Hot Sauce Label

[BryanWinds]

I have to create a product and label for my C.G.D. class... This is what I have so far. Any and all comments appreciated.

Thanks,
Bryan

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/BryanWinds/HELLA-HOT-SAUCE1.gif

[ZippyTheWonderMonkey]

1.) add a striker that is slightly blurred to the fire alarm bell.

2.) follow the instructions of the forum posters to follow.

[tZ]

Not much of a concept.

I'd start there.

The flames may take you some place but its been done over and over for hot sauce.

I would recommend focusing on the hell aspect. There's a lot of imagery that comes to mind that is associated with hell. A bell? – really? – I think you can do better.

Furthermore, your color choices don't seem to reflect the aspect of being hot. Think reds, oranges or even blues if you want to be a rebel. However, what you have currently for a color scheme doesn't communicate hot in the least.

[budafist]

To be honest, there isn't anything clever about your design.

If you had 100 people try to design a hot sauce label, 50%+ are going to put flames in it. Try and brainstorm some concepts that are less than obvious. The alarm is more interesting. Can you push it further? The white background seems odd to me for a label. Have you tried other colours?

1.) add a striker that is slightly blurred to the fire alarm bell.
That's a good idea.

2.) follow the instructions of the forum posters to follow.
You cheat! How do you know that someone would post something profound?

[PrintDriver]

Beware of using auto-dashed lines on a continuous path. Weird things happen in corners.

[CkretAjint]

Whats going on behind the "O" in "HOT"?

[Tea]

I think it's an alarm.

I didn't see it as that until I read a couple posts.

[Danger_Mouse]

I like the ringing bell idea and agree it needs a blurry striker. Right now it looks like some robot boobie. I like that concept(the bell not the boobie) and think you should work with it despite everyones initial negative reaction. It isn't boring at all, I think it's a unique take on the "holy shit thats hot" factor, and I got the message. Just make it look like that bell is RING RING RINGING.

There is a tip on the L flame that is distracting.

Hella needs work. Do you know how many sport jersey add flames just like that too thejr text? I would revisit that and come up with something more interesting. It would seem to me the word HOT is what should be amplified, maybe try Hella as secondary in your heirarchy.

The flame thing IS overused...but I think when it comes to hotsauce I think its a natural path hard to avoid....just try to be more interesting with the flames. My wife, being a hot saucaholic, has different variants of hotsauces in the house. All are associated with flames or the devil and there is one that's lava looking.

I would also try some more interesting label designs, the one you made it pretty generic and color choice for it is out of place.

Just initial suggestions. Post other concepts, or variations of this one. I think you are on to something, but not there yet.

[CkretAjint]

wouldn't it be a 5-alarm hot sauce for the use of an alarm? "Hella Hot Sauce" doesn't conjure up images of alarms in my head...

[Danger_Mouse]

^ yeah that's an even better idea. All I am saying is the concept of the "ringing bell" is workable and not so way off base.

The word HOT seems to be a common denominator in a lot of hot sauce labels, brand name seems to take a second.

I still would like to see other variations as other suggested, and further development on the current design. I see it as a work in progress.

[Broacher]

I'm a big hot sauce addict. And there are so many out there now (many lurking in my fridge -- too many, according to my wife who thinks I need a separate fridge for sauces and condiments).

They have to have some of the most extreme names of any food (if you want to call some of them that--biological weapons against masochistic idiots, might be more accurate) on the shelves. The name you show here is 'kinda' trying to be as aggressive as some of these, but it's really quite lame.

Here's one I once thought of that I don't think has ever been used: "Absolute HELL" (you know, like absolute zero?)

As for the graphic-- I don't know how you would visualize it exactly, but I once heard this terrific radio commercial for a hot sauce that consisted on 50+seconds of a sustained full throttle scream (done with sound editing, of course), and at the end the guy finishes and simply says, "Man, that's hot!" Followed by the product name and a quick availability blurb. Hilarious!

Graphically, I could see a crop of some wide-eyed guys face (a good photo might even be a better choice than a cartoon) in the top left of the label, mouth wide open and screaming out via a cartoon balloon, "YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAA..." continued as a background pattern (behind the name label) and finishing at the lower right with a new version of the same face looking tired but happy with the text balloon spike also going IN to the face, and ending the background text with something like, "...AAAAAAAAaaa. Mmm. That's hot!"

[cornfed]

My cousin owns "Pain In the Ass" Hot Sauce Company. His slogan is "Hurts as much going in as it does coming out." I think that leaves one no room for misinterpretation as to what they are in for. Your product should do the same. Right now, I'm not really feeling the heat of it!

[PrintDriver]

There's a restaurant near here that has a whole line-up of local hot sauces. A couple of them require signed waivers indemnifying the restaurant they are so hot.

I've seen one packaged in a box that looks like a fire alarm pull station. Can't remember the name of it though.

I dislike food that causes pain.

[*the girl* ryan]

I think my fav hot sauce (good flavor... good burn) called After Death Sauce. Comes with a very well crafted skull on a keychain.

So look kiddo. You have one idea.

Google Image search 'hot sauce'
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=%22hot+sauce%22&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

take a look at what the competition is doing (just don't copy them) and do everything you can not to use a flame.

Go look at the tabasco ad that had a chick in a bikini with tabasco logos all over it. when she moved the strap, she was burned UNDER her tabasco suit... very clever...

[budafist]

Is the name "Hella Hot Sauce" part of the class brief? If it's not, then it might be more interesting to give the product a more interesting name.

Example "Screaming Monkeys Hot Sauce". Look! Suddenly heaps of imagery to work with - jungle, monkeys, mouths etc.

[dirt lover]

Are you in Northern California? That would give you other things to work with since those people all say hella. You could use an image of California with something to emphasize the northern part.

[BryanWinds]

I took some of your advice and redesigned my label/idea. I am planning on extending a rectuangle shape to left and right of the label to include ingredients, nutrition facts, and barcode, etc.

Please keep the helpful comments coming!

Thank you!

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/BryanWinds/5-alarm-hot-sauce.gif

[double A-ron]

The font you used for "This is not a drill" does not work well with that design at all. I'd actaully say that it looks really bad. Why not try something a bit more fun or decorative. The rest of the design is a vast improvement over what you had before. However, the way that "Sauce" curves doesn't fit well with the way you have "Hot" curving, it's quite distracting and not in a good wa. Why not try making it so that they both curve the same way?

[BryanWinds]

^ Yeah, I wanted to change the text for the slogan, i mostly put it there just for placement and to see if anyone thought it was a stupid slogan. I will play around with the word sauce. Thanks for the quick comments!

Also what do you think about the color, mostly the magenta one... and is it too much gradient?

[NTLemon]

I like the added slogan. I think that definitely brings some good emphasis to the design.

I'm not sure that the H and T are all that strong though. They seem kind of flat and you lose them in the background a bit.

The new bell is excellent, I think the design for that part is much stronger than your first one.

[Danger_Mouse]

Agreed on the above comments on the bottom font.

On the wavey one, it may just need repositioning and slight rotation.

For five alarm it's still got a static looking bell. Wheres the noise? Blur the striker, it will really show movement.

(select striker, copy paste in front, rotate, reduce transparency. Repeat.
You can do more, that's the quick version.)

I am not sure what those disco dots are for. Seeing spots? Still thinking on the overall round shape...even though round labels are quite common, I think it needs something...not sure what. Maybe when there is more noise with the alarm it won't feel that way.

You have done better on the concept this time, progress looking good.


** Double A ...love your avatar, did you do it?

[BryanWinds]

update

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/BryanWinds/5-alarm-hot-sauce-1.gif

[budafist]

I don't think hobo is a good hot sauce font. It's too friendly, peaceful and hippie and not alarming at all.

[BryanWinds]

i know i know... where can i find a font that fits this design, any good free font sites?

heres a version with some more '''dingin'''
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/BryanWinds/5-alarm-hot-sauce-2.gif

what do you think about the white stroke around HoT as opposed to the magenta...

thanx

[budafist]

The more "ding" is better.

Overall, they colours seem very warm but not striking. You haven't used any black so I guess that's why there isn't a lot of contrast. Have you tried a black disco dots background instead?

[BryanWinds]

tried the black 'disco dots' (i call it 'smoke') and it looks like leopard print on acid.

but i agree the colors are too warm.. not HOT.... suggestions?

[odizzle]

Is the red in 'sauce' the same red out of the bell? it looks like a different red, and that's bothering me. I think you've gotten progressively better though. I'm also not sure about the blue to yellow to red gradient in the H and T. Maybe try stick to just a 2 color gradient?

[GoyaGo]

In my opinion, this label does not scream "AHH! IT'S HELLA HOT!" It feels more like, "ahh, what a beautiful sunset." You are on the right track with the ringing bell, so keep exploring the firefighter theme. Think URGENCY, PANIC, EXTREME HEAT. There might even be an actual firefighter red and yellowknown to exist. Question using vibrant reds and yellows, this will help the product stand out on the shelves while staying within the theme of HOT. And do be careful with your gradients, this is a design technique that could destroy a truly good design if not used properly.

[cornfed]

Can you show one with the letters not filled with a gradient? I think its really bordering on too many gradients. It's definitely come a ways. I like the new slogan, too.

[ZippyTheWonderMonkey]

so keep exploring the firefighter theme.
no, not seeing SCBA's, a set of irons, a T-N-t tool, pike poles, closet hook, drywall hook...OH WAI-

I'm getting too literal again, a New Yorker style helmet (image search Cairns 1010, Leather Forever, MSA New Yorker) and a firehose with an old style smooth-bore brass nozzle might work.

http://media.msanet.com/NA/USA/FireHelmets/LeatherHelmets/NewYorkerLeatherFireHelmet/NewYorker.jpg
http://www.jerman.com/waterworkssupply.com/3480.jpg





And do be careful with your gradients, this is a design technique that could destroy a truly good design if not used properly.
AGREED!!!!!! 1,000 times over.

[BryanWinds]

One last redesign before i go to bed... Please keep up the help! ... you know the 'drill'

I am going to photo shop diamond plate on the sides with a hole where the logo goes, ill post when i do this...

Thanx...
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/BryanWinds/5-alarm-hot-2-1.gif

[GoyaGo]

On another note, I notice you have a lot of updated examples of your work. Your should be more concentrated on the concept itself at this stage, not what it looks like in illustrator/photoshop. If I were you I would sit down and completely understand your approach in every detail. Then when you feel like you have a solidified idea then bring it to the computer. You could spend ages tweaking a project on the computer to still come up empty when you could have been making sure your idea works in rough form. Just my opinion.

[odizzle]

I would lose the gradient on the h and t and lose the black stroke around "this is not a drill"

[*the girl* ryan]

WAIT!!!!
Stop adding things with textures. Don't forget how many applications this will be 1. shrunk down... 2. b&w... 3. labels 4. vehicle wraps... 5 billboards
this list goes on and on.
If it is too small all the gradients and fuzz and diamond plate will complicate things and make it muddy

If it goes large format, the application of gradients will be a nightmare. I am starting to hate the automatic use of gradients as much as I hate Comic Sans

A GOOD FREE FONT WEBSITE
dafont.com
I hate giving away the best to the majority, but kid... you will find some kicking stuff there. Just don't get carried away and use a font thats on fire... oh wait...
second of all... that tag line is great... GREAT! and i really think you should play on the fireman aspect of it. Go look at the crests they have on patches, helmets etc. Stop designing in color right now. make it look HOT in black and white. try to force your self to use solid black and white.. not a lot of gray...
you are on the right track. but put the color away, put the gradients away.
check these out
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=fireman+%2B+shield&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

[ZippyTheWonderMonkey]

Go look at the crests they have on patches,

maltese cross

helmets

front shield or frontispiece

[cjoe]

Look at the visual language of packaging design. Do some research.

http://www.thecoolhunter.net/design/The-Power-of-The-Box---Powerful-Packaging-Design/

Make a note of what makes good packaging. ^^. Whats your target market? What are the defining features of the product? What do other products look like?

The concept you currently have is not working, and no amount of playing around with it is going to make it good. Using a pen and paper to draw some sketches is the best approach because it really makes you think about why you are putting some things in the design. It seems like you are getting distracted by gradients and assorted cool effects.

What does a Firestation look like? Does it have a specific look and feel about it? Try not to be so obvious in your approach to the brief.

[BryanWinds]

Is it any better? Please comment, again...

Thanx.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/BryanWinds/5-alarm-hot-2-3.gif

[Danger_Mouse]

ah this is coming along nicely. Now this one looks like a label. And your concept is coming together and more obvious.

A few comments...

- the warning box.
You have the word "flames" alone all by itself on the last line. To fix....

Middle paragraph..."use sparingly .....)... bring "you" (last line on the first line) down one line with a soft return (shift return), then bring "your" (last word on the second line) down to next line.(soft return again)..if it didn't automatically go there. Continue playing around with it so you have a few more words on the "flames" line. It will balance it out more.

- The web address should be more dominant don't you think?

Will comment more later, my cat just puked in front of me.

[ZippyTheWonderMonkey]

IMO, I would break the borders of the label with the maltese cross, make it bigger so it would be die cut around it. the triple line border could tuck in behind the cross then at the top and bottom without a physical break in them as you have now.

EDIT: Much better. you're getting there.

[garricks]

Ah, this hot sauce I'd buy!

To pick a nit, take a look at your warning label and tighten it up with rounded corners, check the shape (the base is too wide) and the colors (bright yellow and black in the States)

[*the girl* ryan]

yes, looking better. I think you could add much more detail in the cross since all you did was plop the outline of it in the background. It has no inner details like it would on a firemans helmet.

also, I think it would stand out more to drop the gradient in the bell for a solid circle and replace it with solid highlights. The fuzziness of the edges of the bell doesn't suit it. I know you are going for vibration but, it just looks like fuzz.

question... why do you keep adding all this other stuff around it when you should be focusing on the logo? are you trying to keep with up with class? i would hate to think you are trying to draw our focus away from the most important part.

[Typically]

also, I think it would stand out more to drop the gradient in the bell for a solid circle and replace it with solid highlights. The fuzziness of the edges of the bell doesn't suit it. I know you are going for vibration but, it just looks like fuzz.

i agree it just looks fuzzy. ad some highlights and maybe a sense of vibration. like lines on the side of the bell.

it looks so much better with the gradients gone. i think it's come a long way, keep it up!

[vtwin_gary]

looking better.
i agree with the blurry bell & that would be my biggest concern
i would loose the stroke on the tag line. solid black would be fine there.
i'm not liking that sauce is the only text that in lower case, either make it caps or change some of the other.

[vtwin_gary]

also, i'm not sure if it's my monitor or the way it's being saved but the colors are very blaaa. make sure you use i very bright fire truck red. maybe instead of yellow make it look like gold leaf with black pin striping. (look up some sign co. that do fire truck lettering for inspiration)

http://www.signsandprints.com/images/fire/Fire_31.jpg


http://www.hansensgoldleaflettering.com/images/100_1263.jpg


http://www.hansensgoldleaflettering.com/images/100_0600.jpg

[Navian]

The alignment of the Nutritional Label and the Bar Code don't line up on the left. The "8 fl oz" looks lonely, I don't know, but shouldn't the FL OZ. be on the front (with the logo) and in a slightly larget font size?.

[BryanWinds]

well here it is...

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/BryanWinds/5-Alarm-Hot-Sauce-2.gif

thanks for all the advice and suggestions.

let me know what you think.

[*the girl* ryan]

Oh that bell looks sooooooooooo much better.
I feel like such a nagging ninny, but this has really good otentioal so I hope I am helping.

1. Is there another font beside Rosewood Fill that could work for the 'Fire Marshalls' and the tag line. I love that font, but not with this design

2. The curve of Fire Marshals is not the same curve as the tagline which gives it a wierd optical shape

3. Try making the label black so the logo and bell stand out more, and sharpen the corners of your border. When you do that, replace the black outline on the crst with red, same as for the word hot.

see how that works...

[BryanWinds]

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/BryanWinds/5-alarm-hot-3.gif

[double A-ron]

Is anybody else bothered by the way the top and bottom of the shield butt up against the edge of the label? To me it feels like it's trying to bust out so that it's a nice die cut.

[Broacher]

^ Agree. Font choices kind of bug me. A lot goes back to the stylistic direction ambiguity. Is the direction 'official warning' style-- like the symbol/warning side-- or is it more 'let's make it more illustrative' of the front label: drop shadows, blurs, envelope distortion of 'HOT'? I think you have two competing concept directions here. Does that work?

[martyng]

Yeah I'd take the badge out over the top and bottom some more. Well done for keeping at this, we've seem some really good progression here.

[Virgo Nightingale]

A personal pet peeve of mine is the use of quotation marks around text that isn't actually someone's quote. When they surround something like a tagline, it makes me think someone else said it, but you don't actually believe it yourself.

[CkretAjint]

A personal pet peeve of mine is the use of quotation marks around text that isn't actually someone's quote. When they surround something like a tagline, it makes me think someone else said it, but you don't actually believe it yourself.

I agree. Not feeling the type on the right either, it looks HUGE and blah...

[cullin8s]

Amazing progression from the first image you posted, very nice work

[Virgo Nightingale]

I agree. Not feeling the type on the right either, it looks HUGE and blah...
Same here. I'm NOT a fan of Myriad to begin with, I don't think it works here.

Otherwise I do agree that you've made wonderful progress. This comp is better by leaps and bounds over the first.

[ZippyTheWonderMonkey]

IMO, I would break the borders of the label with the maltese cross, make it bigger so it would be die cut around it. the triple line border could tuck in behind the cross then at the top and bottom without a physical break in them as you have now.

Is anybody else bothered by the way the top and bottom of the shield butt up against the edge of the label? To me it feels like it's trying to bust out so that it's a nice die cut.

^ Agree.

Yeah I'd take the badge out over the top and bottom some more. Well done for keeping at this, we've seem some really good progression here.


that's 4 votes for the die cut edge, anyone else think so?

[ZippyTheWonderMonkey]

here a few ideas on what a die cut may look like in this particular design.

[vtwin_gary]

i'd like to see this die cut as well maybe make the label about 75% as tall but leave the shield the same height.
i'd also like to see gold foil for the yellow or at lease give it an engine turned look

looking really good!

[ZippyTheWonderMonkey]

Did I fail to mention that most designs with anything black and the maltese cross usually means Line of Duty Death or L.O.D.D..

Could be a unique double entendre though.

[BryanWinds]

ill try this out and post.. as for the font in the box, ill work on that also... thanx guys

[Navian]

I'm NOT a fan of Myriad ...

:eek:

Myriad can be a really clean and stylish font if used correctly (like having all lower case letters in sub headers.)

Myriad is one of my top favorite fonts. (mostly Myriad Pro)

[vtwin_gary]

:eek:

Myriad can be a really clean and stylish font if used correctly (like having all lower case letters in sub headers.)

Myriad is one of my top favorite fonts. (mostly Myriad Pro)

speaking of all lower case, i still don't like that sauce is the only thing on the label the uses lower case.

[Virgo Nightingale]

Myriad can be a really clean and stylish font if used correctly
But it's so easy to use it incorrectly, and it often is. It's more of a pet peeve of mine that it gets used without an apparent thought as to whether it actually works where it is. It really is nothing against the font, my brain just has a tinted view of it now. :D

[Navian]

speaking of all lower case, i still don't like that sauce is the only thing on the label the uses lower case.

That is true..