How to Draw a Logo in Figma: A Step-by-Step Guide from Flat Shapes to 3D Surfaces

Step-by-step walkthrough: from flat shape to 3D surface

Many designers will say that Figma is not the best tool for creating logos — and they’re right: Illustrator is indeed more suitable for complex vector graphics. But that doesn’t mean you can’t build a clean, precise logo in Figma.

If you need to quickly sketch an idea, build a neat draft, or simply feel more comfortable in Figma than in other tools — that’s more than enough. In this tutorial I’ll show you how to:

• build a logo using a grid;
• apply accurate corner radii on any shape;
• construct a complex figure on the surface of a cube;
• prepare everything for correct export.

Why grids matter in logo design

Working with a grid helps you:

• keep composition clean and symmetrical,
• maintain rhythm in shapes,
• create visually stable objects,
• avoid “eyeballing” construction,
• make later edits predictable.

We’ll use two grids at once — one large and one small. The large grid helps with overall composition, and the small one allows precise node placement.

Part 1. Creating a flat logo on a grid

Step 1. Create a working frame

1. Create a frame 800×800 px.
2. Set a convenient background — for example, a slightly dark gray.

This will be your working area.

Step 2. Set up the grids

Add two Grid Layouts:

• 100 px (large grid) — set opacity to about 30%;
• 25 px (small grid).

Why two grids?

• the large one divides the composition into easy-to-read blocks;
• the small one allows precise point placement and curve alignment.

Step 3. Build the main contour of the logo

1. Select the Pen (P) tool.
2. Place anchor points to outline the future logo shape.
3. Note: points do not snap to the grid by default.

To fix this, enable:

👉 Snap to Geometry: Shift + O

Snap to Documentation

Now nodes will align more easily with grid intersections.

Step 4. Apply fill color

Select the shape and apply the fill you need. By this point the contour should already be closed.

Step 5. Prepare corners for precise rounding

A key Figma nuance: you can’t round arbitrary inner angles using standard corner radius properties like you would on a rectangle.

So we’ll use a reliable trick — a circle as a measuring tool.

1. Create a circle with the radius you need.
2. Set its constraints to: Constraints → Center.
3. Align the circle’s center with the angle you want to round.

Why this works

• Figma cannot automatically round arbitrary angles.
• A circle gives perfect intersections, even with non-orthogonal angles.
• This method works great for complex vector shapes.

Step 6. Mark intersection points

1. Double-click to enter vector editing mode.
2. Use Pen to place points where the circle intersects the contour.

These points define the exact arc of the future rounded corner.

Step 7. Create the corner cut

1. Double-click the original corner vertex.
2. Press Delete — the corner becomes a straight cut.

This will be the base for your smooth arc.

Step 8. Form the rounding using Bend

Use the Bend tool and drag one of the two remaining points toward the center of the former angle. More info in documentation Create curved paths with bézier handles

Rules to follow:

• drag strictly along the segment,
• the guide must follow the tangent,
• the closer to the midpoint — the smoother the curve.

Repeat for all rounded corners.

Step 9. Export the logo

Before exporting:

1. Check the shape in Outline Mode: Ctrl/Cmd + Y.
2. Make sure there are no redundant nodes.
3. Export as SVG or PNG.

Part 2. Building a logo on the surface of a cube

This method is useful if you want to:

• place a logo on a 3D surface,
• build a complex isometric sign,
• create a grid for stylized 3D graphics.

Step 1. Set up the working frame

Frame 800×800 and two grids — same as in the previous part.

Step 2. Build the cube frame

Using Pen:

• place nodes on grid intersections,
• draw the visible part of the cube (isometric or perspective — depending on your task).

Step 3. Create the internal grid

We need a dense structural grid to draw the figure on.

1. Divide the edges into halves, quarters, or any needed segments.
2. Connect resulting points horizontally and vertically.

More complex shapes require a denser grid.

Step 4. Mark intersections

With Pen, add nodes at the intersections. Now you have a complete wireframe-like grid.

Step 5. Extract needed areas with Shape Builder

1. Select the entire grid.
2. Use Shape Builder to pick areas that will form the final figure.

You can break the shape into multiple segments for multi-color surfaces. Add fills to closed regions

More info in documentation Create custom shapes with the shape builder tool.

Step 6. Clean up unnecessary points

Finally:

• remove redundant nodes (Delete),
• merge shapes if needed,
• simplify the contour.

The logo is now ready and appears as if drawn on a 3D surface.

Select points and paths with the Lasso tool

Common mistakes when building logos in Figma

When working with vector grid-based logos in Figma, small issues often appear — noticeable only after export or when scaling down. Here are the most common ones and how to avoid them.

1. Too many anchor points

Beginners often add unnecessary nodes, especially with Pen and Bend.

Problems:

• curves become wobbly,
• SVG gets heavier,
• edits become harder.

How to avoid: place only key points — start/end of segments and needed intersections. Then use “Remove redundant points”.

2. Asymmetric or uneven rounding

If the radius is done “by eye”, different corners may differ by 1–3 px — visible when scaling.

How to avoid: always use a circle with a precise radius and mark exact intersections. Verify symmetry in Outline Mode.

3. Incorrect Bend direction

If the Bend guide is pulled at the wrong angle, the curve looks broken or oddly stretched.

How to avoid: drag along the segment’s tangent. If the curve breaks — undo and start closer to the middle.

4. Unsnapped nodes

Pen points may shift by 0.5–1 px from grid. Looks fine at full size, but becomes blurry when minimized.

How to avoid: nudge with arrows or enable Snap to Geometry.

5. Wrong grid scale

Wrong grid = wrong precision.

• too small → unnecessary detail,
• too large → not enough control.

How to avoid: combine 100px and 25px grids.

6. Incorrect shape merging

Boolean operations can create:

• extra masks,
• wrong layer order,
• export artifacts.

How to avoid: after merging → Flatten (Cmd/Ctrl + E).

7. Loss of readability at small sizes

Good at 256px, unreadable at 24px.

How to avoid: test at 256 / 64 / 24 px. Simplify if needed.

8. Overlapping lines

Manual grid building may create duplicate segments or overlapping paths.

How to avoid: check regularly in Outline Mode (Ctrl/Cmd + Y). More info in documentation View layer outlines in Figma Design.

Conclusion

Figma isn’t Illustrator — but with the right approach, you can build precise, clean, geometrically consistent logos in it. Grids, measurement circles, and the Shape Builder tool let you work with shapes almost as flexibly as in professional vector editors.