Final Logo Design

When creating my final logo I knew my obstacle would be designing a logo that was scalable. This meant changing much of what was created in my initial draft logo. I really enjoyed the elements of my draft, so the first thing I did when creating my final logo was break up the elements and try to place them together in a more simplistic, scalable way.

• 

• 

The umbrella was the first to move. The umbrella design was grouped intentionally so it could be moved with ease without having to readjust the design. I decided to lose the gradient and color the umbrella a flat black. The state outline adopted a new color as well. For this, I chose to pursue a color inspired by the actual company logo. The inspiration to model my logo after the company logo came from a design of my classmate, Taryn Brown.  

Finally, I added the text ‘PFML’ for Paid Family and Medical Leave directly to the right of my design. I am happy with the simplicity of my final design and I feel that the rate of scalability has greatly increased with the changes that I have made.

• 

The feedback that I received from my classmates was extremely valuable. Issues with scalability was a trend among the feedback I received, because of this I decided to delete the raindrops and most of the text. I wanted a logo that could be easily recognizable and complement the existing company logo.

I feel my final logo meets those expectations. Please see the steps below to create the elements of this logo which are incorporated in both the draft and final project.

---

Here are the steps to create the elements of my Draft / final logo:

1. Create the state outline by embedding an image into illustrator and tracing it with the pen tool. Once the trace is complete the image used for tracing can be deleted.
2. Create the umbrella by using the ellipse tool.  Draw an ellipse, then use the rectangle tool and place a rectangle over half of the ellipse. Use the selection tool and select the ellipse and the rectangle. Once the two are selected, use the shape builder tool to delete the bottom half of the ellipse by selecting alt and clicking on the unwanted parts.
3. Create a circle with the ellipse tool. Select the circle and copy it three times. Place the 4 circles on the straight edge of the half ellipse. Use the selection tool to select the half ellipse and 4 circles and proceed with the shape builder tool following the same instructions listed in step 2.
4. Use the line tool to create the handle of the umbrella
5. Create the letter ‘U’ with the text tool and align it with the handle of the umbrella
6. Group the umbrella by selecting it with the Selection tool, click object located in the top toolbar and then select group.
7. The final step is to add the text ‘PFML’ and place it beside the state outline