Designing

Logo Design from Scratch

Posted on  |  Category: Designing  |  Difficulty: Intermediate  |  Photoshop CS+

Vector-style logo creation using shape layers, path operations, and scalable export techniques for professional brand identity work.

Step 1: Research and Sketch

Create artboard at 500×500px. Sketch rough logo concepts on a rough layer at 30% opacity.

Step 2: Build with Shapes

Use Ellipse and Rectangle Shape Tools. Combine with Path Operations (Unite, Subtract) for clean geometry.

Step 3: Refine Paths

Convert to paths. Use Direct Selection Tool to adjust anchor points for perfect curves.

Step 4: Choose Brand Colors

Apply 2–3 brand colors maximum. Test on both white and dark backgrounds using artboards.

Step 5: Typography Pairing

Add company name in a complementary font. Align to logo using guides — center or optically balance.

Step 6: Scalable Export

Save as PSD with shape layers intact. Export PNG at 512px, 256px, and 128px for web use.

Step 7: Presentation Mockup

Place logo on a business card mockup layer to evaluate real-world appearance.

PSD Download: Layered PSD file included with this tutorial. Download Logo Design PSD (1.2 MB)

That's it! You've completed this tutorial. Experiment with the techniques and share your results with the Designstacks community.