logo crit...

[HUNT]

Just sent this to the client. Did the naming of the company, tag, logo and color treatement. It's a software company that's mainly linked with banking, but is trying to branch out. I was wanting every element to support one another.

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/2395/datagylogowy5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I like to keep things simple. The font was customized, the A's and T are original. The arrows are a loose depiction of how there software goes into the business and mass revenues come out. I also was liking the possative feel of it, it almost looks like a firework exploding in celebration or flower...all positive links.

[G-Man79]

I would morph the right stem of the Y and the arrow leading up. Just an idear.

[patkennedy78]

I think the type is super strong, and very distinctive, nice work there. I also like how you right aligned the tagline. I thing the arrows are nice as well and the mark they make is unique.

DATAGY, hmm, I get why you used it, but it sounds dated and chunky. What other solutions did you come up with, this one just seems obvious to me. I think having the software and banking combination could lead to so many more names. And unless you've bought it, the domain name is not available.

As I said before, I like the mark with the arrows, I'm just not sure of the placement. You have a nice block working with the name a tagline and the mark seems to give it an odd weight. I'd play with the interaction of the two elements. I think you could come up with something even more striking and memorable. So what's the orange / gray reasoning? When I think software and banking that combination doesn't pop out at me.

Overall I think you did very well, I really dig the type.

[HUNT]

Nice crit. The orange and grey are dealing more with the software rather tham banking. Like I mentioned the company is looking to branch out further than banking so we don't wan to make that connection to strong.

The software gives the company a strategy by informing them of where they are in competition with the local banks.

I like the "Y" idea, I might play with that a bit.

[Broacher]

The arrow stuff is like a graphic fuse. Lots of sparks and energy. But that energy is unbalancing too. Arrows are very tricky in logos. Due to their typographic, diagramatic, and symbolic heritage, they can easily lead to more ambiguity-- are they part of the logo? A mark? A design 'shortcut' move to guide the reader's gaze and establish connection literally, moreso than graphically? It's their energy that makes them hard to control and balance.

The whole idea of data into strategy -- would I have gotten anything of that without the tagline? On the other hand, I can't imagine what kind of 'market differentiation' they're after by suggesting that they've discovered that strategy works best with data first. Um... as opposed to?

That cap T looks like it needs a cigarette.

[mac.FINN]

I agree with Pat.

the placement of the arrow burst icon doesn't seem right to me. It kind of throws everything off balance.

Also, I'm not to fond of the name. At first I read it as Da-tagie. When I read the tag, I got it, but it seem forced to me. Also, when I say the tag in my head, it sounds funny. It doesn't flow - I think it's the extra stress in strategy (the "gee").

I do like the symbol, but why orange? If it's supposed to represent revenue, maybe green is a better choice.

[patkennedy78]

That cap T looks like it needs a cigarette.

:eek: :D LOL, I think I'm thinking what your thinking, otherwise my mind is waaaay down in the gutter.

[Broacher]

Yours til Viagara falls....

[SnowAngel]

What else did you brainstorm up?

[tZ]

I like.

Its different, interesting and memorable.

I could pick it apart… but it allways can be better- its just something you need to realize.

With that said, I think it sucessfull fullfills its purpose regardless of the critism above.

I think its good.

good job

[HUNT]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to crit.

I am in the middle of color laterations. The client went with everything above except for the orange.

[CamarotaDesign]

Im definately liking the colorscheme and the thing with the arrows. G-man's suggestion was cool, I like that. To me the arrows mean navigation, and direction- Where you are standing in the world. And that easily works for this system as well, yes?

I gotta agree with Patrick. I think the name could be better. To a mild degree I think of a disease when I hear that word "Datagy" sorta like "leprosy" or "lethargy" It just doesnt have the most positive connotation to me. I like the idea of using "Data" in the title... DataSomething.

I think you oughtta do a heavy weight to light weight contrast with the title. Like, DATAGY. But that doesnt work too well unless you change the name. I just feel there should be more contrast in a name like that, because its implying two ideas- A database, and a system to use it.

All in all, smooth, I like it.

[SnowAngel]

DATAGY

^^ I like that!

[eon.]

I like it; simple but effective. I like the color, the font and the arrow firework object :) At first I didn't like the name for the same reasons others have stated, but the more I look at the logo and the more I say the name the more I like it. It's not an instant classic but very few company names are (Schlotzsky's comes to mind..)

[typographics]

Hunt,

i realize im late, and the client already signed off on it, but i wanted to comment on this logo.

this logo looks too much like a template design. the arrow icon-thingy is really generic. You could stick that icon next to anything. it has no relation to the typography, thus making it a seperate and ununified element within the overall logo. also, arrows are extremely unspecific and can be rationalized to communicate anything. however, i think the arrow concept could work... but it would need to be studied more closely.

you said that the font was customized. how? it looks like a standard typeface to me. even if it is customized, its not enough so that anyone will notice. if you are going to customize a typeface, you should make it obvious and purposeful.

like some other people have mentioned, the entire logo is off balance. its very right heavy. this makes the mark appear "off", or unfinished. it creates visual voids in the overall appearance of the identity. sometimes that can be okay, given good reason, but i dont see the benefit with this particular logo.

someone mentioned attaching the "Y" with the inward looking arrow. i think thats a great idea. you should explore ways to combine the icon with the typography. in my opinion, thats what makes a great logo. otherwise, you are simply creating graphics and sticking them next to typefaces.

also, look at the relationship of the individual letters. "datagy" has some great opportunities for creative type play. i saw something almost instantly. i whipped it up real quick and posted it at the bottom of this critique. (i simply wanted to show an example of what i mean when i suggest image/type integration. i also wanted to show an example of what i consider to be effective type customization.)

one last thing. the name "datagy" is fantastic. bravo!

http://www.matthewmckim.com/misc/datagy.gif

[HUNT]

Thank you for your crit. In this particular case I would have to say "to each there own". The logo type treatment is custom and no I did not want it to look like an Atari game logo. I wanted it understated. The idea here is that the word mark can stand alone or with the icon. By keeping things simple it works on many scales, colors and variations.

I do thank you for taking the time to crit, however I would have to disagree with your logo style above. It's very dated, does not work apart from the text, the arrows pointing down give a negative connotation and quite honestly resemble a pitch fork. Anyways, now I am critiquing you and I realize you did this design in minutes, sorry if it feels I am defending my work, but in many ways I am...with an open ear.

Thanks for the input and I agree the name kind of grows on you. I didn't like it at first either, but the longer it sat on the sidelines the stronger it became.

[yarusskii]

arrow thing makes it look unstable

[Samakimoto Graphics]

I like G-man's suggestion about the "Y". It will unify the elements into a whole.