Logo Ideas, need opinions...

[Stander]

I've been trying to come up with some new logo ideas for my freelance business i am starting.
I want to come off as being a respectable design firm that focuses on branding/logos/packaging. but as you can see, i'm not having too many great ideas... designing for yourself can be so frustrating. Grrrr..

maybe you guys can help me get on the right path...

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/2918/allcompson4.jpg

[artilleryatx]

i like 1 and 4 i love how sleek it looks

[cj2a]

Okay, I'll bite.

Firstly, I like your tagline...nice double meaning and not hokey.

I'm drawn to the box on #1...interesting shapes and with a bit of work, maybe more interesting, and hints at the "out of the box" idea without beating everyone over the head with it. Have you considered taking the three "shapes" that make up the box and playing with coloring those shapes independently of each other? It might yield interesting results.

Type...I am partial to the type treatment on #6. In fact, you might try combining the box from #1 with the type on #6, tucking it into the upper right area of the type for an asymetrical design...just a thought.

It is very difficult to design for yourself at times...I feel for you. Good luck.

[tZ]

the only one that is working here is four but, I don't get it.

fire-stander?

fire-creative?

Maybe it isn't fire at all?

Its interesting but, not really communicating.

Maybe play it off the word "stand" rather then resorting to aesthecis to carry the design. Then from there define stander in our own terms through your logo to create an identity. Something that refinforces your name rather then a abstract shape which really says absolutly nothing.

[typographics]

i would stay away from initials. all of these seem to be decoration; no substantial creativity or thought process is present.

[cornfed]

I like the tag line, too. I like the box idea coming from #1, but I agree that it needs a little work. It hasn't quite arrived yet. I like #2 also. I think the S and the C would look nice if they were perspectived to look like a box. It would play on the tag line, give it an interesting dimension and your name would be outside of the box.

Also, design is misspelled on #10.

[tZ]

I didn't see see the slogan.

With that said, non of these are near close to out of the box if anything they are as far inside as we can possibly get maybe even embedded.

They all look like the same generic designs we see "everywhere".

If your going to state your design is out of the box that is what you need to make it. You need to push the envelope for a purpose higher then decor. A purpose that both communciates to the viewer and appears "out of the box" at the same time.

otherwise your identity will be based on decor.

[atempa]

Hey Stander, I always have trouble designing for myself aswell-

My favorites are number 4 and number 1. I think its partially because i like the font that your using for "Stander Creative"

What usually helps me is to make as many variations of my favorites as i can think of. It usually gets the wheels turning in my head. Try putting your blue flame in between 'stander' and creative, try putting the C of the word "creative instead- try perhaps using "stander" in another font- perhaps a less rigid font like #7's. Since your stander, maybe you should represent your name as being more creative - while the actual word "creative" is more rigid, because well, thats the business.

Remember, even if your logo is not the best and most unique in the world, it doesn't matter a whole lot. Its how you use it, how you decide to present it and how consistent you are with your branding structure. Ultimately its up to your customer to have a good association with it.

but having a good logo does help - so keep it up the good work

[Neballer]

I'm drawn to #9, but I think the text over powers the icon. I also don't think the horizontal blue lines on either side of the tag line would be necessary if you just kerned out the tag line to be justified with the name.

You could also have something with #3, but I'd definitely go with a different font, it looks like myriad streched

[CamarotaDesign]

Yeah, i hear ya, designing for yourself is really hard. I always end up with stuff I dont really like.

As for your logos, They all look very nice, but like a few people have said, they arent communicating the message of out of the box. (especially 8.... thats in a box) I think #1 looks the nicest. but not the right communication. Its sophisticated and orderly with a little of a dynamic look, that would look nice for an architect firm, or a law practice.

If your'e gonna do the out of the box theme, you could always start off with the cliche themes. A jack n the box, or a package opening up and spilling out your company title. Then just work off those ideas, draw tons of little doodles and see what Ideas pop in.

I think your stuff is good, its very obvious you have a good eye for design, so keep it up. Start with basic, obvious concepts till they lead you to the complex creative ones..... damn, I need to do that more often myself.

[Samakimoto Graphics]

cj2a could be right on the money about #1, but you may want to adjust the C a little then colour the three positive shapes in the primary colours (or those of your choice).

I like the look of #1 and #4 too. See if you can narrow down to these two and push them further, each on it's own merit.

[distruktor]

i think 3 is quite interesting, but im not totaly sure about the font choice

[EC]

what about the icon from 4 or 9, but making the "flame" coming out of a box somehow. "fiery creative exploding out of the box" type thing. just a thoughtsee.

[Samakimoto Graphics]

what about the icon from 4 or 9, but making the "flame" coming out of a box somehow. "fiery creative exploding out of the box" type thing. just a thoughtsee.

I agree on combining the elements of two: allow me to suggest you combine the icon elements of #1 and #4. Think "flame blower" or "fire spitting serpent". The resulting image fromed by the letters in #1 does look like a winding reptile :D ...I think. You'll just have to adjust the type to sans serif.

[Crimson]

what about changing designing "Out of the box" to "Out of the cube". Not that what you have is bad- just refering to comments. . . then you can say how your not a corporate bore.

BTW- I think I like #1 the best too

[SnowAngel]

Yup, I'm liking number 1 as well, out of the lot.

[G-Man79]

I like the simplicity of #1 the most. What about going with (this is to fit your tag) a box (3D perspective) with an S on the left box panel and an C on the right box panel? Just my 2 cents

[patkennedy78]

I'm all in for #3. Although it reminds me of something else, but seems original.

What I see is 8 different personalities for your business. From young and edgy to conservative. Who are you, what is YOUR personality, what do you want to potential clients? Have you done some mind mapping and found key words about you and your design style. I'd go that direction and focus on a particular theme or style for yourself.

[Jeff Fisher LogoMotives]

I also like the look of #1 the best - but it kind of reads as "SO..." It's clean and simple. Your #4 also catches my eye - but I don't know how the icon imagery conveys anything about your business.

I do agree with many of the others posting. The graphics don't really convey anything about your "out of the box" tagline.

As for that tagline - "Out of the box" is so very overused in business. It's right up there with "on the same page," "synergy" and a few other terms/phrases. When someone uses the "out of the box" term with me I tell "why would I need to think out of the box, I've never allowed myself to be put in the box."

- J.

[mechesontrance]

#5 and #4 are the most powerfull ones.. specially #4

[Broacher]

What type of work do you favour? Do you have a preferred emotional angle to your work? Playful? Serious? Curious? Feminine? Masculine? Many designers deny emotional angles, claiming they can capture any direction you throw at them. I personally don't buy that. We all have emotionally-based design biases, and it's reflected in our choices daily, and a portfolio as well.

Your suggested catchphrase would suggest some playfulness, but to be honest, I agree with Jeff that anything connected to the 'outside of the box' phrase is just too tired to give anymore. You also have to watch becoming too obviously reaching for cleverness.

As for the designs themselves-- none of them really do much for me, I'm afraid. I'd say it's back to some more head scratching and soul-scab picking for you. I wouldn't feel bad about it-- designing your own logo is by far one of the most difficult design projects ever conceived. (Maybe that's why I just use my name.) Which is why even some of the biggest names and firms have outsourced this task. It's one of those situations where an outside perspective can really pay off.

[Craig B]

Just a few ideas if you use "out of the box" (cliche or not, it is something that alot of clients are looking for.)

• somehow using packing peanuts, in fact the peanuts have "s" and "c" shapes. it might not work, but just a thought.

* maybe something like a 3-d box on it's side, where the text and tagline are
"coming out from it"

• 3 or 4 little icons in a row that show a box "opening"

just a few thoughts. In general though, execution-wise these are all really nice. Nice job!

[Stander]

Wow, thank you all for the replies! i wasn't expecting this much help! :)

as for the tagline, i think i will retire it... you guys made a good point about it being way over used, and if i were to fit it into my logo concept i don't think it would turn out to be the type of logo i would want for myself.

what i am really shooting for is something that looks "trustworthy" more than anything (like something you'd see in the Legal Field or Mens Cologne). i think instead of having my logo showcase my style, i'd rather have my portfolio do it. which is why i was being creatively vauge...but maybe that's not such a good thing? i don't know, i'll have to think on this some more.

but anyways, thank you guys very much for giving me a whole new perspective on these! i'm going to bust out some more utilizing all of your advise.

[1ooScreamingTrees]

you guys made a good point about it being way over used

This is why im developing my identity under the name "Forget The Damn Box"

Unfortunately I've been too busy to put much work into it =/ But it will come around shortly...hopefully towards the end of the upcoming quarter.

[CamarotaDesign]

This is why im developing my identity under the name "Forget The Damn Box"



That rox

[rikbarwick]

I don't know if its that relevent, when i glanced at your logos, i read it as "standard creative" and I thought, thats pony! Who wants standard creatives? But when i looked closer i got it!

I like the flame but not for you, 1. is my favorite but why don't you play with the net of a cube? might be fun?

[rikbarwick]

plus i wouldn't want out of the box creatives, it doesn't seem that thought out and individual

[tZ]

out of the box has become inside it.

[Broacher]

>>out of the box has become inside it<<

Exactly. I saw a cover head on a business mag the other day featuring some fresh business success face claiming he made it big by "staying inside the box".

And to use anything denying 'the box' is still, using the box. 'Forget the damn box' is like saying, "Don't think of pink elephants." Self-referential hypocrisy.

What about 'Stander'? The word has, if you'll pardon the pun, creative 'legs'. If I was given that word to play with for an identity program to help differentiate one designer from the rest of the market, I could see having a lot of fun with that one. It's very elemental. You've got vertical connotation, contrasts, figure, word play-- built-in connection with the message. Did I miss something?

[tZ]

what is a stander?

Show me through your logo.

That is were I would start at.

[mac.FINN]

I got a picture of an empty chair when I thought of a logo for a company called Stander.

[Broacher]

As an identity package, this one begs for some pattern play. I mean, the use of a repetitive element as a background effect--except for the one thing that 'stands out' different than the rest. Stander=contraster. You're laughin with this one.

[Jriddim]

I like 1... Instead of having the letters cut off on the bottom why dont you raise them up out of the box, cutting the tops of the letters off. that would communicate out of the box better in my opinon.... I agree with previous posts about relying on decor.. I am struggling on my own identity too. an ongoing battle it is.

[HUNT]

If your wanting your tag to be supported by your mark then number 1 in my mind is the only thing working. You want your icon, word treatment and tag to all be working together.

the way you market yourself should be based on your design style, area and audience. If you mainly do corporate design, number 1 would work fine, but if your into designing CD covers or band labels if would be a pull away.

Anyways, I would think deeper into what you do. For me, I am extremely simple in design, I like to break things down to the basics and push from there. so, my mark is extremely simple and easy to read. But this is me, now do you.

Hope I was of some help.

[mac.FINN]

Yesterday, I was in a used book store; I was flipping through a design book and there was a section on logos. One of the showcased logos was for a company call "Out of the Box" Creative (or design, or studio, or something).

Made me think of this thread... the logo was a (fairly hideous) opening box. I decided to check the publishing date on the book. It was from the mid 90's I think.

So I definately suggest not going down the "BOX" road. It's cliche, and it's been done... 10 years ago.

:D

[HUNT]

Agree, if an icon representing the "box" is needed, go with an abstract vertion hinting at something being out of box. Nothing literal at all.