This is topic Design critique in forum Letterhead/Pinstriper Talk at The Letterville BullBoard.


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Posted by Mike Murray (Member # 840) on :
 
Here is a quick one I came up with this morning. Not sure if it really has a pub feel to it. Let the comments fly......

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Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
 
Looks Canadian [Wink]
A Maple Leaf graphic gives you the opportunity to use all the wonderful fall colours, I'd tend to stay away from the dominant red simply because it does make it look Canadian, unless that is what you are after. Maybe a rust or orange...

[ July 12, 2006, 11:57 AM: Message edited by: Kelly Thorson ]
 
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
 
Quick critique....
The modern font on Maple Ridge clashes with the old-timey scrolls.
Lacks a "pub" feel due to that modern font and leaf. But you may not be looking for a traditional style.
Ditch the scrolls and make PUB all caps in the same font fot a modern look. And change the green if you can, because those colors remind me of Christmas.

If you want an old-style look get a more traditional leaf, and maybe have a soft yellow background with maroon or red lettering.
In any event, your two lines of copy need some tightening, and more breathing room around the Maple Leaf part.
You asked!
Love....Jill
 
Posted by Catharine C. Kennedy (Member # 4459) on :
 
At first glance, it looks very bland- not much stands out...
Cat
 
Posted by Dusty Campbell (Member # 4601) on :
 
I agree with Jill. The fancy sign shape and the scrolls need different fonts. Or go the other direction and make the whole thing more modern. I like how the leaf sits. It relates nice to the sign shape. The pub name needs to move up some.
 
Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
 
I don't mind the font for Maple Ridge so much, but PUB looks like a foreign object on there. First thing I'd do is to change that font, and I want to say change that green too, but it's a better idea to come up with a good layout first and then worry about colours.

(Edited because I can't spell)

[ July 12, 2006, 12:44 PM: Message edited by: Lotti Prokott ]
 
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
 
The colors would sort of have a warm feeling to them, especially around Christmas.
 
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
 
Just an idea.
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Trying to go for a 40s-50s feel.
love....Jill
 
Posted by Mike Murray (Member # 840) on :
 
I can change anything that needs to be changed. This is going in my basement behind the bar we just built so everything from shape to fonts to colors are wide open. That was just the first idea I came up with. I think I need to step back and design in black and white then add color when the design is right. I am thinking that a more modern look would fit better. I hate designing stuff when it's for me.

You're right Jill, I asked. It's the only way to learn, right?

**Edited to add that I just saw your idea Jill. You must have posted that while I was typing. I like it.

[ July 12, 2006, 03:26 PM: Message edited by: Mike Murray ]
 
Posted by Mike Murray (Member # 840) on :
 
Here's another go, same basic idea, with different font and shortened the panel a little.

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Posted by Talisman (Member # 1869) on :
 
Mike,

I did a test panel on a sample of sign foam a while back and did this quick layout. It was just for testing how the foam would blast mind you but I had a pub type sign layout in mind when I did it.

Here it is:
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And here it is blasted:
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In hindsight I should have blasted it deeper...

Regardless it is still on my wall as an example piece.

You are more than welcome to use any element of it if it will help you with yours.
 
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
 
I like to be different...how about this?

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Posted by Mike Erickson (Member # 5922) on :
 
Mike, I see great potential here. The shape of the Maple leaf would make a great background shape and or can even be bordered with something similar to what you currently have. I would rotate it more centered though and maybe make line breaks where the main focal point (text) is to be.It seems there is not enough contrast so it looks like too much negative space.Oh yeah and give the typeface (s) more personality. Just my point of view.

[ July 12, 2006, 10:22 PM: Message edited by: Mike Erickson ]
 
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
 
A lot of times when these threads are going on, I will rework these things on my computer just for practice... however, most of my renditions I would not dare post on here. Probably should keep up the habit.. (practicing/no posting)

That said... this was my idea for the sign... still kinda in the rough stages as far as colors, kerning, etc. Was thinking of pieces of barley for each side, but didn't take the time to look for any. [Smile] [Smile]

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And ya'll don't make fun of my homemade ribbon... it's the first one I've ever made from scratch.. [Big Grin] [Big Grin] [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
 
Jon, now that looks like a Pub sign!
Nice work.
(hey I got the name wrong on mine)
Mike, I would change two things about your new layout.
[Smile] The bottom of the panel needs to fit your copy better.
Better yet, listen to Mike E.
Could you eliminate the panel all together, then make one that is cut to a bigger contour of your text and the leaf?
[Smile] Maple Ridge is too "stretched" vertically.
Again, Mike E. is right about the typeface.
(not that I'm surprised)
love....Jill

[ July 13, 2006, 06:52 AM: Message edited by: Jill Marie Welsh ]
 
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
 
NIce work, Jon!

Mike, your original one, to me, looks way too 'rigid' if you can understand that. Other's comments above sort of explain that too.

A pet grievance of mine is scrolls put back-to-front! The bulk of those ones needs to be nearer the centre, so they symmetrically taper away, going outwards, in my opinion, if you wish to use them. i.e. the tail ends need to be outwards, not in the centre.

Good luck with the tweaks!
 
Posted by Mike Murray (Member # 840) on :
 
Jon, that is very nice!

Jill and Mike E., is this along the lines of what you are thinking?

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Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
 
Yup!
But your leaf is too squashed/distorted.
Tighten up the Maple and Ridge, fix your kerning on the P in pub, and it will be neato.
Like the typestyle you chose for the name.
Love....Jill
 
Posted by Stevo Chartrand (Member # 2094) on :
 
Hi Mike,

I think it's looking pretty good, it could use a better looking and more balanced leaf.
I designed this with your first versions in mind. Slow day today and been awhile since I got to get fancy with sumthin. Your first ones looked like you were trying to force the lettering to fit the panel shape. Try to design from the inside out to get a more balanced layout.
You're headed in the right direction with it!

Stevo


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Posted by Blake Koehn (Member # 5984) on :
 
Jon it looks like an outhouse sign to me.

[Bash] [Rolling On The Floor]
 
Posted by Mike Erickson (Member # 5922) on :
 
Mike, I'm not being bias (ok I am) I like that font also. I did a quicky just to demonstrate that I feel you are on to something with your layout, unfortunately I guess I'm not tech savy enough to upload it or post it. Anyone help me with that?
 
Posted by Mike Erickson (Member # 5922) on :
 
BTW stevO your design looks nice.
 
Posted by Mike Murray (Member # 840) on :
 
OK, here it is with Jill's and Stevo's changes. Tightened Maple Ridge, fixed pub, and changed the leaf to be more balanced.

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Stevo, you are 100% correct, I was trying to make the lettering fit that panel, not sure why I had that shape stuck in my head. Your version...what can I say? That looks sweet!

Mike E., I figured you'd like that font once I put two and two together earlier this morning. You can e-mail your picture to me and I will post it.
 
Posted by Mike Erickson (Member # 5922) on :
 
OK Mike shoot me your email. The design could still use some work such as working the typeface to be more dominate (larger) but you should get a good idea of the layout I had in mind.
 
Posted by Mike Murray (Member # 840) on :
 
Got them Mike, here they are. I like them both.

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