A program for creating a logo: AI vs. a design tool

Creating a logo that genuinely captures a brand's essence can be a real challenge. If you are wondering how to create a logo that catches the eye, captures a brand's values and sets you apart from the competition, you need to settle the following questions. Is a template enough or do you need a tailor-made logo? Invest in a professional design program, or rather use simpler artificial intelligence solutions? Choosing the right tool markedly affects the result.

In this article we will look at two main approaches to creating a logo – professional design programs and AI-powered logo generators. Each option has its purpose, its pluses and minuses. Whether you are looking for full control over the design or a fast, affordable solution, we will help you choose the right tool for creating a logo that does your brand credit.

What is a logo and what does it mean for a brand?

A logo is a visual symbol representing a brand's identity. In an overcrowded market it lets customers recognise a brand quickly and creates an emotional connection between it and its audience. A well-designed logo can symbolise a brand's values, mission and uniqueness, often relying on specific typography, colours and symbols.

Without a logo a company loses one of the key components of its identity and the ability to leave a lasting impression. Imagine a cake shop with no logo. You may have the best cake in town, but without a visual identity your business is easily lost in the flood of competition. Besides that you may come across as unprofessional, which puts prospective customers off so much that they will not even give your cakes a chance. A properly designed logo helps a company stand out, attract attention and imprint itself in customers' memory.

A logo is a basic building block of a brand's unified communication. It appears on every marketing material – from signage through product packaging to online platforms. It helps create a consistent visual identity customers recognise at once. Even though a logo is a small element, it carries huge weight in building trust and loyalty. For every company, including a small cake shop, it is an invaluable means of achieving success in the market.

Design programs for creating a logo

Design programs are the basic tool for designers who want to create detailed, original logos. These programs' greatest advantage is a high degree of customisation – they allow absolute control over every element of the design. The second advantage is the possibility of quality output suitable for print and for the web. On the other hand, the common drawback is that they take time and technical skill, because working with these programs can be complicated for beginners. 

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is one of the most popular tools for creating vector graphics and we use it at Invelity too. This program offers a wide range of advanced tools and features that let designers create precise, professional logos. 

Advantages:

• Absolute flexibility: it gives detailed control over every aspect of the graphics, so you can create a logo exactly as you imagine it.
• Trouble-free collaboration: it works within the Adobe suite, so if you already know Photoshop, for instance, moving to Illustrator will not be demanding at all.
• Perfect quality: the resulting files are vector, which means your logo will look sharp and high quality at any size, whether on business cards or billboards.

Drawbacks:

• A demanding start: a beginner may be a little taken aback by the number of tools and options, since Illustrator takes time and practice before you genuinely find your way around it.
• Higher costs: the subscription price can be higher (currently the annual subscription costs €261.96), which can be a problem above all for individuals or smaller businesses just starting out.

CorelDRAW

CorelDRAW is another popular tool for creating vector graphics, ideal for designing logos, promotional materials, illustrations and print artwork. CorelDRAW is a frequent choice above all among designers working in print and publishing, because it offers plenty of tools for working with text and layouts.

Advantages:

• Simple to use: compared with Adobe Illustrator it offers a more intuitive interface better suited to beginners.
• Format flexibility: it supports a wide range of formats, which allows flexible work when exporting and printing.
• A one-off payment: the licence model allows a one-off payment, which can be an advantage for those who do not want to pay a monthly subscription.

Drawbacks:

• Limited compatibility: weaker compatibility with other programs in the Adobe suite; Illustrator files may display incompletely or incorrectly when imported into CorelDRAW.
• A smaller community: compared with Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW has a smaller user base, which means fewer available online tutorials, resources and communities where you can get support.
• A high price: the one-off licence payment can feel like a drawback financially, since it stands at €599.

Affinity Designer

Affinity Designer is a relatively new tool on the design program market that has quickly gained popularity thanks to its affordability and performance. This program offers quality tools for working with vector and raster graphics, which makes it a flexible alternative to Adobe Illustrator.

Advantages:

• An excellent price: a one-off licence payment of €74.99 - the best value among all the design program options.
• Support for both types of graphics: support for vector and raster graphics in one program, which is useful for projects needing a combination of both.
• An intuitive interface: a modern, intuitive user interface with a fast start for beginners and advanced users alike.

Drawbacks:

• Limited features: limited features compared with Adobe Illustrator, above all with very advanced edits and effects.
• Adobe compatibility: weaker compatibility with other programs in the Adobe suite; Illustrator files may display incompletely or incorrectly when imported into Affinity.
• Less support: a smaller community and fewer online resources, so it can be harder to find specific guides and tips.

Logo generators using artificial intelligence (AI)

AI-powered logo generators are an ideal solution for those needing a logo quickly, simply and without advanced design skills. These tools use algorithms to create proposals on the basis of your preferences such as colours, style and typography. 

In the following steps we will try to create a logo for our fictional cake shop that captures the sweet, homely character of our products and at the same time comes across as professional. We will try using AI generators to find out which of them best helps us achieve the result we want.

Canva Logo Maker

Canva is a popular logo generator that appeals to a wide spectrum of users thanks to its simplicity and affordability. It offers an extensive library of templates, icons and visual elements, which allows fast design creation even for complete beginners. In the free version it gives basic features, but for more advanced options it may be necessary to invest in a premium plan.

Advantages:

• Simple to use: Canva offers an intuitive interface suitable for beginners.
• A wide range of templates and editing options: it contains plenty of predefined templates, icons and typography that can be adapted easily.
• A free version: Canva has a free plan with access to basic features, so you can create a logo without paying.

Drawbacks:

• An impractical logo: the designs often look good at first sight but are in fact impractical for real use. Many of them are too illustrated and complicated, which can cause problems in various applications of a logo.

Premium package: €110 a year or €12 a month

Looka

Looka is an AI tool specialising in creating logos and wider branding. It offers tailor-made proposals according to your preferences and lets you create a complete visual identity for your brand. It is ideal for those looking for a simple but professional solution for a logo and corporate design.

Advantages:

• Advanced AI for customisation: Looka generates logos on the basis of your preferences and questions, so the design is adapted to your style.
• The option of complete branding: besides a logo it also offers a package of branding materials such as business cards, letterheads and social media templates.

Drawbacks:

• A lack of originality: the designs feel rather practical but lack more marked creativity.
• A higher price: the logo and brand kit serve only as a preview; to use them directly you have to buy a premium package

Premium package: from $20 to $129 a year, depending on the package type

Wix Logo Maker

Wix Logo Maker combines artificial intelligence with practicality to create a logo matching your vision exactly. This tool is perfect for businesspeople who want to integrate a logo smoothly into their Wix site. It gives flexibility to adapt the design for digital and print use alike.

Advantages:

• Simple integration with a Wix site: Wix Logo Maker is ideal for those using the Wix platform to build a website – you can add the logo directly to your site easily.
• Advanced AI for customisation: it generates a logo on the basis of questions, so the logo reflects your style and preferences.
• Universality and creativity: the logo is original enough and flexible for simple handling, and Wix offers packages adapted for using the logo effectively online and offline.

Drawbacks:

• A language barrier: when specifying the logo, the artificial intelligence requires a conversation in English for a better understanding of the brief.

Premium package: from €9 to €14 a month, depending on the package type

Tailor Brands Logo Maker

Tailor Brands offers a comprehensive solution for companies looking for more than just a logo. This tool lets you create a whole visual identity including designs for social media and a simple website. Its good-value packages are an excellent choice for start-ups needing a fast, affordable branding solution.

Advantages:

• A complete branding package: Tailor Brands offers the option of buying a complete package including a logo, social media branding and even a website.
• High-quality AI generation: detailed, intuitive work with artificial intelligence that creates a logo exactly to your requirements.
• An affordable plan: when buying an annual plan, discounts can reach as much as 70%, which makes this package markedly cheaper compared with other generators.

Drawbacks:

• Weaker originality and usability: the designs feel unremarkable and lack not only creativity but practical value too.

Premium package: from €2.49 to €48.99 a month, depending on the package type

AI generators vs. design programs: which route is the right one for you?

Choosing between AI logo generators and design programs depends on your needs, budget and the time you want to invest. AI generators such as Canva, Looka, Wix Logo Maker or Tailor Brands are fast and simple to use. They offer functional solutions ideal for small businesses or individuals needing a logo in a short time and without demanding design skills. Their drawback, though, can be lower originality of the designs and limited customisation options. Take a look at our comparison of the top AI tools for generating images.

Conversely, design programs such as Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW or Affinity Designer give more detailed control and professional tools that let you create a unique logo exactly as you imagine it. They take more time and skill and a higher investment, though, so they suit above all those looking for maximum quality and uniqueness.

The comparison in short:

• AI generators: fast, affordable, simple to use, but with limited customisability and originality.
• Design programs: detailed, flexible and professional, but more demanding on time, skill and budget.

Every route has its advantages, and which is best for you depends on your goals. We recommend trying various tools and finding the one that best suits your needs. And if you want a logo that will be genuinely unique and professional, do not hesitate to turn to us. We will be glad to help you create a logo that captures your brand and leaves an unforgettable impression!