Logo: improvement, what software to use, general guidelines

Question

I'm an amateur interested in graphic design.

What I'm doing is a logo for a brand called Shelves. I started sketching with the idea of the letter S + a book, shelf, sheet of paper or something associated with the name. That's what I've made:

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Then I changed tactics and just started creating a simple S logo in Photoshop. I ended up with some weird stuff looking like they are made by 5 years old kid playing with PS. I'm talking about these:

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So my questions are:

• Is there potential in any of my sketches to become a nice, clear, simple logo? And which one according to you would turn out a good one?
• What would you recommend as software for creating the logo? Right now I'm using only Photoshop and I'm not sure if I'm not using it right or there's a better software (should I use Illustrator!?) ?

I would be glad if you recommend me some tutorials, techniques, rules, articles or anything that's going to help me learn how to create a nice professional looking logos and designs on the whole. Thank you.

Answer 1

Yes, some certainly have potential. But it's not just a point and choose thing. Look for ones that have a unique shape, as this is the essence of every good logo. This unique shape should represent what you are trying to say, the core values, the message. And don't forget about what industry you are in, if it doesn't fit into the industry it will not easily be perceived as a service of that industry.

Technique/Tool: Illustrator or equivalent vector tool. But starting with pen and paper is fine.