Designing Logos Is Difficult?? DO THIS!

Purpose of Logo Grids

Logo grids are useful for refining and standardizing a design—not for creating the original concept. Research and concept development should come first; grids are best applied in later stages to make a logo more precise and consistent.

Grid Techniques and Uses

• Match the grid to the design’s character: Circular and oval grids often suit organic, natural forms, while straight lines—and sometimes 45-degree lines—can help create more rigid, structured designs. These are general guidelines, not fixed rules.
• Standardize spacing: Use a unit such as 1× to keep internal gaps consistent, scaling it to 2× or other multiples when needed.
• Keep widths and angles consistent: Circles can help measure a feature’s width and check that it is maintained elsewhere. Grid lines can also help verify repeated angles.
• Control micro white space: Grids help refine spacing around and within a symbol, between a symbol and its wordmark, and between other elements.
• Support handoff and future edits: A clearly mapped grid can show clients how a logo is constructed and help other designers work on it later.

Illustrator Demonstration

1. Go to View → Show Grid, then enable Snap to Grid so drawn objects align with the grid.
2. Use the Ellipse tool to create circles. The demonstration holds Alt/Option and Shift while drawing.
3. Copy and paste a circle in place with Ctrl/Cmd + F.
4. Draw additional shapes with the Pen tool. Snapping helps align them without needing to hold Shift.
5. Use circles to measure and repeat widths. Then select the artwork and use the Shape Builder tool to combine or remove areas. Hold Alt/Option to remove parts.
6. Copy design elements when you need to preserve matching angles and proportions.

Creator featured: Satori Graphics.