Follow along with this Adobe Illustrator tutorial to create a colourful gradient logo design. I’ll show you how Illustrator’s shape builder tool makes it easy to construct the basic vector logo design, then we’ll apply a vibrant colour scheme using gradients.
Setting Up Your Illustrator Document
Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document. A 1000 x 1000 pixel canvas gives plenty of room to work with vector shapes without worrying about resolution later on. Turn on the grid (View > Show Grid) and enable Snap to Grid, it makes it much easier to keep your shapes aligned as you build up the logo.
Building the Base Shapes
Every gradient logo starts with simple geometry. Use the Ellipse Tool (L) and Rectangle Tool (M) to draw the basic forms that will make up your design. Don’t worry about getting the exact shape right on the first attempt, the Shape Builder Tool will let you combine and refine these forms in the next step.
A few tips for this stage:
- Hold Shift while dragging to keep circles and squares perfectly proportioned.
- Use the Align panel (Window > Align) to centre your shapes on the artboard.
- Layer your shapes so they overlap slightly, this overlap is what the Shape Builder Tool uses to create new forms.
Using the Shape Builder Tool
Select all your overlapping shapes, then activate the Shape Builder Tool by pressing Shift+M. With the tool active, click and drag across the areas you want to merge into a single shape. To remove a section instead of merging it, hold Alt (Option on a Mac) while clicking on the area you want to delete.
Work through each overlapping section one at a time, merging the parts you want to keep and deleting the rest, until you’re left with a clean vector outline of your design.
Applying the Gradient
With your final shape built, open the Gradient panel (Window > Gradient). Select your shape and choose a linear or radial gradient depending on the look you’re after. A linear gradient running diagonally across the logo gives a modern feel, while a radial gradient can add depth to rounder designs.
Click on each colour stop on the gradient slider to change its colour. Pick two or three colours that sit next to each other on the colour wheel rather than opposites, this keeps the gradient looking smooth rather than muddy.
Fine-Tuning the Colours
Use the Gradient Tool (G) directly on your shape to adjust the angle and position of the gradient without going back to the panel. Dragging the gradient line changes its direction, and dragging the square handles adjusts where each colour starts and ends.
If the transition between colours feels too abrupt, add an extra colour stop in the middle to smooth it out. Double click any stop to fine tune its exact shade using the colour picker.
Exporting Your Finished Logo
Once you’re happy with the design, export it in a few different formats so it’s ready for whatever it’s needed for. Use File > Export > Export As to save a PNG for web use, and keep a copy as an AI or SVG file so the logo stays fully editable and scalable for print or future changes.
