Please rate my logo [Archive] - Graphic Design Forum

Pica

08-01-2005, 04:59 AM

You've got a good concept, but it needs polishing to take it from the homemade look to a professional level. A lot of this is my personal taste, so take it or leave it, but there are some things I'm going to address that are basic priciples of design and typography that you should learn as you grow as a designer.

Text issues:

Is there a particular reason you capitalized "Design" and "Today"? If there's not a specific reason, then you should leave them lower case. You can still use font elements to emphasize them without abusing grammar.

Make sure you're using a real apostrophe and not a '. The default in some programs (apparently including this forum) is to use the '. A true apostrophe should have a curve to it. (Same thing goes for quotation marks.)

Font:

On "Today" it looks like you just clicked on the italicize option. I don't know what software you're using, but good design software will let you choose a true italicized font. Programs like Word just slant the roman version of a font instead of substituting an italic version which has different letter shapes, serifs, ligatures, etc. Check out this article for a better explanation: http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/typestyles/a/italics_2.htm.

T:

Okay, you created your own letter T which is fine. The only problem is that it looks like that's what you did. Since your created T looks pretty similar to Impact, why not just use the real thing? You can still give the T a different color treatment using a font, just set the T in a different text box or better yet, convert the text to outlines and treat the whole thing as a graphic. Since you've used two rectangles to create your T, you have gradients going two different directions, which just adds confusion.

Layout:

The bottom of the T doesn't align with the bottom of the rest of the company name. It's not a big enough difference in alignment to look intentional, just off. Try either aligning it precisely, or making an even greater distinction between the two baselines.

The slogan on the right seems too far away from the company name. Assuming the size on the linked image is the original size, try moving the slogan a pica to the left. Another option, one that might make for a more balanced layout, would be to put the slogan under the company name. That would act as a kind of underline to the name and you'd have a logo with a more design-friendly aspect ratio (basically, it'd be a nice rectangle shape that would fit easily into many layouts).

Color:

I love orange and I think you've chosen a great shade (not scary neon, not wimpy melon) and it works well for web applications. I also think gray is a good choice. But be careful with gradients. While they can look great on a computer screen, they usually look like crap in printed form unless you're going with high quality printing. The gray gradient makes the company name kind of disappear, which I don't think is what you're intending. I'd get rid of the gray gradient all together, since it conflicts with the orange gradient on the T, but if you really want it, try adding an outline to the letters so they don't disappear off the page. (Putting the slogan as a baseline under the name would balance that out as well.) As for the orange gradient, like I said before, it will look better if you treat the T as a single element rather than two rectangles. If you want to do something funky with the T, try playing with Photoshop gradients, bevels, shadows, etc. (just remember, less is more).

Slogan:

Maybe it's just me, but the wording of the slogan seems a bit stilted. Maybe something more direct like: "Tomorrow's design, today." Rather generic, but concise.

Good luck with everything! :cool:

keith1

08-01-2005, 10:28 PM

I know you're only 13 and I applaud you for getting into graphic design so early but I think your design lacks the most important aspect of a good logo and that is concept. Tension Web, what does it mean? What kind of things come to mind with the word "tension"? What kind of image do you want this logo to portray? Don't just sit in front of a computer and start designing, do research, look at other great logo designs. Gradients should never be used in logos especially in the beginning stages. You want the logo to be strong enough to stand on it's own printed in only black. My only advice to you is read about logo design, study other logos, and never stop learning about design. If you keep at it and are passionate about it you'll be great one day, starting off this early is a great advantage IMO. I wish I was more into graphic design at your age. Here's a good start to learn about logo design http://www.jfisherlogomotives.com/ Looking forward to seeing how you progress.