Creating a logo is creating an identity. What does your logo say about your company? The kind of people you work with? The kind of business you do? Would you be approachable? Are you strong? Are you fun? WHO ARE YOU? When we launched Artistic Hub, we knew we needed a new identity that emcompassed these things and more. Michelle and I are the graphic designers for Artistic Hub and we think it’s easier to learn about the design process when you can SEE it, so here you go.
The making of the Artistic Hub logo.
1) The Design Brief
We met with Jimmy and Pat to decide what our main goals were for this new identity. We have learned from experience that is is very important to include the necessary people in this meeting (the first time) and allow some time to chat. Taking time to discuss the identity of the company, the goals, the clients, the work and the design ideas are all necessary to ensure that we have a clear direction.
What is Artistic Hub?
Artistic Hub focuses on on-demand merchandising and virtual design. We create interactive campaigns to engage our client’s fan base by coupling our custom built design competition application with the market leader in on-demand printing. This technology creates engagement, validates new product potential, creates measurable return on investment, and most importantly turns the expense of design into a revenue stream.
Who are the clients?
Bands, Brands, Major Corporations and Interactive Agencies.
How would you describe Artistic Hub?
fresh, innovative, approachable, fun, interactive, helpful, global, supportive, community, smart
Main goals for the Artistic Hub logo:
*Must represent a hub – we want people to get it
*Easily recognizable
*scalable (standard for all logo design, but an important aspect here)
2) Research
Michelle and I spent time with some books and Google to get a better understanding of what a “hub” is and how it is expressed in other logos.
What is a hub?
dictionary.com says: 1. a center around which other things revolve or from which they radiate; a focus of activity, authority, commerce, transportation, etc. 2. the central part of a wheel, as that part into which the spokes are inserted.
3) Sketching
It is important to put pen/pencil to paper to shoot those ideas out of your hand. I’m a strong believer that the ideas don’t come out the same when transferred directly to a mouse. Don’t be afraid to sketch EVERYTHING. Michelle and I both sketched until we had at least 60 ideas each. It’s good to try everything so you know you have exhausted all of your ideas and you are choosing the right one in the end.
4) To the computer!
We scanned in our favorite logos to trace in Adobe Illustrator. (We don’t have wacoms in the office yet… hint hint 
)
Adding Text:
Adding color:
5) The Final Logo
We chose this shape because it represented a hub and the negative space shows a group of heads coming together. Unity and global expansion are represented here and the green color has that light, fresh feel. Jimmy and Pat were very pleased with this logo design and we went from concept to live website in 3 weeks. See how this logo is used in our company identity: (web, promotional materials, business cards and logo versions)
Check out ArtisticHub.com for more info.
Other GREAT blogs about Logo Design:
What Makes a good logo design?
6 Reasons Why a Logo Should Cost More than your lunch
My Logo Design Process – David Airey
or hey – just go to 81 of the best logo design resources
Good Source for Logo Inspiration:
-Mel & Michelle
Hi Mel, Michelle,
Thanks for making reference to my blogs about logo design. I appreciate that.
Hey David,
We read your blog daily. Thanks for all of the inspiration and resources!
-M&M
great resources, thanks