Juicy Logo Project

[Crimson]

I have three concepts going. Client is trying to decide between two of them. Started in black and white and tried some color comps to help go in the final direction. I have enjoyed all the direction but I have my favorite. This is the kind of project that makes me love doing logos. The green is kind of pushing in the realm of a florestent like construction jacket colors.

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/4844/gro3colorpn2.th.jpg (http://img442.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gro3colorpn2.jpg)

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/4741/gro1colorpk8.th.jpg (http://img182.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gro1colorpk8.jpg)

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/7210/gro2colorgy1.th.jpg (http://img442.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gro2colorgy1.jpg)

[YNOT]

Hmmm...I think they are all way too busy for a 'logo'. They need to be much more simplified...there's just too much going on everywhere and my eyes can't stop moving around (or maybe that's all the coffee I've been drinking already this morning).

If it's not too late, I'd highly consider going back to the sketchpad and see if you can't come up with something simpler and more clear.

By the way...just what exactly is this company or what does it do? I'm guessing they sell camping/backpacking supplies?

Hope you don't think I'm being too harsh...that's my .02¢ for what it's worth.

[Crimson]

Must be why I like the top one the most. The simplest one. It is just his letters and three universal symbols in the letters. The last illustrated one is very busy and my clients favorite sketch. He's liking the top 2

[keith1]

I agree with ynot. It seems not only the designs themselves are very busy but also all the colors, gradients & drop shadows etc. I also was trying to figure out what this company did. After ynot suggested camping gear now I can see something a little like a backpack but it isn't very clear. All these concepts need to be simplified a ton. If I had to pick any, I'd pick the first one, although it is a little boring right now, I think incorporating one of the letters into something to do with camping, hiking etc would work instead of putting a little floating tent or a little floating swiss army cross on the letters.

[Crimson]

Yes it is a backpacking/camping/Emergency prepardness upstart company.

My original concepts didn't have the back pack but the client insisted I work it in more to the concepts. Got to satisfy your client. He's very happy with the work so far. . .

[lattequeen]

I like the first one the best out of all of them, too. I wish the symbols were somehow more incorporated into the design and not in the middle of the letters.

[carter the artist]

you can go so much simpler and sell your message much easier. especially for such a company. "Taking it back to the basics"

[TheDRKNghtNo1]

the first ones are the best overall since the messege is clear and simple...the others are creative but just hard to indentify the product...just keep the other choices for future projects...never know when the ideas can come in handy.

[CamarotaDesign]

I'm going to comment on what I think is your design with the most potential and that is the middle one, with the backpack and the arm. the first one is too generic looking. the bottom one... ehh... that would take a lot of work to fix up. Lets talk about the middle one.

Strong points first - It's eye catching, strong bold colors and impacting. But I think there are some serious flaws at the moment that need to be worked out.

First - Waaay to busy. LLC shouldn't be in the middle of "O" The muscular arm is being showcased, and that is not the best image for a backpacking/outdoor/emergency equipment company. A muscular arm is usually used for something like a gym, or a security company. Somewhere where flexing your muscle is important. It's also making it a little harder to read the "G" if anything, it will make it a lot harder to easily remember the logo as being "GRO" You gotta remember that your audience doesn't have the benefit of looking at your design all day like you do when you work on it, so while it is a creative solution, it just isn't going to be effective.

I do love your backpack illustration, and I think maybe you could lose the arm, and put the backpack on the G? That way you are kinda giving the G a humanlike personality, and also clearing up some of the busy.

Need to work on your typography a little more. The placement of the sub headline is not anchored, it feels detached from the initials. If you get rid of the arm, it will be easier to place the sub heading and the LLC.

I think you have a good chance at making something pretty good here, simplify it, and make it easier to recognize. Might also want to lose the color and gradients for now. Do some refining, and make something that kicks ass. Good luck!

[budafist]

I like the second one the most.

I feel like the images in the first one aren't integrated with the text at all. They look out of place and an afterthought.

3rd is too busy. The images and the text are busy and therefore the overall feeling is too busy. If you had a busy image, then you simplify the text.

[Ned]

I like the second concept, with the "Adventure Ready" tagline.

[InZenith]

Why are they all 'shiny'? I don't understand why all logos these days must include some sort of reflection or pseudo 'shine'. I think you would be better keeping it flat.

[tZ]

Maybe use the top of G and hang it from the back of the R so it seems like the R is carrying the G on its back.

[tZ]

real quickly this is sort of the direction I saw based on your concept.

Using all the typography to create a person carrying a bag. The G could be the bag, the O the head and the R the shoulder. It would take some work to communicate but, it might be worth exploring.

[Navian]

tZ that looks like ORG or OGR. Just how I thought it read (Top to bottom, left to right), interesting concept though.

[Silence04]

i agree that there is too much going on...

i think the logo really needs to speak for it's self at first glance... maybe for the adventure one incorporate a simple tent or mountain symbol and for the emergency one use a fire extinguisher (assuming fire extinguishers are sold there???)

[lattequeen]

I read that as GOR at first but it is a pretty cool idea.

[tZ]

Hence, why I stated it would need some work to to make the communication work.

[bejamshi]

It looks more like illustration than logo. Simplicity is the key.

[Crimson]

real quickly this is sort of the direction I saw based on your concept.

Using all the typography to create a person carrying a bag. The G could be the bag, the O the head and the R the shoulder. It would take some work to communicate but, it might be worth exploring.


That was the inspiration of the third logo concept. I like your idea but it does read OGR. Client has decided to go with the icon within the letters. It is the simpliest idea and speaks in a broader term so that don't have to always be backpacks outfitted to it's specific needs.

Please let me know. I rearranged some of the layout to work one to break the symetry the other to give the symbols more presense when it is small. Thanks for any advice.

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/1980/grofinalgk4.jpg

[carter the artist]

do you need gradients?

[Christian223]

Those last two are big improvements, make sure that the logos still work at very small sizes, VERY small, now the suggestions, get rid of the black lines in the name of the business, why do you need them?, get rid of outlines, maybe you can also get rid of the inverted triangle and the box on the signs, i also belive there is too much going on, but i admit i didnt read the first post so, but still, maybe you could try other context that really communicate the identity of the business...

[CKBDesign]

i'd say keep tinkering

[DeleteYourself]

Why is everyone hating on the "gloss" look? I'd say the glossy touch logos have these days is a reflection of the trend towards internet based communications, and specifically Web 2.0 ventures. Don't fight the trends, otherwise you'll be left in the dust.

While I agree the logo could use work, Crimson, I don't think you should abandon the gradient/glossy look.

[carter the artist]

Delete,
"Gloss" is great if Internet is the only medium you are Ever looking to use. However experience and understanding shows that most companies are always looking to use other mediums and the transitions that happen from web to print of various sizes, etc... have shown great difficulties. That is the difference between someone who has worked in the industry and some kid who grabbed a copy of photoshop off of some bit torrent and started making "Glossy Logo" eyecandies.

[DeleteYourself]

Surely different mediums require different versions of logos. By the same token clients should be provided with b&w, 4c and spot versions of their logo, they should also be provided with print and Web versions. In which case, the "Web" version should certainly take advantages of all the benefits it can (i.e. glossy gradients, drop shadows, etc. etc.) as long as the effects are tasteful and well-executed. If I'm not mistaken, isn't this logo for a Web client, Crimson?

And I disagree with your assumption that using trendy techniques equate to amateur. Look at some of the most buzzworthy sites/companies today. Most notably YouTube and Skype take advantage of this very effect and have done so successfuly.

[carter the artist]

What you are then forgetting Delete, is that it kind of takes a bit away from the branding. Generally, we feel that you Should have the same look across everything and only use such things as B/w, or single color (Unless it is originally a single color), only in the rarest times. Otherwise it should have the same continous look. A simple way of understanding the importance of branding is think of coke or pepsi. I'm a pepsi drinker. When I go to the store I don't have to dig thru all the sodas to find mine. The blue can is sitting in plain sight. Now, if Pepsi started to change their colors or look every time I went to the store, I'd have a hard time finding it and probably stop dealing with them. It's a bit abstract but a simple way of understanding the importance.

Now, you take the idea of a logo. Not only are they going to have to fight everytime they go to print (especially if the designer is an idiot and designed the logo in photoshop - WHich is a big NO-No!). But they are going to have to have a logo for every medium, when it just makes better economical and intelligent sense to have one logo, and use Secondary logos in the rarest occasions where it is the only way to go.

The other thing is that it is going to date your logo. Which means you will be redesigning your logo within 5-10 years.

Youtube and Skype are exactly what I was saying tho, if all you are going to do is internet based, then hey, make it look eyecandy. But the day they want to make a billboard or golf ball, ... we'll I'm just glad I won't be the one with those headaches.

[typographics]

And I disagree with your assumption that using trendy techniques equate to amateur.
i disagree with your disagreeance. it is very amateur.

[Drazan]

The small image additives won't hold up to, say, letterhead size or even on merchandise tags.

The cross is way to simular to the swiss army knife logo in itself.

Try to create a single iconic image with the GRO, but keep away from incorporating images that are only a fraction of the actual letters. I like the direction of the tent with the G. The other symbols don't mean much to me and clutter the readability of the letters.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
guys - agree to disagree, k?

Depending on the client and their intent - I see no reason to not incorporate some trends. There is a difference in being up-to-date and being trendy for trendy-sake. The OP is designing in B&W and then transitioning to the gradients.

I'd like to see a B&W, a two color version, then the juicy version.

Also if you are trying to input trendy - think aobut actually 3D extrude the lettering with the 'inner glow' look - rather than the glossy flat look.
As in this site http://www.shinybinary.com/

Jade

[DougFa]

I looked at all three and really had no clue what I was looking at.

Not be be harsh but they all seem very overkill to me.

The image with the arm in the couch (or whatever it is) made no sense to me.

I would really try to be less literal and see where that migh take you.

Doug

www.thedesignersinnercirclereport.com

[seamas]

I think you need to go in a different direction.

The little icons inside/around the letters aren't helping at all.
Have you tried different typefaces?

Sketching your own letter forms?


I also agree about the cross inside the box, I don't get it? Is this a Finnish (or Danish?) company?.

I think I'd stick to one icon/image. I honestly think your best bet is to keep it simple (employ KISS method). The tent is good, try other gear -compass, map icons, boot print, etc.

I am also "hating on" the gloss look. Sure trends are something to look out for, but I seriously believe the clock is seriously ticking on that particular look (hell, Apple practically created the juicy gloss look and has now abandoned it.)

[carter the artist]

Okay, looking at them again....

Let's lose the second two icons... no need and they are cluttering it.

The tent can work. You could turn it into a recognizable icon and find a better font treatment... then It might work.

Of course this is the short cut path. I still believe you need to sit down with a sketchbook and just explore ideas. Heck take an ipod and hang out at a starbucks... that way you can still be trendy. :)

I still say to stay away from gloss. Even if it is a trend, it makes no sense for an Outdoors company. Seriously, this company could really have a lot of cool ideas.