Types of Software Used to Design Logos

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History

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  Graphic design software programs appeared as early as the 1970s in versions used on large, central computers available to corporations like IBM. More widespread business use of graphic design software, including use by graphic design firms, dates from the mid -1980s and the introduction of Apple personal computers.

Types

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  Software for designing logos and other forms of graphics fall into two broad types: raster and vector. The practical difference between the two types of software relates to tasks such as changing the size of a particular graphic. Raster graphics do not lend themselves to resizing as readily as vector graphics. A logo may appear in a small size suitable for a business card or a large size that might appear on a highway billboard. With raster graphics, the two sizes require two completely different loge image files. With vector graphics, a single image fits both uses, allowing the designer to resize the image as needed.

Features

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  Graphics design software may offer features such as interoperability with desktop publishing software applications or cross-platform compatibility with various operating systems. Since logos often appear in brochures, letterhead and other desktop publishing documents, features that make it easy to import and place graphics files in desktop publishing documents save designers time. Similarly, graphic design software that creates files usable on multiple operating systems, such as Windows and Mac operating systems, can make sharing the files easier.

Considerations

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  Software used to design logos and other graphics is available in proprietary, commercial formats for a fee and in freeware and open source formats at no cost. The more advanced titles, both paid and free, generally offer comparable capabilities. The best choice between the two may often be simply a question of compatibility with vendors such as printing companies.

Benefits

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  The most common alternative to designing logos with software is designing logos on paper. A major benefit to designing logos and other graphics with software is that once the designer has created a single image and saved it using design software, the designer can modify the original image repeatedly. By saving each new version as a separate file, the designer will always have access to the unaltered original file.