Designer
A Brand Identity Designer crafts the visual elements that define a brand's personality, including logos. This course's focus on logo design theory and application provides a strong foundation for anyone in this role. A brand identity designer must generate multiple ideas, think conceptually and present their logo ideas to clients based on a brief. It is vital to understand what makes a good logo and this course helps a brand designer learn how to identify and create one. This course also gives a firm understanding of colors, and this knowledge is critical to creating a cohesive brand identity system.
Graphic Designer
A Graphic Designer uses visual communication to convey messages, and this course may be helpful to improve logo design skills, which are an element in almost every graphic design job. This course teaches you how to develop concepts, research, and create logos using design principles like color theory. The course's emphasis on a professional design workflow, including creating style guides and final logo kits, is highly relevant to the broader scope of graphic design. Learning how to generate multiple ideas and refine them into final presentations is a valuable creative process that is useful in the work of a graphic designer.
Visual Designer
A Visual Designer focuses on the aesthetics of digital products, and although they work on a variety of digital products, understanding logo design is useful to most visual designers. This course provides a detailed approach to the logo design process, from initial research and idea generation to final presentation and file preparation, which is relevant to any area of design. The focus on conceptual execution, understanding color theory, and creating professional files makes this course useful for any visual designer seeking to expand their skill set and enhance their design process. This course provides a foundation for understanding how to create a symbol that represents a brand or product.
Creative Director
A Creative Director leads creative teams and projects and this course may be useful in understanding how professional logos are designed. They guide the creative vision of projects, and while they may not design logos directly, understanding the logo design process helps a creative director better lead their team. The course's focus on design principles, idea generation, and presentation strategies is relevant for creative directors who must guide their teams' creative work. This course also provides a deep dive into research and analysis that is useful for a creative director.
Art Director
An Art Director is responsible for the visual style and images in a variety of media. Although they are not always executing the designs, they need to be adept at evaluating and guiding the design process. This course may be useful for art directors because it provides a comprehensive approach to logo design, from initial concepts to final presentation. The course’s emphasis on researching, generating ideas, and color theory aligns directly with the responsibilities of an art director, which requires the ability to critique design work. The course helps build an understanding of how to create and evaluate design concepts.
Web Designer
A Web Designer is responsible for the visual elements and layout of a website, and understanding logo design can help create a cohesive brand presence online. This course teaches logo design theory and application. Though a web designer might not always be creating logos, an understanding of good logo design principles, color theory, and conceptual execution are useful skills in web design. The course's focus on creating style guides is also applicable to maintaining a consistent design language across a website, which is important for cohesive web design. This course may be useful in developing a stronger understanding of visual branding for the web.
Marketing Specialist
A Marketing Specialist develops and executes marketing strategies, and an understanding of logo design is beneficial in crafting a strong brand message. This course may be helpful for marketing specialists seeking to better understand the design process, especially as it relates to creating visual brand identities. Understanding logo design concepts, research, and the importance of color theory can inform a marketing specialist's decisions, thus helping them collaborate more effectively with designers. This course provides a foundational understanding of logo design that can enhance a marketing specialist’s ability to contribute to the brand development process.
Brand Manager
A Brand Manager oversees a brand's overall strategy and identity, and understanding logo design is vital in this role. This course may be useful for Brand Managers, especially those who do not have a design background. The course offers a detailed look at the logo design process, emphasizing the importance of research, conceptual thinking, and a professional design workflow. This course's focus on color theory and style guide creation are especially relevant because brand guidelines often need to include information about logo usage. A brand manager can gain a better understanding of visual branding.
User Interface Designer
A User Interface Designer focuses on the interactive elements of a digital product, and while not directly responsible for logo design, this course may be useful in understanding brand development. User interface designers must have an eye for aesthetics. Although this course focuses on logo creation, it is useful for a UI designer's understanding of design principles. This course's focus on color theory and the creation of style guides are helpful for understanding how to create consistent and effective interfaces. This course can help a user interface designer understand brand identity.
Marketing Coordinator
A Marketing Coordinator supports marketing campaigns and activities, and this course may be useful in crafting visual elements that align with the brand. Though it deals specifically with logos, this course provides a deep understanding of design concepts that can inform a marketing coordinator’s work. The course’s emphasis on understanding design choices, color theory, how to create a style guide might be helpful in managing marketing materials. This course helps a marketing coordinator learn about brand identity through logo design.
Product Designer
A Product Designer focuses on the user experience of a product, and while not creating logos directly, an understanding of visual design principles is beneficial. This course may be helpful for product designers who work with brands, or who plan to design their own product logos. The course’s emphasis on conceptual execution and understanding color theory are valuable for product designers who must consider visual elements in any user experience. The course’s emphasis on presentations can be a useful skill for a product designer who might need to present design ideas. This course builds foundational knowledge of visual design, which is helpful for a product designer.
Communications Specialist
A Communications Specialist manages the internal and external communications of an organization. This course may be useful for a communication specialist as a foundational understanding of logo creation can enhance their ability to manage and convey a unified brand identity. While they aren't creating the logos themselves, the course helps build an understanding of the creative process. The course’s emphasis on design principles, presentation strategies, and creating cohesive visual elements are relevant for any communication specialist who works with branding. This course helps build an understanding of the visual components of brand communication.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Logo Design Theory & Application Bootcamp.
Provides practical advice and insights into the logo design process. It covers topics such as idea generation, sketching, and working with clients. 'Logo Design Love' offers real-world examples and case studies to illustrate effective logo design strategies. It valuable resource for both beginners and experienced designers looking to improve their skills and create memorable brand identities.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the brand identity design process. It covers topics such as brand strategy, visual identity, and brand guidelines. 'Designing Brand Identity' valuable resource for designers, marketers, and business owners who want to create a strong and consistent brand. It provides a framework for developing a brand identity that is both visually appealing and strategically sound.

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