I too...Need a logo design - MTB & BMX Cycling Team

[bpatterson6]

I too...Need a logo design

For my Cycling team to begin in 2009. I have a basic Design, but I'm just not sure about it. Friends say it looks good. You be the judge. Please be gentle. :) It needs to look really cool on Jerseys, and such for my team but also on t-shirts and other apparel and I want people to remember it when they see it.

It's a Mountain Bike and BMX Rider development team. I think you could call it extreme sports. check out my current team website and Photo Gallery, this might give the right idea for what I am trying to do. http://www.Kozos.net and http://sponsorhouse.loopd.com/Members/TeamKozos/Photos.aspx

Thanks in advance.
email me. billy@kozos.net

http://www.loopd.com/RFS/52/49a23252-747d-47e3-86f3-27a32f67646b.jpg

[PrintDriver]

Moved this to Showcase so others could comment. Classifieds section is locked so no one can post there.

It sounds as though you are asking for a critique rather than for someone to design your logo. If you are looking for a designer, post back and we'll put you back in classifieds.

That said, what is that mass of stuff behind the Synergy? I'd like to see what it looks like without the tribalized thing. Also you have some weird things going on with your miter setting on your line strokes in Synergy.

[double A-ron]

When I think Synergy, the last thing that comes to mind is fire/flames.

syn·er·gy (sĭn'ər-jē) n. pl. syn·er·gies
1.The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.

2.Cooperative interaction among groups, especially among the acquired subsidiaries or merged parts of a corporation, that creates an enhanced combined effect.

Also, I'm not sure what the tribal (or whatever it is) mass is suppose to represent, but to me, it's just a distraction. Perhaps, you could try making it so that subtly spells out the team initial's SDR.

[Maker]

I would start with something more simple. It looks like you came up with the graphic first, and then cludged the text on and around it.

Maybe spend some time making the text look good on its own, and then put a graphic behind it in a tint of a color so it does not compete for visual dominance with the name of the company (which is likely
the thing you want people to remember)

[PrintDriver]

At least he started in the right direction which is in black and white.
If you rely on color in a logo to set elements apart, you better come up with a second logo you can use as black & white (not grayscale).

[Virgo Nightingale]

The coloration and flames make it very hard to read the word Synergy. Solid black with the flames cut out would be easier to read. Having it overlap the graphic doesn't help the readability either, looks too cluttered. The flame-text thing has also been done to death, and I'm sure you want your mark to be much more original.

What is that thing anyways? To me it looks like an alien who's about to poke his eye out with a pickaxe.

It's a decent start, but it sill needs a lot of refining.

[Corey]

When I think Synergy, the last thing that comes to mind is fire/flames.



Also, I'm not sure what the tribal (or whatever it is) mass is suppose to represent, but to me, it's just a distraction. Perhaps, you could try making it so that subtly spells out the team initial's SDR.


ditto. take the name and go back to the drawing board and brainstorm your brand.

[budafist]

I can't tell what that weird black lumpy silhouette is in the background is and I've got a pretty good imagination. I if I had to give it a stab in the dark, I'd say it was a duck wearing a hat holding onto a swan shaped ornament....After reading Virgo's comment, maybe that swan shaped thing is the pick axe she's seeing.

How you have treated the type makes it really hard to read. Get rid of the lump in the background. It's not doing anything for the logo except causing confusion.

It needs more than lot of refining. It needs a concept.

[Maker]

I think for a racing team, the logo will need to be easily read, and easily seen while placed on things moving very fast (bicyclists)

I threw this one up, not because I think it's so F*in great, but just to illustrate the easy to read part of what I'm saying.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n182/theroob/synergy.jpg

the design is a little borax, but at least you can read the company name.. that is important.

[serial]

I also think that it was very hard to read, the flames maybe can be a little better integrated in the design and the background should be "something".

I played around a little, hope you can get any kind of inspiration from it.

5070

[PrintDriver]

Ya know, it isn't either of you guys' place to be designing the OPs logo for him. In fact, it's rather insulting.
I would say the same thing about gradients in a logo that I would say about lumpy tribal shapes. Use at own risk. Especially Illy grades. They are not as scalable as you might think. Illustrator's gradient tool is programmed to work properly only over a span of about 8".

[serial]

PrintDriver: I'm very sorry if I am insulting you, or what do you mean. I think I am clear about that it is for inspiration. Of course I will adjust to what is said in these forums because I really like the knowledge and the people here, but I still need to ask what is the deal with this hate against showing thoughts with an image instead of words?

Edit: In my first post here you (PrintDriver) thought me about the illustrator-gradients-issue, thanks once again.

[PrintDriver]

It's not insulting to me but to the OP.
To show with pictures does not mean a complete redesign because you feel the urge to do better, or worse. Our goal here is to teach, not give it away for free.
Also, you never know when someone may take your 'inspiration' literally.

[Virgo Nightingale]

The op will never learn how to solve the problem presented on his own if someone solves it for him. It's one thing to offer suggestion, another to give away the answer.

[Maker]

It's not a math problem with a solid quantifiable answer. If someone is insulted by Serpentine and Futura over a Losenge shape that is not my problem.

If I saw my example logo stolen and used I would laugh. it looks like an asprin company logo, It says nothing about the brand or identity, it is a slug. It is just an example to illustrate readability not a solution to his design problem.

[Baxter]

Getting back to his design... I think the tribal design in the back is supposed to be a representation of the bike. Which, i actually like. I think it would work, since it appears you put some time and effort into the look of it. But, I do agree that it over powers the whole of the design. I would concentrate on minimizing it, cleaning it up a little and allowing the wording to stand out more or like someone else suggested, placing it in a lighter color.

That is my take. :D I hope it helps.

[tZ]

Concept

Simply put it appears as if you don't have a solid idea of what your trying communicate. It appears as if your decorating rather than designing. Designing takes into consideration the message or intended communication. Rather than creating graphics based on how they look first think about ways to reinforce the message. I'm not sure what that message is from what you have presented which is the main problem I have with the design in its current state.