What is a vector image?
Adobe explains that a vector file is a format type for an image file. Most commonly, the image files that come to mind are raster images, which are measured in pixels. By contrast, vector images are made from lines and curves. A vector image artist needs to create an image by shaping it with small adjustments to anchor points, whereas a raster image artist will use brushes and erasers. A vector image artist’s tool is a computer mouse, whereas a raster image artist’s tool is a stylus pen.
Why choose a vector image?
Because vector images are made from lines, curves, and shapes, these images are ideal for branding, because they can easily be resized without losing quality. A vector image can appear just as crisp & detailed on a business card as it can on a billboard. In contrast, a raster image is locked into its aspect ratio. If the digital canvas size is 8.5″ x 11″, and you want to turn it into a 11″ x 17″ poster, then you are out of luck, because the image will be blurred, fuzzy, and poor quality.
In the long term, a storefront, LLC, music band, or artist wants to consider creating their logo as a vector image because of how versatile the resizing, as well as for maintaining visual consistency across online platforms.
Check out two portfolio pieces below in which I help one client, Maria, convert her logo to a vector image, and one client, Haley, design vector logos from start to finish.
Converting Maria’s logo into a vector image
original logo for ” the barsellama ” , April 2022
logo converted into a vector image, May 2022
Maria is the owner of The Barsellama, an online storefront featuring decor and original art.
She approached me the first week of April 2022 wondering if I was available for commission.
She explained that she originally designed her logo using Cricuit Design and wanted to polish this design to elevate her brand.
Client Needs for Logo:
- Maintain the integrity of original logo image
- Upgrade to higher resolution
- Usability across platforms (Etsy, Instagram, etc)
The Etsy store front of
The Barsellama, operated by Maria,
04/2022
Because the client wanted a high-definition version of their original design, I constructed this graphic design as a vector image. The original logo image was 300 x 300 pixels, meaning that downsizing to an Instagram logo compressed the image.
I traced on top of a translucent, blown up original file and identified areas needing improvement. Necessary improvements looked like: blurred lines; low color contrast; and overlapping lines with eyebrows, glasses, and text.
client’s original logo, zoomed in 400%
After completing the first draft of the new logo, Maria and I discussed changes to make to the design, including changes the eye color to blue and removing the tearducts.
When I completed these changes, Maria approved them as the final product. I rendered the final product into a variety of ready-to-use file sizes. Creating various file sizes was extremely easy to do with this vector image logo.
work in progress of vector image, translucent original logo still visible, 04/17/2022
Now, Maria has her logo formatted for Instagram, for Etsy, for an Etsy banner, a business card, and more!
Designing Haley a vector logo
vector logo for Otherside Creations, March 2022
vector logo for Witch River Goods, March 2022
Haley is an entrepreneur who approached me in February 2022 requesting logo designs for her two business endeavors — Otherside Creations and Witch River Goods.
Otherside Creations caters to theatrical set design, as well as prop and costume restoration.
Witch River Goods is her Etsy shop, which sells jewelry inspired by mythology and the realm of horror.
Client Needs for Logos :
- Visual unity across both brands
- Inclusion of a moth in “Witch River Goods”, which are abundant insects where Haley lives
- Stylistically representative of what Haley creates, fitting into the themes of mystical and macabre
Brainstorming sketches for Witch River Goods, Feb 2022
Brainstorming sketches for Otherside Creations, Feb 2022
Haley decided to pursue Design C for Witch River Goods and Design C for Otherside Creations.
I began to digitize these images to share with her during the first week of March.
When designing for Otherside Creations, I attempted distinguishing the ambigram with two separate colors for each of the separate words : Otherside and Creations.
Upon discussion, I instead distinguished the two words from one another by increasing the line weight of “otherside”
work in progress for vector logo “Otherside Creations” March 2022
With the design for Otherside Creations nearly finalized, I began designing the logo for Witch River Goods.
I researched moths native to the area where Haley lives, which includes the albino luna moth.
I designed the moth initially as flat with simple color blocking, and expanded to include shine & shimmer to the wings to imply transparency. Haley agreed that the shine & shimmer appeared more eye-catching.
work in progress for vector logo ” River Witch Goods” March 2022
To promote visual unity between designs, I designed a font for Witch River Goods similar to the font of Otherside Creations. I also went back to Otherside Creations to include hints of goldenrod yellow, the accent color on the luna moth.
Haley approved both designs at the end of March.
I formatted both logos for usage for business cards, online store banners, and for 110×110 px digital logos.
