Let's make a logo!

[Vyrsace]

Hiya everyone!

After some high criticsm from my last thread on my logo for BOSS Magazine, I thought it would be best to start all over again. I think the best ways to approach this is in baby steps and I insist that I should do it myself, because I'm keen on getting some experience with some sort of design. So here we are in this thread! What I'm going to do is make this thread kind of like those books some of used to read while we were children where you could choose your own story, you'd read a bit then it would give you two or three choices of where to go with the story and you'd flip to another page, depending on your choice. Same applies here but I'm going to post what I got so far and take opinions on where I should go from there then make a decision and post lol. Ok it's a little cheap that way, but we'll try it for now and see how it works out, if not then I'll just try what I can then keep posting for critique, but that's not as fun is it? :) So here we go!

BOSS Magazine is the goal. Magazine was chosen as a suffix due to trademarking issues.


http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/3898/graphic19ur.png

So this is what I go so far. I basically looked for an outlined font, used a faux italic option within Adobe Photoshop and over lapped it with the same word/font, but in a second lighter color.

Should I play colors in the inside?
Should change the outline colors?
Should I leave it as is?
Should I shapren up those edges first?
Should I trash it and just find a new font?

Vote! :)

[Navian]

Adobe Photoshop

First off, are you building your logo in Photoshop?

[tZ]

research other magazines

define a boss

[Navian]

define a boss

Okay :p

11 entries found for boss.
boss1 ( P ) Pronunciation Key (bôs, bs)
n.

An employer or a supervisor.
One who makes decisions or exercises authority.
A professional politician who controls a party or a political machine.

v. bossed, boss·ing, boss·es
v. tr.
To supervise or control. See Synonyms at supervise.
To give orders to, especially in an arrogant or domineering manner: bossing us around.

v. intr.
To be or act as a supervisor or controlling element.

adj. Slang
First-rate; topnotch.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Dutch baas, master.]

[Download Now or Buy the Book]
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

boss3 ( P ) Pronunciation Key (bôs, bs)
n.
A cow or calf.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Perhaps ultimately from Latin bs. See bovine.]

[Download Now or Buy the Book]
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

boss2 ( P ) Pronunciation Key (bôs, bs)
n.
A circular protuberance or knoblike swelling, as on the horns of certain animals.
A raised area used as ornamentation.
Architecture. A raised ornament, such as one at the intersection of the ribs in a vaulted roof.

An enlarged part of a shaft to which another shaft is coupled or to which a wheel or gear is keyed.
A hub, especially of a propeller.

tr.v. bossed, boss·ing, boss·es
To emboss.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Middle English boce, from Old French.]

[Download Now or Buy the Book]
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.


boss (bôs)
n.

A circumscribed rounded swelling; a protuberance.
The prominence of a kyphosis or humpback.


Source: The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.


Main Entry: boss
Pronunciation: 'bäs, 'bos
Function: noun
: a protuberant part or body <a boss on an animal's horn>

see also: a**hole, jacka**

[Vyrsace]

First off, are you building your logo in Photoshop?
Well i initially built it in Adobe Photoshop because of the faux italic option, which I was kind of steering for, so that I didn't have to heavily modify the font to get more out of it. I know Adobe Photoshop is raster and it would be better to do in Corel because logo's should be resizable, but if I leave it in a vectored program I won't be able to italic it (though, I've only tried to in CorelDraw), which I feel is somewhat important (to an extent).

[Drorain]

convert to outlines then skew

[Vyrsace]

Okay :p

I think the best way to describe BOSS is more of in a cliche manner. A guy acting like he's knows it all and you go "Okay Boss." lol? Do you get the feeling with that? The magazine is focused on pop culture, style, fashion, and things of that nature. So the word Boss is to represent the feeling of "knowing it all" about a good sense of style. I think I over analyzed that, but I think it establishes better understanding.

[tZ]

thats nice… now communicate that in conjunction with something that will appeal to your target market.

In addition, get off the computer.

Start with sketching up ideas and playing word games.

Now that you know what a boss is you need to sketch up ideas which to tie it to the defination.

For instance, you said a boss is a "know it all" sort- ok. So what is a literal image that can be associated with knowing it all? I sort off think of a boss as a point of authority and enforcer. So maybe use that idea as well. So you can begin to dig deeper and deeper to create concepts before they get even on the page. Start to define enforcer and authority. For instance, one idea thta comes to mind immediatly with authority is government- which could maybe be symbolized by a badge or something. This is how you need to start.

Forget about the typeface for now. First you need an idea by which to sell and communciate to your market to build your brand.

After you have some solid ideas then you can begin to expierment with the typography. The idea allways comes first. The idea is your vehicle behind everything else. It gives you reasoning to decide what is the best font, style, etc. So get a concept.

Then after that begin to worry about how you are going to implement that concept into a composition.

For instance, can you tell me why you would most likly want to use a heavier font over a light one? What would heavier imply or communciate better?

So you need to think about everything in relationship to the message. However, first get some concepts in place by which to drive everything.

I mean… you may not ecven end up communicating anything about a boss. Perhaps along your way you find a stronger contrasting idea- fine. However, boss is where it starts. You are not limited to communciating that idea but, since, its the first thing that comes to mind that is were we start and begin to build of off.

Other then that I would recommend researching the style that best appeals to your market. However, remember the style comes last- first get everything into place then implemenet the style. For the style is much more subjective then the communciation. The communication can be assured but, the style everyone may not like regardless of what you do- so just rmember that.

general to specific

Breaking it down even further a boss is at the top of th chain- correct? So it can kind off be defined as something that does not depend on something else but, other depend on it- sort off. So maybe introduce that idea into your search for a concept.

The thing I find that helps is just to look around your own enviornment and find things that you would never think of relating to the word- then find a way they could relate through your proposed defination.

hope that helps

[Vyrsace]

thats nice… now communicate that in conjunction with something that will appeal to your target market.

In addition, get off the computer.

Start with sketching up ideas and playing word games.

Well the idea is simplicity, because I have went to the local bookstore (Chapters) and have seen magazines, within my genre, like Vogue, Cosmopolitan, FHM, Maxim, GQ, Details to magazines, outside of my genre, like Time, Electronic Gaming Monthly, Wired, and so forth and they all share a similar trait which is a text based logo with no real special effects or font adjustments. I think it is safe to say that the majority of highly publicized magazines have no more than a title and a font to fit it and they just insert it on the cover. They might have an iconic representation to accompany their logo, later on within their magazine, but the first notion the consumer sees is that title/logo on the front cover and is more or less caught by the actual content of the cover such as the model or image in front (below the title/logo) and the headlines. So, again I'll restate that, I feel simplicity is the key and to illeviate (spelling!!!) from the process of doing it with computer to go to sketches is a little too much for what I'm intending to do. I have went through alot of magazines to get a general idea, anymore and I think I will lose the idea hehe.

So let's get examples going to put my explanation into context:

GQ Magazine
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00007AXO2.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Vogue Magazine:
http://www.vogue.co.uk/About_Vogue/Images/October_2005/pg1_large.jpg

Details Magazine:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005N7PS.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Cosmopolitan Magazine:
http://www.ruslania.com/pictures/big/300009-cosmopolitan.jpg


[more listed in reply below]

With the exception of Wired magazine, most of those highly known and read magazines have pretty 'dull' or straight forward titles and cover logos. A magazine or any published piece isn't really about the layout perse, more about the content inside, so I'm sure the actual imagery and such would compensate for what the logo lacks in.

Thanks for all your questions and comments so far! Keep them coming!

[Vyrsace]

[continued from reply above]

Maxim Magazine:
http://fanclubshania.free.fr/Shania_Twain/maxim/shania-maximcover.jpg

FHM Magazine:
http://www.mediabistro.com/content/archives/05/04/28/fhm.jpg

Electronic Gaming Monthly:

http://www.magazines.com/magcom/covers/0/06/049/0060498.jpg

Wired:

http://img-nex.theonering.net/images/scrapbook/16530.jpg

[Vyrsace]

thats nice… now communicate that in conjunction with something that will appeal to your target market.


In addition, get off the computer.

Start with sketching up ideas and playing word games.

Now that you know what a boss is you need to sketch up ideas which to tie it to the defination.

For instance, you said a boss is a "know it all" sort- ok. So what is a literal image that can be associated with knowing it all? I sort off think of a boss as a point of authority and enforcer. So maybe use that idea as well. So you can begin to dig deeper and deeper to create concepts before they get even on the page. Start to define enforcer and authority. For instance, one idea thta comes to mind immediatly with authority is government- which could maybe be symbolized by a badge or something. This is how you need to start.

Forget about the typeface for now. First you need an idea by which to sell and communciate to your market to build your brand.

After you have some solid ideas then you can begin to expierment with the typography. The idea allways comes first. The idea is your vehicle behind everything else. It gives you reasoning to decide what is the best font, style, etc. So get a concept.

Then after that begin to worry about how you are going to implement that concept into a composition.

For instance, can you tell me why you would most likly want to use a heavier font over a light one? What would heavier imply or communciate better?

So you need to think about everything in relationship to the message. However, first get some concepts in place by which to drive everything.

I mean… you may not ecven end up communicating anything about a boss. Perhaps along your way you find a stronger contrasting idea- fine. However, boss is where it starts. You are not limited to communciating that idea but, since, its the first thing that comes to mind that is were we start and begin to build of off.

Other then that I would recommend researching the style that best appeals to your market. However, remember the style comes last- first get everything into place then implemenet the style. For the style is much more subjective then the communciation. The communication can be assured but, the style everyone may not like regardless of what you do- so just rmember that.

general to specific


Excellent suggestion! I'll have to give it a rethought on the idea, but I'm not sure how I'm going to convey the message. In a practical sense, I look at alot of these covers (like the ones I posted above) and I see typeface adjustments, but the message is very little differentiated within that logo, but rather the cover content is what seems more definative.

[Patrick Shannon]

Sorry, is there a conversational thread going on further down here? I didn't get past the Maxim cover of Shania Twain.

[Vyrsace]

Sorry, is there a conversational thread going on further down here? I didn't get past the Maxim cover of Shania Twain.

Do you mean it won't load past that cover because there are too many images or is it that it doens't make sense beyond that point of the explanation? hehe I'm actually finding this thread quite enjoyable, to be brutally honest :D

[Bear]

A magazine or any published piece isn't really about the layout perse, more about the content inside,

*cough* Raygun? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raygun_Magazine) *cough* id? (http://www.i-dmagazine.com/primary_index.htm) *cough* face? (http://www.facemag.com/) *cough* wonderland (http://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/).... need i go on?

I insist that I should do it myself, because I'm keen on getting some experience with some sort of design.

that majority of magazines fold within 3 issues because the people who create them want to keep hold of THEIR original intention for the idea, rather than allow the creative insight of professionals (including business advisors, copy writers, experienced editors, account managers, and, of course, art directors & designers).

Do your research, stop drawing on screen and going with the first thing you manage to create. There is absolutely nothing about this that says teen magazine. If anything, its dated, techy looking and uninspiring. You need to take ten steps back and start with how to address your audience. People on here will be more responsive if you actually show respect the time and process we go through to do what we do. contrary to popular belief, we don't just draw for 5 minutes and turn out the first thing that comes to mind. Some people spend literally weeks/months before touching a computer. Show us some mood boards, show us some inspiration. For the love of god, show us something...

i'll stop now

But for the record, here's some alternative lifestyle magazine inspi

Stranger (http://www.stranger-mag.com/index.aspx)
Blowback (http://www.blowback.co.uk/)
Don't Panic (http://www.dontpanicmedia.com/)

http://www.playnicely.co.uk/gdf/standoff.jpg
Stand off Magazine Courtesy of Tom Hingston Studio www.hingston.net

[tZ]

is (staind off/stand off) your design?

Regardless that is excellent.

[Bear]

oo sh*t sorry, should've credited, no it's not mine

[Vyrsace]

*cough* Raygun? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raygun_Magazine) *cough* id? (http://www.i-dmagazine.com/primary_index.htm) *cough* face? (http://www.facemag.com/) *cough* wonderland (http://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/).... need i go on?



that majority of magazines fold within 3 issues because the people who create them want to keep hold of THEIR original intention for the idea, rather than allow the creative insight of professionals (including business advisors, copy writers, experienced editors, account managers, and, of course, art directors & designers).

Do your research, stop drawing on screen and going with the first thing you manage to create. There is absolutely nothing about this that says teen magazine. If anything, its dated, techy looking and uninspiring. You need to take ten steps back and start with how to address your audience. People on here will be more responsive if you actually show respect the time and process we go through to do what we do. contrary to popular belief, we don't just draw for 5 minutes and turn out the first thing that comes to mind. Some people spend literally weeks/months before touching a computer. Show us some mood boards, show us some inspiration. For the love of god, show us something...

i'll stop now

But for the record, here's some alternative lifestyle magazine inspi

Stranger (http://www.stranger-mag.com/index.aspx)
Blowback (http://www.blowback.co.uk/)
Don't Panic (http://www.dontpanicmedia.com/)

http://www.playnicely.co.uk/gdf/standoff.jpg

Sorry, I didn't mean to get this heated to the point of insult, you or the profession otherwise. As a note, these magazines are of international descent which would be beyond my reach as a local researcher. I guess I should look at this with a far reaching perspective and use the internet to my advantage. Though, I see no harm in using inspiration from local examples such as the ones I listed above. They are, after all, in high circulation with North America and if my distribution channels are focused mainly within that same region then it only makes sense to appeal to what already works? I think with every image comes a thousand opinions and if someone is looking for something negative, then it isn't unheard of to state one as such, because that is what they were looking for. So what I'll do for now is

1.) Give it more time and patience
2.) Look into a deeper meaning of the title and topic

[Bear]

Sorry, I didn't mean to get this heated to the point of insult, you or the profession otherwise.

Oh no, i didn't mean it as a harsh response, just a word of warning. It may sound like fun to you to work through your logo online, but it's not a hand holding service. No offence meant, or taken.

and the links are because you probably had no idea they existed, therefore they are an inspiration. Honestly, spend a good time looking at stranger, they have digital copies online, it's a brilliant magazine

best,

Ollie

[Vyrsace]

Oh no, i didn't mean it as a harsh response, just a word of warning. It may sound like fun to you to work through your logo online, but it's not a hand holding service. No offence meant, or taken.

and the links are because you probably had no idea they existed, therefore they are an inspiration. Honestly, spend a good time looking at stranger, they have digital copies online, it's a brilliant magazine

best,

Ollie

Ah yes hehehe I thought maybe you took it insultingly. I thought it might be fun to have some interactive responses. What would it be like if a thousand people held the same paintbrush and started drawing? What would you get? kind of the same idea but in a more practical sense :) I didn't want it to make it look I'm dependant on the fact that I don't really design, just thought it would be kind of neat to try regardless :)

[Kool]

All I can say is if you put fine babes like the ones above on your cover (Angelina and Shania are looking especially hot) nobody is going to give a crap what your logo looks like. ;)

[tZ]

All I can say is if you put fine babes like the ones above on your cover (Angelina and Shania are looking especially hot) nobody is going to give a crap what your logo looks like.

amen,lol

[reuber1]

All I can say is if you put fine babes like the ones above on your cover (Angelina and Shania are looking especially hot) nobody is going to give a crap what your logo looks like. ;)I'm digging the pre-cokehead Lohan.

(oYo)

[Vyrsace]

All I can say is if you put fine babes like the ones above on your cover (Angelina and Shania are looking especially hot) nobody is going to give a crap what your logo looks like. ;)

lolol I laugh because it's true. We in the middle of negotiating contracts with certain models (not as popular as Angelina Jolie or Shania Twain or anything crazy like that, but hot enough) who I think will progress the magazine more than any magazine has, locally, in quite awhile. I do preffer a strong design an integral part of any published work. :)