Making logos: a GIMP intro revisited

[Boltinho]

This was an FAQ I made a year or two ago.

 

Seeing as 13's release has created a few new faces who are looking for pictures I thought it might be useful.

 

Looking back I cant believe how little I know but it still serves as a very basic intro.

 

Good luck!

 

 

 

Firstly I don’t think I’m any good at this. Even so I’m very much a GIMP amateur and this is basic even for me. I won’t even touch effects, filters and lots of other things here. This is purely designed to enable you to make very basic pics and logos so you can create whatever promotion you want and have some basic graphics to go with it.

 

Best of luck to everyone.

 

Creating a logo: an example.

 

For this tutorial I want to create a logo for my created federation SBF (Scary Bugger Fighters). These are the basic steps I go through.

 

Step 1.

 

Open GIMP

 

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/4595/tut1vo.png

 

Step 2 getting started

 

Start a new file. Go to File and pick ‘New’ or just hit ctrl+N. A menu will ask what sort of file.

 

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/8530/tut2t.png

 

A TEW logo is 150x150 but we want to work at a bigger size (we’ll shrink it down later to use). Let’s pick 500x500.

 

Now click OK.

 

Step 3 Background

 

This is what you should have:

 

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/8051/tut3dr.png

 

Notice that we only have one layer so far (called background) and it’s blank.

We want a graded background so select the Blend tool (4th row down in the toolbar and 3rd from the right - it looks like a graded colour box).

We want our colours to be quite scary for SBF so we’ll go for red and black. To do this we need the colour selection tool. It’s beneath the other tools and looks like two rectangles.

 

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/4027/tut4v.png

 

Black is already the background colour so we click the white box and select red. Either click on the big square for the shade you want or fiddle with the sliders until you get it.

 

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/8462/tut5n.png

 

We’ve now got our layer selected (we only have one so far) and the right tool with the right colours. Click on the main window (holding the left mouse button) and you can drag an arrow around. This shows where the foreground colour (black) will shade to the background colour (red). Release the mouse button and your layer will be shaded like this:

 

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/4157/tut6w.png

 

If you want to use different gradient styles click ‘shape’ in the lower half of the toolbar. You can do this radially, bilinear etc. Have a play.

I’m happy with this background (for now).

 

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/4157/tut6w.png

 

Step 4 Text.

 

I want my logo to say SBF in big letters. So I’ll add some text.

 

Click on the text tool in the toolbar (4th row, 2nd column – looks like a big A).

Now click on the main window (holding the left mouse button down) where you want the text to go. I want it at the top all the way across. Click the top left of the logo and drag the mouse to the far right of the top third of the logo. As you do this a new box will appear. Don’t panic; this is fine.

 

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/9950/tut7p.png

 

Once you’ve set your text-box size we need to set the content. In the new box that appeared type “S.B.F” and hit close. The text will now appear in the main window. (Note how it’s also been added as a new layer).

 

Unfortunately that’s not at all how we want it to look.

 

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/8615/tut8c.png

 

Firstly – it’s too small. In the text section (now the lower half of the toolbar) there’s a size section (2nd down). Just change the number until the letters are as big as you want them. I’m happy at 150.

 

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/1638/tut9k.png

 

Secondly – the text is the wrong colour. You can’t see it on the black background. A few rows below size in the toolbar there’s a colour box. Change the text to white for now.

 

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/2563/tut10o.png

 

Thirdly – the letters are aligned to the left. Under the text colour box there are 4 boxes for justification. The 3rd from the left centres the text in the box. Click it.

 

http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/9734/tut11.png

 

Fourthly – the font is rubbish. At the top of the text functions (above size) is the font selector. Click on the box and select a scary font. You’ve probably got Chiller. Pick that.

 

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/3954/tut12.png

 

Notice how the text is now too small again (Chiller is a small font). You can rechange the size to make up for this. Mine looks good at 200.

 

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/8364/tut13.png

 

I also want the logo to say the full title of the fed. Create another text box at the bottom of the logo and type Scary Bugger Fighters in it. Repeat the other stages. Mine is at size 72. Note how it’s a 3rd layer.

 

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/9898/tut14.png

 

Step 5 decorating text

 

The text is OK but I want it to pop a bit more. To do that I’ll add an outline.

Firstly select the first text layer (S.B.F). Right click where it says that in the layer window and select ‘Alpha to selection’ (3rd up – looks like a red box).

You should now have a blinking border surrounding the text S.B.F.

 

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/4287/tut15.png

 

This has created a custom selection in the shape of our text. We want to make it slightly bigger so click on the ‘Select’ tab and go to ‘Grow’. A new box will open:

 

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/2407/tut16a.png

 

Change the pixel number to 5 and click OK. The blinking selection is now a bit bigger than our text in all directions. You could now fill that selected area with any colour you want and it would just make our text a bit bolder. Select the paintbrush tool and have a go. It should paint your text in black like this:

 

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/9674/tut17.png

 

However we can get an effective result by slightly changing that. First undo your black painting by clicking ctrl+z. Next we need a new layer. Right-click on any layer in the layer window and select ‘new layer’ (looks like a blank white page). A new window will open:

 

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/3555/tut18.png

 

Select the transparency option and click ok. Click on the current layer in the layer window and drag it to below the S.B.F layer. Now select the paintbrush again and fill the selected area in. You should end up again with thick black type around the white like this:.

 

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/3765/tut19.png

 

Much better.

 

Repeat these steps for the second text layer (Scary Bugger Fighters). Instead of growing the selection by 5 pixels just make it 3. Black won’t show up against the background so use red instead.

 

Step 6 a logo

 

Our text and background look ok but it’s not a real logo unless we’ve got some sort of picture. Let’s stick a skull on it shall we?

 

First – go to Google Images and find yourself a cool skull. I’m going to search for scary cartoon skull. I like this one:

 

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/1513/skulllogoforurbanpirate.png

 

Save that on your PC and then open it using GIMP from wherever you put it. It will open in a new window.

 

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/3473/tut20.png

 

We want to add this skull to our logo but obviously if we cut and paste it the black background will stick out like a sore thumb. Let’s use a new tool.

 

Choose the colour select tool (it looks like a hand pointing to stacked up coloured blocks) and click on the white skull. You’ll notice that all the white areas are selected.

 

Next copy this. Either right-click and go to Edit>Copy or hit CTRL+C.

Next go back to our logo window and paste. You’ll end up with this:

 

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/8823/tut22.png

 

Clearly not what we want. However we can of course manipulate it. Firstly – the skull isn’t a new layer yet. Go to where it says Floating Selection (Pasted Layer) in the layer window and right-click. From here you can select ‘New Layer’. The Skull is now a proper layer.

 

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/3574/tut23.png

 

But with it being white it looks a bit funny. Let’s change the colour of it.

First, as before, right click the layer and select ‘Alpha to Selection’. The flicker border will tell you that’s accomplished.

 

Next select the Blend tool from the toolbox. This time we want a radial fill so change ‘linear’ to ‘radial’ in the Toolbox menu (bottom half). Once that’s done select red and yellow as the foreground and background colours. Then click on the centre of the logo and drag the arrow to the outside of the skull and ring. Let go and you should have this:

 

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/3857/tut24.png

 

Getting better but still not right.

 

Firstly we need to change the size. Select the Scale tool in the toolbox (3rd row, 4th from left. It looks like a small box arrowed to a big box). Once that’s on click on the skull. A new box will appear that looks like this:

 

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/4523/tut25x.png

 

First click on the small broken chain logo. It will become a linked chain. That tells us the aspect ratio will remain locked. Change the sizes to 250 x 250 and click OK. You’ll get this:

 

http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/4045/tut27u.png

 

Next we want to centre the skull logo up. Select the move tool from the toolbox (2nd row, furthest right. Looks like 4 crossed arrows) and move the skull to where you want it. Like this:

 

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/8094/tut28.png

 

I’m not happy with it. The sizing is wrong. So go back to Scale and Move and get it where you want it. I’m happy with this:

 

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/6451/tut29.png

 

Step 7 Retouch

 

Now the text looks weird. The initials are surrounded by black whilst the full name is surrounded by red. Not cool. Let’s change the red to black. Go back to select the ‘Scary Bugger Fighters’ layer and again go to ‘Alpha to selection’. As before go to Select>Grow and pick 3 pixels.

 

Now we want to fill it in black. Select the layer where you added the red earlier. Mine is called ‘New Layer #1’ but you can tell which it is as it has red on it. As before select the paintbrush, choose black and paint it on. You’ll get this:

 

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/8335/tut31.png

 

Step 8 Resize and admire

 

Go to Image>Scale Image and change the size to 150 x 150. Its easiest to work with slightly bigger and then scale down.

 

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/4813/sbf1.jpg

 

That’ll do for now. We’ve got a basic logo with the correct text and a pretty picture. All that’s left is to save it. Make sure you save it as a GIMP file as well as a JPEG. TEW needs a JPEG to be able to read the file in the game but a JPEG is saved as one pic – not as layers.

 

If you ever want to update the file it’s far easier to do from layers.

 

Well done chaps. You’ve just learnt how to make a basic logo. You can import photos, change colours, manipulate text, use shading and recompose pictures. From here it should be a doddle to create a matching banner for your promotion (600 x 50 pixels) and event pictures (also 150 x 150).

 

To move on a bit I’d recommend playing with putting text at angles, merging several pictures and using text filled with gradient shading. All very simple techniques that will look good.

 

Now you don’t need to beg someone to make you a logo. You can make as many as you need. Please feel free to post examples, experiments and ideas here. I’d love to see how quickly everyone picks this up and goes way past my own meagre ability.

 

Boltinho

[Wextor]

Well done, Boltinho. I learned alot about the use of layers from this.

[MetalGear_Yoshi]

Thanks mate. I made my own logo for '10 in gimp but it was pretty balls, was flying blind. Should be able to get something better this time. Again, great work. Really appreciate it.

 

Edit:

 

Ok, so I just had a go. For comparison I'll post the logo I made for '10 a year or so ago than the new one.

 

Old

http://i.imgur.com/uacv3.jpg

 

New

http://i.imgur.com/g2rqN.jpg

 

Bit of a difference no? It's a bit ruff where the text outline and the leaves intersect and are the same colours but otherwise I'm pretty happy for my first try using the tutorial. You'll be proud to know that I actually used two images in the logo Bolt The crown and the leaves are separate, inspired I'd say Thanks again for the tut.

[sanityisforbidden]

Any suggestions on how to get more fonts?

 

You can find a lot of bulk fonts online, do a google search and you'll find quite a few free downloads.

 

Anyway, here's my shot at making a logo based on this tutorial.

 

http://i1337.photobucket.com/albums/o666/sanityisforbidden_gds/AwF_zps78641557.jpg

[VBigB]

Nice tutorial. Personally I think I suck at logo's which is part of the reason I never get involved in the logo threads. Here is the first one for my first event (done in photoshop though).

 

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p65/VBigB/FFWGirlsNightOut_zps35a2e003.jpg

[Boltinho]

Good work chaps. Glad this is even a bit useful.

 

My top tip would be: go look at Kam's work and really try to work out why it's so great.

 

I learnt so much from him about shaded text looking better, how thin and how many borders you should have, when to use drop shadows, how basic shapes and text can look great, etc, etc

[MetalGear_Yoshi]

<p>I've created a couple of others now. One is in the same theme as the promotion logo and 2 others in a new style. They're in the order that I created them btw.</p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i.imgur.com/1VIsX.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i.imgur.com/zuu7B.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i.imgur.com/GUCol.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p>

If anyone want's me to knock up a logo for them I'd be happy to give it a shot. I'm super limited but if you give me an idea of what you want I'll do my best. Just remember my limitations and keep it simple .If you're interested shoot me a pm, if I get a few I'll start a thread. If I don't, well then I'll cry. You don't want me to cry do you?</p>

[VBigB]

<p>Nice work. The game actually made me come up with what I think is at least a half descent logo <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .</p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p65/VBigB/FFWXRated_zps93d02f5f.jpg</span></p>

[Big Roguey]

http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/o765/Wrestlesaurus_X/GPRO.jpg

 

Done this following the tutorial. Pleased with the efforts.