Hey guys, I'm wondering if you have any general tips on designing logos. I'm designing a new logo for the Malaysian Singaporean Students' Association at the University of Toronto. We asked someone who is supposedly very good with design to come up with something but I was absolutely shocked at the person's submission. It look like something from Star Wars and was downright horrible in my opinion. Therefore, I decided to try and come up with something since I'm the web designer.

So yeah..any general ideas on how to begin designing a logo? Places to get fonts? Would like a professional looking logo but also a hint of fun since this is a student association.

Appreciate any help from you guys..thanks!!!

if i were going to design one i'd consider

1. student
2. toronto (canada right? maple leaf maybe. or anything associated to toronto)
3. malaysia/singapore colors or animals/flowers associated to the countries (lions, hibiscus, tiger, flags?)

try blend everything up. hope i help spark some ideas. have fun designing

hmm students..so that could mean a touch of books or university hat or something..something scholarly.

yep i am definitely going to add the maple leaf! Haha..thanks!

the problem is this..Singapore can be easily represented by the Merlion. Is there such a symbol for Malaysia? Like one symbol..and one look and you can tell it's Malaysia?

The old logo had Malaysian and Singaporean flags on both sides and text in a circle at the center. Would like to come up with something new but if not, then can just rework that.

erm how about the singapore lion got hibiscus flower at the ear.. sounds crazy

LOL!! welll crazy ideas do work..at least it's an idea..but yeah thanks!!.. Let me see if I can incorporate that ..

student element: maybe you can draw a shilouette(how do u spell this)/vector drawing of a dude in a convocation robe with the convo hat jumping or something

Hmm..now that sounds like an idea that might work!

agree...

here i would suggest a good start by looking and study what good logo has in commong at http://identityworks.com/
it's really inspiring to say at least, how even Visa or Kodak maintained their 'look' without even really made people go 'oh look, they've changed/omg who are they'

Look at their small case studies and as well 'Issues', so probably it'll spark some idea for you.
http://identityworks.com/issues/issues1.htm

Oh and yes, did i mention going to library and look for logo design book will help? Yes it does. I found one really good book talking about how they came out the identity for IBM and such. A very old and almost gone-case book, i'll see if i can dig the title back ,really nice 1.

awesome link. thanks for sharing. the rejected world cup logo is rad...

you can download font @ dafont.com or 1001fonts.com
..Jack Black's 'school of rock' logo is cool.