A well-designed logo is a crucial aspect of any successful brand. With the rise of online education, it has now become easier to learn logo design and create a professional-looking emblem for your business or personal brand. In this article, we’ve rounded up the 14 best online logo design courses for 2023, including both free and paid options. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced designer, you’ll find valuable resources to help you enhance your skills and create stunning logos.
1. Udemy – Logo Design: From Beginner to Pro (Paid)
Udemy’s “Logo Design: From Beginner to Pro” is a comprehensive, paid course that covers everything you need to know to create a professional-looking logo. The course is taught by an experienced logo designer who walks you through the entire logo design process, from conceptualization to final execution. The course is designed for beginners and covers the basics of graphic design, typography, and color theory, as well as advanced techniques for creating unique and memorable logos.
The course is 1.5h long, broken down into 13 byte-sized lectures, and throughout the course, you’ll have the opportunity to put your new skills into practice by working on real-life logo design projects. You’ll also receive feedback and guidance from the instructor, helping you to refine your design skills and create a portfolio of work that you can be proud of.
In addition to its comprehensive curriculum, Udemy’s “Logo Design: From Beginner to Pro” course offers a range of elements, including interactive quizzes and practical exercises, making the learning experience both engaging and effective.
2. Udemy – Logo Design Masterclass
Udemy’s “Logo Design Masterclass” is a value-packed course designed to give you insight into the exciting and lucrative world of logo design! Become a professional logo designer and create beautiful, relevant, distinct, and memorable logos with this comprehensive course. This course covers everything you need to know to get started, from understanding the principles of logo design and the importance of color, typography, and design, to applying your knowledge in your work.
This course also provides hands-on learning through interactive exercises and practical assignments. You’ll learn how to brainstorm, sketch, and design logos, as well as create a logo design portfolio. It also walks you through the steps of brainstorming, sketching, and creating logos after consulting with clients, while teaching you about the process of writing creative briefs and contract agreements for logo design! With 7.5 hours of on-demand video, 6 articles, 5 downloadable resources, and a certificate of completion, this course will help you master logo design and become a logo design expert!
Once you’ve enrolled, you can choose to receive feedback on your work on the discussion board, which could also help better your logo design portfolio.
3. Coursera – Graphic Design: Build your own Logo Design (Paid)
Coursera’s “Fundamentals of Graphic Design: Build your own Logo Design” is a logo design online course that teaches students the skills and techniques needed to design effective logos. The course is part of Coursera’s Graphic Design Specialization and is taught by experienced graphic designers. Throughout the course, you’ll learn about typography, color theory, and composition and how to apply these concepts in your logo designs.
In this project-based course, you’ll have the opportunity to design logos for real-world scenarios, such as businesses, organizations, and personal brands, that reflect your true identity through simple, attractive logos.
The 2h course is designed to be both engaging and effective, with interactive learning materials and a final quiz. You also get access to necessary software packages, and you can download what you create as well! Each step is taught through a split-screen video from your instructor and is the perfect way to learn!
4. Skillshare – Logo Design For Beginners (Paid)
In this online course, “Logo Design for Beginners”, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of logo design and its crucial role in the graphic design industry. A logo serves as the face of a brand and must exude professionalism to establish brand recognition. The instructor will guide you through the design process and provide valuable tips and design principles to create an effective logo.
The course covers various aspects of logo design, including design principles, the creation process, different styles and types of logos, idea generation, and the use of Adobe Illustrator in the design workflow. From learning how to draw inspiration to exporting your logo design, this course covers it all!
By the end of the course, you will have developed a strong portfolio of logo designs, and you’ll be able to improve your graphic design skills and workflow. All that is required for this course is Adobe Illustrator, though any version will suffice, including the free trial.
5. PicMonkey – Logo Design Basics (Free)
PicMonkey’s “Logo Design Basics” is a free online course that provides an introduction to the world of logo design. This course is suitable for beginners who have no prior experience with logo design or graphic design in general. The course covers key concepts such as the design process, typography, color theory, understanding different tools used, watermarks, and other essential factors to know before designing a logo.
To enhance and boost your brand identity with a professional logo, PicMonkey helps you create logo templates or select an existing one. You can also explore the vast collection of layouts and play with graphics, add trendy text effects, edit, resize, and so much more.
With its straightforward curriculum, practical exercises, and user-friendly design tool, PicMonkey’s “Logo Design Basics” provides an accessible and effective introduction to the world of logo design.
6. LinkedIn Learning – Logo Design Techniques (Paid)
Logos play a vital role in today’s visual world. An effective logo should be simple, memorable, and composed of only the most necessary components. To master the art of logo design, it is crucial to understand the elements and design methods behind well-known logos, such as the Nike swoosh and the Coca-Cola ribbon.
The “Logo Design Techniques” course offered on LinkedIn Learning lasts for about 4.5h across multiple lessons and is designed to teach individuals the key principles and techniques of logo design. The course covers a range of topics, including the importance of understanding the client and their brand, the process of brainstorming and sketching ideas, and how to refine and finalize a logo design.
The course also includes tips on how to choose the right typeface, color, and other design elements to create a logo that is both memorable and effective. With practical exercises and real-world examples, this course is suitable for both beginners and experienced designers who want to improve their logo design skills. The course is taught by expert Nigel French, who has extensive experience in graphic design and logo design.
7. YouTube – Free Logo Design Tutorials (Free)
YouTube is a popular platform for free video tutorials, including those for logo design. Many graphic designers and design enthusiasts share their expertise on the site, offering tips, tricks, and step-by-step guidance for creating logos.
Whether you’re a beginner or have some design experience, you can find tutorials that suit your skill level. Some tutorials cover the basics of logo design, while others go into more advanced techniques, such as color theory and typography. From tutorials on using specific software like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW to more general tutorials on design theory and principles, there’s a wealth of information available.
With so many tutorials to choose from, you are sure to find one that fits your design style and skill level. Whether you are a professional designer or just looking to create a logo for fun, YouTube’s free logo design tutorials are a great resource.
The best part is that all these tutorials are free to watch, so you can learn at your own pace and budget. To get started, search for “logo design tutorials” on YouTube and choose a tutorial that looks interesting to you.
8. Canva Design School – Creating a Logo (Free)
Canva Design School is a free online platform offering various courses and tutorials on graphic design, including logo design. The platform provides a wide range of design elements, including fonts, icons, and illustrations, which can be used to create professional-looking logos at your own pace!
With the help of 8 small-sized lessons, along with activities and cheat sheets, users can apply learned concepts and create their own logos. The free online course “Creating a Logo” covers essential topics like how-to’s and why’s of logo design, the psychology behind it, typography, color theory, and the principles of good logo design, along with apt guidelines. The course also covers other aspects like design thinking, research, competitor analysis, ideation, prototyping, different logo categories such as watermark, monogram, and pictogram, and how to work around customizations with letters, fonts, and colors.
9. Alison – Fundamentals of Logo Design (Free)
This free online course on Alison, “Fundamentals of Logo Design,” teaches you the basics of graphics and how to create a professional logo. You will understand the prerequisites for a successful logo design and learn about the psychology of color selection in logo design.
The course covers the different types of logos and their function, as well as the trends in logo design and how to create unique designs for clients. You will also learn about different software applications and the importance of small businesses needing a well-designed logo. Additionally, the course highlights the dangers of plagiarism in logo design and the differences between font, font family, and typeface.
Upon the successful completion of this module, you will be well-equipped to delve into the world of logo design. You will have a solid understanding of the prerequisites for a professional logo design, including the fundamentals of graphics and the various software applications involved in the logo design process.
Additionally, you will be able to summarize the uses, purpose, and intent of logos and evaluate their role in representing products or services.
10. CreativeLive – Logo Design Fundamentals (Paid)
CreativeLive’s course aims to teach you how to create impactful logos from scratch. Regardless of your skill level or experience, you will learn how to confidently design logos using insider tips, tools, techniques, and best practices. The class provides a framework for concept generation that will allow your creativity to flourish.
You will learn the anatomy of a logo and how to design three different types. The history of logos and essential definitions will be covered, how typography relates to logo design, as well as how to avoid common logo design mistakes. The value of doodles and sketching in the ideation process will be discussed, as well as color theory and color considerations in logo design. From knowing essential design terminology and tackling a creative brief to choosing appropriate visual approaches, this course has it all!
This online logo design course comes with 43 high-definition video lessons that offer a total of 2 hours and 30 minutes of class content. It also comes with exclusive bonus content, providing you with a comprehensive learning experience. The best part is you’ll have lifetime access to the course and can learn anywhere, anytime. The course is accessible via streaming on desktop and mobile browsers, and you can even download it for offline access. If you own an iPhone or iPad, you can use the offline sync feature with the apps. Finally, the course comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can feel confident in your purchase.
11. PluralSight – The Secrets to Designing Great Logos (Free, then Paid)
Pluralsight’s “The Secrets to Designing Great Logos” course is a series of tutorials designed to understand the process of creating a great logo from scratch.
It begins by emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions and conducting thorough research and goes on to explore different types of logos and the situations where they work best.
The tutorials are organized into 9 sections with a total runtime of 87 minutes – each focusing on a different aspect of logo design, such as: what makes a good logo, types of logos, transforming ideas into sketches, refining sketches into logos, and more.
The course also delves into the significance of colors, including cultural differences in color choices for globally marketed brands, and includes a case study to demonstrate the practical application of these principles. By the end of the training, you will have the tools and a clear process for creating effective and memorable logos. The only software requirements are Illustrator CC 2014.0.0 and Photoshop CC 2014.0.0.
12. LogoCore – Learn Logo Design
LogoCore is an online platform that provides a comprehensive logo design course aimed at helping individuals and businesses improve their design skills and create professional-looking logos. LogoCore’s curriculum is designed to teach the required skills for brand design without the need for expensive college courses.
The course covers modules from introduction to the use of Adobe Creative Cloud, Illustrator workflows, logo design theory, realistic projects, brand style guides, design presentations, freelancing, and a bonus training on logo animation. Each module includes video lessons, interactive assignments, and homework to improve visual problem-solving skills.
The course is designed to take beginners to an intermediate level and has a total duration of approximately 20 hours, covering topics such as geometric design, color theory, composition rules, creative briefs, and presenting logo designs. The course also covers copyrights, contracts, and portfolio tips for freelancing in brand design.
13. CreativeLive – Logo Design 101 (Paid)
“Logo Design 101” facilitates learning the complete process of creating an effective logo from start to finish with the guidance of branding expert Tim Frame. Tim has over twenty years of experience in the branding industry and has designed logos, icons, brand identity systems, and retail graphics for companies of all sizes.
This is a comprehensive course on logo design that covers everything from defining what a logo is to producing final artwork files. It includes 22 lessons that cover important aspects of logo design, such as researching and gathering relevant information and concepts, refining and rendering a design, producing identity standards and basic style guides, and making color decisions. The course covers topics such as the standard logotypes, formulating a creative brief, exploring type solutions, customizing letterforms, logo execution styles, color considerations, and final artwork file preparation. This course also covers important topics such as copyright and trademark basics and contract basics.
14. Domestika – Logo Design: From Concept to Presentation (Paid)
This course teaches the fundamental principles of logo design while also allowing you to discover your identity as a designer. Taught by Sagi Haviv, a highly experienced designer who has created memorable logos for major brands, this course will help you grow as a designer and enhance your portfolio.
The course begins with Sagi sharing his journey as a designer, the principles of logo design, and the process of turning an idea into an iconic logo.
Throughout the course, you will work on creating a logo for a client and explore your own identity as a graphic designer. By the end of the course, you will have developed the skills to create iconic logos and present them effectively to clients. From researching the client to sketching, vectorizing, and incorporating typography, you will learn how to design and present a successful logo.
This is an online course with 16 lessons spanning 2 hours and 33 minutes. It has been designed to help beginners in logo design and has received 99% positive reviews from over 51,092 students. The course is available online and can be completed at your own pace. It includes 12 additional resources and can be accessed on the app with audio available in English, Spanish, English, Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Polish, and Dutch. The course offers unlimited access forever and is available to be taken anytime, anywhere.
What Software Is Used in Logo Design?
Designing a logo takes a certain skill, no doubt, but there is multiple software available to ease the process. The choice of software depends on the designer’s preference and the complexity of the logo design project.
A few of them that can be explored are as below:
- Adobe Illustrator
- CorelDRAW
- Adobe Photoshop
- Tailor Brands
- Inkscape (Open-source)
- GIMP (Open-source)
- Sketch (Mac-only)
- Canva (Online)
What Are the Different Types of Logo Designs?
The logo design process involves creating a unique and memorable design that encapsulates the essence of the brand and appeals to the target audience. The type of logo chosen can impact the overall perception of the brand, making it an important aspect of brand identity. There are several types of logo designs, each with its own unique style and characteristics. Here are a few:
- Symbol/Iconic: A symbol or icon that represents the brand without any text.
- Wordmark/Lettermark: A typeface-based logo that spells out the brand name.
- Combination Mark: A combination of symbol/icon and wordmark/lettermark.
- Emblem: A logo that is enclosed within a shape, similar to a seal or badge.
- Abstract: A non-representational design that uses shapes, lines, and colors to represent the brand.
- Character: A logo that features an illustrated character as the focal point.
- Mascot: A logo that features an illustrated character that acts as a representative of the brand.
- Hand-drawn: A logo that is created using hand-drawn illustrations, giving a personal and authentic touch.
Do You Need a Degree to Design Logos?
While having a higher education degree in design is preferred for many logo design positions, it is not a strict requirement. However, to be successful in logo design, you may need to develop and refine your design skills beyond your current abilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the article highlights 14 online courses (both free and paid) to help individuals master logo design in 2023.
These courses cover various aspects of logo design and are taught by experienced professionals in the industry. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced designer, they offer a great opportunity to learn and improve your logo design skills, so you can create impactful logos for clients or your own projects.
With a range of options to choose from, you can select the course that best suits your goals and learning style.
