{"id":22121,"date":"2021-06-07T09:11:30","date_gmt":"2021-06-07T09:11:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/?p=22121"},"modified":"2026-04-10T08:36:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T08:36:34","slug":"designing-pattern-logos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/designing-pattern-logos\/","title":{"rendered":"Designing Pattern Logos: A Checklist For Newbie Logo Designers"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is so mesmerizing about patterns? The repetition of design elements surely catches the eye! It has a psychedelic, almost trance-like effect on the looker. Designing pattern logos<\/strong> for brands can give them unique personalities. And if that is what the client brief allows you to create, then here is a checklist I have put together for all the things newbie logo designers need to make the perfect logo design<\/a> into an attractive pattern.<\/p>\n

Research In Making Pattern Logos<\/h2>\n

\u2022 Think Of The Mood You Want To Create<\/h3>\n

Whether it is music or pattern designing<\/strong>, understanding rhythm is important because this is what helps in creating the \u201cmood\u201d of the overall design. Rhythm in design means using elements at intervals to create a pattern<\/strong> in a visual beat or to give an illusion of movement. Rhythm can be flowing, random, progressive, regular, and alternating.<\/p>\n

Flowing Rhythm<\/h4>\n

Patterns with a flowing rhythm include forms and shapes that are repeated regularly or irregularly. For example, Gustav Klimt\u2019s The Tree of Life <\/em>is a good example.<\/p>\n

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Random Rhythm<\/h4>\n

A pattern with random rhythm is one that contains graphic elements without a specified arrangement or order. An outstanding example of this is Piet Mondrian\u2019s Broadway Boogie Woogie<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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Progressive Rhythm<\/h4>\n

A pattern with progressive rhythm is one in which as graphic elements repeat, they change in either color, size, or form. Among the many examples for this is Victor Vasarely, Alom<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Regular Rhythm<\/h4>\n

A pattern with a regular rhythm is one in which the repetition of elements can be measured. It repeats in a specified arrangement or order. An example of this is Christo\u2019s The Thousand Gates<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Alternating Rhythm<\/h4>\n

A pattern with alternating rhythm includes two or more design elements that repeat interchangeably. An example of this is Robert Delaunay\u2019s Endless Rhythm<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Pick The Type Of Pattern Design<\/h3>\n

One of the key steps to designing a pattern-inspired logo<\/strong> is to decide the kind of pattern you will make. Will it be abstract or geometric? Will it be elaborate or minimal? Below are some super-creative ways you can draw patterns.<\/p>\n

Pixelated Pattern<\/h4>\n

Pixel art first became known in the 90s in video games, and then eventually became a design style that can be used as backgrounds for images. A pixelated pattern suits information technology logos<\/a> to give them a digital and techy vibe. Graphic Designer, Susan Kare created pixel art-inspired icons<\/a> using the grid on Apple Macintosh computer in the 1980s.<\/p>\n

Collage Patterns<\/h4>\n

You can make one either inspired by Henri Matisse or David Carson. Logo designers can use any design style or graphic elements and place them in patches to create a layered look. You can mix and match different colors, shapes, and textures.<\/p>\n

Brand Patterns<\/h4>\n

Have you ever seen a Louis Vuitton handbag? If you notice the pattern on them, it has the brand\u2019s initials \u201cLV\u201d on it. The idea is to incorporate brand identity, particularly a logo into packaging, products, and marketing. If you want to make an impact then use your logo to create a pattern design<\/strong> by repeating the symbol in a rhythmic way.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Work Diligently On The Pattern Color Palette<\/h3>\n

Unless your pattern logo<\/strong> is monochromatic, it is a good idea to meticulously make the color scheme. Think about analogous colors, complementary colors, and triadic colors. Studying the psychology of colors<\/a> will help designers to understand how to put the hues together and what impact they will have on the logo.<\/p>\n

Explore: All You Need To Know To Create Visual Harmony With Colors<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Monochromatic<\/h4>\n

When all colors of a hue are put in a palette, it is called monochromatic. For example, you can use shades, tints and tones to make an orange logo<\/a>. Shades are achieved by adding black to the hue, tints are made with the addition of white, and tones have grey in them.<\/p>\n

Analogous<\/h4>\n

Such a palette consists of three colors, but if you want a larger palette, you can divide the colors into groups of three. Analogous colors are right next to each other on the color wheel in harmony. The one thing that helps such a color palette<\/a> is an accent (dominant) color that helps to pop the overall design.<\/p>\n

Explore: Color Palette Generator Tools For Amazing Color Schemes<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Contrast<\/h4>\n

Also known as complementary colors, these are opposite to one another on the color wheel. For example, warm versus cool hues like fiery red versus deep sea blue. Contrast looks stunning if done right. To make a brand logo<\/a>, designers can use contrasting colors in every alternate element of the pattern or use white or black for the outline.<\/p>\n

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Neutral<\/h4>\n

Have you ever heard of \u201cskin-colored\u201d colors? Yes, the neutral shades include brown, beige, grey, white and black. Neutral colors have become popular over the past few years, especially in graphic design because of inclusivity trends. Typically, they are defined as being colorless or desaturated.<\/p>\n

Explore: 10 Superb Sources Of Color Inspirations To Design Your Logo<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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\u2022 Make Object And Shape Pairs Or Groups<\/h3>\n

For the new logo, will you make a pattern out of simple circles or will you pair it with any other shape? Deciding on which shapes or objects to pick for the patterned logo<\/strong> is as important a part as any other in its making. Understand the meanings and uses of shapes<\/a> in design. Let us look at a few types of shape you can consider using.<\/p>\n

Geometric<\/h4>\n

Also known as mathematical shapes, these are calculated. They have a specific amount of lines, curves, and points. These include a circle, rectangle, square, triangle, and hexagon, etc. A pattern with geometric shapes goes well with bookkeeping logos<\/a> or accounting logos<\/a>, for example.<\/p>\n

Organic<\/h4>\n

Organic shapes are not defined, which means they don\u2019t necessarily need to have a fixed form. Such shapes can take inspiration from nature. For example, spirals from snails or lanceolate from leaves. Organic shaped patterns<\/strong> can be used for a variety of logos such as wedding monograms<\/a>. These can be simple and decorative, depending on the client\u2019s creative brief<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Abstract<\/h4>\n

Abstract shapes can be geometric or organic, but they are basically the simplest form of an object. For example, instead of making a skeuomorphic design of a human body, abstract designers stylize it into a silhouette logo<\/a> without any other accessories. However, abstract shapes don\u2019t always need to be just that, they can have different colors, shading, and textures. They can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Focus On Principles Of Design In Pattern Logos<\/h3>\n

The size of the graphic elements in relation to the principles of design<\/a> has a great impact on pattern logos. These help with making patterns interesting to look at, give these logos depth, and create a visual attractiveness that otherwise is perhaps impossible to achieve. Following are some key principles of graphic design you need to consider when designing logos with patterns<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Unity<\/h4>\n

A unified pattern is one that has elements arranged in a visual unity, or they have been placed into an appropriate composition to create a harmonious appearance. This means the overall design looks complete rather than unfinished.<\/p>\n

Emphasis<\/h4>\n

While pattern design is all about repetition, there can be a focal point. This is an excellent trick for logo designing because the designer can decide which icon in the brand needs to stand out from the rest. Emphasis can be created with color, shape, or space.<\/p>\n

Proportion<\/h4>\n

The size of the different shapes in proportion to one another helps people to know which object is more important than others, and it also helps in making a form right. For example, a pattern for a fruit shop logo can have bananas and berries but the sizes of the two will vary because, in reality, they aren\u2019t of the same measurements.<\/p>\n

Distance<\/h4>\n

Distance grows the heart fonder, well for a pattern logo, this depends on what you are trying to create. Objects can overlap, be placed near, or be put further away. This play in distance helps to create an eye-catching arrangement.<\/p>\n

Direction<\/h4>\n

The direction of shapes in a pattern<\/strong> helps to create a sense of movement. Have you seen optical illusions? The continuity of shapes in a certain direction directs the eyes of the viewers. This is a special trick that grabs attention. Direction of shapes can take lookers left, right, top, down, clockwise, anti-clockwise, or haywire.<\/p>\n

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How To Make A Pattern Logo<\/h2>\n

\u2022 Pick A Software To Design A Pattern For Logo<\/h3>\n

Now the most obvious program for design includes Adobe Illustrator but don\u2019t be limited to this. Explore other graphic design software like Inkscape and CorelDraw. Each of the different platforms offers a variety of tools to work with for pattern creation<\/strong>. Below are a few cool tools you can use to create patterns in each software.<\/p>\n

Quick Tutorials For Pattern Designing In Illustrator<\/h4>\n
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    1. Make a pattern directly using the pattern maker<\/strong>. It is very easy to access. Simply head to the object<\/em> from the top menu, select pattern,<\/em> and click make<\/em>. This opens a window with an inbuilt thumbnail to show you how the design changes with adjustments.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      How to Create Patterns in Illustrator Tutorial<\/h2>\n