Logo -> Contracting company -> Critique please

[syberwolff]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/SyBerWoLff/GirouxLogo.jpg

This is a logo I'm designing for my friends new contracting business. My only concern is is the 'house' too cliche and overused? I fiddled around with about 25-50 different versions of size font and this is what I liked the best (Of course I'm going to show the client all of the versions). Any comments suggestions or anything? Thanks

JD

[SpugNothuson]

I'm not keen on the Giroux word not being on the same line.

Also the X bothers me.

[falldowngoboom]

Agree with SpugNothuson... the "Giroux" having different size letters doesn't appeal to me. Also yeah the house is "overused" but It also can be done well. I don't feel that the thin outline just around the G is good. Maybe a solid house and the lettering knocked out of it. Also the G should be on the same line as the rest of the lettering.

Hope that helps

[syberwolff]

Yeah over and over my eye was attracted to the "ou" and I decided to up the size to be the same as the rest.

falldowngoboom: I don't think that a full house with the letters 'knocked out' of it would be very reproducable print wise would it? It seems also a bit complicated and busy, I wanted to keep it simple.

[budafist]

Get rid of the house. Too cliche. You risk the chance of looking like an online logo generator.

[syberwolff]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/SyBerWoLff/Untitled-1.jpg

Update:

Again update:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/SyBerWoLff/Untitled-1-1.jpg

[DesignStudio]

My only concern is is the 'house' too cliche and overused?

Follow your instinct on that one. it's waaaaaay overused, and budafist is right, it will make you look less professional and less invested than you are. or maybe just try adding a swoosh, who knows. there's so many cool visual ways to go for contracting besides a house outline.


No offense, it's just a new thing i'm trying to see if it catches on. :D

[Satchel]

Awww... I liked it!?

[falldowngoboom]

syberwolff... I prefer the 2nd version... but like many have said the house is overused, but if you really must use a house, because sometimes clients won't have it any other way. But give a shot with creating something with a stylized letter "G" maybe. Try making your own letter, something unique.

Attached are some examples of companies that build but don't have a building in their logos.

So I'd say don't limit yourself to just a house image.

Hope this helps somehow.

[budafist]

Update:

Again update:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/SyBerWoLff/Untitled-1-1.jpg

I prefer the top one of these...if you must use the house logo...

[guppy822]

the house is ok...and i like the top one as well. not to keen on the smaller 'ou'...it makes it seems less important...the entire name should have importance..

[anderson]

first instinct is to tell you the house is waaaay overused, but someone already beat me to it.

Try using different objects other thanthe house that might say contractor. A hammer or screw driver... mmm... screw driver, does anyone have any orange juice?

[tZ]

Is your combination of the G and house meant to communicate something more?

or… were those two combined for no reason beyond aesthetical purposes?

I think you need to dig deeper.

An image of a house is a top of mind solution.

Its a solution that almost anyone could think of conceptually. Your a designer so you should be able to dig deeper then the obvious cliche.

And… before we get into the cliche is a cliche because it works debate at the same time your trying to create a memorable and unique design. Something that people will remember and be set apart from the rest. If the rest is house images also then your design is just going to get lost in the thousands of others. So my recommendation is to start over on paper but, use word list or webs to dig deeper and find that unique combination of ideas that when combined create a whole new one- unique to the business in representation of course.

Perhaps if you used the house concept in a new innovative way or combined it with something to create a higher meaning rather then just a house then it could work. As it stands though your concept is just a house and nothing more.

Anyone can combine a house and some text. However, its that extra meaning that makes a designer.

Here is some food for thought. Instead of thinking about things associated with a house start with a house and ask yourself what a house is. For instance, I quess you could say a house is associated with protection. So then you list items that are associated with protection. For instance, condumn, shield, vest, skin, and so on. Then once you have a few there you find a contrasting meaning in one of those to protection. For instance, if you take skin what has skin. Perhaps a person, animal, apple, things of that nature. Then you go from there and pick another one. For instance, what is an apple- a fruit. So what are somethings that are fruits?- orange, grapes, banana, and so on again. Then you go through that list and find something else or if you can't think of anything that moment you go back to the begining and pick out a new one such as, shield. What can a shield be associated with. Perhaps a knight. If you keep on that path your bound to find som new and innovative ways to communicate home builders. It might sound crazy but, its all about asking yourself questions and answering those questions with a new idea/word that can be related to it.

[CSGdesigner]

You keep showing us variations of the same theme. The cliche is how you are representing a house. Placing the G/type in the house is window dressing. Move past the house silo. If you must use a house look for some intersting art or design something yourself.

Push yourself... think about related objects and actions related to building. Framing, Blue prints, hammers, nails, saws. Pick a more appropriate typeface. Try letter replacement. Look at the counterspaces in the lettering. Try a 3-d house or one in perspective. Show us something new.

Make an effort and you will get a heated critique, but we can not do the work for you.

[Jeff Fisher LogoMotives]

In addition to what has already been posted - the word "contracting" looks like it was just slapped on as an afterthought. To create a cohesive logo unit it should be integrated into the design more.

- J.