Published on 31 July 2023 7 min read

Choose the right brush
Adjust opacity and blend modes
Incorporate shadows and highlights
Use brushes for texturing
Combine brushes for a unique look

Designing a logo is like cooking a gourmet meal. You need the right ingredients, the right tools, and a dash of creativity. Today, we're going to talk about one of those key tools: Figma brushes. Specifically, we're going to learn how to use brush in Figma for logo creation. So, grab your digital palette and let's dive in.

Choose the right brush

Just like an artist reaching for the right paintbrush, in Figma, it's important to select the right digital brush when creating a logo. But with so many options, how do you decide?

The Type of Logo

The brush choice greatly depends on the type of logo you're designing. For instance:

If you're designing a minimalist logo, you might want to stick with simple, clean brushes. These help you create sharp, sleek lines.
On the other hand, if you're designing a vintage-style logo, textured brushes might be your best friends. They can add that much-needed old-school feel.

Brush Size and Hardness

Once you've picked the overall style of your brush, next comes size and hardness. This is where things get interesting:

Size: Larger brushes are great for creating bold, striking elements. Think of big and bold company logos. Smaller brushes, however, are perfect for adding those fine details that make your logo truly unique.
Hardness: A brush with high hardness creates solid, crisp lines—perfect for a modern, clean look. A brush with low hardness, however, creates softer, more blended lines. It's like the difference between a freshly-ironed shirt and a cozy, worn-in sweater. Both have their places, depending on the look you're going for.

Experiment and Practice

The last piece of advice here is to experiment and practice. It's the best way to understand how different brushes can affect your logo design. Remember, just like learning a new recipe, it takes time to learn how to use brush in Figma for logo creation. But with practice, you'll be creating logos that look good enough to eat—well, metaphorically speaking, of course!

Adjust opacity and blend modes

Alright, we've picked the perfect brush. Now, let's talk about how you can add some extra flavor to your logo design in Figma by adjusting the opacity and blend modes of your brush strokes.

Understanding Opacity

Opacity, in the simplest terms, is how see-through your brush stroke is. A stroke with 100% opacity is fully visible, while a stroke with 50% opacity is half-visible—like a ghost of a logo.

When to use full opacity: If you want your logo to pop and demand attention, full opacity is the way to go. It's like using bold, vibrant spices in a dish.
When to use lower opacity: If your logo needs a softer or more layered look, dropping the opacity can help. It's like using a subtle seasoning that adds depth to the flavor without overpowering the dish.

Mastering Blend Modes

Blend modes are like the mixing techniques in cooking. They decide how your brush strokes blend with the layers beneath them. There are several blend modes in Figma, but let's talk about the most commonly used ones:

Normal: This is the default mode where your brush stroke doesn't interact with the underlying layers. It's straightforward, like grilling a steak.
Multiply: This mode darkens your brush stroke based on the colors of the underlying layers. It's like marinating your steak to add depth to its flavor.
Screen: This mode lightens your brush stroke based on the colors of the underlying layers. It's like adding a creamy sauce to your steak to lighten its robust flavor.

Finding the Right Balance

Adjusting opacity and blend modes is all about finding the right balance—just like finding the perfect blend of spices in a dish. Experiment with different settings to see what works best for your logo. And remember, learning how to use brush in Figma for logo creation isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. So, take your time, and enjoy the process!

Incorporate shadows and highlights

Moving on, let's discuss another fun and effective way to add dimension to your logo—incorporating shadows and highlights. It's like adding lighting to a stage; it can completely change how your audience perceives the performance.

Adding Shadows

Adding shadows can give your logo a 3D feel, making it seem as if it's jumping off the screen. Here's how you can do it:

Shadow color: For most logos, a simple black or grey shadow works well. But don't be afraid to experiment with colors that complement your logo.
Shadow direction: Consider where your light source is coming from. If your light source is above the logo, the shadow should be below it, and vice versa.
Shadow size: A larger shadow can make your logo appear lifted, while a smaller shadow can make it seem flat. Remember, subtlety is key here!

Creating Highlights

Highlights are the areas of your logo that are directly hit by light. They can really make your logo shine (pun intended!). Here's how to add them:

Highlight color: White is a common choice for highlights since it represents direct sunlight. But you can also use lighter versions of your logo colors.
Highlight placement: Place highlights where your light source is hitting the logo. This is usually on the opposite side of where your shadows are.
Highlight size: Big, bold highlights can make your logo look glossy, while smaller, softer highlights can give it a matte finish.

Bringing It All Together

When using shadows and highlights, remember that they should work together to tell the same story about where your light source is. It's like a duet—both singers need to be in harmony. And that's how you use brush in Figma for logo creation to add depth and dimension to your logo!

Use brushes for texturing

Adding texture to your logo is like adding spices to a dish—it can add a whole new flavor. When used correctly, brushes in Figma can help you achieve a variety of textures, giving your logo a unique, tactile feel. Let's see how you can do this.

Choosing the Right Texture

There's a plethora of textures you can achieve using brushes, each adding a different mood to your logo. Here's a few to consider:

Grainy: A grainy texture can give your logo a rustic, vintage feel. It's like your logo has been around for decades, telling tales of the good old days.
Smooth: If you're going for a modern aesthetic, a smooth texture might be your best bet. It's like the silk tie in a businessman's wardrobe—sleek and professional.
Rough: A rough texture can make your logo seem rugged and adventurous. It's like a pair of worn-out hiking boots, ready for the next expedition.

Applying the Texture

Now that you've chosen your texture, let's apply it using Figma brushes. Here's a general guide:

Choose your brush: Some brushes in Figma are better suited for specific textures. For instance, a chalk brush might be great for a grainy texture while a basic round brush can work for a smooth texture.
Adjust the brush settings: Playing around with brush hardness, flow, and spacing can help you enhance your chosen texture. Remember, experimentation is the name of the game here.
Apply the texture: Now, simply paint over your logo with the brush. Don't worry about getting it perfect on the first try, you can always adjust and tweak as you go along.

Texture in Action

By adding texture to your logo, you're giving it an edge—a personality. It's no longer just a flat image, but a tangible entity that can be felt and touched. And that's another way on how to use brush in Figma for logo creation!

Combine brushes for a unique look

Combining brushes in Figma, it's like mixing colors on a painter's palette. It allows you to create new, unique effects that can make your logo truly one-of-a-kind. Wondering how to use brush in Figma for logo creation in this way? Let's find out.

Understanding Brush Combinations

Not all brushes are created equal, and some combinations can create stunning effects. Here are a few examples:

Hard and Soft: Think of this combination as the yin and yang of brushes. A hard brush can create crisp, defined lines, while a soft brush can add delicate, subtle details. Together, they create a balance that's visually pleasing.
Large and Small: Like a landscape artist using large brushes for wide strokes and small brushes for tiny details, you too can use different sized brushes to add depth and dimension to your logo.
Textured and Smooth: A bit like mixing a gritty rock song with a smooth jazz tune, combining textured and smooth brushes can make your logo pop with unexpected and exciting contrasts.

Applying Brush Combinations

Ready to combine brushes? Here's a step-by-step guide:

Choose your brushes: Based on the effect you want to achieve, select two or more brushes that complement each other.
Create layers: To keep your work organized, create a new layer for each brush. This way, you can easily adjust each brush's effect without affecting the others.
Blend the brushes: Now, apply each brush on its respective layer, overlapping them where necessary. Don't be afraid to experiment with different blending modes for more unique effects.

Creating a Unique Logo

By combining brushes, you're not just creating a logo—you're creating a work of art. It's a process of exploration and discovery, and the end result is a logo that's uniquely you. So, go ahead and start experimenting with how to use brush in Figma for logo creation. Who knows what amazing combinations you'll discover?

If you enjoyed our blog post on using Figma brushes in logo creation and want to learn more about Figma, we recommend checking out Ansh Mehra's workshop, 'Basics of Figma for Absolute Beginners.' This workshop is perfect for those new to Figma and will equip you with the essential skills to master the platform and create stunning designs.