Rough logo sketches

[chalsema]

Hey everyone,
I'm working on starting my own freelance design business. I just graduated from Purdue, and I was looking for an entry-level job. But all I could find were people asking me to do contract work. So I decided why not keep looking for more contract work. Anyways, after a lot of thought I've decided on the name Iterative Design. People who are familiar with computer programming probably know what it means. I mostly chose it because of its original connotation with evolution. Below are two concepts and I'm not sure which direction to go to develop it further. I like both ideas. Keep in mind these are very rough. I haven't done anything with the typography yet. I just put the text in to get an idea of where it could go.

The spiral came about because whenever the process of iteration is explained, people tend to use a spiral as a visual aid. I like the playfulness, but I don't think it's very strong.

The triangles come from the Spierinski triangle. Another common visual representation of iteration. I think this looks stronger, but doesn't have the playfulness of the spiral.

Basically I just want initial reactions to my rough sketches. Which concept are you more drawn to?

Thanks!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/twirlergirl77/logosketches.png

[captain spanky]

be careful with the spiral... there are A LOT of logos involving spirals...
I personally like the spiral more than the triangle though... but then i'm a sucker for curves.. ;) :D

[chalsema]

lol, I like the curves too. But I know what you mean about it being used a lot.

[Mynock]

Not really drawn to either one, the mark in the first one has my attention more, but it still seams ordinary for me.

[Craig B]

Not to be annoying, but do you have actual pen and paper sketches you can show us?

Real sketches help open up your brainstorming and help us to better see where you're coming from and where you've been.

The spiral is interesting, but that's because spiral shapes are egenrally fairly interesting, btu it doesn't necessarily stand out … does that make sense?

[chalsema]

Craig, I wanted to scan in my paper sketches, but I'm on a new machine and there are no drivers available for my old scanner to work on this computer (it's a 64bit). :( So I tried taking pictures of them, but that didn't come out well either - they were all too fuzzy.

[Craig B]

That's cool. It would have been nice to see.

Once again, nothing about these 2 necessarily stands out.

Just to get a better understanding, what made you choose the spiral and the triangles? What were some of the things you felt they communicated?

[chalsema]

I chose the spiral because I think it represents the design process and iteration. (Starting point, revise, analyze, revise, etc. until you reach the final product.) I have some other sketches that show this process but I'm not that crazy about them. The triangles, like I mentioned above, have to do with the spierpinski triangle, a famous representation of iteration. http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ergreen/honors_thesis/gifs/sierpinski.gif I liked the pattern it made and the way it relates to iteration, but I don't like that it doesn't say anything about the process the way the spiral does.

[mac.FINN]

Niether one really stands out... but they're good.

I'd go with the spiral too. Golden section and all ;)

[lesliegraphics]

I like where you are going with your logo. One idea I see is maybe taking the spiral and somehow involving it more with the typography, like with the "g" or "s". I don't care for the one with the triangles, it sort of reminds me of a warning signal for something toxic, the spiral is a beautiful shape. You could even play with having the typography spiral slightly.

[chalsema]

Thanks guys. I'll work some more and post revisions.

[Craig B]

Also, What if the spiral were skewed, or looked as if it's not on a flat 2 dimensional plane, but at a plane that is cuttng through that at an angle.

What if the spiral were a little rougher, and not so clean?

What if the spiral varied in weight from top to bottom?

What if the psiral interacted more with the text? (I know you mentioned that the text is just rough placement …)

What if the spiral was reversed out of another shape?

… just some ideas to kick around.

[chalsema]

Also, What if the spiral were skewed, or looked as if it's not on a flat 2 dimensional plane, but at a plane that is cuttng through that at an angle.

It's funny that you said that... that's what I was just working on. I'll have that posted up in just a sec...

edit: Okay, here's the second batch of sketches. These are definitely rough too. The spiral shape needs work, and obviously the type does too. I like this spiral better, though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/twirlergirl77/logosketches2.png

[angerisagift]

i wasnt too thrilled about either in the beginning, but i like these new ones. there is a lot more 'life' to the mark now...
out of this second batch, i like the first one most. in the third one, the "DESIGN" looks tacked on, and the second one i think design stands out too much. i think the first one is best because my eye goes from Iterative to design, not the other way.

my spare change
-sean

[chalsema]

Thanks, I was thinking the same thing. I'm having a hard time finding a place for the word design.

[chalsema]

Okay, after some refinements... Anything you see that needs fixed?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/twirlergirl77/logosketches3.png

[angerisagift]

i say its done. that heavier font really emphasizes the name even further and ties it in with the heavier weight swirl. nice job
this is probably the quickest self-identity this forum has ever seen lol!
-sean

[chalsema]

yay! thanks!

[chalsema]

In color:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/twirlergirl77/logosketches4.png

[Stever]

This may sound really bizarre, but does the ordianary Joe even know what the word Iterative means? Would it be better to use a word that is more common? Just a thought.

[chalsema]

Yeah, I don't think the average Joe knows what iterative means. I like that it's mysterious. :P

[Stever]

Ok. Can I ask why?

[chalsema]

I guess it's because lots of other companies go the obvious route, and I wanted people to think about the name. I know most people won't take the time to think about it, but for the people who do, they'll see I actually put thought into it rather than calling myself "pro-designs" or something obvious. Plus I'm hoping for the type of clients a more complicated name might attract. Don't know if any of that made sense, but basically, I just wanted something that doesn't sound generic.

[Stever]

makes sense. thanks.