Prevent overcrowding. Keep logos simple. Don't clutter the logo's message with unimportant text, images or shapes. Use no more than two fonts that are very different from each other, such as fat text with thin or serif and sans-serif fonts.
Promote readability. Use fonts that are easy to read. Avoid Old English style fonts in all capital letters. Simplify your design down to the basic elements of the logo -- such as who is the logo for, what do they do and how do people get in contact with them.
Create the logo for adaptability. Use a vector illustration program when creating the logo because vectors are scalable to any size without losing resolution.
Open a vector illustration software program. Choose "File," then "New" from the menu at the top of the page. Set the image size and resolution to the desired size. Enter "Okay."
Import a file for tracing by selecting "File," then "Place." Choose "Enter" to place the file in the new document. Size the image to the proper dimensions by dragging one of the four handle points on the imported image, while holding down the "Shift" key.
Select "Trace" from the "Object" menu at the top of the page. Choose a preset option or manipulate the slide bars to create a custom trace. Use the "Blur" setting for smoothing jagged lines, or "Threshold" to darken or lighten areas. Consult the "Help" file of your specific program for more details.
Choose "Expand" from the "Objects" menu to see the anchor points on the lines of the logo design. Select "CTRL/CMD" + "Y" to view the outline or "Wireframe" of your logo.
Eliminate any unnecessary lines by clicking on individual anchor points and selecting "Delete." Join disconnected shapes by selecting two anchor points by using the "Select" tool, then enter "CTRL/CMD" +"J." Consult the "Help" file of your specific program for more details.
Use the pen tool located on the main menu to create your own images or to manipulate text. Use the pen tool options when drawing an image.
Draw with the pen tool by placing points in the shape of your logo elements. Manipulate the lines and curves by using the "Convert Anchor Point" or "Select" arrow.
Hold your mouse over the pen icon to see a fly out menu of pen tool choices. Use the plain pen tool for drawing lines and points. Add a point with the pen tool and the + sign. Eliminate excess points by using the pen tool and the - sign.
Use the pencil tool located on the tool bar for free hand drawing. Consult the "Help" file of your vector illustration software program for more information about the pen tool.