Skaii Captain Design Studio

[CkretAjint]

Working on this for a fellow designer and need some input on it.

Okay, aside from the "Design Studio" kerning looking WAY off *eye twitch*, and this being a quick and dirty mock up... Which wing style do you prefer, A? or B? Any specific reason why??

Also, the light or medium font weight (DESIGN STUDIO)??

Feel free to be honest, you all know I can take it! :p

http://www.thomasmaxson.com/concepts/skaiiCaptain-concept1.jpg

Thanks!!! :D

[Two-Toe Tom]

like the first wing better, second one looks stretched. I think the ring could be thinner with a slightly thicker weight for DESIGN STUDIO and a bit more space between PT.

[garricks]

Nice, Ckret. I like.

I think I prefer the wings of A with the "Design Studio" weight of B. the shorter wings feel more balanced to me. The devil in me wants to ask you to split the difference on the wings.

I hope he has this made into little pins like the airlines used to give out to kids...that would be a cool promotional item! :D

[Roth]

If the London Undergroud could fly this is what the logo would be.

I'd say A aswell. Is there a weight between the two 'DS' you've done? I'd be tempted to try that. Or reduce the font size and give the heavier one more room to breathe.

[CkretAjint]

TTT... Kerning is not for review on this round! :p

garricks... You're not the first to want me to split the difference, I might do so. But with the extreme angle of A? or more casual/slanty of B? How wide it is isn't a problem... Captain lapel pins just might be a promotional item in the works already, but I cannoy confirm or deny such accusations! ;)

[garricks]

I think the angle of A? although I think initially I wanted to split that difference too.

[CkretAjint]

Or reduce the font size and give the heavier one more room to breathe.

I'm worried about when it is reduced down onto a business card or on the side of a pen. What's the London Underground?

garricks, you might be onto something! :)

http://www.thomasmaxson.com/concepts/skaiiCaptain-concept2.jpg

[garricks]

http://subtitlestocinema.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/london_underground_logo.jpg

Same basic shape...

[CkretAjint]

Yeah, same as Nissan to and a billion other logos. *shrugs*

[garricks]

Right, Nissan too.

I like that last one...I think the angle has something to do with the length of the wings and the perceived vertical weight or stress that makes the balance.

Also, check the bottom edge of the middle two "struts" on each side. you've got a little artifact going there, I think...

Overall I'm really likin' this. :D

[CkretAjint]

Actually the protrusion is on all of the wings. I still have to go in and clean up the graphic, adjust the spacing/kerning, get rid of the strokes for the mock up, and fix the shape spacing around the letters before it is finalized. Basically I will completely redraw the entire logo to make sure there are no extra nodes. Plus I am going to add color and shading (think chome) and all that jazz.

I just wanted to make sure it looked good in flat black and white first. ;)

Thanks for the kind words.

Anyone else have any comments, input or concerns? :)

[a_muse]

I agree with garricks :)

As usual, very pretty ;)

[frankster]

It did make me think of car logos, but more Bentley/Mini than Nissan.

Why the font you have chosen for the company name? My personal preferences are clouding how unfond of it I am though.

"Skaii captain" makes me think of some of the old school cool that steam punk hinges itself on. Modern technology but embracing other styles and aesthetica from past generations because just because they aren't the current trend doesn't mean they have lost their value.

edit: Arf, I've just remembered that abysmal film of the same name, different spelling. That's where I must have made the steam punk connection. It's a wee bit like old Angie's hat badge from the film. I know that's general aviation style and it's not deliberate, but is your mate wanting to make the connection with this film, or does he not realise others are likely to make the connection?

http://static.tvguide.com/MediaBin/Galleries/Editorial/081222/eyepatch/eyepatch-captain2.jpg

[CkretAjint]

Frankster, think earlier than steam punk. I was shooting for 40s/50's font (think The Rocketeer (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102803/)) with a modern flair to the graphical element of the logo, while still being slightly retro... Crazy to shoot for, I know.

[garricks]

Not at all, CA...I was about to post that I thought it was more '30s/'40s. Think Streamliner trailers...

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a249/garricks/streamlinertrailer.jpg

[CkretAjint]

Yeah, we are aware that the name has a bad movie associated with it. But we are willing to work with the. Unfortunately, (or luckily?) I never saw that movie. Perhaps I should! I think with some proper branding we can get people over the fact the movie never took off anywhere. ;) :p

[frankster]

Well, as long as he doesn't wear an eye patch ;)

[garricks]

ROFLMAO!

the movie never took off anywhere. ;) :p

Since you haven't seen the movie, you have no idea how funny that is!

And hey, for pure escapist fiction, that was a fun movie! :D

[CkretAjint]

Boo yeah! DONE! Cleaned up the file, flattened it all out and rounded the wing tips a wee bit. I even added some fancy 'shoulders' on the wings at the top near the circle. :)

http://www.thomasmaxson.com/concepts/skaiiCaptainDesign-BWsml.jpg (http://www.thomasmaxson.com/concepts/skaiiCaptainDesign-BW.jpg)
**click to enlarge**

[garricks]

Sweet!

I marked this to look again in the morning...PTA looks a little loose to me, and IGN and DIO look like they don't quite curve right...but that's my wonky eyes after 10 pm... need sleep...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Cool Gray 8]

Wow, this is really nice.

I'm glad you went for a heavier text for 'Design Studio' than used on the first submission, as I was concerned that the reversed text may get lost in print when reduced.

Great job.

[CkretAjint]

Thanks for the positive comments Cool Gray 8. :D

PTA looks a little loose to me, and IGN and DIO look like they don't quite curve right...

I thought to so too on all 3 accounts. But then I started to ticker with the spacing and it just got worse and worse and worse. I think it's one of those annoying optical things because of the shape of the T (wide at the top, narrow at the bottom) and the way curved letters ( G and D) look on a curved like next to a straight letter (I and N). :(

Anyone have any suggestions on how to make this look slightly better? I'm kind of clueless on what to do to make this look optically better/cleaner. :o

[CkretAjint]

UPDATE: It's coming. Can you feel it? :cool:

http://www.thomasmaxson.com/concepts/skaiiCaptain-concept3.jpg

:D

[Tea]

VEry nice Ckret.

[artgem1984]

" What's the London Underground?"

:eek:

[garricks]

I'm likin' that last iteration, man. Schweet!!!

[a_muse]

Looking fab!

I hate doing curved text, even when it's technically right it still looks wrong to my eyes, it's so hard to get it right, The "S" in studio looks higher then the "O", but I know they are the same height, it's just an optical illusion.

[CkretAjint]

*gasps* Wow muse... Actually the S *IS* sightly higher than the O. Good eye!

*makes mental note to fix that later tonight* ;)

[SM.]

B seems to be the better design. But the Skaii seems like skall.

[a_muse]

Is it really? lol
I assumed it was my eyes because I know how OCD you are about that kinda stuff :p

Glad I could help!

[Grfk Dzgn]

Cliche.

Is an over used and long since stereotyped graphic appropriate to represent design studio?

Depends on the quality of their work.

Which wing style do you prefer, A? or B? Any specific reason why??

Neither, sorries.

At least Vans (http://www.highsnobiety.com/news/2009/04/29/vans-vault-summer-2009-supercorsa/) tried to culturize (a.k.a. update) the well worn cliche.

[CkretAjint]

Well, since the name lends itself to not only that style of logo, but the time period associated with it, the era specific branding that will flow from the logo and name... Why wouldn't one want use that logo style be it "over used" or not??

[double A-ron]

I like it where it's going, but then again, I'm a sucker for the art deco look.

And on a side note, the movie is worth watching IMO. While the story is somewhat weak, visually, it's quite stunning.

[CkretAjint]

*slam dunk* :D

http://www.thomasmaxson.com/concepts/skaiiCaptain-concept4.jpg

I still have some slight tweaks I would like to complete with it. But I have to run out of town for the weekend, so I won't get to touch it at all this weekend.

[garricks]

BoomBLAMO™, Ckret! I love it. Sorry to hear you've been run out of town, though. :p

Have a great weekend!!

[morea]

looking good, but you might want to revisit the "Design Studio" text... I'm not feeling some of the kerning/position ("studio" in particular feels offcenter to me), and I think that a slight change of font could really pull it together.

The sans serif you're using now is quite blocky and seems to contrast a bit much for my tastes with the curvy mark and text used for "skaii".

My two pennies. ;)

[a_muse]

Niiice!
Have a great weekend away Ckret :)

[CkretAjint]

Thanks for the input Morea. Glad you said something... I was on the fence about it, but no one really mentioned the font, so I just left it! :p

Perhaps a slightly condensed font would look nice, but not too condensed. :)

[morea]

glad to be of assistance... and have a nice time this weekend. Will there be pictures? ;)

[cjdevlin]

The wings are way to big and make it hard to attempt to read the text of "SKAII CAPTAIN".

[CkretAjint]

Will there be pictures? ;)

I'm sure there will be, but not fun vacation images. My brother is joining the Marines this weekend and I am going to his signing ceremony. ;)

[morea]

well pat him on the back for us and give him our best wishes. He's a brave man.

[Manny]

The purpose of the company needs to be explain in order to provide good critique. As graphic designers we are to first communicate a strong message of the business goal. How well it looks shouldn't be the only goal. What kind of design studio, are they designing for the airline industry only?

[vibrant_echo]

While you are revisiting the "design studio" text, your "studio" doesn't quite follow the arc of your circle.

[morea]

The purpose of the company needs to be explain in order to provide good critique. As graphic designers we are to first communicate a strong message of the business goal. How well it looks shouldn't be the only goal. What kind of design studio, are they designing for the airline industry only?

I don't know, a logo doesn't really need to be a literal representation of what the company does (fortunately for proctologists).

I think that this mark is creative and fun, and could easily appeal to clients seeking a designer with those attributes. It's clear that it's a design studio since the words are incorporated into the mark. I don't see any real connection to the airline industry in it at all.

[Manny]

The pilots' badge is way too iconic, too easily representative of a AA pilot.
The first impression is "da plane, da plane"
(fortunately for proctologists) L.O.L

[CkretAjint]

The pilots' badge is way too iconic

Ummm... That's why I chose it. It is an iconic image that when seen immediately flashes images of nostalgic planes with big loud thumping engines roaring over your head.

It is a 40s/50s theme design studio. The aviation theme not only is reflected in the name (SKY CAPTAIN), but will also be reflected in the branding of the company as a whole (interior decoration, promotional materials, collateral).

[Manny]

What kinda design studio?

[CkretAjint]

Graphics (graphic design), specializing in anything that needs to be designed (print, web, 3D, video).


O_o

[JMV Design]

looking good, but you might want to revisit the "Design Studio" text... I'm not feeling some of the kerning/position ("studio" in particular feels offcenter to me), and I think that a slight change of font could really pull it together.
To add to what morea was saying, for me, there isn't enough of a curve to the word "STUDIO". It doesn't follow the curve of the circle, so there is more room at the middle bottom (at the UD) than there is at the sides (at the ST and IO).

Other than that, I really like it!

[CkretAjint]

Just a follow up for everyone since you were all so helpful.

FINAL logo (it's not gonna get any better than this):
http://www.thomasmaxson.com/concepts/skaiiCaptain_Logo-final.jpg
This is the 4 color black and white (chrome) version. For some reason this looks darker/richer black on screen than it really is *shrugs*

And before you ask, yes it is vector.
http://www.thomasmaxson.com/concepts/skaiiCaptain_Logo-finalVector.jpg

Business cards:
http://www.thomasmaxson.com/concepts/SkaiiCaptainDesign-cards.jpg

Client is exptremely pleased with these, and since that is the case... So am I. :p

[Tea]

Cool! Nice work! Very nice Ckret!

[garricks]

Sweet, Ckret. Really sweet. :D

[JMV Design]

Very nice!

[shmoo]

<3 the cards :D

[a_muse]

It looks perfect!
Great job as usual Ckret :)

[tZ]

Good job on the logo and cards. They make a great brand.

The logo with the gradations would make a bad@ss sign.

[morea]

well done!

[cjdevlin]

The rendering is good, the design is good but I still think the wings are too big in proportion to they type, for example; look at the logo above the name on the business card, the name of the company is drowned out by the large expanse of wing.

[CkretAjint]

Thanks for the comments guys!

cjdev: I know. Kind of on purpose, kind of not. Again, in the long run we are hoping more to rely on branding as a whole entity, and not be branded with the logo on everything. More overall look and feel as a branding.

[double A-ron]

Friggin' awesome Ckret! I love the logo and especially the business cards.

Nice work!

[WannaBrie]

Great work, Ckret! Love it! :D

[evilkorn]

I think what makes it is the rounded corners, will the final output be square or rounded?

[CkretAjint]

Absolutely be rounded. I even did an ad for a magazine recently and floated the ad with a border and had rounded corners on it. It turned out really cool! :D

[evilkorn]

Watching the indy 500 reminded me of this logo.

[CkretAjint]

Must be good if you remembered it... :p

[YNOT]

Business cards:
http://www.thomasmaxson.com/concepts/SkaiiCaptainDesign-cards.jpg

The 3-dimensional vector logo is cool as hell but the biz cards are just straight-up bitchin' Tom! As you know I'm a fan of minimal colors...less is more to me and these cards are stunning. Keep it up, I always look forward to seeing your work.

Now, get busy so you can post up some new stuff!! ;)


Client is exptremely pleased with these, and since that is the case... So am I. :p

You should be extremely proud...great job!

[Drazan]

First time I looked at this thread. Which is really funny, because I just did a similar design for a t-shirt. lol

My version didn't turn out nearly as cool as yours!

You did a great job on this.

[Roth]

Thanks for the comments guys!

cjdev: I know. Kind of on purpose, kind of not. Again, in the long run we are hoping more to rely on branding as a whole entity, and not be branded with the logo on everything. More overall look and feel as a branding.

So you're hoping a successful branding will paper over the cracks of the dodgy design elements?

The cramped Design Studio makes the circle look more like Lifesaver ring, gives it a 3D quality that shouldn't be there.

On the BC the line separating the the logo and blue area is too thick and drowns out the circle of the logo. Infact i'm not even seeing the benefit if the line at all, it's very busy and cramps the area right up. On the one side of the card the same lines are of differening weights, like you shrunk the logo and left the rest.

[CkretAjint]

YNOT and Drazan, thanks for the compliments! Much appreciated.

Roth. I have discussed these so-called "issues" with the owner of the logo and we agreed that with the direction that everything is going, they will not be an issue or be hindering in anyway. Also, the lines on both sides of the business cards are the same width, this was just a quick comp to gauge overall interest. Once I finalized the card they were the same width, trust me.


:)

[Roth]

I have faith.

[pinksta]

I really like it in one colour, much prefer it to the 4 colour with grads.

The one colour version looks more like a design studio logo but the one with grads makes me think of a car manufacturer logo.

Just my personal opinion of course!

I think it's this logo making me think of it as a car logo!

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/8479/bmwminilogo1.jpg