Need a little logo advice

[chalsema]

Hey guys, here's my issue. I've done a logo for this company, their business is kind of hard to explain, so I'll leave that part out, it's not really relevant. I've designed it to work in 1 or 2 color and it's vector. My boss would like more depth to it. He tried embossing/drop shadowing etc, and I explained my concerns with adding effects to logos. I want to find some middle ground here. Is there a way "flashy" it up with out compromising it's usability?
Thanks!
http://www.queenbeemarketing.com/Images/buglogosketches2.jpg

[seamas]

What the business does really IS relavant to most of the people critiquing here.

My first though as I scrolled down -I just happened to be scrolling slowly -- the Top of "Bug" looked very promising, but things go sour as we go down.
The "Hut" is out of place and is almost jarring to look at.

I kind of expected the decender of the G to curl around the other word in the other direction, so it goes with the curlicue/serif at the top right of the G.

I really would like to have a better idea of what this business is about.

[chalsema]

Basically, the business sells dirt that has special bacteria inside it to help crops grow. It's all done in this huge dome shaped building which is why the "g" curves the way it does. There are a couple of other variations to the placement of "hut" but I just posted this one to give an idea of what the logo looks like. The design isn't 100% set in stone yet.

[John G]

border, leaves, background, more custom font tuning, incorperate 'hut' with your font tuning in 'bug'. Things like that.

I think you're meaning "dynamic" and adding a gradient or something of that ilk won't fix the problem of static text which aside from the 'g, is what the logo is composed of.

(imo 'bug' being kerned closer together would help some, just for some type interaction at the very least, it seems very "spaced" and doesn't read very well).

[WannaBrie]

MMmmm, chocolate covered grasshoppers! That's what they sell at the bug hut, right? JK, sort of...Its hard to critique without knowing a little bit about them, but right off I'd have to say I'm not really digging it. The two elements don't seem to have anything to do with each other, but again, not knowing much about the biz, its hard to say...

[WannaBrie]

oops! posted a tad late there, sorry!

[WannaBrie]

What about working with the word "hut" a bit more...I'm thinking, rounded letters, perhaps something with the t curling over the h and u? try expirementing with some organic elements...

[chalsema]

Okay... I made some changes, and I do like this one better. It flows a lot better. It's still rough, and there are pieces that need refining, but do you think this concept is looking better?
http://www.queenbeemarketing.com/Images/buglogosketches3.jpg

[Crimson]

The wieght of the font doesn't have much contrast. Can you play with a boldness of Hut. I like the "g" and it feels like a good choice. The second one is better and breaks the symatry(sp?) which can be a bit boring

[kevincdg]

I like the second one a lot more. It does flow. I still don't feel a contrast within the two words, though. Like Crimson said, try playing with the weight or even size of HUT, unless you want that to be the main part, then focus on changing bug.

[chalsema]

I made hut slightly thinner and I do think it looks better. I also cleaned up the g a little and lined up the "u" in bug with the "t" in hut.
http://www.queenbeemarketing.com/Images/BugLogo.png

Thanks guys :)

[seamas]

I think the T now looks like a pick axe.

[budafist]

I would go done the illustrative route to give some "oomph" to the text this logo. Explore all the shapes to do with your client's business. Plants, bugs, dirt, gardening tools etc. Think of their client base. What are some objects that are instantly recognisable to users of this product?

Then incorporate into the text as you have already started to do.

[lattequeen]

The second version definitely connects the two words much better, but I agree about the line weight. If you still want to add more depth, you may want to try something like this - http://www.bittbox.com/illustrator/glossy-vector-web-20-logo-text-in-5-easy-steps/ . Something to keep it simple but add a little depth.

[scottw]

Here's a random thought... How about bending the ascender on the "b" over to the left, similar to how it is on the "g" and then form a roof from the b to the g? So the vertical lines of the B and G would form "walls".

[sweet*pea]

I agree that the "T" 3rd image looks like a pick axe. I think you are headed in the right direction with the last two. Maybe make the top of the "T" look like an actual hut - like with a grass roof or something. And add a lady bug or butterfly some where - just to add a little more color and interest. Maybe even make the "B" in bug a bug.

Just some suggestions. If you create more, please keep posting the updates!

[viince]

Yes, your T definitely looks like a pick axe, and don't think it'll work out too smoothly. I had an idea but it's practically starting from stratch. The logo
could be a hut and the roof can be a bug (like a beetle). Or just something to add to the typeface. It'll be more iconic and dynamic.

So the roof would be: "D" (on its side w/ legs)
And the rest could be a square with a door.
And you could put your existing BUG HUT type around it.

I do like the curviness in the "g" though. Perhaps you can incorporate that more.

[sweet*pea]

Do you have any more modified ones?

I am interested to see what you have done with it.

[chalsema]

Well, I didn't change much. I shortened the "hut" edges and smoothed out the whole thing a little bit. So now the client and my boss are both happy with it, so we're running with this version and starting on the Web site and other materials.
http://www.queenbeemarketing.com/Images/BugLogo.png

p.s. the version above is the same as this one is now, because I saved over the old version accidentally.. sorry guys!

[Kool]

My boss would like more depth to it. He tried embossing/drop shadowing etc, and I explained my concerns with adding effects to logos. I want to find some middle ground here. Is there a way "flashy" it up with out compromising it's usability?
Thanks!


I like this final logo, good job. :)

On your original question. One of the things a logo designer has to educate the client on is the fact that just because a logo must be originally designed in it's simplest form doesn't mean it can't be "flashy'd" up. Depending on the application it's being used for it can be embossed or drop shadowed or made to twinkle or textured or made to look like it's made out of wood. As long as you stay true to the brand you can do almost anything to it.

[sweet*pea]

I like it. Good job!

[chalsema]

On your original question. One of the things a logo designer has to educate the client on is the fact that just because a logo must be originally designed in it's simplest form doesn't mean it can't be "flashy'd" up. Depending on the application it's being used for it can be embossed or drop shadowed or made to twinkle or textured or made to look like it's made out of wood. As long as you stay true to the brand you can do almost anything to it.

This is SO true, and it's something I've been struggling with a little bit. Everybody wants the "cool effects and grafix" ya know? I've been trying to make sure clients know that this is the base/multipurpose version and when we use it on other materials we can fancy it up if we want to.

Thanks for the input everyone. :)