94 of the best logo design resources

Feb 25, 2008120 appreciated comments

94 useful logo design resources

Adobe Illustrator

From time to time I’ll see a list of “logo design resources” being circulated, but more often than not I’m left disappointed at the quality. So I’ve searched through my bookmarks and asked for your top tips, culminating in this choice selection of useful sites, books, articles and designers.

Resource topics

Where to find excellent typefaces

Arnhem typeface
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Hoefler & Frere-Jones
H&FJ works with brand leaders in every sector, developing original typefaces and licensing fonts from its library of nearly 1,000 designs.
Porchez Typofonderie
An independent digital type foundry in France, designing, manufacturing and selling high quality typefaces for adventurous digital typographers.
OurType
Founded in 2002, OurType is managed by three partners: Fred Smeijers, Corina Cotorobai and Rudy Geeraerts.
Village
The union of eleven young type foundries who have decided to go it alone, together.
P22
Creates computer typefaces inspired by Art, History, and sometimes Science.
FontShop
Around for 16 years, since the dawn of digital type.
Fonts.com
Searchable database of more than 150,000 fonts.

The history of logo design

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History of popular logo designs
Categorised in alphabetical order with a search feature too.
The Evolution of Tech Company Logos
How famous logo designs came to be, from Neatorama
The Evolution of Car Logos
More historical insights from Neatorama
Branding Firefox
A short insight into the history of the Firefox internet browser brand

Logo design trends

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Logo trends in 2009
From LogoOrange.com. I don’t like these logo trend articles much, and feel that trends are for those who like to waste their money following fashion. But I know they prove popular, so here you are.
Logo trends in 2008
Another from LogoOrange.com.
2009 trends // 2008 // 2007 // 2006 // 2005 // 2004 // 2003
Bill Gardner, of LogoLounge, takes us on a trip through trends from the last decade according to the logos that have been uploaded to his website — many thousands.

A selection of logo articles

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100 unused logos and what they reveal about my design inclinations
An excellent insight behind the designer by Armin of Speak Up.
6 reasons why a logo should cost more than your lunch
Tara of Graphic Design Blog writes a short but sweet article.
Logo Notions
Jeff Fisher’s insightful collection of logo design articles on Creative Latitude.
Logos with a meaning
An extra insight into a selection of logos, by Ivan of CreativeBits.
How many speech bubble logos have you seen lately?
A fraction of what’s going down out there in Web Bubble Logo Land.
Logo design guide
youthedesigner.com offers some stellar advice for designing logos.
The LogoWorks saga
A huge collection of articles about the multi-million dollar business, LogoWorks.
Is your logo design phallic?
A little logo humour to lighten the mood.

David Airey
That’s me. Nothing much to write home about. Have a look at these guys instead.
Andrew Sabatier
Denis Radenkovic, of 38one
Nancy Wu
Raja Sandhu
David Pache
Roy Smith

Logo design awards

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Wolda // 2008 winners showcase
This is what used to be called Eulda (below), but has since expanded into the World Logo Design Awards (Wolda)
Eulda 2007 winners // 2006 winners
The winning entries from the European Logo Design Awards (Eulda) from 2007 and 2006.
Identity: Best of 2007 winners // 2006 winners
The results of an international logo design competition, judged by a very experienced panel.
Logo Design Love Awards
View the winners from the inaugural Logo Design Love Awards, featuring the best blog logos around.

Blogs about logo design

logolog
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Brand New
Excellent discussion focusing solely on corporate and brand identity work.
Logo design category on David Airey.com
An added insight into logo design from yours truly.
logolog
A logo log from 38one.
bLog-oMotives
Jeff Fisher’s logo design blog.
Speak Up on Identity
The branding and identity category on Speak Up.

Adobe Illustrator tutorials

Adobe Illustrator
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N.DESIGN STUDIO
Smashing Magazine
Tutorial Blog
Revitalise your logo with a Crescent Swish
“Can I get a swoosh with that?” a little humour from Logo Hell.

Logo design showcases

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Style guides and manuals

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Further resources

La Logotheque
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Iconic logo designers
A rundown of the world’s most iconic designers and their logos.
Corporate identity catalogue
If you want to discover the typefaces and Pantone references for some of the world’s main identies, look no further.
Forums for logo design feedback
Upload your designs and let the constructive criticism commence.
LogoLounge
Inspiration from all levels of design expertise.
Designguide’s logo gallery
English translation of a German site about design and logos.
LogoPond
Similar to LogoLounge, only free, more inspiration from all ability levels.
The big page of branding and corporate identity resources
Covers manuals, guides, trademarking, laws, and more, from LogoOrange.com
The Identity Archives Project
5 websites for free vector logo downloads
For those times when you need a well-known .eps file, in a hurry

Hopefully that lot will keep you engrossed for a while. If you know of any more excellent logo design resources, feel free to mention them in a comment.

Coming soon

Lots of logo design love coming your way, with a look inside the excellent Marks of Excellence book, an ode to Saul Bass, and A LOT of logo design features. Oh boy.

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120 appreciated comments, click here to add one

Zinni

Insanely great resource, I think you should also add the book “Logo Design” that came out some time last year (the one with the purple foil stamp on the cover)

This book has some great case studies in the front, and is every bit as good as the logo lounge series… I hope the do a follow up.

Feb 25th, 2008
jesusOmar

Great resource… thanks for another excellent post.

Feb 25th, 2008
Jacob Cass

That is a perfect list. Totally Dugg. And thanks for the link to JCD and the Guest Article mention.

Feb 25th, 2008
Steven Snell

Great resource David. Thanks for mentioning my post.

Feb 25th, 2008
David

Thanks for the mention David, great list here I didn’t even know of some of these, Thanks.

Feb 25th, 2008
David Airey

Zinni,

I don’t suppose you have a link for that book? Glad you like the resources here.

David,

You’re very welcome, and it’s great to know that I’ve offered some links to resources you’re unfamiliar with.

jesusOmar,

No problem. Cheers.

Feb 25th, 2008
inspirationbit

great addition to my bookmarks.
How long does it take to put a resource guide like this?

inspirationbit’s last blog post..A Bit Of Literature – Mr. Know-All

Feb 25th, 2008
Jim

I wrote an article a while back called 9 Rules to creating a logo you can live with and still get paid, and I think it’s something all relatively new logo designers should think about.

The list you’ve put together is excellent! Some great resources and inspiration in there.

Feb 26th, 2008
David Airey

Jacob, Steven,

You’re both very welcome. Keep publishing those articles and I’ll keep promoting you. Jacob, congrats on the popularity of your recent resource post. Great job.

Vivien,

Glad you wanted to bookmark this. I pieced the list together in around 2 or 3 hours, spread out over a week (kept having to leave it and come back to the draft when I was less busy – as so many of my blog articles pan out).

Feb 26th, 2008
Mark Lester

Great resource David!

One to bookmark!

Thanks for making my day!

Mark

Feb 26th, 2008
Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

David -

Thanks for the multiple inclusions.

A great list. If I were to suggest one addition it would be Tony Spaeth’s Identityworks (http://www.identityworks.com/).

- J.

Feb 26th, 2008
David Pache

David, thanks again :^)

Feb 26th, 2008
Jermayn Parker

Im dizzy after just looking at what you have written…

Most of it is not for me but definitely for my graphic designer, guess I wont be expecting anything soon from him :|

Feb 27th, 2008
johno

Some great resources there, David. Thanks for putting this together. And I’m looking forward to the results of the Logo Design Love Awards.

johno’s last blog post..National News

Feb 27th, 2008
Frank

Awesome resources !

May i add 2 logo books to the list i can’t live without:

“Logo, Font & Lettering Bible” by Leslie Cabarga, which to me is the single most amazing book when it comes to logos – full of information, practical advice and so not “just another book of 1000 logos”.Link here:

http://www.amazon.com/Logo-Font-Lettering-Bible-Comprehensive/dp/1581804369/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204233084&sr=8-1

“Idea Index” by Jim Krause; ironically Jim has written another, different book specifically about logos – still i find “Idea Index” to be a lot more helpful in terms of getting ideas for logos.It’s an incredible wealthy pool of idea resources and perfect for the time when you have a “designer’s block”.Link here:

http://www.amazon.com/Idea-Index-Graphic-Typographic-Treatments/dp/1581800460/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204233315&sr=8-1

Geez, actually i am giving away top secret industry secrets here but hey, both books deserve it ! ;)

Feb 28th, 2008
David Airey

Mark, David

You’re both very welcome.

Jim,

I enjoyed your article. Thanks for linking through to it.

Jeff,

Good of you to make a suggestion, and a great one at that. I’ll add it shortly.

Jermayn,

I hope your graphic designer finds these resources of use.

Johno,

Thanks again for recommending some type foundries. They’re all excellent. I hope the Logo Design Love Awards nominees live up to expectation.

Frank,

I’ll have to add those books. Cheers for stopping by with your industry secrets.

Mar 3rd, 2008
Fubiz

Impressive selection. The links are good!

Mar 4th, 2008
Tom B.

David-

Thanks for compiling such a comprehensive resource.
Can you (or any guests) take a look at our newly launched website and let us know what you think.

http://www.performancelogo.com

Thanks – Tom B.

Mar 13th, 2008
David Airey

Hi Tom,

I like the video presentation from your co-founder (or is it you?). Perhaps adding a name beside the video would help. People like to know who they’re watching.

Also, how about breaking up your portfolio page a little? Placing logos with descriptions, or ordering them better as opposed to here and there.

Mar 14th, 2008
Marta

Eu adoro estes livros: Tres Logos // Dos Logos // Los Logos !!!! São muito bons !!!!

Jun 17th, 2008
Joe

Excellent resource list! Bookmarked and recommended to other designers!

Jul 1st, 2008
David Airey

Hi Joe,

Thanks for recommending the resources to other designers, and also for your recent comments on other posts here.

Jul 2nd, 2008
Sachin Bhavsar

How can you skip to add

http://www.logosauce.com/
http://www.logotwo.com/
http://www.web2logo.com/

Jul 9th, 2008
Tom

Hi David,

great site with useful resources! I know many of your recommended books and would also recommend the book “Lingua Universalis: Global Wordless Understanding”.

Best regards,
Tom

Aug 10th, 2008
Chelle

I am so bookmarking this for the next time i need to do a little logo designing! Thanks for this great list!

Aug 17th, 2008
David Airey

Thanks very much for the extra suggestions and appreciative comments.

Aug 17th, 2008
logo

Very useful, thanks.

Feb 18th, 2009
Nick Matsa

Nice and useful information
it think Parachute® has also got really good corporate typefaces

Mar 26th, 2009
Mark Sequeira of mjaStudios

I LOVE the page. I am helping push you up the web rankings by linking you to a few places and also on my facebook page.

Thanks again!
Mark

Apr 8th, 2009
alpharice

Great resource David!

May 4th, 2009
Muzica Nu Ucide

Yup, a very resourcefull list indeed. There is one thing you shouldn’t do in the future: when writing down links – they all open in the same window, wich takes me away from the page I’m on. So the best thing to do – from a PR point of view and usability too – is always to make the links open in a new window, so the user won’t have to click “Back” button or get irritated by that.

Pardon my English and, once again, this article is good work!

May 27th, 2009
vysakh

Nice resource, Thanks very much.

Jun 7th, 2009
Ovi Dogar

Wow…amazing collection… and very useful information!

Keep posting! ;)

Jun 30th, 2009
Gabe Ruane

For the ‘further resources’ category, have a look at Http://www.identityarchives.com for keyword-based searches. It’s a solid tool for visual research, allowing for searches based on stylistic and subjective details.

Aug 4th, 2009
Matty

This list is incredible it is huge! Well done for providing such an excellent resource. This page is being bookmarked now.

Aug 26th, 2009
Douglas Bonneville

Just found this page…what a great resource. What are the links below the comments? Are they extra resources or pingback/trackbacks (whatever the difference between those 2 are :) )

I love the Firefox logo article up there. I have a copy of the NIV “Children’ts Bible” that inspired the original fox design. It was the story of Samson when he tied burning torches to the tails of paired-up foxes and set them running to burn the Philistines down…which some people correlate to Internet Explorer. Or maybe just IE6 :)

Oct 19th, 2009
Douglas Bonneville

Firefox inspiration source:

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/2210/originoffirefoxlogo.jpg

Oct 19th, 2009
David Airey

How great to see what the Firefox logo was inspired from. Thanks, Doug.

The links below comments are indeed trackbacks. I added a heading to them, then removed it when I realised the heading shows on posts without any, which looked odd. I know there’s some php “if” and “else” code that gets around that, but I was too busy at the time to go studying.

Oct 19th, 2009
Douglas Bonneville

The upcoming replacement for Firefox is tentatively called “Donkey Jaw”. Just kidding :) (See the “Book of Judges” around chapter 15 for the punchline).

Oct 20th, 2009
frost

Wow David, how did you find that Firefox inspiration? Is that really where it came from!? What an obscure and random place to draw inspiration, but I guess that’s where the best types of inspiration are drawn from hahaha.

Oct 21st, 2009
Michelle

WOW what a massive list of resources all for logo design, this is great and must have taken you hours of putting together for us to read, thanks :)

Nov 7th, 2009