Logo... I neeh HELP!!!

[Irine]

Hey...
I don`t know what`s wrong and why it doesn`t show the pictures...anyways

We do a work for class. It`s a logo for an imagenary airline company ...They wanted a cool original concept. so I took that city / town in Sardinia, Orgozolo, it`s FULL of graffiti. It`s the place where all those artists go...so i decided to do the airline company for them.

I missed most of the sketch lessons and we have a presentation next week...so i need some crits, since the teacher has never seen it

What do you think?

She`s gonna eat me alive? :confused: :p :confused: :eek:

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7617175

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7617174

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7617173

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7617172

[Drazan]

what's it for? what type of client?

Unless we know the brief, it's very very hard to give proper advice.

Jade

[CkretAjint]

Hard to read. Black to red gradient isn't the best choice. The plane looks like it's about to crash.

*shrugs*

[Irine]

I wanted it to be dinamic. to be like that.

The teacher, in my first lessons, told me that I should do an illustration of the plane and to do black and red colors because of sardinian flag....it`s black and red.

[Danger_Mouse]

It looks like graffitti writing. That's your first issue. Not very good image for an airline company. If you are limited to black and red, you need to use it more strategically.

Go google airline logos...spend an hour looking at whats out there. Mimick that corporate style.

Work in black and white to start (it has to be printable on all mediums).
Post progress.

[Irine]

Danger mouse,
Yes, i know, that is why i said it wasn`t for REAL airline company
I looked for airline logos and tried to do something like that.

But then the teacher told me that I shouldn`t try to immitate that because the graffiti concept is geting lost.

At the begining she told me to balance to 2.

Now....... Well i will post progress when i have
If they don`t throw me the heck out of this damn collage...lol........

[Danger_Mouse]

My bad on the graffitti...I scanned post too fast. Still, airlines are big business whoever they cater to. Then I would upgrade your quality of graffitti, lots of awesome graffitti artists out there to mimick.

The black in the gradient is making your text illegible.

[CkretAjint]

Even if it isn't a REAL logo, it should look like a real logo.

I still say a black to red gradient is NOT a good idea. It's not dynamic enough or easy on the eyes.

[mojoprime]

yeah, i would have to second what everyone's saying. when you're doing a logo, consider not only the name of the company but the industry they're in. people want to see airlines as safe, trustworthy, maybe even modern and professional. look at the american airlines logo. it hasn't changed in 20+ years. why? because it works.

graffiti seems to me to give the impression that there are a bunch of 23-year-old kids flying the plane. not trying to be an old fogey here, but still.

i understand that you're using the graffiti concept -- was that a direction from your instructor? and the mouse is right. use the red judiciously and maximize it's visual impact. remember, the logo (even if it's just for a fictitious company) would need to be on the side of plane, a building, cars, vans, printed materials, ads...

gradients might fade over time or be hard to read.

just some thoughts.

[CkretAjint]

I would much rather see all black text, with a maroon (dark red, not bright) box with the plane knockout out of it (wings poking out of the box) and all...

[daSnarf]

If you are going to go two color (and the still use a gradient) you should try finding colors with more contrast.

I agree with others on the graffiti style and such as well

[Irine]

WHAT A ****

I just wrote a whole post of response and it somehow was deleated

damn

I so maybe i will change this ****ing concept?
Whatever...
I may be a lost cause as well....3 year student...still suck with a logo
The shame and the blame and whatever

I just see graffifi and it`s quite freaky.
Now if i look at american airlines logo they are very.....like 2 letters...very schematic. so it should be like that ?

MUST be like that?
I am afraid i am not good at being industrial like the airlines and "cool" like the graffiti

After having the logo in the brief we are told to do:
- A credit card the flying ticket, the envelop the paper for letters, a poster and a home page of a site..............!!!

heck..........
Come kill me

If i do For Russia for instance............but i need a visual concept then!
It`s like if i decide to run for my familiar style that always turned out i am left now with no concept a week b4 my hand in.

if i take petersburg it`s my homeland and do something like ...in the old style..but here i don`t know

Damn. In such cases i feel like quitting graphic design.
Maybe it`s not for me?

[*the girl* ryan]

OK... I am very familiar with tough teacher crits. Our professor was a no hold bar kinda woman... and thank god for that.

<b>First issue:</b>
As a graphic designer, when presenting a logo (whether real or fake) you should have at least 3 <b><i>totally different concepts</b></i>

what you have is one concept in 3 different positions.


<b>Second Issue:</b>
font. I actually don't mind the <i>idea</i> of using grafitti. Look at Boost Mobile. I hate thier advertising because they use poor grammer and idolize the thug image... but jesus chr*st they are making millions off of all the people who like that. go to DaFont.com and look under themes. There is a whole section of graffiti that might really help you out.

<b>Third Issue:</b>
Gradients DO NOT work in logos. There are plenty of very awsome ways you can apply that red and black without using a gradient. There is a ton of graffiti out there donr in solid colors. Try playing with solids. When you get to the nitty gritty and start applying this logo to print, vehicle graphics and avdvertising that gradient will be your worst nightmare and will make things look muddy and soft.


Do'nt be discouraged. go outside for a half an hour with a book of paper and a pencil. LOOSELY scetch yourself some ideas that are completely different then what you have see where it takes you....

[graphicsmama]

I wanted it to be dinamic. to be like that.

Dynamic is good but not to the point that (whoever said, can't remember) it looks like punks are flying the plane.....I wouldn't fly it, and I think that's what your teacher will grade you on....does it look credible? No....but take what feedback you've gotten and work with that. I think the point is also, what is the POINT of using the graffiti look (besides trying to just "look different...") You need to look different but have a point in doing so that relates to the product/company/industry....

Don't worry about being discouraged....we all do, it happens! It wouldn't matter what line of work you were in, there's always going to be those times you know?

[Craig B]

Irine. Don't be too hard on yourself.

After my 5th year in school I was doing part time, I was paying for it.) I really considered changing majors because my school's Graphic Design program was very tough. I can completely relate. In school I also sucked at logos and even after being out of school for 10 years it's one of my more difficult areas.

A lot of the advice here is good. The main thing is don't get discouraged and negative with yourself. It'll make it harder to work.

Ryan's advice is always good. Take a break, do something you enjoy that's creative (play guitar, draw, sculpt, doodle, whatever) ... just try not to think about the project.

After you loosen up, try to sketch some ideas down, or start writing words down that make you think of the company and the logo you want to create. Anything and everything. Don't hold back.

Also, as many people have said, look at other airline logos. You don't have to copy them, but get a feel for what works and what doesn't.

Check out sites like Logo Pond (http://logopond.com/) for inspiration. Not to copy from there, but just to continue to loosen up and broaden your thinking.

Once you've sketched and drawn until you can't keep going, then take your 3 or 4 strongest to the computer. But even then, keep it in black and white (not greyscale ... just black and white.)

Once you've done that repost what you've come up with. If you don't have time to repost, then take a look at applying color.

While I was in school it was a constant struggle that I wanted all my designs to look cool. And it wasn't until towards the end that I realized that cool wasn't as important as clever or unique. Designs don't need to be "cool", per se. Your main goal in designing is making sure that the design communicates the message, feel or brand.

Don't quit. Clear your mind and start fresh.

[tZ]

Landor has done a great deal of airline work I suggest you look at their work for reference because if the resources your looking at look like your design your not referencing successful work (not to be harsh…)

www.landor.com

I think the biggest problem I have is that the effects and graffati style look very unstable. Unstable and airplanes don't go together.

Furthermore, for many people the semiotics of graffiti in general could imply danger and an unsafe atmosphere – gangs. To all but a majority I would think.

Do you want to travel on a unstable and unsafe plane?

You need to pay special attention to what symbols and graphics you use. The semiotics of certain things especially. Gangs and unstability is not a good message to be sending in regards to a flight company.

[Irine]

Thanks everybody for the links, advice and encouraging words :)

I will try to go back to hand sketching...it`s LONG AGO i haven`t used it... i hope I get to do it on time in the end.

[Irine]

I changed the concept.

[mojoprime]

post your new concept!

and remember, when you're working at an agency, you're going to get critiqued like that all the time. ;)

[Craig B]

post away, we'd love to see it.

[D-Frag]

yeah dont be so hard on yourself, im going on 10 years doing design and i still suck at logos :)

[Irine]

o-ho i feel you.hope we all will learn to do it some day

Now in the brief we had an option of doing the same but with a restroaunt..damn hwo i spell it sorry.

It HAS to belong to a certain contry but be in IsraeL. sO I DECIDED TO DO A RUSSIAN RESTORAUNT IN Israel. So i took for a logo this dall - you know it`s called "metroshka" in Russian, it`s one that you can take apart and that inside it has a smakker one.

http://bavatuesdays.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/750px-russian-matroshka_no_.jpg

So i wanted to take this and do it..
The only problem is the name
I am not sure i want to call it "babushka" - which "grandmother" in Russian and that`s how the Israely people here call this dall. But......I .think it`s ....somewhat REDICULOUS to call a restoraunt "babushka".........isn`t it?

Well i just have to decide what word will be there if not babushka which is kinda awkward....Now this is the word and I knwo you can`t judge the typing because it`s in Hebrew but on the whole.......I hope it doesn`t say "toys" it has to say "food"

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q278/leonetha/Babushkalogo.jpg

although it CAN say "toys"......i justthought that a spoon can be too obvious... we are *demanded* to do somethign more original than the market does.

[Irine]

I am not sure if I should add more details.

My main problem however, it *TIME*

I plan to print everything this sunday.... So i don`t htink i have the time for a NEW concept or a completely new logo.

[NTLemon]

Expanding on the doll theme. What if you add the smaller dolls in behind the primary doll.

You can use a slogan that has something to do with being able to feed the entire family.

Also if the Israeli's call the doll a Babushka, perhaps you can go with that and call the restaurants Babushka's like Grandmother's it can focus on family style dining which would support the previous multiple doll idea.

Another possibility you can add elements of food into the logo perhaps or painted with the doll.

I would seriously consider breaking out some pen and paper and thumbnailing ideas. It makes it much easier to expand upon tangents and come up with something that might work.

Just tossing out some ideas here maybe you can roll with one of them.

[Irine]

Thank you very much for ideas, NTLemon :)

I think i will end the paperwork and if i have time i will try ..

I am just afraid of adding anohting dall or food...because if the logo is on an envelop or somethign like that...what heppens to it if it`s MUCH SMALLER????

I removed face details from the illustration...

But now, thanks God, it`s easier than with the airlines....it flows somehow..

[Crimson]

It is hard and bold to channge ideas so late in the game if you need to print by sunday. The new image looks more like an illustration than a logo. Logo have to work in black and white first. It is the foundation and no amount of color, blends or effects will make it better. Good luck. Logos can be tough. Use the K.I.S.S rule - (keep it simple stupid).

[Irine]

It is hard and bold to channge ideas so late in the game if you need to print by sunday. The new image looks more like an illustration than a logo. Logo have to work in black and white first. It is the foundation and no amount of color, blends or effects will make it better. Good luck. Logos can be tough. Use the K.I.S.S rule - (keep it simple stupid).

That`s interesting because on a site...I saw a logo which was all illustrated with lots of details ..so i though that it was fine to be illustrated

You know when we just started out in class with this project someone said that whne you design a logo you have to do it blakc and white first, but the instructor said, smiling
" WHO told you that? seems like an lod fashined idea"

That`s whati rememebr, maybe she will agree that it has to WORK in black and white...i personaly will take it under consideration...HERE at least we are not asked to present it in black an white i think

i would like you to tell me where it`s better to place logo paper they should rite letters:

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q278/leonetha/Babushkaniyarright.jpg


http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q278/leonetha/Bniyarmiddleup.jpg


http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q278/leonetha/Babuniyardown.jpg

Instructor told me that mostly they are place on top not bottom....but i like it in the middle and down there..but since it`s the only thing that changes this composition i would like your advice
Only the home page for a site is left...

K.I.S.S rule....... :cool: nice

Thank you