Critique of New Logo

[Cathy]

Hey Everyone! I'm working on developing a logo for a new business and was wondering what you all thought of what I have so far.

Go to this site: webpages.charter.net/cshrwd/ (http://webpages.charter.net/cshrwd/) and click on ERI Logo.

I have come up with a few versions of one idea and was wondering which one works best. Note: The customer's main concern was that ERI stand out, as you will see in the design, and that it remain professional and simple, as their printing budget is very small.

Thanks for the comments!!

FYI - I've taken my designs off the server for now. Thanks for all your comments. (7/13)</font>

Post Edited (Cathy) : 6/13/2004 6:21:29 PM GMT

[Silence04]

i like the top one the best, but i'm not sure about having those 2 white horz lines..... maybe try using a color other than black, like a royal blue...


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[solcjoye]

Shouldnt this be moved to a more appropriate section of the forum, would get more views/response etc.

[Vikia]

Have you tried them at other sizes, smaller and larger. The small type may suffer at smaller reproductions. What size will this most likely be reproduced at?

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[uncle carbunkle]

if the client's main concern is readability, then i would do away with the white lines and transparent layers - they aren't doing you any favours.

why not just think in black, and use the white 'negative' space to help your image. think about shapes and images. instead of piling lots of visual information in there, try for the less is more approach.

have a little look at a recent post: http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/?f=11&m=40908 - in fact, get yourself to a good book store and look around - there are lots of great resources on branding and identity that will inspire you, i'm sure.

if that doesn't work, push yourself away from the computer, get some construction paper and scissors. you can only make a logo using the paper and scissors - so you have to cut away any marks you don't want there, and have it be legible. (okay, maybe you don't go that far, but does it help to illustrate what i mean?)

most important - don't stop! keep tearing away at it until you get something that grabs you, and keep posting here. you'll get it!

greetings, earthlings. take me to your dealer.

[Keyare]

Cool post Unc.

[Cathy]

Thanks for the link - great points to keep in mind... for any project. To answer Vikia's question about size, the logo would appear on a business card and letterhead/envelopes for sure, perhaps their website as well. Your right - while they wanted ERI to really pop, compared to their actual business name, it may be a bit too small. (I really wish their company name wasn't so long - but what can ya do? Can't change it... so I'll have to find a solution.)

I think I'll experiment with the typeface a bit and incorporating some softer lines in the design. Does it appear too cold? Their overall goal is to, again, really put the focus on the letters ERI and they want it to remain clean and professional. They are a Real Estate company, so I am concerned about how homebuyers/renters might feel about such a logo. I want it to be clean and professional, but inviting too...

I would still appreciate feedback, but I know I've got some experimenting to do. Thx.

[uncle carbunkle]

key: i'm a closet luddite.

greetings, earthlings. take me to your dealer.

[Cathy]

Well, I have come up with a new design. This time I've made several revisions to the same concept - just to see what I could come up with. Let me know what you think... if you like this concept better than the last, and if so, what elements are working/which version of the logo do you like the best.

Here's the link again: webpages.charter.net/cshrwd/ (http://webpages.charter.net/cshrwd/)

Just click on the doc that says 'ERI House Logo'
As always, thanks a millon. Like you all have nothing better to do right :P

[defjoe]

Nothing is hitting me with this. Will it only be B & W?

'I will become the most powerful Jedi ever!'

[Cathy]

I'm sorry - 'nothing is hitting me with this' - what do you mean by that exactly? That it just isn't 'doing it for you,' as in it's not successful? I'm just asking, not mad or anything. Just wanted to make sure I understood your comment.

It doesn't have to be only B&W... as you can see from the mock-ups I have incorporated a few versions with an additional color. Maybe you only took a look at the first concept that I did - the .pdf titled 'ERI Logo'. That concept was very plain... and only portrayed B&W. If you look at the pdf called 'ERI House Logo' that might clear things up. Let me know.

[Holliday]

The house logos are much better. Of those, I think the black and gold one is the best. However, I'm with Joe, there's just something missing here. I can't put my finger on it but it's that little spark, that little hit of 'Oh! Cool'. Don't get me wrong, the new set is 'good enough' but it's not 'great'. Did you explore any other icons? A tree, picket fence, window.. I don't know, just throwing out ideas. Maybe hide something in the logo ala FedEx arrow or Big Ten Eleven? People eat that sh!t up once they figure it out.

Dunno. Logos are hard.

[uncle carbunkle]

getting there! imho, you should play with the house more. the roof is choking the text, and that's the most important thing. also, the 'base' is really .... i don't know. it bugs me. but take that and run with it! play more and see what happens. then, when you're happier with that, do a complete 180 and sketch out the 'opposite' idea, because you'll probably be sick of houses by then. i don't mean start drawing fridge boxes or homeless shelters, but just something different, so then you can go back to the 'house' and see it with fresher eyes.

that's what i'd do, anyways.

well done! keep it up! moremoremore!

greetings, earthlings. take me to your dealer.

[Holliday]

Yeah, like he said. Quantity breeds quality.

[DeleteYourself]

I really liked the structure of the house in the first attempt. Maybe just play around with fonts, and negative space to make it pop more. Keep at it!

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