02. Start with a sketchpad

With the many digital tools available today, you might consider going straight to your computer to create a logo design, but using a sketchpad gives you a chance to rest your eyes from the glare of brightly lit pixels and, more importantly, record design ideas much more quickly and freely. With no digital interface in the way, you have complete freedom to explore, and if you wake up in the night with an idea you don’t want to lose, a pen and paper by your bedside is still the best way to get it down. Sketching makes it easier to put shapes exactly where you want them – there will always be time to digitise your marks later . It can also be useful to share some sketches when you’re describing design ideas to clients prior to digitising a mark. This can make it easier for them to visualise the result without the distraction of typefaces and colours, which can sometimes cause clients to dismiss a whole idea. Don’t share too much though; only your best ideas. 03. Begin your logo design in black and white Make sure you ask your client why they exist, what they do and how they do it. What makes them different from other brands? Who are they there for and what do they most value? Some of these questions might seem so straightforward as to be unnecessary, but they can be challenging to answer and will lead to more questions about the business. What you discover in this initial phase of a project can help ensure that you don't miss the market when you start developing your logo design.