Having a logo is an essential part of any business. Follow this tutorial to learn how to create a logo using text and symbols together

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Logos are used to identify things. Whether it's a small shop or a large multinational business, logo is the most important element in the development of a brand identity. Logos are used to identify the business so its design should be immediately recognizable and should be inspiring. Logos can be designed in mainly three different ways: through text, symbols or a combination of both. In this tutorial we will guide you to design a logo with symbol and text in illustrator. These types of logos are used when the name is very generic and can be misunderstood with other things. Thus a symbol along with text helps to give the company a specific identity. Creating a logo can be a fun filled exercise if you get the hang of it.

Follow the steps below to learn how to create a symbol and integrate it with a company's name so as to design their logo.

Step# 1 -- Open up a new document
First of all, open a new document. It can be of any size and orientation. Remember not to open a very small sized document.

Step# 2 -- Add text
Once the document is open, select "type tool" and write "Think" in black color. We are using "vogue bold" font because we need a san serif font with a bold hairline. Any other font style can be used depending on the requirement. Once you have inserted the text, right click on the text box and select "Create outlines".

Step# 3 -- Ungroup the text
Now, again right click on the text and select "ungroup". Once the text is ungrouped, only select the alphabet "I" and right click on it. Select "release compound path" to ungroup it further. In this way the dot of "I" will separate from its body.

Step# 4 -- Replace the dot with thought cloud
Now you can easily select only the dot of "I" and press delete. In place of the dot, draw a "thought cloud" using the "pen tool". You can also trace a thought cloud if it is hard to draw directly.

Step# 5 -- Change the color
Now fill the "thought cloud" with a linear gradient. Set the colors to "F2AD24", "F7ED38" and "FBF49C". Any other color combination can also be used.

Step# 6 -- Add 3D effect
After we create a logo with a symbol we will give it a 3D look. To turn the "thought cloud" to 3D make a copy of it, remove the upper half portion using the "direct selection tool" and change its color to white. Go to the transparency window and set its opacity to 15%.

Step# 7 -- Add highlight
To add more 3D effect draw a small highlight inside the thought cloud using "pen tool".

Step# 8 -- Emboss the text
Once the thought cloud is ready with 3D effect, we will add a 3D effect to the text. Select all the alphabets and go to "filter". Choose "3D" and then "extrude & bevel". Set the settings to x-axis at "-2", y-axis at "0" and z-axis at "0". Change the extrude level to "38", bevel to "tall rounded" and height to "7 pts". Click ok to apply. This will make the text embossed which will give it a 3D look.

Step# 9 -- Add shadow
While creating a logo in 3D, we need to add some shadow at the bottom to enhance its look. Use the "ellipse tool" and draw an elongated oval at the bottom of the text. Change its color to black and go to filter and choose the "blur option". Select "Gaussian blur" and set the value to "10". Change the opacity of the oval to "35 %".