After a long break, a new logo.

[PSPDan]

Some of you may remember my previous threads on here, what a shambles they were! But for those that don't, I'm 17 and am starting a two year graphic design course in september with a friend.

We decided we'd like to set up a portfolio site to display work as we progress, under the name "Jepix Media". Over the last few weeks I have been trying hard to come up with a logo. We did a little bit of research and we both really like the medieval winged shield type crests. But we also wanted to portray a strong sense of minimalism and modernness (if that's even a word).

So I set out to create a winged shield emblem, which also seemed minimalist and modern. And here is what I've finally come up with. No colour at the moment as I know logos should be created in black and white first. My only concern is it might be TOO minimalist, and don't know if I should put something inside the shield shape.

I have no previous experience at designing logos (apart from the terrible attempts in previous threads) so I'd really like constructive criticism, and if you don't like it please tell me why.

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/cfb65ed07a.jpg

Thanks,

Dan

[Danger_Mouse]

One thing right off the bat...the "wings" are spaced too close to the shield. If you reduce that, it may bleed together. More space needed.

Also your wings to me seemed more like horns (bull horns), you may want to shape them a bit different. Other than that, it has all the good points of a logo.

[PSPDan]

Thanks for the advice! I'll play around with the wings a bit now and post up some results when I get the chance.

[martyng]

What does Jepix mean? and what does it have to do with a shield and wings?

[CkretAjint]

What does Jepix mean? and what does it have to do with a shield and wings?

Nothing... That was the issue the first time around with the logo. It's just a word he made up without much meaning.

[martyng]

Oh...... win!

[PSPDan]

It was a sort of mix of both of our surnames, and the shield and wings idea came from looking at eachother's family crests and trying to combine them. But then we realised it looked way to complicated and old fashioned so we came up with this.

[kevincdg]

what's wrong with old fashioned? why not try to modernize it, rather than completely simplify -- there are ways to simplify something and have it look more "finished" than what you've posted. it looks like you spent about 10 minutes working. :\

[PSPDan]

Well if you read my original post you will see that that was one of my concerns. All I have to go on at the moment is what I've taught myself and what I can pick up here and there. I am grateful for any constructive criticism but please don't insult my work.

And I never stated anywhere that I don't like old fashioned. I just wanted a modern and fresh logo, if you don't think what I have created is modern or fresh please tell me a reason. I'll never improve otherwise...

Also, I know the shield emblem does not have much to do with the word. But surely every logo created has to define what the name of the company means, or what the company does. Because if this is the case what the hell do "at&t" or "Apple" do?

[CkretAjint]

The only thing that irks me about it is the shield is angular, yet the wings are curved. It just feels weird to me like that. <shrugs>

[dwagener]

It's off to a good start. Personally I think you should go for the old-fashioned family crest. I'm not feelin the shield you have right now, I think because of what ckret said about the shield being angular and the wings are curved, maybe change the shield to have a curve or two in it(?) to fix that... I don't think the period after media is necessary either. You will learn a lot more once you start school though ;)

[Typically]

sketches do you have sketches?

[PSPDan]

Thanks for the advice, and yeah I can't wait to start college and start making progress.

And Typically, I have two pages full of really bad sketches which I did before I came up with this, although I'm starting to agree with the general feeling that I should use curves throughout. I'll keep posting progress.

Thanks for all the feedback!

[tZ]

I think the most significant problem that your faced with here is that because the name lacks a definition most would expect the imagery to relate to the origin in some way.

[PSPDan]

Ok, after trying to take everyone's advice on board I've created this. I actually like this one a lot more, although I think I should play with the kerning or whatever to make the text more symmetrical as with the first logo. Keep the criticism coming please.

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/1774/logoidea2convertedzl2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/1774/logoidea2convertedzl2.089716063f.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=160&i=logoidea2convertedzl2.jpg)

[budafist]

It looks like a car emblem.

[PSPDan]

It looks like a car emblem.

I can see what you mean, although maybe this is because I've made the wing shapes too long?

[CkretAjint]

I think the look more like legs on a horseshoe crab than wings.

Here (http://www.andyrutledge.com/logo-misapplication.php) is some logo-y reading for you. :)

[PSPDan]

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/4807/logoidea22convertedey8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/4807/logoidea22convertedey8.3ffded59ab.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=377&i=logoidea22convertedey8.jpg)

I've made the wing shapes shorter, but I feel I should start the wings again, because as someone stated they look a lot like bull horns.

Thanks for posting that article I'll read it now. And also, thanks for pointing out that it looks like a crab. Because I can no longer see the shield, all I see is a crab.

[frankster]

It looks like a headless beetle now.

[CkretAjint]

...I've made the wing shapes shorter...

I would have to disagree and say you just squished them in...

[PSPDan]

I would have to disagree and say you just squished them in...

Damn you're good at this.

Well you would be right, however I really did it to get an idea of how it would look. As I'm off to bed soon.

I really want to stick with this logo concept, because the mistake I feel I made last time was that everytime someone criticised the logo I completely scrapped it and came up with a new concept.

So even if it looks like a headless beetle, a crab or even a winged shield with squished in wings, then I will try to develop it because thats the one thing I'm not good at.

Hopefully in a few months I'll understand this stuff a bit better, at the moment I'm really just trying to get the technical skills under my belt.

Thank you for the comments and criticism, it means a lot to have pros like I'm sure you guys are, here to help me out.

[teniworks]

Kinda reminds me of a headless tick. I worry more about the wings/legs being so pointy, that may give you problems when you go and reduce the logo and/or go to print. But, you will hopefully learn about all of this and more when you go to school.

[Typically]

just make your logo a beetle! that'd be a cool little mark and you are already halfway there.

[PSPDan]

Lol I'm not sure if you are being serious or taking the mick. But yes it would be cool. Maybe I'll develop a beetle logo as well as a shield logo and then compare the two at the end.

[Typically]

im being serious :D seriously it could be a cool mark just don't make it too detailed.

[PSPDan]

Ok, but I'm sure I'll get slated on here for not sticking with my original concept :P

[CkretAjint]

Go with the idea cause you like it, not cause it's suggested... If you like your original idea more, stick with it and fine tune it. Don't design or do something cause someone else tells you to do so... THAT'S why you'll get slatted around here.

[Typically]

Ok, but I'm sure I'll get slated on here for not sticking with my original concept :P

i was just setting a trap for you! muahahahahahahahahahaa

hey man it's YOUR logo do what YOU want we just offer suggestions and recipes :D

[PSPDan]

i was just setting a trap for you! muahahahahahahahahahaa

hey man it's YOUR logo do what YOU want we just offer suggestions and recipes :D

Nearly had me!

I'll keep developing the shield thing which looks like a headless beetle :)