Assignment - Logotype Monogram

 ASSIGNMENT PARAMETERS:

Create three (3) different monogram logotypes using different fonts and different colors for each design. You can create the design in any size you wish, since they can be resized for future projects. Try creating a gradient on your outlined fonts for one of your designs. In each case, manipulate and change the design of the type as per the second tutorial instructions.

 

What is a logotype or monogram? Here are two tutorials to help you design a logotype monogram.

A monogram is a type of personal branding made up of one or more letters, typically initials, that may be intertwined as part of a design, like those you see in crests and wedding designs. It can be simple or complex, elegant or fun—it's a great way to capture your personality in a small footprint.

Try these two tutorials to learn how to create a monogram with just three graphic elements: a letterform, a shape, and a color. 

Links to tutorial videos and assets:

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/create-monogram.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/make-a-monogram.html

 

 

TUTORIAL NUMBER ONE:

Set up your document:

Click the New button on the start screen, or choose File > New.

Select Profile: Print and click OK.

Tip: Choose the Essentials workspace in the Workspace Switcher menu to display all the panels you'll need for this project.

 

Type your initial:

Press T to select the Type tool and click on the artboard to add an insertion point. 

In the Control panel at the top of the screen, enter 60 pt for Font Size so your text is easier to see.

Type a letter or your initials, then highlight the typed text with your cursor.

Click the Align Center icon in the Control panel.

 

Choose a font that expresses your personality:

In the Control panel, open the Font family pull-down menu and choose an existing font, or you can add new fonts using the Adobe Typekit library available to Creative Cloud subscribers. Click Add Fonts from Typekit to launch it your browser.

Using the Typekit browser, you can choose from thousands of fonts. If you want to follow along, type "League Gothic" in the search field, and then click + Use fonts. Choose the style variation and click Sync selected fonts. The font will be added to your computer to use in your projects.

Select League Gothic from the Font menu, and then press ESC to exit the Type tool.

 

Create a frame for your initials:

In the Tools panel, click and hold the Rectangle shape tool to access other shapes. Select the Ellipse tool.

Press Shift and drag to draw a circle off to the side.

In the Control panel, click the Fill Color swatch and choose a color from the Swatches panel.

Optional: Click the Stroke Color swatch next to it and apply a colored stroke to the shape. You can use the Stroke Weight field to adjust the thickness.

 

Assemble your monogram:

With the shape still selected, choose Object > Arrange > Send to Back.

With the Selection tool, drag your initial and place it above the shape.

Tip: To align the initial and shape perfectly, select both and click the Horizontal Align Center and Vertical Align Center buttons in the Control panel.

Optional: If you want to experiment with different variations of color, type and sizing for your monogram design, you can quickly save the variations in a Creative Cloud Library to reuse or share. See What are Creative Cloud Libraries for details. 

 

 Resize the elements:

You can resize the shape and initial at any time. 

To scale the shape proportionally from the center, select the shape, and with the Shape tool selected, press Alt/Option + Shift and drag a corner of the bounding box.

To resize your initial, select it and change the font size in the Control panel.

When you're happy with the size and proportion of your monogram, select both objects and choose Object > Group or type Control/Command + G.

 

Prepare for output:

As a final step, you'll copy and paste the logo into a new document for final output.

Select the grouped monogram and press Control/Command + C to copy it. Choose File > New and select Profile: Print.

Press Control/Command + V to paste your monogram into the center of the artboard.

To save the monogram for print, choose File > Save, and select Adobe PDF. In the Adobe PDF Preset menu, choose either the High Quality Print or Press Quality options, based on your print provider's recommendations.

To save the monogram to view onscreen, choose File > Save for Web. In the Preset menu, select either the JPEG or PNG option. Specify an image size, such as 400 x 400 pixels for a Twitter profile image, and then deselect Clip to Artboard. Click Save to export your monogram for your blog, website, or digital publications.

 

 

 

 

TUTORIAL NUMBER TWO:

 

The font used in this tutorial is Bely Display.

Create an outline:

Use the Type (T) tool to add initials using the Bely Display font synced from Adobe Fonts. Then, drag to select the initials with the Selection (V) tool, right-click, and choose Create Outlines. The white ghost image is included to use as a guide if you’d like to follow the steps to create the monogram.

 

Anchor your design:

With the text converted to an outline, customize the form of the letters using the Direct Selection (A) tool. Drag across the top portion of the ‘t’ and pull down on an anchor point to shorten it. Then, select the crossbar of the ‘t’ and shorten it, remove a serif at the base of the ‘k’, and click the top anchor point of the ‘k’ and drag it down as well.

 

Guide the slope:

Draw a red guide using the Line Segment (\) tool. Align it to follow the slope of the ‘t’ and to extend beyond the ‘k’. Then, use the Direct Selection tool to select the top anchor points of the ‘k’ and drag them to match the slope of the ’t’. When finished, move the guide out of the way.

 

Decorate the type:

For a bit of flair, use the Pen (P) tool to draw a flourish extending from the ‘k’.

 

Set the path:

With the decorative swirl still selected, choose Object > Path > Outline Stroke.

 

Unite the elements:

Join the decoration with the type by dragging the Selection tool across everything and clicking Unite from the Pathfinder in the Properties (Window > Properties) panel.

 

Form a connection:

To further blend the artwork, use the Direct Selection tool to drag the top inside corner of the ‘k’, then drag an anchor point indicated by a circle to create a curved path between the ‘k’ and the swirl.

 

Refine the endpoint:

Add the final touch by double-clicking the end of the decoration with the Direct Selection tool. Then, drag each anchor point to create a flared endpoint.

Combine typography and decorative strokes to create an elegant design for your brand.