update on my logo

[mar1300]

This is my second try at this logo. For those who didn't see my first attempt it's for a DJ "DJ Merciless" and will be used on CD covers, t-shirts things like that. It’s my first time doing a logo so all your help is appreciated.

Thanks

[mar1300]

2 new colors

[chalsema]

I'm really liking these a lot better. Especially #4. Nice job :)

[keith1]

You shouldn't worry about the color choices until last. I like the scorpion and I like it better outside the circle. Why the scorpion though?

[tZ]

Have your tried intrating the scorpion with the type treatment you had before?

All and all the composition is much more solid then before, but I liked the type treatment on the one before (first... i think).

[Mynock]

2 or 3

[mar1300]

"keith1"................The client wanted a scorpion in it. I also figured that a scorpion shows "no mercy" no matter the competition. So I agreed to work with the scorpion.
Thanks I won't worry about the color now.

"tZ".................I haven't tried interacting the scorpion with the text yet. I also liked the type I had before but when I took the advice of scaling it down to "1 inch” it was kind of hard to read.

Thanks for the advice. Any thing else you think I should try to improve on?

[keith1]

I think the scorpion is GRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAT!, you need to work on the type. I agree with tz, the other treatment you had would be better however you said it got hard to read at 1". Try using something similar or cleaning it up a bit so it is easier to read. The type right now doesn't compliment the scorpion and it looks corporate. I don't think DJ & Corporate mix well unless your name was DJ Whitecollar or something. Use a dirtier treatment for the type.

[keith1]

Something like a graffiti style or signature style or distressed a little. The type needs movement not a boring font standing upright with no personality.

[mar1300]

"keith1"...................lol alright.. ok no DJ & corporate mix....I'll be working on that sometime to day.. thanks

[keith1]

I need it by 3:00PM EST. Thank you. Oh yeah also I'm also gonna need you to go ahead and come in early on Sunday, ok? Yeah, great thanks.

[Jason Fraker]

I disagree about using graffiti type. I think a nice sans-serif face gives the piece contrast, but I do agree about it standing straight up. You could try skewing it or maybe a perspective warp with a skew. That would give it some diagonal movement, which is nice, and keep it readable at 1"

[keith1]

I know graffiti is hard to read sometimes, I meant like graffiti-esque. ;)

[mar1300]

how about something like this?

[Mynock]

the higher the tail the more agressive it looks which is better in my opinion. Instead of looking like it's walking it looks like it's about to strike

[mar1300]

"mynock" yea that's what I was thinking

[morea]

I like what you have done with 6 and 8.

[mar1300]

"morea"...thanks

[G-Man79]

it would be funny to see a pair of headphones on that scorpion!

"peace out"

[Mynock]

I "agree" wit "G-Man79" try in some way to tie it back into "music" or the "DJ" business even it is slight or small.

[mar1300]

I couldn't quit make the headphones look right sitting on his head so I tried this approach what do you think?

[Mynock]

try a second color only for the headphones

[keith1]

I would lose the headphones,I don't think it's working. I work also make the type bolder & larger in respect to the scorpion.

[JaCkinbOx]

You chose an excellent pose for the scorpion. It's very fierce.

[Mynock]

what about this? ok I'm bored I know.

[chalsema]

^^ hehe Nice iPod commercial. ;)

[Mynock]

what about giving him two turntables

[chalsema]

and a microphone?

[Mynock]

wouldn't that make him an MC?

[chalsema]

yeah... ehh.. umm I didn't mean that literally.

[keith1]

Maybe it blew by him. BECK

[tZ]

This is a whole new approach but here is an idea...

Find a letter which you can set the headphones on but, make the top really stretched out... to imply aggressivness as you have with the scorpion. Of course you would more then likly get rid of the scorpion if you did that.

Its just another idea....

Now that I see them together... I think there is to much going on with the scorpion and text treatment together.

One or another.

[mar1300]

"tz"..........ok I'll give that shot and see how it turns out

[mar1300]

ok here's some more ideas......

[MD]

I think your new #1 is very clever but your old #1 is still your strongest design, It would look so bad a$$ on a t-shirt :D I don't like the graffiti type on this logo, you need something bolder/stronger. A typeface that conveys NO MERCY.

[mar1300]

These are the top five contenders....... and I would like to thank everyone for your patients with me.

This was such a learning experience for me. This was my first logo, first time really using illustrator, and my first client even though he's a close friend of the family. But I guess you got to start some where.

[tZ]

five... i like the concept of 1 and 2 but the mark just doesn't remind me of a dj.

The concept of one and two are interesting.

However, you mark does not reflect the emotive response of the text.

It also does not do well in "identifing" a dj.

Even though it has the headphones and all.

The mark is highly abstract, and it just doesn't work.

None the less, ingenious concept and technical application.

But you must remember:

Not allways does making conceptual reference associated with the business being identified work. Its the way the mark, the color, ect are applied to create the concept.

now then..

I would suggest five.

in conrast to the aftermentioned designs the scorpion and text in the third, fourth, and fifth reflects the emotive response represented in the type.

However, the non of the scorpion designs are sucessfull in identifing a "DJ".

Except for the black which works well here.

We some what get a sense of a DJ or music.

Narrowing it down now... I would say the fifth and final works the best compositionally.

The third ones text allthough interesting is a bit ascew and hard to read.

The forth just isn't compositonally interesting.

Enclosing imagery within a a shape without any type of overlap is just boring in my eyes. Makes it seem the logo is cut of and secluded from the surrounding... unless done right. Maybe if you had the scorpion breaking the bounderies of the circle it would better... i don't know.

Anyhow, the first one is the best in my opinion. The text is easy to read, the colors work well as an identifier and the scorpion really say "merciless".

I could definatly see that scorpion on the back of a t-shirt and merciless across the front.

good stuff

[cragi]

i like 4, maybe with the headphones on the 'm' or waves coming off the scorpion or the circle you use could have the headphone border

[Ghastly]

Think the level of work within this thread is far superior to the other :) , but I still think there is work to do perhaps...

When I saw the scorpion my first thought was..."eh?" you explain later that it is linked to the word and concept: *merciless*... my problem is that I don't equate lonesome scorpion in a rather un-ferocious pose with merciless. Could you not redraw your scorpion with a much more menacing posture...really try and sell the message?

[mar1300]

"tz"......"cragi"......."ghastly"......."keith1"...."MD"..."chalsema"......"JaCkinbOx"......"Mynock.......morea". thanks alot for the suggestions & advice.

[keith1]

The designs have been getting better and more interesting. Goes to show that don't just do 1 or 2 and call it a day and ask what people think. The more you do the better they keep getting. Just know when to say when so you don't drive yourself batty with nonstop refinements.

[morea]

good point, keith.

Also, it's easier to let your creativity flow if you sit down and brainstorm with a sketch pad than by going straight to the computer. It generally results in a stronger concept, too.

[mar1300]

good tips i'll make sure I keep that in mind

thanks

[Eraser Nubbin]

I hit this one a little late, but I think that it is great.
Maybe a little picky but I might emphasize his stinger and pinchers a little, make them a bit meaner.
Out of them all I like the white on black reverse one.

[Mitch Wood]

Why not intergrate the headphone with the tail? Or if you look at Orthorton needles, they have an aggressive slant on them, and are widely recogonised by the 'spinner of the wings of steel'.

So the needle is about to strike the text? It could fit nicely in the curve of the tail?

It might be too much of a visual pun, but it could be another avenue?

http://www.needledoctor.com/core/media/media.nl?id=4309&c=ACCT106601&h=d9d73df21e1ee29fb9be

[mkdezine]

maybe have some sound waves hitting th 'phones' in a Mercy-less way
I dont think scorpions are un- mercy-like....and it is kind of played out...for lack of sober-nesss,,i mean words....Im very new here.. but didnt I see an older version of this?...I think I liked it better than all the above.....scorpions just dont do it for me ..
.It is hard for me to say , however, because I dont know the music.....:confused:mk

[Mitch Wood]

NO!!!! I like he scorpion, even the name sounds edgy and nasty.

If you found one in your shoe, you would split at the spinxter just from the sight, so yes I feel the scopion is a fairly good choice.

I like the shape of it so far, it could even have further stylisation just to emphasize the aggression of it (higher tail, bulkier shoulders etc). I feel more of a relevant gel could be used to make it seemless, as at the mo it is just like a well drawn scorpion next to some text.

[Skyler]

I think you should use Scorpion from Mortal Combat instead of a scorpion from your pet store. I used to play that game all the time and would make my friends cry when I shouted 'get over here!' Yeah, he was merciless.

[tZ]

yeah... cause that wouldn't be copyright theft and wouldn't fall under the integrity radar...

anyway I think the one I mentioned before is the winner.

[Eraser Nubbin]

Haha that Scorpion character was brutal. I had a friend like you Skyler and it drove me nuts!!
He was also the guy that used Guille in Street Fighter. That bastard had it worked out to a science... First he would chuck a Sonic Boom at me and then as I jumped to dodge it he would flip a scissor kick at me!!
Over and over and over... good ol' Blanka never stood a chance.

[Skyler]

yeah... cause that wouldn't be copyright theft and wouldn't fall under the integrity radar...

COME'ERE! :spear:

It's only copyright theft if you don't secure a liscense. :p