My Business Card and Logo Attempt

[CrumbCat]

Hello all,

I am working on my company logo/business card/letterhead. Our company designs and installs Fire Sprinkler Systems. I think the image of a Fire Sprinkler head has been used one too many times in the industry, and I am trying to just use the company name for our logo, as I think anyone who would have our card in their hand will already know what type of business we are in, and using anything beyond the name might just clutter the logo/identity.

I have done some research, and I hope I am on the right track with what I have designed thus far.

I am having a difficult time deciding on the font for the main body (my name, address, phone numbers, etc.).

The name Freedom is what I am trying to focus the viewers attention on, as it is what is unique to us, whereas Fire Protection, while part of our company name, is nothing new to anyone in the construction industry, and from what I have read about corporate identities, should not be emphasized (although I may be wrong about this).

Below are the two cards I am considering.

I would appreciate any feedback or critiques you might be kind enough to share with me.

Here they are....



http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/4954/toddbc019xq.png
http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/7735/toddbc024ct.png


Thanks for your time,

CrumbCat

[Logo-Mechanix]

It looks a little crowded to me, maybe try making the text a smaller point size. I like the top one with fire protection in red.

[Samakimoto Graphics]

^ yes too crowded.

Perhaps you may want to consider a two sided final card. Have just the name of your company on the front, and the services you can provide in the back.

That way you can centre your name, then reduce the size of the address and leave at the bottom as they are.

More white space as it is a small surface is needed, to allow the "eye to rest" as it reads.

[morea]

^ definitely too crowded. The text needs room to breathe. I second the recommendation to go to a 2-sided card.

[mac.FINN]

I'll join the group... it's too crowded. What size font are you using? You could probably knock it down to as small as 10pt.

If you don't want the emphasis on Fire Protection, don't make it red on a black and white card - it was the first thing I say, also I don't think Fire Protection needs to be all caps.

All in all it's a functional card. It may not be the greatest design, but it get's you're info across.

[cmar]

agree with the crowded....

make info text 8 or 10 pt,
loose the "toll free" and just put phone, or T, the 866 makes it obvious it it tool free.

try the information in line, instead of in blocks.

I like the first, with the red text, much metter

[typographics]

i think you need to seriously consider getting a logo designed. also, i agree that you should break up the information and make the card two sided.

[CrumbCat]

Thanks for all the feedback. I am now working on the font size, as well as reducing the amount of info. on the card.

As for having a logo designed, I will have to wait until the beginning of next year, as the money is quite tight at the moment, and we need hold onto it to fund our upcoming contracts.

I know and agree that it would be money well spent, but when there are 5 partners involved in the decision making process, a 3 to 2 vote means I have no choice but to wait.

That being said, I have to give it my best effort, and just live with the outcome for the next 7 to 9 months.

I'm almost done with the revisions, and will post the image(s) soon.

Looking forward to the critiques and comments.

[CrumbCat]

Well, here is what the card and logo have developed into. The majority vote is requiring that 'Fire Protection, Inc.' be red - although I prefer black with the red line beneath it - oh well.

Additionally, the others did not like 'Freedom' written in a lower case style, so I was required to revise it as shown below.

I know the design is bland, and simple at best, but I think this is close to what the others are wanting, so I now need to clean it up (if that is possible).

So, here is the card:

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/157/toddmadsenforgdf23ta.png

Please provide any ideas on cleaning up the card. 'FREEDOM' will need to be VERY close to what it is now, and 'Fire Protection, Inc.' will have to remain red - other than that, things can changed - fonts, placement, etc.

Also, we are trying to use a one-sided card.

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this post and provide comments.

CrumbCat

[balou]

First, I'd lose the gradient in Freedom - solid black would look better. Your text, even though you reduced the size, is still congested. The leading (space between the lines of text) needs to be increased.

And just a word of advice, if you have future plans on getting a logo professionally designed (I highly suggest it), don't get this one out there on too many things that in a year, it's too costly to replace everything with a new logo. Go on the cheap side with this one (business cards, truck door magnets, etc.).

[CrumbCat]

First, I'd lose the gradient in Freedom - solid black would look better.
I have changed the gradient to a solid with a black outline. Is this a 'no-no' as far as graphics/logos go? If so, I will need to make it a solid grey. Just a question - Why are gradients so looked down on? Personally, I don't like the gradient in the FREEDOM either, but my partners wanted it. I think my argument with them to justify changing it to a solid will be that the print shop will not be able to do a gradient unless we go with a photo-type of print on the card -which I know they don't want. We want the ink to be that glossy type (whatever that is called).

Your text, even though you reduced the size, is still congested. The leading (space between the lines of text) needs to be increased.

Ok, I have done this, and I see how much better it looks. Thanks for the suggestion!

And just a word of advice, if you have future plans on getting a logo professionally designed (I highly suggest it), don't get this one out there on too many things that in a year, it's too costly to replace everything with a new logo. Go on the cheap side with this one (business cards, truck door magnets, etc.).
Yes, this is our plan exactly. We will only be doing business cards, letterhead, truck door magnets and a few window decals. These are things we will have to purchase on a continual basis, so they will be easy to change when we have the logo professionally done.
Here are the new layouts I have come up with. Please let me know if any of them work or are even close to working. Your input is greatly appreciated.

01
http://img336.imageshack.us/img336/2251/gdf0114ws.png

02
http://img336.imageshack.us/img336/2251/gdf0114ws.png

03
http://img415.imageshack.us/img415/986/gdf0338mt.png

04 - Sorry for the size being different.
http://img336.imageshack.us/img336/7950/gdf0449fe.png

Thanks again,

CrumbCat

["Technical" Terry]

Quick question:
How are these cards going to be printed?? Thermography or flat?
If thermo, you are going to get price increases for screened text and for close registration between you red and black.

As far as design. I like #3 for the logo & description, but I like #4 for the Name and info (font sizes)

[CrumbCat]

Quick question:
How are these cards going to be printed?? Thermography or flat?
If thermo, you are going to get price increases for screened text and for close registration between you red and black.
We want to go with Thermography, as we like the 'glossy - raised' look it gives the ink.
Yeah, I have been told about the extra charge from the local printers, and will have to price it out a few different ways. I guess the above images would be the most expensive layout option, but I will have to see what the $$ difference is once I come up with the final design.

As far as design. I like #3 for the logo & description, but I like #4 for the Name and info (font sizes)
#4 uses all the same font sizes as #3, with the exception of the name 'Todd Madsen', which is larger on #4.

I've seen cards with the persons name using both sizes, and am currently undecided on which size to use.

Any suggestions on this would be appreciated.

Thanks for the input Terry.

CrumbCat

[balou]

If you're going with Thermography, I'm 99% sure you'll either have to make the gray a spot color making it a 3 color card or change the Freedom to solid black. It's been a while since I've done these but I believe you have to have solid ink coverage - not a screen of black for the thermography to work properly. Ask your printer for sure.

Of these 4, I like #4 but feel your logo should be larger.

[mac.FINN]

Definately improved over the original. Looks good. Have you considered doing a vertical layout instead of a horizontal one? The extended letters in "Freedom" would be accentuated this way.

[CrumbCat]

Of these 4, I like #4 but feel your logo should be larger.
It was larger, but I had to decrease it's size as it was suggested the card was too crowded. I also reduced the text size as recommended in an earlier reply, and the card looks much better now. Also, IMO, the logo looks a bit more professional (if that can even be said of this logo) than when it was larger.


Definately improved over the original. Looks good. Have you considered doing a vertical layout instead of a horizontal one? The extended letters in "Freedom" would be accentuated this way.

Hmmm.....I may play with that a bit - I hadn't even considered until you mentioned it. I'll give it a try and post the results.

Thanks for your comments balou and mac.FINN.

[CrumbCat]

Here are a couple of vertical cards:

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/8595/tnvertcards2ry.jpg

Comments?

Thanks,

CrumbCat

[balou]

Like the right one - vertical. Nice! I would increase the font size for your name. And to me it feels like the logo should move up to about the 1/3 line of the card. Fun to see the progression!

[EC]

I agree -- the right one. I hate centered text in most situations, this is only a personal opinion of course so take it for what it's worth. Try left justifying the bottom section and right justifying the top ... maybe, or maybe left but oriented to the right or left. (I keep editing my post the more I look! lol) Worth exploring. Getting there.

Are you stroking the text in "Freedom" or are you doing the outline in a layer underneath (the latter usually gives better results).

[CrumbCat]

Thanks balou & EC. I have implemented your suggested changes. I also increased the font size of my name, but only slightly, as it started to visually interfere with the logo.

Here is what I've come up with: (Fire Protection, Inc. didn't get placed correct - ugh!) <-- FIXED


http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/5124/tnvertcards039fa.jpg


I'm still toying with the horizontal card layout, but I think these vertical layouts are close to complete.

I want to have both styles ready for my partners to chose from.

Thanks for any additional input from anyone who takes the time to write it.

CrumbCat

Oh yeah, the the outline of FREEDOM is a layer underneath, although the images don't convey it as such.

[EC]

yes. I am liking it, what do you think? I'd try bumping the top and bottom text down just a tad in size. If it were me. ;) I think that will give it an even better sense of heirarchy, making the logo really stand out. Just a suggestion, of course.

great progression.

[EC]

also I'd remove the comma after installation on the top line. maybe just Design & Installation 'nuff said there

[Aleksi]

You could try to use background color with white text/logo and see how it looks, ie. red or black backgrounds, just an idea.

Also the logo needs some more work. I would try to drop the borders off and use just a black fill.

Aleksi

[C.E.]

Hey Crumb, I really like the vertical better myself, but I still think the Freedom Fire needs to go up a tad more... what about putting the name/title at the top, move the Freedom up a hair, and then put the rest of your content? just a quick suggestion! :)