The following is a simple yet effective method to create a logo (or graphic) from a drawing using Adobe Illustrator CS3.
Step One: Start with a drawing
It helps to have some artistic ability to create a drawing that resembles the bird, frog, snake, or whatever item you want to use for your logo. However, even rough drawings can be enhanced with Illustrator’s features.
Step Two: Scan the drawing onto your computer.
Use a fairly high resolution (to make sure you capture all the details. The file size will be larger but can be made smaller when necessary.
We’ve used a Royal Tern sketch, scanned in as a .tif file.
Step Three: Open the file in Adobe Illustrator CS3 or above
Illustrator can open .tif files without conversion but once it is open, save the file as an Illustrator (.ai) file.
Step Four [Option A]: Live Trace
Duplicate the object layer (so you can go back to the original) and select your object. Choose “live trace” and allow for it to do its thing. This might take awhile and a good deal of RAM is necessary.
We were not satisfied with this output although it created a neat effect. If you are happy with it, proceed to Step Five.
Step Four [Option B]: Outlining
Revert back to the original and begin creating segments of the drawing. Create a new layer for each segment. Choose the Pen Tool (P) and start outlining a piece of the drawing. Segmenting the drawing with separate layers will save a lot of pain if you mess up a section.
For each segment, trace over the drawing using a stroke of whatever color you want and a transparent (no color) fill. You can adjust the lines to curve them more or less as you go.
Note: If you are doing a section that you want colored in, choose a fill color.
Once a section is outlined make sure it is selected with the Direct Selection Tool and choose Brushes. Here you have a wide range of styles to choose from so play around a bit. These alter the boring line segment into a artistic, stylish stroke. You can choose the same brush for each segment or mix it up depending on what look you are trying to achieve.
Step Five: Add Text
Adding text is easy enough in Illustrator so you can do it there. Or as another option, you can import your drawing into Photoshop CS3 as a Smart Object and add the text there. Photoshop lets you apply some cool effects like drop shadows easily.
Step Six: Save for Web
If you are happy with your finished product, save it as an Illustrator file (to edit it later if necessary) and then choose File…Save for Web & Devices. Here you can save the file as a .png (portable network graphic) that will be much smaller and size and suitable for the web.
Our finished product and submission for the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center Logo Contest
Items Used For This Project
- Ticonderoga colored pencils
- HP Photosmart C4500 Series Scanner
- Adobe Illustrator CS3
- Macbook Pro
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