New Logo Opinions?

[4Dcreativegroup]

We are re-designing our logo and would like opinions on this one we came up with.

Thanks In Advance,
Frank D'Elia

[distruktor]

i like the simple icon style of the logo but not to sure whether it would benefit from being simplified (content wise) and made a bit more dynamic it feels a little one dimensional to me, almost flat... it needs a bit of depth. Maybe it spells it out a bit to much aswell, you know 4d creative group and then above it a logo with 4 people thinking...

I also think 'thinking caps on' would make a better company name than '4d creative'... you could have way more fun with that one, i can see it working real nice as an identity and you could do some cool direct mail/self promotion work.

personaly i think the whole 4d thing has been done to death...

sorry if that was a bit harsh :D

dis.

[4Dcreativegroup]

No problem. The thing about 4D is my last name starts with "D", and then my wife and two kids. It is a personal thing. How about the colors? Do you think adding depth to the cloud would help out the flat look? Any other suggestions would really help, if this was for a customer it would be easier, when it is for yourself, you really can't think from the outside in.

--
Frank D'Elia

[D-Zine]

maybe a light bulb instead of a cloud?

humm..let me think some more..lol :)

[4Dcreativegroup]

I thought about that, but I really wanted something to include the "4" people.

[D-Zine]

you could still use the 4 people, just replace the cloud with a light bulb.

maybe I need to go back to bed? LOL ;)

[distruktor]

yeah i know what you mean, i hate doing stuff for myself.

when i said it looked flat i didnt mean that because the style is simple i meant, its not very dynamic... like, everything is the same size on the same level, evenly spaced. throw a bit of perspective in to give it depth, put some people in the foreground and some further away, or use transparency, get colours overlapping i dont think you need to add more detail to the cloud, the simple illustration style works and i like the colours, i just think with a little more crafting its got the potential to be a nice logo.

i dont know, maybe have the people making the shape of the thought bubble or something as another idea, it just feels a bit literal at the moment...

but this is just my opinion see what all the other guys think before you go off and start re-doing stuff

:D

[Jeff Fisher LogoMotives]

My immediate thought is that a "cloud hanging over one's head" projects a negative, rather than positive, connotation. When you use the stereotypical "idea bubble" imagery (which is as overused as "light bulb" imagery to project "thinking') it comes across as such when the "idea" is coming from one person's head. For some reason, this seems to just look more like a cloud bearing down on four individuals..

My second concern is that the icon imagery of the four people seems a bit small, and the circles connecting the heads to the "cloud" seem a thin, with all those elements seeming to be a little crowded. Using the logo in even smaller sizes, or in some printing applications, might result in some reproduction issues such as the the heads/bodies bleeding together or the open circles breaking up/disappearing.

I really like the "thinking caps on" line and think the colors are great. Still, when printing your logo are you really going to want to print four color jobs on all promotional/marketing/business materials?

- J.

[4Dcreativegroup]

I see what you are saying. It is not a big deal for the 4 color process stuff because my family has a printing shop. I am almost thinking that I should outsource this project. I think If I see other peoples ideas I can than look at it from a different approach (outside the box). Anyone Interested? Give me a price quote and we could work something out.

[Ulysses]

How about 4 lightbulbs collectively thinking together!?

[PersonasBinar]

thinking together to produce enough light to show you the way....
kinda thing?

[distruktor]

i've only fit this in between work... so it's rough to say the least, ive done a quick couple of ideas more like mac scamps just to show you what i was going on about when i was saying combine the people and the thought bubble.

you might like it... you might not, but i just thought it may help you or spark off another route that you hadn't thought of before, it helps me to sometimes see how another person looks at the same design challenge.

like i said its a rough idea, so be kind

:D

[danedawg99]

4D, I think you have a good start, but need to push it a bit further. DON'T GIVE UP yet!!!! ;) I like the colors you used, but I first saw a cloud rainig in jugs. I got it after I read the explanation, tho. just push it bit more....


distruktor, wow.

[PersonasBinar]

I like your vibe distruktor.

'These aren't the 'droids your looking for'

[4Dcreativegroup]

What about this? I am thinking of changing each person so they look different. But it is a start.

Let me know what you think.

--
Frank

[4Dcreativegroup]

distruktor,
I did not even see your comps. I like it. I just do not know which way to go with this.

[distruktor]

those are my comps...

personally i think that last one you did was more of an illustration than a logo, but thats only my opinion... see what everyone says when they crit your work and make your mind up from there.

i feel your pain, i hate doing stuff for myself :D

[4Dcreativegroup]

Well, with that illustration I was thinking more of a symbol that would be included in stationary, etc. And If I go that route I would just use text as my "logo".

--
Frank

[distruktor]

sounds interesting! stick 'em up here for us to look at dude...

dis.

[ronin44]

how about each person with a different "thinking" cap. It's obvious we think differently. How about keeping the icons and showing placing different caps/hats on them.show a bit of their personalities..

[4Dcreativegroup]

I think this is getting better. I even went ahead and created the stationary. I guess that means I like it. What do you guys think?

http://www.4dcreativegroup.com/4D_Logo_06.jpg

--
Frank

[danedawg99]

I'm kinda biased against gradients in logos, so I'd say lose them. as for the whole thing; I dunno, I don't like it much. the comic bubble is kinda over-used as a logo. I think you were going the right way in your last batch of logos. But, whaddaiknow? I can't eve get work doing real design... ;) :p

[Crimson]

I think some of your other ideas had more creativity in them. Something about this comp looks flat and not as interesting. I'm not sure about the color in them. Will it work in Black and white. Small or large. Not a lot of contrast in text and line strokes. Keep working. These are just suggestion not trying to be a jerk

[Crimson]

look at distruktor's comp. Asymmetry with balance and visual contrast. Like Jeff said don't be to cliche with over used images. Use them - but use creativity to make them unique to you.

[4Dcreativegroup]

OK! How about this? Something else I came up with.

http://www.4dcreativegroup.com/4D_Logo_06_02.jpg

--

Thanks for being honest this whole time guys.

Frank

[LeeIs]

4D,
I think your latest one is your best one. Although, I think distruktor's idea is a bit better graphically. Look how elements don't really need to be centred to work. Balance is great and it is best achieved when things aren't centred IMO.

I really like the vibrant colours in your last too. Way to go and keep them coming.

[distruktor]

Hi Frank,
that last one is definately your best one, is there a glow under each 'D' or is it just me? If there is i think it would look more impact full and more modern without. On the stationery, I think your logo might be a bit to big as well, especially on the business card... try some versions where everything isn't centred with everything else too...

As another thought you could make a repeating pattern out of the 'd' shapes and use that as an overall pattern on the back of the letter head, business card etc... and also print it on the inside of the envelope, just an idea :)

these books might be of use to you too:

Los Logos
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/3931126927/qid=1129794610/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-8184806-0419013?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Dos Logos
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/3899550552/qid=1129794610/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-8184806-0419013?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Business cards - the art of saying hello
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1856693864/qid=1129794705/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-8184806-0419013?v=glance&s=books

they have been a usefull source of inspiration to me over the years,
keep 'em coming!

Dis.

[4Dcreativegroup]

Dist,
Do you know a resource who would print on the inside of the envelope?

[G-Man79]

The last version is your strongest thus far. The D's could be more stylized though. Perhaps a 1 px stoke through the middle of each D or perhaps a more serif based shape for the D's. Keep up posted!

[distruktor]

Dist,
Do you know a resource who would print on the inside of the envelope?


yeah i did it for a client a couple of years back... its more expensive as it'll mean a bespoke envelope, but it looks sweet!

im guessing from the stationery that you are living in the good old US of A, i could recommend someone but i live in england :) theres a slight distance problem there.

lived in california for a while though... loved the place!

dis

[4Dcreativegroup]

OK. I decided to get away from the whole "D" thing and came up with a cool symbol. Again, let me know what you think.

http://www.4dcreativegroup.com/4D_Letterhead_06_03.jpg

--
Frank

[distruktor]

yeah, better man... i'd nudge "thinking caps on" over to the right a bit as it looks like its not quite lined up with the c of creative. and maybe put the address in regular instead of bold...

apart from that its pretty cool

dis.

[PersonasBinar]

Not to be a stick in the mud but this does nothing for me. It's a child's games with a ruler and a pencil, or a black velvet ship with thread technique. Nothing 4D about it...IMHO. You wanted to represent the family, i thought you were closer earlier on.

[4Dcreativegroup]

What do other people think, whats the majority? I have moved thinking caps on to the right a bit.

[Satchel]

I agree with personas, I like the one you did before this last one...

and printing inside an envelope, you would just have to have it converted right? instead of a one sided env. it would be two. Converting is more expensive and takes longer to get them done, but I would think doing a two sided one wouldn't be too much harder if you already have to convert. or maybe I'm totally off here?
S.

[PersonasBinar]

Many places can get you a template for a number10 unfolded. the folding and glueing isn't that big a deal.

[danedawg99]

http://www.4dcreativegroup.com/4D_Logo_06_02.jpg <----- I LIKE this!!! I'd lose the fuzzies around each 'd', but this is a really good logo!

the newest one reminds me of the new Bank of NY logo..

http://www.bankofny.com/htmlpages/images/logo.jpg

[ronin44]

regarding the newest comp. how about getting rid of "thinking caps on" the logo really has nothing to do with thinking caps nor thought...just apply the 4 creative group. Really not a big fan. Too corporate.

[Jimeda Fork]

You have a PO box on your stationary, but actual address on your website.

Just lett'n ya know.

[4Dcreativegroup]

We have just opened a PO Box, that is what we will be using from now on.

I have decided to go with this version:

http://www.4dcreativegroup.com/4D_Letterhead_06_FINAL.jpg

What do other people think of the tagline? Does it always have to be in releation to the logo?

[Robofunc]

We have just opened a PO Box, that is what we will be using from now on.

I have decided to go with this version:

http://www.4dcreativegroup.com/4D_Letterhead_06_FINAL.jpg

What do other people think of the tagline? Does it always have to be in releation to the logo?

I think that's the best one so far. Here's one tip before you make plates, though:

Don't stick it on a card or a letter head or a label or an envelope--play with your mark first! Make layers in your AI file or pages in your quark file or whatever and just play a bit. The four Ds could be smaller and to the right of the company name or to the left. The relationship between the mark and the type needs to be explored.

The mark needs to be explored, too. Try different typefaces. What would those Ds look like lowercase? Serif? Are there other ways to say "4-D?" "40?"
Explore using the letterform in different ways. Cut it up, alter it, see if you can make it do more than just look like a D.

[chriscrooz]

I really like the simplicity of this design as well. I think you have some good ideas commented on to go with.

[chriscrooz]

Hey I do like the blue back to the business card more than the colored lines. It seems to be too much on the back of that car with those line in my opinion. Hope that helps

[Skyler]

Maybe, just maybe, instead of your tagline you could put four emotional 'd' words down there. One of which I instantly thought of was 'desire.'

Really, if you want to be creative, *be* creative. Don't just *say* you are creative then fall flat. I hate it when designers do that!

[GreenThumb]

The last ones seem to be the best ones but Id lose the graphics on the back of the card..it symbolizes nothing when considered with the rest of your brand.

[Mynock]

OK. I decided to get away from the whole "D" thing and came up with a cool symbol. Again, let me know what you think.

http://www.4dcreativegroup.com/4D_Letterhead_06_03.jpg

--
Frank

Too much like this new one for my taste.
http://images.betanews.com/albums/24/125.jpg

[angerisagift]

i really like the last one. i like that shape with the D's because it looks like a symbol, but its also 4 D's. I personally like the colorful lines on the back of the card in the last batch...it pulls the colors through and just looks cool.

-sean