A logo that could use your help

[Jriddim]

Hey guys! Here is another logo to look at, This is for my cousin who attends med school, she is in the PA program. she asked me to design a logo for the PA student olympics, I pretty much have creative freedom, only thing to keep in mind is that this is going on t-shirts in the colors blue yellow and maroon.

What do you guys think of this idea, this is my 3rd one so far that i think is worth persuing to completion. Any help/comments would greatly be appreciated!

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/_Truth_and_rights_/kris4.jpg

[D-Frag]

I really dislike the font of the PASO, I would try something with smooth rounded corners to accentuate the round box. I understand the concept of the rings being a stethescope, but to the average eye they look like earrings, maybe find a way to incorporate the idea better.

my 2 cents.

[Thomas51471]

I disagree with D-Frag about the rings, I knew what they were supposed to represent (olympic rings) right off. I think the people this logo is meant for will have no problem with it. But I do agree with D-Frag on the PASO font, it's uninspired and looks unfinished.

Maybe you should work on making the rings the main focus of the logo and using the text to communicate the organization.

Just some thoughts.

[Jriddim]

Thanks for the advice.. I REALLY wish i had more of a font library than the stock illy fonts. WTF is there anyway of getting decent quality fonts for free? or pretty cheap? Im only a student lol im pretty broke. I actually sold my car to get my 17" powerbook lol

[MD]

I think you have 2 separate designs going - the PASO rectangle and the stethoscope rings and they don't work together. The rings are very interesting but I have to admit that I did not see the stethoscopes until D-Frag pointed them out. Ditch the rounded rectangle thing, and make the rings the more recognizable and prominent.

Just a side note the Olympic rings and colors are registered trademarks ...

[Jriddim]

Damn actually i should make my own freakin type hahahah

[emmerse]

I for one like the stethescope/olympic rings idea. the event is obviously not a prestigious sporting competition, its a fun time for some overworked med students. The concept is cute, silly and fun enough to have charm.

I do agree the font for PASO needs some tweaking, as in, finding a new one, or really sort out the details for this choice. The A and S connection isn't working for me. Also the spelled out version at the bottom just looks out of place.

I'd also design this in one color to start. If the shirts are going to be color to begin with, you will want to have a solid white or black option that still works as well as your color versions do.

[MD]

Since you are creating this logo in illustrator there is a good list of free font sites listed here. Just remember to create outlines :D
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2831

[Jriddim]

Thanks very much MD!

[Drawing a Blank]

I have to agree with everyone about the PASO font so I won't say any more about it. I also have to admit I didn't recognize the circles as stethescopes until D-Frag pointed it out and my wife is a PA and I see a stethescope nearly every day. I think the fact that one of them is just the earpiece probably makes them harder to recognize. I know you trying to keep this loose and fun and you obviously want to use the stethescope, but maybe those things are too disperate to be resolved or maybe I just can't think of a way to do it. Have you tried other things like caduceus?

[Craig B]

Okay, I'll be the copyright jerk ... I know that this may be a small event, but the Olympic committee is about the strictest copyright enforcer out there. Anyone that comes close to using the 5 colored olympic rings (or in this case an fairly obvious copy of their rings) if discovered could be sued.

I'm just saying be aware of it.

Just one example (http://www.artslaw.com.au/LegalInformation/Trademarks/99ArtOlympics.asp)

[Craig B]

Here's another example found here (http://2010.dailyvancouver.com/blog/2005/05/27/vancouver-artists-feel-their-expression-is-restricted-because-of-the-copyright-rules-surrounding-the-olympic-log):

The memo warns that unauthorized use
of words or symbols that may be confused with the Olympic brand, on
“Web sites, signage, written materials or merchandise”, can result in
“legal action in order to protect the Olympic Brand. This could include
court orders for the seizure of unauthorized merchandise and the
payment of damages.”

Sorry, not to be such a downer, but I wanted you to be aware of it because it could potentially be costly.

[Jriddim]

I appreciate the warning! I really diddnt think about that, but my cousin gave me the ok to use the rings, she actually asked me to incorporate them! but I dont know if i should use them now..... but anyway here is a re design
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/_Truth_and_rights_/kris5.jpg

[Thomas51471]

Here's another example found here (http://2010.dailyvancouver.com/blog/2005/05/27/vancouver-artists-feel-their-expression-is-restricted-because-of-the-copyright-rules-surrounding-the-olympic-log):

words or symbols that may be confused with the Olympic brand


I think this is the key sentence here. I really don't think anyone seriously could mistake stethoscopes looking somewhat like olympic rings for something linked to the official olympics.

[Craig B]

I think this is the key sentence here. I really don't think anyone seriously could mistake stethoscopes looking somewhat like olympic rings for something linked to the official olympics.

Um, the stethoscopes are nearly circular in shape and use the 5 colors associated with the olympics ... it's about protecting your brand and your image.

[mar1300]

I like the stethoscopes better here, but I don't really like the font

Um, the stethoscopes are nearly circular in shape and use the 5 colors associated with the olympics ... it's about protecting your brand and your image.

How about changing the colors from the Olympics colors? Perhaps to the school colors

[Jriddim]

you think i should crank it down a bit and keep the stethes all one color/black?

[Craig B]

how about changing the colors from the olympics colors?

I was just letting him know about the possible legal ramifications. In the end, it's his call.

[typographics]

jriddim,

the stethocopes idea is a great, unfortunatly its not working well. the first two are stethocopes, but the third one is just a ring. im not sure how you could fix that problem. perhaps you could just focus on the type, and find a way to incorporate the stethoscope into one of the letters.

matthew~

[MD]

I agree with typo - great idea, poor execution so far. Time to hit the sketchbook again.
Also get rid of that new font - I get the greek feel of it - no offense but it's a terrible choice.

[AlexNJ210]

A suggestion to Jriddim would be to actually use the "real" shape of a stethoscope for the rings. I think you should portray the rings as stethoscopes first, and the olympic rings as an after thought. For color suggestions, to avoid the copyright issue, look to colors established in the medical community. Maroon and blue for instance, colors used to represent the field. I would put the "PA STUDENT OLYMPICS" below the logo. You could possibly use that quirky third stethoscope with an added listening piece to make the "O" in olympics. I dont know how that will work out, but its an idea.

[GreenThumb]

Okay, I'll be the copyright jerk ... I know that this may be a small event, but the Olympic committee is about the strictest copyright enforcer out there. Anyone that comes close to using the 5 colored olympic rings (or in this case an fairly obvious copy of their rings) if discovered could be sued.

I'm just saying be aware of it.

Just one example (http://www.artslaw.com.au/LegalInformation/Trademarks/99ArtOlympics.asp)

Completely agree. Nebraska Wesleyan University here had the "Rat Olympics" a couple years ago and got a cease and desist for doing that.

Disney and the Olympics are the two strongest enforcers of their trademark- dont eff with them :P

[Jriddim]

So I did some tweaking, and I like this alot more. This in in the school colors, do think i should mess with the rings (making them look more like a real steth) or just say bye bye to the ring/steth idea?

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/_Truth_and_rights_/krisblueyello.jpg

[rockem]

bye to the ring idea it is busy and confusing, atleat the first few posted have been

[AlexNJ210]

If you really like the stethoscope, the only logical place it would fit, would be the "y" in olympics. The more i look at the steths, the less i am a fan. Research some other types of graphics that have been used to represent olympics, such as the discus thrower, atlas, etc. The typeface is much more suited to the event. It is much more modern looking and less quirky. Keep going, we'd like to see more revisions!!

[MD]

... or just say bye bye to the ring/steth idea?

Ya.

[Jriddim]

Hey thanks guys, Ya know i should really take a typography class.. type is really my weakness. My forte is definatly illustration, drawing and painting. I have only been designing for a short while. I really think taking a class on type will help me. as for now, YOU guys are my teachers! so I really am happy about all of your suggestions, Im sure you all can tell that im a noob at designing. I am eagerly trying to master the software. the only thing i can cement into my brain is that practice makes perfect. and I am a perfectionist. But for this exact point in my life, Im happy to atleast found something that sparks the flame inside of me, and if this makes any sense, I want to keep burnin for a long long time. design really grabs a hold of me and sucks me in... but I guess you can't beat tiger woods with out learnin how to swing the club first.

[MD]

^ One of the best posts I have read on here in a long time. Most of the time the showcase is full a inexperienced designers that think they are the shit and know everything there is to know about design. It is nice to see a poster willing to take advice and learn from this great little community we have here. There is a ton of knowledge and talent lurking around this forum that is always willing to lend a hand. A little late but welcome to the forum, here is a few links to some pretty good typography articles to get you started.

http://www.fontsite.com/Pages/Archives.html
Scroll down for rules of Typography articles.

http://www.eyewire.com/magazine/columns/robin/index.htm

http://www.ms-studio.com/articles.html

[emmerse]

here's my take on your latest version - keep in mind its not a font suggestion, I grabbed one at random, and a really bad stethescope rendition, but this is for a visual aid, not to show of my vector talents or lack there of. ;)

[Jriddim]

thanks you!

[typographics]

emmerse,

thats actually a pretty good concept. i could see that working really well. nice suggestion.

matthew~

[Jriddim]

emmerse that concept really works nicely. I just hope my cuz isnt fixed on havin the whole set of rings! thanks again

[TenTwenty8]

Through all of the illustrations of the steth, I keep thinking eyebrow or nose rings.
Whoever mentioned sticking the steth in place of the Y had the best idea so far.

[Jriddim]

hahah yeah I dont even know whats gonna work so what i am going to do is just bombard my cousin with like 5-6 diff concepts and see what she wants me to work with... isnt ut sad that no matter how much you disagree on something, no matter hom much you dislike something... if your client likes it and wants to go with it even know u hate it... you HAVE to go with it. doesnt that just suck?

[typographics]

jriddim,

there is a great way to solve that problem, dont show the client something that you dont like yourself. thats design 101. its murphys law. if you show a client a hand full of ideas, the client will always pick the one you like the least. so never, never, never show a client a concept that you dont like.

matthew~

[Jriddim]

Yeah I guess i diddnt think about that

thanks:)

[AlexNJ210]

Through all of the illustrations of the steth, I keep thinking eyebrow or nose rings.
Whoever mentioned sticking the steth in place of the Y had the best idea so far.

thanks twenty, only "better communicating" idea i could come up with.

[Jriddim]

Here is what we ended up going with...

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/_Truth_and_rights_/shirtFR.jpg

[distruktor]

missed the boat slightly as your route has already been decided, but here's an idea i quickly knocked up this morning for what its worth...

dis.

[distruktor]

another version...

[G-Man79]

I like your final Jr. Simplified and effective. Good use of the y as the steth. I like Dis' version too. Skills abound at the GDF!

[panzer]

i thought the idea you used in the end was brilliant
well done

[Jriddim]

hahaha.... damn distruktor thats really looks awesome! wow i never would have thought of that!!!! that really is cool... there was a last second desicion to cut out the word student so i ended up just with pa olympics... but man i can't belive how cool it s how much everyone is willing to help! thanks so much!

[Jriddim]

so i guess its gonna be small and on the side.....
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/_Truth_and_rights_/shirtFR2.jpg

[rockem]

cool client liked it, fo rfurther crits though i think a less obtrusive tyoe could be used for PA ,good prgoress

[Logo-Mechanix]

Nice final version, stands out even small and I like the PA bold draws the eye right into the logo. Too bad you couldn't convince them to put it across the back, I have done similar things for local races and other events, most of the they want across it across the back.

[Jriddim]

Yeah,, unfortunatley "4th annual PA olypics" Drexel vs blah vs blah blah" is going to live on the back... but yeah its so weird that this really was the last cocept I thought she was going to pick, and im like"cool ya know i still got alot of tweaking etc... ya know I dont know If im really digging this font, and she was like "leave it!!!!!" so I guess im stuck hahahah

[distruktor]

hahaha.... damn distruktor thats really looks awesome! wow i never would have thought of that!!!! that really is cool...


thanks... glad you liked it, your final version looks pretty cool though!