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 → Path) 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 → 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