Creating My Identity

[Jriddim]

Hey Ya'll, after spending hours sketching and brainstorming trying to come up with a name/logo for myself, I am leaning tword somthing like this... I have been tweakin it for a little while and I would love any feedback.. BTW, I should mention that my last name is Cunningham? hahaha I really havent spent time with the text yet, I am mainly just concentrating on the logo.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/_Truth_and_rights_/cunningdesign2.jpg

[Navian]

Maybe cut out some of that spiral curve? That spiral messes with my eyes, and not in a good way.

http://img325.imageshack.us/img325/8863/cunningdesign29wc.th.jpg

[morea]

^ agreed.

[Jriddim]

i can def see what your saying, I appreciate your help

[Navian]

I also rotated the green C counterclockwise in the design. try to keep both circular shapes the same (if you can), if you alter it where one drives off slightly at the end, its very very noticeable.

Clean and simple, nice design :)

[typographics]

jriddim,

i dont think this is a good direction. its basically just an icon hovering over some type. its not very creative or interesting.

how many logos have you seen that look like this? taking two initials, sticking them together, and centering it over a chosen typeface. it looks cookie-cutter and lacks memorability or visual interest.

dont get me wrong, its not that i dont like the icon. its kinda cool i suppose, its just not a great solution for a logo. dig a little deeper and get those creative juices flowing! go beyond the typical and predictable icon logo and create something amazing. dare i say, think outside of the box. (i know, i know, super cliche)

also, are you planning to start your own design business? if not, i would just stick with your name.

matthew~

[cjoe]

i like it. exactly the way it is. I think the colour is good, the type is good the logo is clean and very versatile. I think you can be really creative in your applications of this. I think the ability to adapt this logo to any situation is great:

If i may: (sorry about the crappy quality) :D

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/9197/cunningdesign20mu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[JaCkinbOx]

Funny how brainstorming so often leads the designer to something simple like this.

I'm actually kinda middle-of-the-road on the d. Yeah, I think some of the spiral should be toned down, but not so much as Navian suggested. Somewhere between that and your original is what I'd like to see.

By the way, I dig that font you selected. That lower case g really does it for me. What font are we looking at, there?

As far as I'm concerned, it's a good logo. I would give it a trial run under different circumstances and see how you feel about it. I agree that it may be a bit cliché, but I don't feel that means you can't effectively make it your identity. Most everything's been done before -- not even the now famous ipod silhouettes originated with ipod. That sort of idea has been around forever, but they're the folks who manage to be known for it for the time being.

While I believe it's important to have a good personal logo, I wouldn't sweat it too much. What should really set you apart is your portfolio.

My best advice for making a logo for yourself is, at the very least, create something strong that you can alter over time without having to do a huge press release for folks to realize you changed it. ;p

[cjoe]

Sorry to butt in but I believe that the font is Gill Sans (one of my favs), or a very good imitation. The kerning has obviously been adjusted.

[typographics]

My best advice for making a logo for yourself is, at the very least, create something strong that you can alter over time without having to do a huge press release for folks to realize you changed it. ;p
if its a stong logo, they should never have to change it. if a designer is always changing their logo, then its because its not strong to begin with and theyre simply following trends and gimmicks.

you should only change your logo if you need to communicate something different. for instance, if you decide to add new services or include new products, you may have to alter your logo to reflect those changes. but just changing your logo just to change it typically isnt a good idea.

matthew~

[Jriddim]

jriddim,

i dont think this is a good direction. its basically just an icon hovering over some type. its not very creative or interesting.

how many logos have you seen that look like this? taking two initials, sticking them together, and centering it over a chosen typeface. it looks cookie-cutter and lacks memorability or visual interest.

dont get me wrong, its not that i dont like the icon. its kinda cool i suppose, its just not a great solution for a logo. dig a little deeper and get those creative juices flowing! go beyond the typical and predictable icon logo and create something amazing. dare i say, think outside of the box. (i know, i know, super cliche)

also, are you planning to start your own design business? if not, i would just stick with your name.

matthew~

You are very true, I came up with this really in a couple of hours. I think if im going to be designing MY identity it should be extremely well though out, and highly creative. Thank you typographics for the reminder, and thank you to those who like it as is. I apreciate any input, I shall keep this one up my sleeve. as for now, I shall do work that actually has a deadline lol

[JaCkinbOx]

if its a stong logo, they should never have to change it. if a designer is always changing their logo, then its because its not strong to begin with and theyre simply following trends and gimmicks.

I don't mean they should need to change it constantly; that would make it a weak logo, I agree (or just being reckless with your identity). But I think that the trends are important to follow -- not the fads, but the trends. Sometimes a new and very powerful trend rolls in quite suddenly and should be taken advantage of -- it's a trend because the clients want them, not merely because we (the designers) think they're pretty pictures. Sometimes there's something that's outright ugly but remarkably effective that most of us wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole to imitate or even draw inspiration from.

you should only change your logo if you need to communicate something different. for instance, if you decide to add new services or include new products, you may have to alter your logo to reflect those changes. but just changing your logo just to change it typically isnt a good idea.

matthew~

I agree with that.

[typographics]

jackinbox,

okay, i understand your point of view. we can simply agree to disagree. i believe trends should be avoided at all cost. a trend is exactly that...a trend. it has a short shelf life and lacks individual creativity. its someone elses idea, converted to be used for your own. anyone can copy a trend. duplication isnt a skill and copying other people isnt good design.

matthew~

[Jriddim]

Hey check this out, this is another thought put into the last concept.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/_Truth_and_rights_/cunningdesignnice2.jpg

[EC]

First impression: too much

[JaCkinbOx]

That variation doesn't do anything for me, Jriddim. I like your color choice, though.

[emmerse]

I like the colors too, but the overall concept is just not telling me enough about you. unless your design style is very organic, in which case, it hits the mark.

[typographics]

jriddim,

this is a lot better, as far as conceptualization is concerned. you are recognizing the importance of typeography, and confirming that the icon and type should have a relationship with each other. this is how you should approach logo design.

i agree this still isnt the best solution, but you are definatly proceeding in the right direction. as you continue to brainstorm, keep in mind how you will be able to incorporate your typeography into the mark to form a cohesive unit.

matthew~

[Jriddim]

Thank you guys so much... and yes!!! I am trying to keep a real organic illustrative type of feel to it. but yeah... these are all just for fun, so if I ever start my own business I will already have some logo ideas up my sleeve.