Sample Logo Idea

[Idefriginit]

I did this for someone on another forum as an example of what I was trying to explain to him. He was having a hard time redesigning his logo. He wanted a maple leaf that was kind of digital. Apparently the maple leaf was a logo of his for 15yrs or something and he wanted to revamp it. "Herling" is german btw.

I also saw it as a bit of a muck around with envelopes in Illy.

If anything, I would like to know hypothetically, if it were to be a real logo for someone.... Have I achieved what he was asking?

It has sample all over it incase he actually liked it and just started using it.

http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh389/Idefriginit/herling.jpg

[SurfPark]

Can I see a black and white version of this? You can't really say how good something is until then.

[pinksta]

It's too detailed, little jagged edges and thin line endings will get lost at smaller sizes. So will the pattern on the leaf, I would get rid of that. Just simplify the whole thing.

What about having a simple pixelated looking leaf, just made up of a few squares. Though it might be hard to do that...

[PrintDriver]

Yay, gradients, transparency AND blur.

I've about given up on what is considered a logo these days. The Logochopshops and their $30 photoshop logos have had a very bad effect on the integrity of logo design. But that's another rant for another day.

The only thing I could do with this on a sign is print it, assuming there is enough resolution in the blur to go large (if you say this is a vector file, tell me what your Raster Effect setting is and did you use the blur filter or the blur effect...) If the guy wants this on the door of a truck or on a trade show booth, he'll get a printed "sticker", as the kids call em these days. In which case, you had better consider the shape of your sign blank because trying to match a car color in printed vinyl, while not impossible, is not always successful.

[PanToshi]

He wanted a maple leaf that was kind of digital....

I also saw it as a bit of a muck around with envelopes in Illy.

If anything, I would like to know hypothetically, if it were to be a real logo for someone.... Have I achieved what he was asking?

In addition to what the others have already said, I don't think that the "digital" look has been achieved here.

The pattern that you have superimposed on the leaf is too small even at this giant size to imply digital. The blurry leaves just look like an error and add nothing to the design IMO. I would lose the blur entirely. The generic radial gradient is unnecessary. The leaf veins are too thin and will certainly be indistinguishable at smaller sizes. And the jagged edge makes it look like the leaf has been tattered in a strong wind. Not sure if you want to give the impression of flimsy and torn for the company.

The font treatment is fine, the orange incidental. I have concerns about readability at smaller sizes though. The placement and size relationship of the leaves to the type is limiting. You have to keep in mind that logos will be used in many applications from one color silk-screens on pens to building wraps.

Have you looked at this at 1" and smaller? is the orange type even readable? I would start again in black and work out how this logo would look on something thin and horizontal (like an envelope or pen) at all the sizes that the logo would be and could be used.

I think pinksta has an interesting idea about making the leaf out of squares. Simple, elegant and if done right, could be very striking.

Hope this helps. :)

[PrintDriver]

The drawing is anatomically correct for a maple leaf. I didn't see it as tatters.
It may too correct though if people are seeing it as tattered.

[tZ]

If anything, I would like to know hypothetically, if it were to be a real logo for someone.... Have I achieved what he was asking?


The question is open to interpretation but no.

[Idefriginit]

So im guessing that blurs are a no no? lol

I was never actually formally trained in logo design :D

So are logos really designed at small sizes first?

[PrintDriver]

Black and white first. No grayscale. Just black. on white.
Once that works, add color.
Beware of effects. Get a good solid logo first.
There can always be a bling version later.

While there are notable exceptions to the rule (X-Box for instance) that's the way it usually goes.

Don't forget about trademarking and registration. ;)