I only used simple shapes (ovals, rectangles, triangles). It probably took me more time to plan and write this tutorial than to actually create the logo! It's really quite easy once you have a concept.
Step 1. The Sketch
This is where most of your creativity is needed. I am a firm believer in the pencil and paper approach. I tried out various combinations of "z" and "1" and finally created this very rough sketch.
This design is made up of simple shapes that are easily (and cleanly) created digitally.
When the design is more organic and has more curves, I make a clean drawing and then trace over it with vectors on the computer.
Step 2. Creating the "Z"
Yes, It would be much easier to pick a block font and use that "Z", and if you can find a font you are happy with, go ahead and use it!I wanted a "Z" that was more squat than the fonts I had, and I liked the idea of using a custom "Z" for the graphic in the logo.
Instead of lining up rectangles and trying to get the angle of the middle line "just right", I used triangles to mark the negative space in my "Z".
Making the Triangles - Make one triangle (make sure the corner is 90 degrees) and then rotate it horizontally and vertically. Then line up your two triangles (to make a rectangle/square) and nudge one over until the space between is the desired width.
"Unite" or combine the two triangles into one shape. (It may be helpful to keep a copy of the two triangles as separate shapes in case you want to change something.)
Line up the Rectangle - Place the triangles on a rectangle. Resize the rectangle so the vertical edges are ever so slightly within the vertical edges of the triangles. This ensures you will not have any stray lines hanging off your finished "Z".
Size the "Z" - Create a rectangle that is the same width as the diagonal part of your "Z" (the space between your triangles). Copy the rectangle. Without resizing it, rotate the copy so it is horizontal. Copy this rectangle. Now you have two horizontal rectangles that are the same height as the diagonal part of the "Z".
Line one horizontal rectangle up with the horizontal edge of each triangle. Resize the horizontal edges of the black rectangle so they line up with the grey horizontal rectangles.
Custom "Z" - Simply "subtract" the triangle shape from the black rectangle and you will be left with a perfect, custom "Z".
Step 3. Creating the "1" within the "Z"
This step can be used to create a stencil look for your font or can be used to break up any shape into regions of different color.
Isolating the "1" - Create a rectangle to separate the "1" from the top bar of the "Z". Copy and rotate this rectangle so it perpendicularly intersects the diagonal bar of the "Z". Adjust the positions of these rectangles as desired.
"Subtract" the rectangles from the "Z". Make a copy.
Create rectangles and rotate them as necessary to cover only the "1" in a copy of the "Z". "Unite" these rectangles and make a copy.
Take the "intersection" of the rectangles and the "Z". This will leave you with the "1" shape.
Making a Clean "Z1" Combination - Change the color of the "1" and place it over the complete "Z" shape. Place the copy of the rectangles over the "1".
"Subtract" the rectangles from the "Z" shape. This will leave you with a perfectly aligned "Z1" combination.
Step 4. The Ring Graphic and Final Product
I originally had the circle at the base of the "Z1" but decided it looked too much like a spot light and was not as dynamic as I wanted.
Creating the Ring - Create an oval shape and copy it. Change the color of the copy and shrink it while maintaining the proportions. Center the smaller oval on the larger oval. Nudge the smaller oval up to show more of the larger oval on the bottom. This creates a 3D effect.
Position the Circle - Position the ring as desired. Draw a shape behind the ring to act as a border (to separate it from the "Z") and make this shape the same color as the background.
When the design is finalized, you can "subtract" the outline shape from the "Z" so the design will work on any background.
Step 5. Add the Text
Simply add the desired text, make sure everything is centered, and you're done!
I hope this was helpful. These techniques can be mixed and matched and used for other purposes. I simply wanted to show the actual, step-by-step, process for a logo draft!
