Create a new document in Illustrator

Give the document a name, set the dimension parameters, orientation and color mode. I knew the dimensions beforehand, but feel free to start with any generic parameters, and you can always adjust the size to your needs later. If you are going to use your design for print, make sure that you set the color mode to CMYK. Otherwise RGB.

• Press OK and new document will be displayed. Get into the habit to save your work after each major step to avoid disappointment.
• Chose the Ellipse Tool (L) and hold SHIFT while creating your first circle. If you need to have your circle placed in a certain location or distance, angle etc. select the circle and hit ENTER. Move dialog will open where you can set all you need.
• Start to copy and paste the circles. My logo contains seven letters therefore I have created seven circles. None of my letters needs to use two circles, but bear in mind that letter Y or Q will need to be designed from two circles.
• Pick the Direct Selection Tool (A), select segments from the circles and delete them in order to create very basic letter shape.

Stroke Weight 30pt and extensions

• Select all your objects with Selection Tool (V) and change the Stroke Weight. I used 30pt but make sure you experiment enough to create a weight that would suit to your identity.
• For letter U, I needed to create an extension or an element to form the letter with just the same Stroke Weight parameters. I used a different color so you can see it clearly on the picture on the right. The same applies for dash, letter N and T.
• To be precise make sure you use Object › Transform › Move and also Object › Transform › Reflect

Stroke colors

Start playing with colors. I knew that my logo will be a key element on the website as well as the fact that it will take the most prominent space so I wanted to use strong, fruitful, summer colors to give it a positive voice. I also wanted the logo to affect an overall look & feel of the website.

Benefit of this technique is that you can easily join letters together or place them above each other to create more realistic effect.

• Don’t forget to get the spacing sorted

Outline Stoke and Gradient

All the letters are well positioned so I need to convert the Strokes to Fill.

• Object › Path › Outline Stroke
• I want to create a smooth rainbow gradient with colors I chose to be my generic identity colors
• Starting with linear yellow gradient for D and U and smoothly heading for darker colors

Shadows

Having shadows can add to your artwork a very different dimension.

• Duplicate elements where you want shadow to appear and change its color to black
• Go to Effects › Blur › Gaussian Blur
• I used radius at around 4.0 pixels (Worth to experiment with angles and such)
• Once happy, place the object beneath, for example in my case, beneath letter U
• Experiment with radius too to give your artwork a feel that every letter is sticking out differently rather than consistently

Final result

By now you should be looking at the final result, probably similar to mine as displayed on the right. The whole technique is to my opinion pretty straightforward and once you get a grip of it, you will surely find more, maybe similar or completely different, techniques to achieve same or a similar result.
I aimed for simplicity and efficiency.

I needed to export an artwork to Photoshop because I want to add a motto. Note that there is no need to carry on in Photoshop, this is just my personal preference.

• Grab an artwork and import it to Photoshop as a Smart Object

I am adding text below the logo and theses are the blending parameters:

• Drop shadow: #FFFFFF, opacity 50%, Distance 1px and size 1px
• Inner Shadow: Blend mode Overlay with #000000 and 100% opacity. Angle of a 120 degrees with Global light, Distance of 2px and Size of 6px
• Gradient overlay: I am changing the angle to 90 degrees! Linear style with alignment with layer

Done! You can Rock & Roll, the artwork is ready to be exported.