Design Logo

[BryanWinds]

First draft... Is this worth continuing with, or should I scrap it?

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/BryanWinds/bw-design.gif

[Craig B]

I kind of like the BW mark. I'm not wild about the position of the word "design" (especially the d being "separated".)

[double A-ron]

I agree with Craig. The placement of design and the placement of the d just doesn't really work that well. Why not just try placing design underneath the BW mark?

[CkretAjint]

very comic-booky...

[Irine]

I agree with Craig. The placement of design and the placement of the d just doesn't really work that well. Why not just try placing design underneath the BW mark?

EXACTLY :)

[DesignStudio]

What does the BW stand for? It makes me think of "black and white".

[CkretAjint]

What does the BW stand for? It makes me think of "black and white".

Going out on a limb here, but Bryan Winds... ;)

[DesignStudio]

Ha, I didn't even notice his name. No wonder I didn't see the moonwalking bear in Mo's test.

So in that case, here's my new comment: Since you have a memorable last name, have you considered playing to that strength and making the visual in the logo related to the word "winds"? It might seem trite but I gauruntee that it would be more memorable than initials.

[WannaBrie]

I like the BW also, but agree that "design" doesn't look right as is.

[BryanWinds]

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/BryanWinds/bw-design-1.gif

[double A-ron]

Better, but try it with the "design" a bit down further so that it's not touching the BW.

[CkretAjint]

I like the BW from the first one WAY more. And def drop DESIGN down so it's not touching.

[Tdubya86]

Perhaps you could try "design" in all caps so your ascenders and descenders aren't in the way of the oval.

[BryanWinds]

Took the advice it... It works much better. What do you think?

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/BryanWinds/bw-design-2.gif

[bigmedia]

It looks much better underneath! :) I'd like to see some of your other ideas too though.

[double A-ron]

Took the advice it... It works much better. What do you think?

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/BryanWinds/bw-design-2.gif

That looks much better Bryan.

[Craig B]

I think it works. It looks nice at a small size and it will easily convert to a straight black and white option and a reversed out option if necessary.

[bigmedia]

I like it too, you could even do the tricked out 3D reflection thing too with a few gradients and transparencies.

[Fredonia2k]

Don't forget the drop shadow!

[YNOT]

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s207/BryanWinds/bw-design-2.gif

I've gotta say it's definately a 'cool' mark. Very simple, but very easy to read with a touch of style to it.

:)

[bigmedia]

Don't forget the drop shadow!

Hahahahahahahaha

[tZ]

"Lets throw BW in a oval" – what a great idea!…

Its time to start over.

This is the reason many have a lack of respect for the industry. Where's the concept, the drive, the creativity? That is what they pay you for – right?

[DesignStudio]

"Lets throw BW in a oval" – what a great idea!…

Its time to start over.

This is the reason many have a lack of respect for the industry. Where's the concept, the drive, the creativity? That is what they pay you for – right?

This isn't the best logo I've ever seen, and I don't even think the best possible logo for Brian's company. However, I think it's a little harsh to mock the idea and say scrap it- without offering any specific advice about how to improve. In my experience, the most educated clients don't pay you for your drive, or creativity, or artistic flair, they pay you for your experience to know what will function well and create a successful logo.

Since you were in school as recently as last year if not still, you should recall that constructive criticism is supposed to be constructive. And you should also remember from your own multiple posts about your ongoing identity development, that creating a logo for yourself is a very difficult process. If I remember correctly you started out with a smiley face and ended up settling on a swoosh for your identity. Not all of your ideas were gems, but no one told you that your design was the reason many have a lack of respect for our industry.

My two cents would be consider your words more carefully next time. Your advice is usually very good, but make sure it's coupled with the same amount of respect that you'd like to be shown when people are reviewing your work.

[Lithonate]

^ Well said.

[YNOT]

I agree it doesn't 'say a lot about what he does'...but does a logo 'always' have to do that? I mean...it's great when a logo 'works' for you and explains what you do, but my logo doesn't exactly explain what I do and I think it works well for me. My logo started out as just my signature...it stuck with me and now that's what I use. After 17 years people have come to see it and know it and it sets me apart.



I don't want to throw this thread into a big discussion, I just thought I'd throw my opinion out there.

While this logo isn't groundbreaking, it's certainly clean and unique and I think it could work well.

Just my .02¢

[frankster]

If you want to go typographic then have a look at the letters B and W that you want to use. Have you noticed that without the vertical line of the capital B it can be a rotated version of a curvy W. Just one extra idea to play with.

[Riefnu]

I like the logo. Little trendy, but logo's change all the time to stay fresh.

I think its a logo that people can identify with, which is really all that is important. Even just having the BW might be all it needs instead of the word design on the bottom. Since undoubtably you'd use the logo to advertise to people looking for a designer.

And I don't think a logo has to symbolize everything about a person or a company.

Two great examples.

Apple.

At&t.


According to their logos, taken literally, Apple sells metallic fruit that has been pre-eaten. While At&t is swoosh lines that give the impression of a ball.

Since I don't need to tell you that apple does not sell metallic fruit that has been pre-eaten, and that At&T is American Telephone and Telegraph and Not a swooshy line ball factory I can safely say logo's don't need to embody you 100%.

[tZ]

Apples actually a terrible example. Apple symbolizes rebellion – the forbidden fruit. I'm sure AT&T has a methodology behind the imagery as well.


My two cents would be consider your words more carefully next time. Your advice is usually very good, but make sure it's coupled with the same amount of respect that you'd like to be shown when people are reviewing your work.


Well… I prefer the truth. Personally, I think its disrespectful to say anything but – regardless how negative or direct. Usually I find the most helpful critiques are the ones that don't hold back and just say it straight.


My two cents would be consider your words more carefully next time. Your advice is usually very good, but make sure it's coupled with the same amount of respect that you'd like to be shown when people are reviewing your work.


Lets be honest… they were horrible. Thats probably why they have been scrapped.

[Riefnu]

According to their logos, taken literally, Apple sells metallic fruit that has been pre-eaten. While At&t is swoosh lines that give the impression of a ball.

Since I don't need to tell you that apple does not sell metallic fruit that has been pre-eaten, and that At&T is American Telephone and Telegraph and Not a swooshy line ball factory I can safely say logo's don't need to embody you 100%.


If you notice I was not talking about any symbolism attached to any logo. I was commenting that a logo can symbolize many things even though it's literal meaning is nothing to do with any symbol.

Seriously Apple again.

One literal view. Silver pre-bitten fruit.

and here are atleast three symbols of the silver apple with a bite out of it logo.

One: Apple Inc. which made the logo and uses it.

Two: Orignal sin to Christians (and jews?).

Three: Healthy way to keep the doctor away.

Three different symbols, same logo, one literal view. So don't expect the literal to be the creative end.

As for At&t, it's supposed to be the world. It used to be blue lines with white highlights making the impression of a sphere, then they absorbed Cingular and shifted it to white lines with blue highlights giving the same impression of a sphere.


In short, if a logo is easily identified with the symbolism then its perfect, and I think BW is going with a simple easily recognized design that people can read and connect with.


If you need another great example look at Sierra's logo. Its the broken Lava dome at Yosemite national park. What does a ancient geological rock formation have to do with making software? Nothing at all! but people know it.

[tZ]

I don't quit understand why you think people are going to relate well to this logo…

[Riefnu]

Its a bright color, but would look almost the same in black and white; It's easy to remember; and it doesn't have a 'stamped out' mechanical quality a lot of text logos tend to have.

[tZ]

Why do those things make it easier for people to identify with?

What relationship does bright colors and mechanical quality of the typography have to do with how well a person relates to a logo or any piece for that matter.

Regardless a lot of people forget that the most important part of a logo is a brand. Before you create a logo you should establish a brand for yourself. This is the single most major problem with your logo. The logo is literally type and doesn't say much else on a conceptual level. It doesn't tie into an image or reveal something unique about your company that may draw people to it. YNOT compared his design. but in reality YNOT's design is eons more successful in conveying a sense or worth and identifying with his work. His identity is even conceptual on a personal level because it relates directly to his signature. Looking at YNOT's logo you get a immediate sense of the type of designer he is and work/styles he produces or is drawn to. That just isn't so with your design. Make it personal and meaningful. A logo isn't just type or even graphic – its a new face. So I recommend you treat it as much. Quit honestly the immediate thing I related to your logo was walmart…

[CkretAjint]

Mine, like YNOT's, just just my initials with my name beside it. Nothing fancy, nothing over the top, nothing deep. Just my initials.... plain and simple.

[BryanWinds]

tZ, thanks for all your great advice........

If it makes you feel any better, that is my handwriting and how I sign my initials.

[DesignStudio]

TZ, I don't know about anyone else, but you've got at least my curiosity way up. Can we get a peek at your logo? Maybe some solid visual example would help Brian out?

Sidebar: If you don't quit using quit when you mean quite some people are going to get quite confused and not quite understand if you mean quit or quite. ;)

[Omni]

tz, as a reply to all your comments and posts, i have to agree with you on your critique on Brian's logo. The harshest critiques are the ones that set a basis for you to improve on. If everyone comments on a design that you do and they all say it looks good because of so and so, then theres no way you can improve in the future. But i must also agree with others that replied to your comment; harsh critiques are good, but you really dont give a reason backing up your critique, and that makes it an invalid comment.

And since this is Brians thread, i think the logo looks good( with design below the BW) Simplicity is complexity, and youve achieved that. Try it without the word "design" though, but i beleive either will work well.

[fatherlyy]

what a nice logo
ı think it's good for your first logo :)

[Optimusdinkus]

Truth can useless if it cannot lead to production or rehabilitation of bad use, and with it should come means to get where it needs to be
Truth = we will all die. NO SHIT@?! well darn I guess I should quit while Im ahead
Truth = you can delay death. OMGZ well how do I start, where do I go ect.
Prime example of why critiques even though true can lead to being useless.

[tZ]

My identity is in concept development. I have yet to come up with anything worthy. However, being as I'm not currently marketing myself this is not a problem.