Sketch to Vector in Affinity: Ambigram Wordmark (LAEL Logo Design)

In this Sketch to Vector walkthrough, I show how I design a custom ambigram wordmark in Affinity for a real cosmetic brand called LAEL.

Starting from a hand-drawn sketch, I walk through how I use guides, circular forms, and vector tools to refine the lettering into a balanced, scalable logo that works from any orientation.

This one is about thinking, structure, and building type that’s functional and visually distinctive.

Use the timestamps below to jump to specific parts of the walkthrough:

00:00 — Intro + Sketch to Vector (wordmark focus)
00:19 — The LAEL brand + real client context
01:11 — Why short names are perfect for wordmarks
01:40 — What an ambigram is (and why it works here)
02:21 — Designing for real-world application (products, orientation)
03:00 — Bringing the sketch into Affinity
03:47 — Locking layers + lowering opacity
04:34 — Building the L using simple shapes
05:31 — Focusing on the “A” as the key letterform
06:23 — Creating guides to establish structure
06:58 — Using circles to define curves and spacing
07:47 — Building balance through proportional shapes
09:37 — Using guides as a foundation (not rules)
10:34 — Switching between pixel and vector view
11:25 — Building smooth curves with the Pen Tool
12:39 — Refining shapes with the corner tool
13:41 — Final ambigram reveal
14:40 — Wrap-up + why this approach works

Built in the wonderful @Affinity

If you have questions or thoughts, drop them in the comments or email me at mbj@themadebyjames.com.

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Enjoy!

MBJ
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