The Xiaomi logo is one of the most recognizable symbols in the electronics world, with a minimalist design with an orange square and a white letter "MI" In fact, to convey all the nuances of brand identity β from proportions to color β requires attention to detail. This article will help you understand how to draw the Xiaomi logo in different ways: From classic pencil sketch to vector graphics in Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape.
We're going to look at not only the basic drawing technique, but also the common mistakes that spoil the result, like why many people mistakenly draw the letter "M" too wide, or why the shade of orange should be exactly the same #FF6900, You'll also learn how to adapt the logo for a variety of purposes, from drawing on paper to avatars on social media or even tattoos (if you're a fan of the brand!).
Whether youβre a beginner artist or just want to surprise your friends with an accurate reproduction of the brand, this guide covers all the steps. And if you need to draw a logo on a Xiaomi device (for example, in the Mi Notes app), weβll also tell you how to do it as carefully as possible.
Analysis of the Xiaomi logo: geometry and proportions
Before you start your pencil, study the structure of the logo, which has two key elements:
- π The orange square is the basis of the composition, its sides should be perfectly smooth, and the angles should be straight (90)Β°). The official version uses color #FF6900 (RGB: 255, 105, 0).
- π White inscription "MI" β And the letter "M" has a specific shape, and its legs are not parallel, but they narrow slightly downwards, creating dynamics.
The secret to a harmonious logo is the ratio of sizes, and if you take the width of a square as 100%, you'll see:
- The height of the letter "M" takes ~60% of the height of the square.
- The distance between the letters "M" and "I" is equal ~15% of the width of "M".
- Thickness of letter lines β ~8% of the height "M".
Note that in the original logo, the letters do not fit the edges of the square. The slidings on the sides and top/bottom are the same and make up the two. ~10% of the width of a square, and it creates an air effect and makes the design visually easy.
Step-by-step: how to draw the Xiaomi logo with a pencil
First, prepare the materials:
- βοΈ A simple pencil (H or) HB for sketch, B for sleeving).
- π Medium-density paper (better with light texture for easy hatching).
- π Line and compass (for ideal straight lines and angles).
- π¨ Lass and sharpener.
- ποΈ Orange marker or pencil (e.g. Faber-Castell #108).
Now let's start drawing.
- Draw a square. Draw a ruler to draw a square that is even. If you want the perfect proportions, make it with a side of 5-6 cm. Check the angles with a transporter, they should be exactly 90.Β°.
- We'll mark it up. We'll draw light auxiliary lines in the center of the square (vertical and horizontal) and they'll help you place it symmetrically.
- Draw the letter "M." Start with two vertical lines (the "M" legs) tapering downwards. Connect them at the top with two diagonal lines forming a sharp angle (~60Β°). Make sure the distance between the legs is equal ~40% of the letter height.
Add the letter "I."
We're gonna circle.
B
Painting the square.
Square flat, no curvatures|
The letter "M" narrows down.|
The distance between "M" and "I" is the same from above and below.|
The color of the square is saturated orange (#FF6900)|
The outlines of the letters are clear, without blurring-->
β οΈ Attention: Do not use markers for winding - they can spread out and spoil the clarity of the lines.
Digital Drawing: How to Reproduce a Logo in Graphic Editors
If you prefer to work on a computer or tablet, you can play the Xiaomi logo in vector editors (Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, CorelDRAW) or raster editors (Photoshop, GIMP, We'll look at both options.
Method 1: Vector graphics (Illustrator/Inkscape)
Vector format is ideal for logos, as it allows you to scale the image without loss of quality.
- Create a new document with permission 300 dpi and size 1000Γ1000 px.
- Draw a square: Take the Rectangle Tool (M). Press the Shift to get the perfect square. Set a size, for example, 500Γ500 Px. Paint it in color #FF6900.
- Add the inscription "MI": Take the Type Tool (T) tool. Choose the font that looks as similar as possible to the original (e.g. MiSans or Arial Narrow Bold "MI", color #FFFFFF (Adjust the kerning (letter spacing) and font size to take up the text. ~60% square height.
Line up the elements:
Align Panel
Export:
.SVG
.AI
.EPS
Method 2: Breaking schedules (Photoshop/GIMP)
If you need to draw a pixel-by-pixel logo (for example, for an avatar), follow these steps:
- Create a new file with a transparent background (Transparent Background).
- Draw a square with the Rectangle Tool (U) and fill it with color #FF6900.
- Add a new layer (Layer) β New β Layer and write "MI" Text Tool (T) tool).
- Apply a stained mask to the text (Layer) β Create Clipping Mask so it only appears inside the square.
- Export in.PNG with transparency, if you need to keep the background.
π‘
In Photoshop, you can use Guides to exactly align the letters. Turn them on through the View menu. β New Guide and set indentations to 10% of the edges of the square.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced designers sometimes make mistakes when reproducing the Xiaomi logo, and here are the most common ones:
| Mistake. | Why is it wrong? | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Too thick letter lines | It breaks the minimalist style of the brand | The thickness of the lines should be ~8% of the height "M" |
| A square with rounded corners | The original logo has strict right angles. | Use a Rectangle Tool with Corner Radius parameter = 0 |
| The wrong shade of orange | Colour #FF6900 β branded, other shades look cheap | Enter. HEX-handcode |
| Letters "MI" squared | Disturbing the balance of composition | Observe the indentations ~10% of the width of a square |
| "M" with parallel legs | The original "M" narrows down. | Use auxiliary lines to control the angle |
β οΈ Note: If you are drawing a logo for commercial use (such as for merch or advertising), make sure you have permission from Xiaomi.Unauthorized use of the brand can lead to legal consequences.
Creative Variations: How to Style the Xiaomi Logo
The official logo is strict and concise, but you can adapt it to your own needs. Here are some ideas for stylization:
- π¨ 3D-effect: add a shadow or a gradient to make the logo look three-dimensional. In Illustrator, use Effect to do this. β 3D β Extrude & Bevel.
- π Color variations: Replace orange with a different color (e.g., color, #00BFFF for the ice-cold style or #32CD32 green-colored).
- ποΈ Manual drawing: draw a logo in the style of a sketch, with visible strokes and irregularities - this will give it a uniqueness.
- π Precious style: add shine and glare, like on a metal surface, suitable for the design of covers or stickers.
- π± Animated logo: In After Effects, you can create an animation of the appearance of letters or pulsations of color.
If you are styling a logo for personal use (like a phone wallpaper or avatar), experiment boldly. For public projects, it's better to stick to the official brand guidelines.
Where to find official Xiaomi guidelines?
How to draw the Xiaomi logo on your smartphone
If you donβt have paper or a computer on hand, you can draw a logo directly on your Xiaomi smartphone using standard apps:
- π± Mi Notes: Built-in notebook app supports hand-drawing. Select the Pencil tool and turn on the grid (β¦ β Show me a grid for straight lines.
- π¨ Google Keep: also allows you to draw, but with a smaller set of tools.
- πΌοΈ Adobe Fresco: Professional drawing app (available on Google Play) supports layers and vector brushes.
- π Infinite Painter: Powerful tool for artists with pen pressure setting (if you have a stylus).
Tips for drawing on the phone:
- Use a stylus (such as the Xiaomi Smart Pen) for greater accuracy.
- Turn on Line Stabilization in your hand settings to smooth out the shaking of your hand.
- Increase the scale (two finger gesture) to draw small details.
- Save the result in format.PNG with a transparent background, if you plan to use the picture as an avatar.
β οΈ Attention: When drawing with your finger on the touch screen, the lines can be uneven. To avoid this, draw slowly and use Undo when you make errors.
Using a logo in a design: where to apply your drawing
You can use the Xiaomi logo for a variety of projects, and here are some ideas:
- π± Wallpaper for smartphone: place the logo in the center or create a repetitive pattern (in Photoshop use Edit) β Define Pattern).
- π Merchandise design: apply a picture on a T-shirt, mug or phone case (printing requires a file with a resolution of 300 dpi).
- π₯οΈ Avatar for social networks: crop the logo in a circle (in Canva or Photoshop) and add a background.
- π¨ Arts for Communities: If youβre administrated by a Xiaomi fan group, a stylized logo will make a great banner.
- π¦ Gift packaging: print out the logo on stickers and decorate boxes with gadgets.
Important: If you plan to sell products with the Xiaomi logo (such as T-shirts or covers), you need to obtain official permission from the company.
π‘
Xiaomi logo is not just a picture, it's part of the brand. Even in non-profit projects, try to keep it recognizable without distorting proportions and colors.