Cyber Skill #14
How to Create a Logo
                  
This is a lesson for those of you who are artists and like to create 'computerized' logos with special artwork software.  It's not for everyone, but save it for the future, if you aren't going to work it now.  It'll likely come in handy for you or a great resource for someone you know.
 
 
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Cyber Skill #14
How to Create a Logo

Please note

Thomas Leonard, the author of this article, has since passed.  While he intended to update each lesson with newer versions of software, he was unable to complete that task.
Microsoft has since discontinued producing PhotoDraw.  You may still be able to pick up a copy via eBay.com.  Most folks now use Adobe Elements.

Introduction
I'm a logo hound.  If something doesn't have a logo, it doesn't exist for me.  Okay, enough about that.  The purpose of this lesson is to show you how to create a simple logo.  

The Software
For 90% of my logos, I used Microsoft's PhotoDraw (make sure it's version 2, not version 1).  Runs about $150 and worth every penny.  I also have Adobe Elements (the new mini Photoshop), but I know PhotoDraw so well, I can crank out a logo from scratch in 10-30 minutes.


Step 1
Launch PhotoDraw v.2

File>New>Default Picture>OK

Step 2
Insert>Text
Start your logo with some text, like your company name, etc.  In this case, I've used the word COACH, in caps. 


 I've chosen Century Gothic and used a font size of 29.1 points



Step 3
Add a design element
I've decided upon two opposing letter C's for my design but I'm using a larger size font, color and bold.  
Insert>Text
(If you prefer to insert an already existing graphic/image, click Insert>From File instead)



As you can see, I'm still using Century Gothic as the font, but I've selected 118 points and have bolded the letter C for emphasis.



Step 4
Add the other C
I just copied the first C and changed the color to yellow (or green).  To change the color, click on the image and Format>Fill>Solid Color.




Step 5
Arrange
Highlight the yellow C and Arrange>Flip>Flip Horizontal
and here's what you get!





Step 6
Adjust the color/fading
I wanted the center area where the 2 c's meet (coach and client) to be lighter, so I highlighted each C and clicked on Effects>FadeOut and set the end point to be a 60% fade.

Before



After



Step 7
Adding animation
Click on both C's (use the shift key) and then Effects>Animated Gif
and scroll down until you see the Spin Counterclockwise option.  Click on that and then on Finish.  Keep clicking on Finish to cycle through the 7 or so 'options' until you see the Save button.  Click on that and save your file wherever you wish.  It'll save as a gif file (jpg's cannot do animation).





Step 8
Test it out
Open Front Page, select Insert>Picture>From File and find where you saved your gif file.  Then at the bottom of the Front Page window, select the Preview option


and you'll see your animation move!

You're all done.  Make sure to ALSO save your file using the PhotoDraw '.mix' file extension  If you don't, you won't be able to go back and tweak your logo.  (File>Save As).

 
Was something not clear?  Was there a typo or other error?
While we aren't able to provide 1-1 tech support,
  please email confusion-questions-corrections-improvements to reply@coachbrian.com  Again, we won't reply to your email but it will be read and this course will be improved as a direct result of your assistance.

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