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Hi all. This is going to be a logo for a Website design/hosting company. I'm brand new to logo design so I'm after some ideas. The main aim is for the logo to look clean, and recognisable. While this logo looks clean, I feel that it needs something more to make it a bit unique.
http://members.iinet.net.au/%7Echesketh/miracle.gif
Any thoughts or ideas would be highly appreciated!
Craig B
07-10-2006, 05:05 PM
It's not bad, but two things come to mind when I look at it:
1. The angled lines appear unevenly "spaced" (they're not evenly rotated from the center)
2. I get a slight swastika feel from it
That's just a gut reaction. Other than that, I agree, it's simple. I like how it does have some nice movement in the symbol. But you're right that it may need something. I'd really be curious to see if you had any other ideas or sketches.
CamarotaDesign
07-10-2006, 05:07 PM
Well, if you're going to be hosting neo-nazi websites, I think this is a great logo!
edit:
ok,ok, to be serious though, I like the font, and layout and color. maybe you should just take that swatsika looking thing into the twirl filter to smooth it out like this:
http://mikegondek.com/creativetech/illustrator/3/ill3e.gif
SharkFinStudios
07-10-2006, 05:17 PM
I agree with you guys. It does have a swastika feel... more so the lower left bar is thicker than the others. I am not sure if that was on purpose or not, but here is my suggestion. If you are trying to make that bar larger... exaggerate it. It looks as though there was a mistake made when there is that suttle of a element change.
You might want to sit and brainstorm, too. What do you think of when you think of 'miracle solutions' or even just 'miracle'? You can have a lot of fun with it.
You may aslo want to put together 4 or 5 different ideas and then branch off from there. You'll be surprised at what you come up with.
Cheers!
I guess the feelings mutual with everyone, which definately helps me! I'll try to think of some new ideas. Thanks!
I agree with you guys. It does have a swastika feel... more so the lower left bar is thicker than the others. I am not sure if that was on purpose or not, but here is my suggestion. If you are trying to make that bar larger... exaggerate it. It looks as though there was a mistake made when there is that suttle of a element change.
You might want to sit and brainstorm, too. What do you think of when you think of 'miracle solutions' or even just 'miracle'? You can have a lot of fun with it.
You may aslo want to put together 4 or 5 different ideas and then branch off from there. You'll be surprised at what you come up with.
Cheers!
That wasnt intentional. The larger one is the first one I made, then when I rotated it, it seemed to became a fraction smaller. Didn't even notice though - thanks for bringing that up.
I like this
let me think about why then I'll get back to you.
mac.FINN
07-10-2006, 08:26 PM
I like it too. The swastika resemblance is really not there IMO. The spacing could be tweaked a bit to even out the space though.
At first I saw a man running and getting struck in the head with lightning. I also see broken glass, and a spark.
Could you provide a rationel for the image?
Logo-Mechanix
07-10-2006, 09:09 PM
I also got broken glass out of it.
steve2112
07-10-2006, 09:20 PM
dude its a swatiska. thats all i see.
I decided to change the name because I don't think people generally believe in miracles, and I want people to believe in my business. I've tried something a bit different with the logo too. Please let me know what you think of this one.
To me it doesnt look perfect yet, I'm just not sure what I should do.
http://members.iinet.net.au/%7Echesketh/spotlight2.gif
mac.FINN
07-11-2006, 02:54 PM
It's not really a spotlight is it... it's just an icon. One that looks like a badly draw eject button. What do the chevrons have to do with a spotlight?
It's not really a spotlight is it... it's just an icon. One that looks like a badly draw eject button. What do the chevrons have to do with a spotlight?
Nothing at all. I guess I need to take that into consideration. Do you think I should put an actual logo of a spotlight there?
Logo-Mechanix
07-11-2006, 03:04 PM
I think I just might get rid of the things inside the dot and just keep the dot, see how it looks like that anyway. I need a visual though my imagination is shot today.
I think I just might get rid of the things inside the dot and just keep the dot, see how it looks like that anyway. I need a visual though my imagination is shot today.
That would look alright, but I think it might be a bit plain. Ideally I want something that people will recognise, thats why I went for the odd shapes inside it.
This was the other idea
http://members.iinet.net.au/%7Echesketh/spotlight4.gif
Logo-Mechanix
07-11-2006, 03:10 PM
I get more of a camera kens out of this one, what about an actual spotlight pointing slightly up and to the right to draw the eye in. Then you could also add a gradient for web to indicate the light source. When going to print though you will probobly have to lose the gradient or it will be costly to reproduce.
Yoiu need to find a name and stick.
Most of the time the name won't be of your chosing.
So changing the name is not good practice.
Pick one one and make it work.
"There is no lame subject only a lame design"
There for, I would recommend going back to your initial solution and working it out.
Yes, it does resemble a swastica but, is that what you had in mind?
A swastika can represent many things but, the ladder of the matter is it is "generally[/b] a deturrent due to its association with nazis and so on.
However, it can also br a symbol of power and authority. The thing is balancing out the negative with the positive so that people see the positive aspects over the negative ons- association with nazis.
So, while I do like your intial design I agree about the swastika association.
However, just becasue it resembles a swasticka doesn't nessecarrly mean the idea should be droped. It just means you now need to start amending things so that the swastica instance isn't so easily associated with the design or find a way to communicate positive aspects over the negative ones.
Just moving on with a totally new name isn't the way to go here. In the "real world" you would have name and your job would be to present a visually enticing mark regardless of name. A good thread to look out that just recently poped up here and has nice process is the thread for the logo (journey's ends).
Despite the negative aspects of the name the mark created has sense of warmth and happiness that comes when one is about to pass. So think about that and the process.
good luck
mac.FINN
07-11-2006, 04:11 PM
Nothing at all. I guess I need to take that into consideration. Do you think I should put an actual logo of a spotlight there?
Yeah, if it has nothing to do with you're company why use it? I've said it before, but If it means nothing, it is nothing.
I was thinking more along the lines of spotlighting something or having the text in a spotlight. You don't need an actual lighting fixture.
Tz's right. Before you start going nuts pick a name, find out why it works, and stick with it. Once you have the reason for the name, you can build on it in your logo.
1ooScreamingTrees
07-11-2006, 04:18 PM
However, it can also br a symbol of power and authority. The thing is balancing out the negative with the positive so that people see the positive aspects over the negative ons- association with nazis.
Paul Rand himself couldn't emphasize the swastica's positive aspects...and I highly doubt that random_designer_02348032948 from the graphic design forum is going to be able to do so. I'm sorry, it cannot be done - no matter what the context (even if it were indian/european literature involving a symbol different than the "aryan" swastica).
The symbol's associations are simply too powerful - and the best graphic design in the world could not amend this.
mac.FINN
07-11-2006, 04:32 PM
I agree with the trees.
The Swastika's former meaning has pretty much been ruined. The association attached to it is far to strong. How creepy is the following picture?
http://www.birthplaceofhockey.com/images/pichockeyists/women/edmonton-swastikas-3.jpg
But in 1916 the Edmonton Swastikas were a popular women's hockey team.
However, I still don't think your original symbol looks like a swastika. Too many lines. It looks like broken glass to me. Again though, did this symbol mean anything either?
I agree with the trees.
The Swastika's former meaning has pretty much been ruined. The association attached to it is far to strong. How creepy is the following picture?
http://www.birthplaceofhockey.com/images/pichockeyists/women/edmonton-swastikas-3.jpg
But in 1916 the Edmonton Swastikas were a popular women's hockey team.
However, I still don't think your original symbol looks like a swastika. Too many lines. It looks like broken glass to me. Again though, did this symbol mean anything either?
No it didn't mean anything. I noticed the resemblance but that wasn't my intention, and I didn't think it was that strong. But if most people are going to associate it with swastika when they first look at it, then I dont think its a good idea.
I think I need to stop thinking so much about this whole thing and maybe something will come to me, cos I'm not getting far at the moment :)
CamarotaDesign
07-11-2006, 04:48 PM
The symbol's associations are simply too powerful - and the best graphic design in the world could not amend this.
Trees is totally right there. I really dont think there should be debate. That symbol as it is, can't be used.
However, I think you oughtta go with the miracle idea. And actually you'd be suprised how many people would consider it a miracle to get good web design/hosting. I really liked the Font you chose and and blue is always a strong color for a logo. Its the color associated with stability and depth--ideal characteristics of a logo. Read here for color meanings. (http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning.html)
What I think you oughta do is add some more stuff to that swatsika thing so it looks more like a emminating star. A miracle is often associated with divineness, which is associated with light, or stars, which your logo almost captured, had it not looked like a swatsika.
Trees is totally right there. I really dont think there should be debate. That symbol as it is, can't be used.
However, I think you oughtta go with the miracle idea. And actually you'd be suprised how many people would consider it a miracle to get good web design/hosting. I really liked the Font you chose and and blue is always a strong color for a logo. Its the color associated with stability and depth--ideal characteristics of a logo. Read here for color meanings. (http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning.html)
What I think you oughta do is add some more stuff to that swatsika thing so it looks more like a emminating star. A miracle is often associated with divineness, which is associated with light, or stars, which your logo almost captured, had it not looked like a swatsika.
Thanks a lot for the ideas. You really know your stuff, and you've given me more inspiration. I'm just not sure what else I can do with that symbol, given my limited abilities. But I'll have a play around and see if something good happens.
Your right, I should have stuck with this one. I guess I just lost track and got carried away. But I still have a major issue on my hands.
Just made a small change but Im still not sure if it distracts enough from the swastika look
http://members.iinet.net.au/%7Echesketh/miracle2.gif
1ooScreamingTrees
07-11-2006, 06:13 PM
The problem with using the gradient to detract from the swastika resemblence is that when implemented in black and white, the gradient will not exist.
Gradients are usually frowned upon in the logo game because of reproduction issues that can arise. Never underestimate your business - you may only see yourself having a presence on the web currently, but sooner or later you may want signage, coffee mugs, shirts, etc.
Instead of simply adding or subtracting elements to alter the symbol away from the swastica simmilarities, try starting completely over using the same concept.
Perhaps you could try using rounded lines with smooth angles, but composed in the same fashion. The right angles that exist within the composition of the symbol are the elements that are screaming "NAZI!".
chriscrooz
07-11-2006, 06:52 PM
I would work a bit more on some conceptual designs for the logo. I believe you have a good name with Miracle Solutions but maybe something that would compliment the name more... the logo doesn't look like you really took any time to think this through. I'd recommend going back to a blank piece of paper and a pencil. I truly believe you'll be pushed to think outside the box and research a more effective logo. Look forward to more updates.
CamarotaDesign
07-12-2006, 06:33 PM
http://www.marketingexpertsinc.net/tonydemo/starthing.gif
This was sorta more what I had in mind. But it reverses the color. Btw What
font did you use for this? I really like it especially with the extended tracking, very stable font.
Jackimalyn
07-12-2006, 07:22 PM
why dont you try moving it offcenter?? heres a really crappy rendering of what im thinking:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j139/jackimalyn/miracle.gif
Maybe not quite that far into the corner but i like it!
Some good ideas guys! I appreciate the help. I'll keep working on it to see what I can come up with.
By the way the font is called 'Accidental Presidency'
Cheers
Samakimoto Graphics
07-13-2006, 06:35 AM
This is not bad at all.
I didn't think swastika when I first saw it...I saw "multiple solutions", I think with a little tweeking in the areas mentioned to get the arms right will do just fine.
urstwile
07-13-2006, 07:05 AM
I think that enough people saw swastika for that to be a possible problem. One which you might be able to get around by adding just a couple more spokes to the image. Or by making them less perpendicular to each other, as another poster or two suggested.
SurfPark
07-13-2006, 10:14 AM
You're going to need to add or remove some spokes for this to work. Why 4? Also, how is this image representitive of a web company? You might be in a position to ditch it entirely and try to look into something else.
I've had another idea which I'm working on, which should be much more stylish and effective. I guess I was trying to rush it before, and I've realised by doing that I will never be able to come up with something that I'm happy with, so I've decided to take more time to design something that I'm comfortable with, no matter how long it takes.
I must thank all you guys and girls for your input and help, I really do appreciate it. As you know I'm new to graphic design but even from this I've learnt plenty.
Cheers ;)
chriscrooz
07-13-2006, 11:12 PM
I've had another idea which I'm working on, which should be much more stylish and effective. I guess I was trying to rush it before, and I've realised by doing that I will never be able to come up with something that I'm happy with, so I've decided to take more time to design something that I'm comfortable with, no matter how long it takes.
Cheers ;)
That's awesome you're going back to the drawing board for some more creative mock ups. I have had the problem in the past with rushing designs as well and it never seems to work out well. Look forward to the updates. Make sure to provide a link to the updates.
SnowAngel
07-14-2006, 12:01 AM
I've been lurking on this thread, watching the action from over here. ;) I'm looking forward to your updates too.