Personal Logo, Ongoing Battle

[Jriddim]

Hi Friends,


I have been struggling for the past year with creating my personal logo... I just want to get somthing that I can live with for a little while... I really just want to get some cards out there.. I have messed with the letters c and d so much that I have come to the realization that Im not going to rely on cliche letters or a cliche icon to represent myself. i have chosen to really rely on text. I think I might be hittin the drawing board again I dunno... I want to represent myself as organic, inviting, friendly, yet professional... I know the top one is very green, and plant like. but I think that might be what I want to represent withn myself. The second one is leaning tword a more of a straight foward aproach I think (eye, design, yada yada) I really just wonderin if you guys are feelin the direction this is going. Im sooo just "blah"

ps.. my last name is Cunningham if that helps any

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9971/cunningspd6.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

[SnowAngel]

In all honesty, the first one really caught my eye - how the typography merges so well together. But what really works for me is the sprout as a focal point. The eye in the second one gets kinda lost.

me $0.02

[Jriddim]

thanks SnowAngel for the speedy reply.. I was worried about the eye getting lost, I tried the eye as the dot in the I but it just diddnt seem to work out... Im feelin the top one alittle more as of now too. I like the eye concept but It definatley needs revelation

[cornfed]

I like the first one. The colors are really nice and the word design feels like a water reflection. I found myself staring at it actually.

If you decide on the second one, then I think that you should try the eyeball under the straight line of the e rather than over it. It's feels kind of creepy to me like it is.

[Jriddim]

great point cornfed


http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8671/designeyexv1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[cj2a]

I really dig the first one, with the minor suggestion of maybe separating the sprout leaves from the "i" ...but it's just a nice typographic logo.

The eye under the "e" looks tired to me. Or droopy eyed. Could you remove the crossbar entirely, move the "eye" up and enlarge a bit, and crop off the bottom of it flat to make a visual "crossbar" baseline for the e? Don't know if that would read as an eye, or even as an "e" without seeing it, but for some reason on both eye designs, the actual eye is a bit too small and/or odd looking.

my 2 cents

[tZ]

To be honest the whole eye and face thing is sort of cliche in my opinion.

I would scrap these rethink the design and perhaps even the name.

Cunning:


1. Marked by or given to artful subtlety and deceptiveness.
2. Executed with or exhibiting ingenuity.
3. Delicately pleasing; pretty or cute: a cunning pet.


subtle?- maybe.

Ingenoius?- not really.

cut/pretty/pleasing?- not really.

To be honest it looks as if you just began fooling around on the computer with typography rather then go through a process to create something unique and memorable.

Hopefully, that wasn't to harsh I just call it like I see it.

[Jriddim]

tZ, I feel what your saying about the eye being cliche, I am going to rethink the logo, as i am always every minute of everyday. I have a feeling im gonna end up overthinking the logo and put it off for another year. May I ask why you suggest to change the name? does it not flow well, or is it the actual word cunning that is bothersome?

[Jriddim]

Owe you alrady did it lol..... Hey man it wasnt too harsh.. I like people who tell it how it is... and yes this logo pretty much was a bunch of foolin around on the comp. im gonna go back to the actual drawing board. Thanks for your input.. i need to look at this under a different light

[tZ]

Well I read your reasoning just now and see why your name is what it is.

However, I think its to literal to be memorable and stick out… if that makes any sense.

How about rather then spinning something direct of your name something indirect.

Perhaps your name.

Cunn-ing-ham

Then do something interesting with the typography or something. So that the Cunn is above of the ing and the ham is right to the ing:

Cunning
ingHAM

Then maybe spin it of that to do something diffrent. Maybe use a ham as your logo or mark. Perhaps look up what cunning ham actually means or what parts of mean and are derived from.

I mean there is alot you can do that will result in a much more unique and memorable name then cunning designs.

hope that helps

[tZ]

Hey man it wasnt too harsh.. I like people who tell it how it is... and yes this logo pretty much was a bunch of foolin around on the comp.

yeah… I can pretty much tell with pin point accuracy becasue this is usually where my computer attempts end up,lol.

Just keep building on it and eventually you'll get there.

[Jriddim]

tZ... Your input is incredibly helpfull. I really do see what you mean. Now that I look at it, I can't believe I just had cunning design. The only way people would get tht is if they were looking at my card where my full name is present. I am going to play with my whole last name and see if I can get it to work.. Thanks again, really I am so glad I am part of this place.

[CamarotaDesign]

[QUOTE=tZ]yeah… I can pretty much tell with pin point accuracy becasue this is usually where my computer attempts end up,lol.
/QUOTE]

-That happens to me too.

Its aesthetically nice, but just doesnt have the right communication like tZ was talking about.

I had An idea if you want to keep the Cunning idea. Play off the saying, "cunning as a fox" Maybe you could do a letterform that looks like a fox's face or put ears and a tail into "cunning" Maybe rotate the "s" 90 degrees clockwise, and stick a head on it so it looks like a fox. I think getting "cunning" to work would be a real challenge but I think you're definately capable of pulling it off, spend the time.
Good luck!

[Samakimoto Graphics]

[QUOTE=tZ]yeah… I can pretty much tell with pin point accuracy becasue this is usually where my computer attempts end up,lol.
/QUOTE]

-That happens to me too.

Its aesthetically nice, but just doesnt have the right communication like tZ was talking about.

I had An idea if you want to keep the Cunning idea. Play off the saying, "cunning as a fox" Maybe you could do a letterform that looks like a fox's face or put ears and a tail into "cunning" Maybe rotate the "s" 90 degrees clockwise, and stick a head on it so it looks like a fox. I think getting "cunning" to work would be a real challenge but I think you're definately capable of pulling it off, spend the time.
Good luck!


;) Nice idea Camarota: It remonds me of another identity design post by a fellow who used a donkey for his/her ID- "stubonly creative" I think it was.
Only he/she used the image obviously.

I still like the eye identity...

Your letter U in the word Cunning could serve to execute Camarota's idea

[mac.FINN]

I agree with tZ, that though these look nice, they're not really cunning in anyway.

I do like the idea of a "cunning Ham" like a sly and sneaky cut of meat. You've got levels to work with there. It's funny, it's your name and it still implies you're cunning.

[cornfed]

Have you tried giving yourself a deadline? I find these deadlineless projects do me no good and the results are usually menial. When my brain knows the deadline is right on me, then the good ideas start coming.

So, how about we see the finished product in two weeks? Comps later this week and spend next week tweeking. If you don't meet the deadline, then we'll all think you're a horrible designer! :)

[Mynock]

I like the first one because at first it looked like a butterfly, but then I figured it was a budding plant.

[Jriddim]

Have you tried giving yourself a deadline? I find these deadlineless projects do me no good and the results are usually menial. When my brain knows the deadline is right on me, then the good ideas start coming.

So, how about we see the finished product in two weeks? Comps later this week and spend next week tweeking. If you don't meet the deadline, then we'll all think you're a horrible designer! :)

Awesome, Now everyone will think im a horrible designer..:) I think thats a cool idea... I have never given myself a deadline before!... I really like the cunning ham idea... because im nothing more than a ham.....thats cunning.... Dont get me wrong.. I think the fox idea is pretty brilliant... I just dont know wether I want to represent myself as a fox.. Im more like a ham :)

[SnowAngel]

'Cunning Ham'. Witty! ;) Might be onto something.

[Navian]

Go with ham.

Everybody likes a honey baked ham.

mmmm. ham...

I'm hungry now, thank you very much! :(

[Silence04]

i really like what you've got jriddim! name and everything.. :)

the only thing i would suggest is to see what i would look like if you got rid of the "eye" and just left your logo as Typography with no symbol...

[Jriddim]

I was toolin around somemore.. focusing on the HAM.. Yes or NO?

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/8224/cunninghamdesignps9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[mac.FINN]

well... it's not really cunning and it's not really hammy.

It looks cool, but I think Cunning Ham has such an enormous amount of potential that this doesn't do it justice.

I mean, the name is funny and smart and clever. It's a great name.
Do some image research. How could a ham be cunning? It can be utterly ridiculous, or very simple - tons of potential.

[cornfed]

i feel a pig coming on!

[mac.FINN]

^^ a pig in wolf's clothing.

[Jriddim]

yeah... I dunno ... I dont want to represent myself as a pig.. and I dont know if this is poking fun at my name.. As funny and witty as it is, I think cunning ham is kinda insultive? doncha think?

[typographics]

yeah... I dunno ... I dont want to represent myself as a pig.. and I dont know if this is poking fun at my name.. As funny and witty as it is, I think cunning ham is kinda insultive? doncha think?
i dont like this particular idea. its not worth pursuing in my opinion.

[cj2a]

I gotta say, I'm not fond of the direction towards pork this design, and this thread has taken. ;)

Honestly, the very first design, with or without the leaves is a great, solid typographic foundation for a logo. What you did typographically there is very pleasing to the eye, and to achieve the level of interaction between the two words is no small feat, no matter how simple it looks. Whether or not you can weave that into a more dynamic logo depends on whether or not you want to. Some good clean type treatment designs are better than trying to strain to fit your logo into a design that doesn't suit you. My 2 cents.

[mac.FINN]

yeah... I dunno ... I dont want to represent myself as a pig.. and I dont know if this is poking fun at my name.. As funny and witty as it is, I think cunning ham is kinda insultive? doncha think?

bah,

but if you don't think the name suits your business, don't use it. Simple as that.

[Jriddim]

I gotta say, I'm not fond of the direction towards pork this design, and this thread has taken. ;)

Some good clean type treatment designs are better than trying to strain to fit your logo into a design that doesn't suit you. My 2 cents.

Ditto

[Jriddim]

I am still really feelin the first design.. I just wish there was a way I could make it say cunning, without use of an illustration also keeping the integrity of the type, which I dont know if even possible

[CamarotaDesign]

ad a tail or some fox ears to type- cunning as a fox. Give it a shot.

[tZ]

push ---------->

[typographics]

I just wish there was a way I could make it say cunning, without use of an illustration also keeping the integrity of the type, which I dont know if even possible
more possible than you may think. just be patient and allow the solution to come to you. study the masters; herb lubalin should be your first stop. also, there is a book you can look thru called "los logos". there are two of them. great typographic logos in there. if anything, it will open your thought process to different typographic possibilities.

[Jriddim]

thanks!

[1ooScreamingTrees]

I'm sure we've all seen paul rand's "Eye" "bee" M logo.

I think this may be one of the instances where a symbol (read: a bigass ham) could be used quite effectively.

Cunning (o)__)==;]


That's my ascii ham. Fear it.

[cj2a]

I'm sure we've all seen paul rand's "Eye" "bee" M logo.

That's my ascii ham. Fear it.


:D LOL...that's gold I tell you, gold!

[Jriddim]

I really am liking the cleanliness of this... the color is not definate, but I do like just the plain lettering and their placement. I think that the slight skew, adds the cunningness to it... like cunning (swift, sly, skewed) know what i mean?..... or should i really just stop with this and start all over... I really want somthing clean, professional, and simple

please help me!

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/6175/cunning5hu2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[cjoe]

I am still feeling design numero uno.

[peder]

I like the first one better. It might be the colour, or that I don't think the eye fits in on the second one. How would it look if you left the spout, but as the dot on the i? (Some space under it)

[BrentonMailman]

Really liking the feel of the first one. The slight outline around the preview image is a nice touch that could become a "trademark" of yours too.

How about cunning creative?? some alliteration for you?

Not digging the "ham" at all, reminds me of a deli counter.

And I like the sprout, even if (for some reason) its reminding me of the glysomed cream logo. http://www.glysomed.com/

But I really like the feel of number one. I dont really like the copper color of the later verson either, its sad for me.
good luck!

[cj2a]

I'm still loving #1. It is clean, understated, great colors. I could take or leave the sprout...I just love the typography. You could even spell out cunningham all the way with design still positioned as is as far as I'm concerned, if you want your whole name in there. There's nothing wrong with a typographic solution if it is obviously well-done and thought through.

[Jriddim]

Thanks for you support/responses guys, I really really like the 1st one too... I think im gonna make some adjustments and go with it... One question though... Comparing the first one, and the very last on I just recently posed, Do you like the c on top of the d or the d overlapping the c?


Thanks!

[cj2a]

My vote is for the C overlapping the D. Brings your name forward and just looks cleaner to my eye.

[Jriddim]

i just cant stop thinking of other ideas... I am curently using my first design now...but im always concerned about there being a better idea out there. i kinda like the sound of cunning concepts. what do you guys think of these?


http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/5274/cunningideasmp5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[ep0ch]

the top cunning concepts design is sweet cept id color concepts as the lighter green and cunning as the darker green...that oughta look neat

[Jriddim]

yeha i like it too

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/8949/cuninngideabw5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[BrentonMailman]

awesome!

[ep0ch]

maybe put concepts in all caps and edit the character spacing to span along the bottom of cunning, stopping at the bottom curve of the G

[Jriddim]

yeah i already was going there.... I already tried it but its just didnt look all that great.. i think im gonna mess with kerning/tracking

[Jriddim]

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/4548/cunningideas3zf9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[urstwile]

I like the first one. What I think would make it work better though, is to move concepts down. Right now your leading is really tight in proportion to your letterspacing, so it's feeling optically tight.

I'm digging the new direction you've taken on this Jriddim. :)

[Jriddim]

I like the first one. What I think would make it work better though, is to move concepts down. Right now your leading is really tight in proportion to your letterspacing, so it's feeling optically tight.

I'm digging the new direction you've taken on this Jriddim. :)

so true i know there was sumthinn funny about it

thanks!

I really like the yin-yang effect goin on... do catch that feeling from it?

[urstwile]

Yup, got that right off. I really like the symbol and how you've worked it out.

[ep0ch]

yea that why i suggested flippin the colors like that =]

[Jriddim]

I let the leading breathe a bit more... and reflected the c so it is more symetrical...


I like this... i like it alot

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/8194/cunningconceptfinaldi4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[urstwile]

That you like it a lot is important Jriddim. But for what it's worth, I like it a lot too. :)

[Jriddim]

thanks urstwile!

[ep0ch]

yea its good stuff

[BrentonMailman]

i like it a lot!