How to make a logo

A good logo is simple, scalable, and recognisable at any size. Here’s a practical path from idea to a clean, production-ready SVG — no design degree required.

The hard part of a logo isn’t the software — it’s the idea and the discipline to keep it simple. This guide covers both: how to think about the mark, then how to build it precisely in Riss.

1. Start with one idea

The strongest logos carry a single concept — a letter, a shape, a small visual pun. Resist cramming in three ideas. Sketch a handful of rough directions on paper or a notes app first; deciding what to draw before you open an editor saves hours.

A quick test: does it still read at 16×16 pixels (a favicon) and in one flat colour? If it only works big and full-colour, simplify.

2. Block it out with basic shapes

Open the editor and build the skeleton from primitives — rectangles, ellipses, polygons, lines. Most marks are just a few overlapping shapes. Use the shape tools to rough in proportions; you’ll refine exact sizes next. Working from a template is a fine starting point too — every template opens fully editable.

3. Combine and refine with path operations

Overlapping shapes become one clean mark with boolean operations — union, subtract, intersect. Carve a counter out of a circle, weld two shapes into a custom silhouette. When you need a curve a primitive can’t give you, convert a shape to an editable path (Object to path — press Ctrl K and type it) and adjust it with the pen tool. Run Simplify if a path has more anchor points than it needs.

4. Align it precisely

This is where a logo goes from “fine” to “sharp.” Use guides, smart alignment, and snapping to:

  • centre the mark and balance optical weight (not just mathematical centre);
  • make matching elements truly equal — same widths, even gaps;
  • square edges and align to a consistent grid.

Riss’s transforms are exact: type a value or drag a handle and you get the identical result, so you can dial in precise dimensions and spacing.

5. Add type carefully (if any)

If your logo includes a name, set it with the text tool, then give it room — logos almost always need more letter-spacing and breathing space than body text. For a logo you’ll ship widely, convert the text to outlines (Object to path) so it renders identically everywhere, regardless of installed fonts.

6. Test in one colour and at small sizes

Flatten the palette to a single colour and zoom out. A logo that survives both a tiny size and a one-colour treatment is a logo that will work on a business card, a favicon, and an embroidered shirt. Fix anything that muddies up.

7. Export clean SVG

Export as clean, minimal SVG: tidy numbers, no editor metadata, markup that opens correctly everywhere and scales without loss. That’s your master file — generate PNGs from it for any raster needs. Riss never caps export.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Too much detail — it disappears at small sizes.
  • Relying on colour or gradients to carry the idea — test it flat first.
  • Sloppy alignment — uneven gaps read as “unfinished” even subconsciously.
  • Trendy effects — a logo should outlast this year’s style.

Starting from an AI-generated draft instead of scratch? See how to clean up an AI-generated SVG.

Open the editor → Learn the pen tool