Horse Training Logo

[chriscrooz]

This is for a company that trains and breeds thoroughbread horses. They are looking for a company identity and I tried to hit several styles so that there were several options. Please hit me up with some feedback. Thanks.

Chris

[ikyut]

Number 3 no doubt, it´s the more balanced and the horse shape is very clear to see. I think this is the way you need to follow.

ikyut.

[ikyut]

But now that I´m looking better, i think you need to work on the horse shape some, the back of teh neck is like a curve and look strange, but meybe it´s me. try to make it with some hair, because the horses has some hair at teh back of the neck. hope you undestand my point, and my english too. see ya amigo, good luck with the caballo.

ikyut

[Jeff Fisher LogoMotives]

Number 3 is the one I'm immediately drawn to. I do agree that you need to work on the thickness of the neck on the horse image. It looks a little distorted and cartoony right now. One other thing to consider is possible placement of the logo on stationery and other items - you may want to flip the direction the horse is "looking" as most people read left to right and this image directs the viewers eyes immediately to the left - and you create a bit of a visual conflict for your viewer.

- J.

[defjoe]

#2 and 3 are really good. love the horse siloutte(sp?). I'm a huge fan of that. VERY recognizable. Good work. Like the colors also and the spacing of the letters in both ones I picked.

[Drorain]

number 3 is awesome, the other ones I think the tracking on type is stretching to such a limit the Font Abuse Police will be knocking on your door. If your going to stretch 'farms' stretch it under one word...'crest'

[Eraser Nubbin]

I agree, I think number three is your best, although number one has potential as well. I really like your colour choices, but agree on the horses neck.

[D-Zine]

2 and 3 are the best I think. I like where you are heading with this. I'm really fond of your color scheme you have chosen as well. I am leaning more towards #2 for the overall design, I think its nice and well balanced.

Then again - #3 is simple, and clear. Shoot I can't decide!
#'s 2 and 3 are the ones I would continue on if I were you :)

[uncle carbunkle]

#3, but more 'horse' and less 'seahorse'. :thumbsup:

[chriscrooz]

Thanks a TON for the feedback. I actually used an image of a horse to get the outline I used for the logo. Here's the pic. The only problem is I don't really see how I could change it since it's what a horse actually looks like... any tips?

Chris

[Jeff Fisher LogoMotives]

I think the problem is that none of the horse's mane is showing like in the photo.

-J.

[Bobbysky]

The problem is that picture of a horse. I grew up on a farm and in all my life I've never seen such a weird looking horse. It almost looks like that one has been starved or is just some different breed I've never seen. You might want to look at a different reference photos. For example.

http://www.dli.ch/hobbies/horses/Amigo00f.jpg

[chriscrooz]

Thanks guys, I'll take that into consideration.

Chris

[mariana]

My preference is for number 3 aw well. (-:

I see what you mean about taking it from a real horse image, but there are a lot of different types of horses, and a lot of different angles that can change the way the horse looks.

Is the picture of a thoroughbred horse?

--Mariana

[chriscrooz]

Yes that is a picture of a thoroughbred. Thanks for the input.

[beano]

I would only use that picture if the farm specializes in Arabian horses, as the shape of the head is very distinctive and shouts Arab to me...

I really like #2! ;)

[chriscrooz]

You know I should have specified that, yes, they are Arabian Horses that they specialize in.

[beano]

In that case i don't think you even need to alter the image, as it just looks like a stylized Arab! ;)

[Bobbysky]

Okay I second that, I have never encountered an arabian in person. Like I said I grew up on a farm, but with different breads of horses. So if that is what they look like it doesn't need to be changed.

[morea]

I think the problem is that none of the horse's mane is showing like in the photo.

-J.


^ why not give this a try... I agree that it would make a difference.

[tZ]

emphasis the main attributes of a horse

I have no clue what they are but, thats a way to start.

[Sketcher]

I agree that that is a really weird looking horse. My grandparents live on a farm and I've never seen a horse like that either. The image of it in your logo actually looks more like a chess piece.

[ikyut]

Easy change your picture, maybe that horse is gay. :)

ikyut

[DeleteYourself]

I dig on #3, but I like the font used for "Mid Crest" from #1. Also, the horse you used is just a little scrawny and wimpy. It probably gets picked on a lot by the other stallions in the field. I think once you make those adjustments you have a winner. Giddyup!

BTW, what ever happened to Cowgirl Expressions? (Was that her name?)

[vtwin_gary]

my $.02 - i'm thinking combind #2 & 3 the fonts from 3 but the layout of 2 hope that makes sence.

[beano]

My girlfriend has an Arab, and is completely Arab mad!?! I'm telling you, anyone interested in Arabian horses will recognize that horse immediately!

Trust me, i don't even particularly even like horses, and i've had the whole 'dish face', 'elegant neck', 'proud stance' thing drummed into me lol! ;)

[John G]

I like number 3 but with farms lowercase like #1.

But the horse you found to trace from has to have one of the wierdest looking necks I've ever seen. A horse neck more normal (or at least more expected) might be in order.

Mainly it just needs a thicker next where it comes in with the head, and don't have the shoulder joint jutting out. You've made it look like a profile only the horses neck is too thin and the angles make it look like the horse figure would be standing on two legs (like it would be a human with a horse head) the way the curves come forward.

[chriscrooz]

LOL... good, I'm glad you all think that horse looks weird, because it should. The horse you're looking at, Like Beano pointed out, is an Arabian Horse. These are not your regular horses. This company in specific, sells these babies that you think are wimps for anywhere between $250,000 - 2 MILLION. I'm not joking on that at all, so I'm glad to see you think it looks odd, that means it's unique and that it identifies as an Arabian Horse to those who know what one looks like. For this client using an Arabian Horse defines more of what this company does than a normal horse. Hope that helps.

[Mitch Wood]

My knowledge of horses is somewhat limited, but as Jeff said, the maine does give the horse that extra horsey image instead of the 'seahorse' as mentioned earlier. Here you can see what I would consider to be (as a non-horsey person) a more recognisable image that could be utilised in a logo. The angle is a bit off, but it is not all about tracing...



p.s. Probably useless bit of info for some..

But my parents own this beauty, she is called Sweet Sioux and she hasn't ran yet, but if any skint english students wanna a tip, in 7 months I could be the man to help ya out! As long as ya keep it to yourselves! ;)

[Mitch Wood]

p.s. Personally you image looks like a show horse, I was under the impression that race horses, well Class 1 race horses were the reason for breading thoroughbreads???

As I said my knowledge is poor, but I know that selective breeding with certain stable such as the Al Maktoums, Godolphin might be a better angle than the horses you have show. (and me dads!!!)


http://www.britishhorseracing.com/goracing/racing/peopleinracing/owners/view.asp?item=000054

[chriscrooz]

OK so I removed some of the lame ones at the bottom and did some re-working to the others to clean them up a bit. Comments appreciated.

[chriscrooz]

You can view the current work with the first post by going to the beginning of the thread.. .you'll see the difference.

[beano]

I'm not really keen on the way 'Arabians' has been thrown on, or the spacing of the word 'farm' in 1 and 2 to be honest!?!

If you're keeping the word 'Arabians' in there, i prefer #6, if not, i still like #2, although the word 'farm' needs some tlc... Maybe bring the kerning in and make the text larger, so you end up using the same/similar width? I think you'll have problems shrinking this logo with the script font at that size too! ;)

[red raw]

Number 6 is what I would expect to see for a Horse Farm. That's the one for me... It just looks like a Horse farm logo!

[chriscrooz]

Beano'
I agree with you on the spacing and use of the Arabians wording... I am having a tough time on 1 and 2 to implement the wording and I agree on the FARM for those as well. I'm going to touch those up a bit more and see what results I can come out with.

Red Raw, I completely agree that 6 seems like a horse farm design. Something you could see them making into a sign in front of their ranch. Thanks for the comments

[John G]

Why is "Arabians" thown in? I mean I know why... but it doesn't really roll off your tongue does it? "Midcrest Farm Arabian"?? I could understand "Midcrest Arabian Horse Farm" , "Midcrest Arabian Horses" or something like that.

#3 is my favorite. #6 goes well too, but it reminds me of Farmland's logo a lot (which could be great too).

[uncle carbunkle]

i still enjoy #2 - especially now that you've added a mane and turned him around to 'face' the viewer.

if you go with #6, try making 'farm' the same as 'mid crest' to help balance out your 'banner' feel. that way, 'arabians' will be more balanced, (if not more legible). i would also think about the angle of your light source (ie. perhaps you want to play around with your shadow).

woohoo! giddyup!

[Neballer]

I like #6. But I'd pull MID CREST and farm closer together. As it reads right now for me they seem like two separate ideas. Other than that I think it looks very clean and professional.

[DeleteYourself]

i'm down with 2, 3 and 6, but the serif font works better than the sans. the "arabian" confuses me. perhaps it should be included in a real tagline, as opposed to being permanently pegged to the logo. looking tight, though.

[ikyut]

numba 6 is the more professional for me. really professional, really catch my atention, really nice by the way-. really really.,.

ikyut

[chriscrooz]

Hey Delete,
Can you explain more to me what you mean by "included in a real tagline, as opposed to being permanently pegged to the logo" ? I'm having a hard time understanding how to incorporate that correctly to your recommendation.



i'm down with 2, 3 and 6, but the serif font works better than the sans. the "arabian" confuses me. perhaps it should be included in a real tagline, as opposed to being permanently pegged to the logo. looking tight, though.

[chriscrooz]

OK so here's some other ideas I had by just changing the Arabian Font on the bottom one and then doing some other styles to the top 4.

[tZ]

number six of the previous. the new ones (1-4) look like patch designs more then logos.

[beano]

I quite like them all now... ;)

I think what Delete means, is to take the 'Arabians' text out of the logo and put a tag line beneath it. A tag line is basically seperate from the logo, something like this:


MID CREST FARMS

"for the finest pedigree arabian horses"



ps. You may want to put a little more thought into the tag than i did though! :p

[KnockOut2]

The original Number 3 that was posted has the most potential, in my opinion, with the addition of the horse hair added to the horse illustration.

The style used in number 6, with the sunbeams behind the horse, looks more like a traditional farm image. Growing vegetables requires the sun. That image does not give the impression of "class" to me. I imagine if someone is bragging about Arabians, that class is of big importance.

I initially thought the mountain theme had some potential, but I thought what does a mountain have to do with horses? Then I realized that the name is Mid Crest, so I presume that the farm is located on the side of a moutain.

I still think the original #3 has the most potential. It is simple and the most important thing is to draw your attention is the image of the horse. The addition of horse hair texture was a huge improvement. The horse image that you first posted looked like the horse's neck was too thin to hold up its head.

[DeleteYourself]

beano is correct. the word "arabians" seems awkward and out of place in the logo itself. the tagline, is like a positioning statement that usually appears near or with the logo, but is not part of the central design. Here are a few examples:

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:OoGeFPblDMsJ:www.prepass.com/ACSfiles/ACS%2520Logo%2520and%2520Tagline.gif
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:IxbO0HwF89QJ:www.soygrowers.com/gsg/logoart-BFM/color/ASA%2520LOGO%C2%AEw-tagline.jpg
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:KjUPmtrcjpUJ:www.thechildrenstrust.or g/images/content/communicationsstandards/TheChildrensTrust_Color_Logo_Tagline_300dpi_CMYK.j pg

[C.E.]

This is for a company that trains and breeds thoroughbread horses.

Hey Chris, I don't mean to pick on you, but the photo you've used and then the final logos you've come up with (that actually include the word "arabians") are NOT Thoroughbreds. Thoroughbreds and Arabians are two different breeds with VERY distinct differences, and also very differently recognizable outlines. I'd suggest to contact your client and make sure that you have the correct breed of horse. (I'd be more than happy to help you find some photos once you find out what breed you're dealing with.) Also, if this farm trains Thoroughbred racehorses, you might want to change the outline to a running horse w/ or w/out a rider. I'd suggest double checking the breed and function of this farm, and then browsing a few websites for some "ideas" to help fine tune your logo. (I really like the setup of #5 above, but I think you need to make sure what type of breed this farm specializes in.) :)

Here's a few designers that specialize in the equine industry that I like to browse for ideas:
http://www.equinewebdesign.com/
http://www.thecattle.net/
http://www.equineinternet.com/
(and mine:) http://www.cowgirlexpressions.com/

[chriscrooz]

Yea C.E. I agree, I do need to find out what horses exactly this client focuses on. I know they have Arabian Horses and from what I've been told by the owners daughter, they also have a mix of other horses.

Right now the client is still in the process of moving their 150+ horses to a new location so that's why I haven't been able to meet with the owner to show them the mock ups I did. Once I do meet with the guy that is going ot be one of my quiestions to ask so I can find out more specific details. This mock up was pretty much to get ahead of the game so when the client does decide to go through with it I'm already a step ahead and have something for the client to look at. Thanks for all the comments.

[barrelgrli]

As I horse person myself (hence the sn) I would say 2 or 3, I really like them. Most other horse people would recognize that horse right away so i would leave it :) Great Job!

[M1chae1]

1, 2 & 3 are all nice. I would go with 3. (1 would be just fine though)

--MR