Critique my logos

[G Designz]

I am working on a logo for a client. The name of the company is Blue Dog Investigations & Services, Inc. The company is the name-sake of her dog Blue. So she wanted a blue dog in there. The list of services her company provides and the clientel each service is meant for:

Criminal Investigations: Attorneys, Businesses, Public
Surveillance: Attorneys, Public, Businesses, Insurance Agencies
Locate/Skiptrace: Attorneys,Landlords,Public
Process Service:Attorneys
Disposessory Notices & Eviction Services: Landlords
Judgement Recovery: Attorneys, Public, Businesses
Collections: Attorneys, Public, Businesses
Criminal Background Checks: Attorneys
Credit Checks: Businesses
Asset Locations: Attorneys, Public, Businesses
Computer Forensics:Attorneys, Public, Businesses
Electronic 'Bug' Sweeps: Attorneys, Public, Businesses

Which one you like the best - any opinions or tips I'd appreciate it. Thanks!!
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/924/bluedoglogodraftsqz1.jpg

[morea]

I like the idea in the first one, but I don't like the way that the far, front leg is too close to the head. It makes the head look deformed.

I like the way that the first one is squared up. The second one looks off-balance to me.

If you're going to use black strokes to define the face in the 3rd, I'd slap a black stroke on the outline of the dog, too.

Not sure that you need two graphics in there... it's a logo... keep it simple and memorable.

Hope that helps some.

[G Designz]

Morea - Yes I was looking at that too about the head part. I think what I will do is redrawn that leg away from the head so it will look alot better.

Since the dog is the master detective I wanted the dog to sniff the area and use a magnify glass to look for clues. Something like that - so I came up with logo #2

Thanks for the tips

[G Designz]

I redid the dog - let me know what you guys think
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/1264/bluedoglogodraftsxo9.jpg

[frankster]

I like the sniffer dog idea. Have you thought about a pointer dog at all? That would imply that the company can find, not just look for. Just a thought to band around. I definately prefer the simple number 1 as a starting point.

[G Designz]

Frankster - what you by mean by a pointer dog? How would that look like? Sorry.....

[frankster]

hunting/gun/pointer dog... They strike this pose when they have found the scent and know which direction to go.

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/CLA/CC2710~Hunting-Dogs-Pointer-Posters.jpg

[icekitty37]

I really like the direction of the first two. I'm leaning more towards the first one though because it seems more balanced. I think the dog still needs more tweeking because it's in an odd pose.

[Two-Toe Tom]

i'd try to get a photo of a dog in a good pose (in terms of the silhouette) for reference. the second one looks off.

[tZ]

I think you should explore frankster's idea. The guide dog pose adds a layer of depth besides the client wants a dog so I used a dog. Logic beyond the obvious is always a good thing in a logo.

[G Designz]

Yea good tip guys thanks - Her blue dog is half golden retriever and half bloodhound.

I cannot find any dogs of that mix on the internet to use.

[budafist]

Pointer dog (http://www.classicinteriors.com/images/Outdoor%20Show/oc%20-%200118-p-b%20bronze%20pointer%20dog%20on%20blue%20book.jpg) is a great idea! The shape is such a strong positive image. I would avoid the magnifying glass like the plague - I bet a gazillion meh investigation firms have magnifying glass logos.

The dog with its head down just doesn't convey a very positive image. It could be sniffing or eating or just sad.

[G Designz]

Budafist good point. These are great tips. I already sent the drafts to my client but I will update it with this new dog. I will post tomorrow...

[G Designz]

Update:
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/9712/bluedoglogorgbaj8.jpg

[Two-Toe Tom]

i like the first one most just cuz the dog is facing right.

[daSnarf]

What about placing BlueDog underneath the graphic?

[G Designz]

What about placing BlueDog underneath the graphic?

Try for all three of them?

[frankster]

Don't just trace the first googled pointer dog image Buda throws your way!

[G Designz]

Yea after looking at it. I kinda don't like the tail

[tZ]

lol, Maybe you should redraw rather then trace. The main idea is that the foot is up so take that and draw your own. Right now it looks very much like clip art rather then an intentional illustration.

[spider]

like the idea of the pointer dog - gives a stronger sense of purpose, a more proactive type of service if you like.

[BJMRGTIVR6]

Oh NO!!!

check this out:http://logopond.com/gallery/detail/17015

http://logopond.com/logos/Blue-dog-consulting-logo.jpg

[frankster]

Some ideas are just too straight forward not to have been done before. Hey ho. Back to the drawing board OP!

[tZ]

lol

However, that paw doesn't exactly look raised. Although I'm sure that is what the creator was going for.

[budafist]

Oh NO!!!

check this out:http://logopond.com/gallery/detail/17015

http://logopond.com/logos/Blue-dog-consulting-logo.jpg

Oh no!!!!

[icekitty37]

That dog still seems out of place to me on that last one. Is that someone else's?

[G Designz]

Oh NO!!!

check this out:http://logopond.com/gallery/detail/17015

http://logopond.com/logos/Blue-dog-consulting-logo.jpg
Wow! lol...Should I show my client this?

Well I guess the dog is a basic choice - I guess I should use the golden retriever dog but I can't find one that has his paw up.

[double A-ron]

Wow! lol...Should I show my client this?

Well I guess the dog is a basic choice - I guess I should use the golden retriever dog but I can't find one that has his paw up.

I would say yes, it's probably a good idea to show that to your client. Perhaps, you could go back to just using the dog's head somehow. Perhaps, the dog looking through binoculars.

[G Designz]

I would have to see how i can draw that. But I will see what else i can do.

[BJMRGTIVR6]

the dog in the Consulting logo is a Doberman.

But best to show your client and make sure they know. This way they can perhaps rethink what they want to stand out.

[G Designz]

This is her dog.
Golden Retriever/Bloodhound mix
Like i said before it was hard to find this mix dog in that pose

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/2889/bluedoguw6.jpg
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/1473/blueinhisofficezf5.jpg

[G Designz]

That dog still seems out of place to me on that last one. Is that someone else's?

If your talking about the blue dog consulting logo - yes that is somebody else's.

[CkretAjint]

Like i said before it was hard to find this mix dog in that pose.

Come on, be a big boy and improvise and use your artisit ability to draw it out. I mean its ONLY an outline! It's not like she is looking for an 6 foot oil painting to hang above her bed....

[Logo-Mechanix]

^That is exactly what I was thinking, just use her dog as a reference and draw your own version in whatever pose you need.

[PrintDriver]

http://www.bluedogadventures.com/main/photogallery
http://www.bluedogrescue.com

[frankster]

We have a dessert that is affectionately referred to as "dead dog". Here's the recipe (I have a feeling that digestive biscuits and golden syrup will be tricky to get hold of for the Americans though)...

4oz margarine
2oz caster sugar
2 tablespoons golden syrup
2 tablespoons drinking chocolate or cocoa
1 tablespoon cocoa
8oz crushed digestive biscuits

optional extras:
2oz glace cherries
2oz raisins

Icing: 4oz plain chocolate

Heat magarine, sugar and syrup until dissolved
Add drinking chocolate, cocoa and half the biscuits, mix well
Add remaining ingredients
Press into tin and chill
Cover with melted chocolate

[double A-ron]

http://www.bluedogadventures.com/main/photogallery
http://www.bluedogrescue.com

Damn, perhaps, it's time to go to the client and suggest they change their company name. :D

[BJMRGTIVR6]

Come to think of it, there is a Blue Dog Art School or painting classes nearby my home.
Anyway, Just because there are several other "Blue Dog's" out there, doesn't mean a name change is in order, it means a clearer communicated Logo might help.

[klassic82]

Thats such a bummer man, I've ran into that kind of thing on more than one occasion. Its always best to do some research for whatever your creating, espically a logo or business name. Not sure if this is a fresh company or an old one. I know I've never heard of blue dog, but someone found it on logopond so it seems to be an existing concept. Back to the drawing board, I would jsut take another stab at a name and concept.

[G Designz]

well she did choose the draft she liked best. So I will send her my drafts and ask her if she realize that her name is very common. I'll ask if maybe she can change the name or maybe figure what she likes to bring out more.

[double A-ron]

Just because there are several other "Blue Dog's" out there, doesn't mean a name change is in order, it means a clearer communicated Logo might help.

I was being sarcasatic.

[meadowyck]

I would use the magnifying glass as the o in Dog like what you have done in #2 and have it also as the I in Inc. centering the second line from the right and loose the dog. The blue lettering gets the message across.

[BJMRGTIVR6]

I was being sarcasatic.

oops, sorry, can never tell online.
Although some people might go ahead and do just that.

[klassic82]

Just make her aware of the other, and look at other options. Thats what I would do. Unless its a completely different company and you can filp that concept to be unique in your own way, otherwise leave it alone, just my thoughts.....