Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : My first logo, need advice
allaK
09-11-2007, 09:34 PM
Dear designers,
I am new on the forum. This is my first logo and I need your advice. It is for a university football team called "Queen Mary Interhall Football League", but the logo should just include the abbriviation QMIHFL. This is what I have come up with so far, the fotballer is still clumsy and ugly - i'm working on him! Just need your opinions on the idea, the composition, the fonts and the colours. :D
seamas
09-11-2007, 09:57 PM
I am really having trouble saying anything constructive about what you have right now.
I don't see "Q", the ball looks like it is working as punctuation -or an "i" dot, but it isn't. And the figure is not good.
An athlete has substance and movement and rhythm, that doesn't. Looks like wilted leaves and a round head (if you are going for that type of figure, don't use a circle for the head, geometrical head has no relation to the curv-y body).
I'd look at some actual football poses and sketch for a few days. Seriously, you need to do hundreds of sketches, thumbnails and countour drawings, blind contours, the works.
As for the abrieviation, I'd be carefull about keeping the letters in closer harmony. Having the 2 big ones and a bunch of small ones underneath makes it look like you are writing in an alien language.
allaK
09-11-2007, 10:15 PM
I am really having trouble saying anything constructive about what you have right now.
I don't see "Q", the ball looks like it is working as punctuation -or an "i" dot, but it isn't. And the figure is not good.
An athlete has substance and movement and rhythm, that doesn't. Looks like wilted leaves and a round head (if you are going for that type of figure, don't use a circle for the head, geometrical head has no relation to the curv-y body).
I'd look at some actual football poses and sketch for a few days. Seriously, you need to do hundreds of sketches, thumbnails and countour drawings, blind contours, the works.
As for the abrieviation, I'd be carefull about keeping the letters in closer harmony. Having the 2 big ones and a bunch of small ones underneath makes it look like you are writing in an alien language.
Yes, I understand. I'm not really a designer but I'm trying my best! Thank you very much for that. How could I position all the five letters so they don't look like an alien language? And do you think an athlete (not this one ofcourse) could work as part of the Q? Or should I think of something completely different?
Brewer7
09-11-2007, 10:23 PM
And do you think an athlete (not this one ofcourse) could work as part of the Q? Or should I think of something completely different?
My $0.02: When starting from scratch (which you are doing) don't limit yourself to one idea or theme; don't think yourself into a corner. Think of as many different ideas as you can. While you may be able to come up with something that is decent if you stick with this idea, you may be missing something golden that you never even thought to try.
Sketch sketch sketch. Try this, try that, try something completely different.
That football player looks so laid back! He reminds me of Captain Whiteyhead from Bleach, playing soccer. Maybe because I just watched that episode...
budafist
09-11-2007, 10:44 PM
The idea is ok but the the font choice does not support the client. I would be wary about splitting up the letters the way you have.
Logo is about recognition and if QMIHFL is a recognised brand, then QM IHFL may destroy that existing brand.
BJMRGTIVR6
09-12-2007, 12:53 AM
well, I would look at other footbal logos and sports logos of all kinds.
I think the concept is a bit lacking (though maybe it is teh execution that is hindering the concept) I would use a stronger font something like Aachen comes to mind but maybe not that one since it might be a bit cliche.
check out www.logopond.com (http://www.logopond.com) for sports references
double A-ron
09-12-2007, 01:39 AM
Hmmm, I'd have to say at best, that it's a decent start. I don't think your font choices work very well for a sports logo at all. And I agree with what seamas said about the football player and the ball, they just don't seem to flow to well. Also, I don't read the first letter as a "Q" at all, it just looks like a "O". You definately need to go back to basics and just sketch your @$$ off. While, you idea isn't bad, it just needs to be refined quite a bit. As already mentioned, you should definately look at other sports logos and it wouldn't hurt to just look at other logos in general and see how they flow and how each elements works with the others.
budafist
09-12-2007, 02:42 AM
Yes Aachen is a fantastic sporty font.
The concept is top of mind and the "guy" looks like a a bunch of swooshes thrown together by someone who has little knowledge of human proportions. I'd recommend starting over beginning with establishing a concept beyond someone kicking a ball- if you can even call that a concept…
allaK
09-12-2007, 08:12 AM
Thank you so much, everyone. I know this is really really bad and I did not have any illusions about it. Just thought I would post at least something, so you could guide me where to start. I know a decent logo design would take weeks of hard work, and I am not hoping to create anything fancy here. I know it's impossible with no experience and a lack of time. As long as I can make something that works as a sport logo and that does not "irritate" the eye, I would be happy. Once again, thank you for your support and great advice. The comments about the sportsman made me laugh so much :) I'll sketch a bit more and post the new, hopefully improved, version of the logo.
Rehab
09-12-2007, 12:33 PM
It's not bad, It's a start. Be less precious with one idea. I would grab some paper and a pencil first, and play with curves, also, to echo others comments, I would have a look at some other fonts - something less corporate/upright - look at some other sports teams logos
allaK
09-13-2007, 11:09 AM
Ok. Here is another version of the "logo". (This is meant to be an eagle, although it looks more like a scavenge). Please let me know if this one is any better...
budafist
09-13-2007, 11:18 AM
Does the eagle have anything to do with the client's business?
If it does, then explore other ways of integrating it with the text. It's too abstract right now. Is it also supposed to look like a figure diving for the ball? I'm not sure it's working.
allaK
09-13-2007, 11:34 AM
Does the eagle have anything to do with the client's business?
If it does, then explore other ways of integrating it with the text. It's too abstract right now. Is it also supposed to look like a figure diving for the ball? I'm not sure it's working.
Thank you for the comment. No, the eagle was just inspired by all the football logos I looked at recently. "The client" is a friend of mine and all he said, it should look classic...
Going to post a third version soon...:D
allaK
09-13-2007, 12:28 PM
Another one...
double A-ron
09-13-2007, 01:22 PM
I'm not liking the eagle one that much as the the ball looks like it was just placed there for the sake of having it in the logo and if the eagle doesn't have anything to do with the the client (ie, team mascott), then there's no need for it at all.
This new one you posted is definately much better than the other two IMO. However, is there a reason for the triangle shape? If it's not there for a specific purpose (other than you think it looks cool), then I'd lose it as it's rather disctracting.
Could the ball be a Q?
maybe all the letters?
WannaBrie
09-13-2007, 01:50 PM
Yeah, I'm not feeling either of these new ones. However, it is good t hat you are exploring new territory and trying to come up with a better solution, I think you are moving in the right direction with the ball, and I think TZ's suggestion is an avenue to explore. Get out your sketch pad and start sketchin! Brainstorm some ideas, tear the concept apart! Keep at it, and you'll get it!
allaK
09-13-2007, 02:14 PM
Could the ball be a Q?
maybe all the letters?
Thanks for the idea. May be something like this?
allaK
09-13-2007, 02:16 PM
Keep at it, and you'll get it!
I hope so...:(
allaK
09-13-2007, 02:37 PM
This new one you posted is definately much better than the other two IMO. However, is there a reason for the triangle shape? If it's not there for a specific purpose (other than you think it looks cool), then I'd lose it as it's rather disctracting.
Well…I thought the triangle could signify the movement upwards, that is towards the victory! :D
No… I meant turn the negative space into a juxaposition of all the letters for the ball. So it appears the ball is made up of all the letters.
allaK
09-13-2007, 04:13 PM
No… I meant turn the negative space into a juxaposition of all the letters for the ball. So it appears the ball is made up of all the letters.
Oh, that's such a great idea! Thank you!!!:)