Here are three design options i'm showing a customer. he wanted "simple" ("cheap"). these layouts were done quickly (15 minutes for the set). i welcome any constructive criticism. If you comment, please try to say why you'd suggest such and such change. i'm hoping this will be educational for more people than just me. About the customer. Its a mailbox shop, on San Francisco's Haight Street, hence the word pun (hate-mail). This is the less-nice part of Haight (ok, the gritty part of Haight) where lots of things are just black, or black and white. The sign is 3' x 7' backlit plex face (replacement face for an existing cabinet). Posted by John Lennig (Member # 2455) on :
Scooter, I like #1, got to spell the postmark right, tho!
If it's got to read at some distance, maybe try Frutiger 65 kind of letter, o spacing, you'll get a bit more height in the same width.
It's a clean design, red is just right , as the postmark.
John / SignRider
Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
# 1 is my favorite, too. Looks clean and modern, and the postmark is a cool idea, gives it just the right touch. I second Johns suggestion to change the font to a non serif.
In #2 I would also change the font for the secondary copy. A more "technical" font, would give it a more contemporary look. The colors are effective.
#3 is cool for font freaks like us. I personally like it, but I'm not convinced it is the right choice for this business.
Thanks for sharing, I always learn from these kind of posts.
Posted by ScooterX (Member # 2023) on :
thank you for the comments so far!
the "postmark" isn't worked out yet -- i'll actually put that type on an arc if he picks it, but i didn't want to go to the trouble if he isn't going to pick it. (shrug)
Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :
I really like number one. I think it gives the customer the feel of the type of business it is without even having to read the sign. It could be easily converted to a logo for them, which the other two do not do.
I find the other two alot more "work" to read. The third one is especially hard to read, my eye starts with the biggest lettering, and flows off the sign to the right. Then you have to force yourself to go back and read the small print on the left to find out what kind of business it is.
I would absolutely push the first one.
Suelynn
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
I like #1 too. But, I also like #3 because it's a lot easier to read services offered copy. #2 doesn't work at all. Red & black is just a bad color combination. I try to assign a contrast value to color using a scale of 1-10. 1 being white & 10 black. From there, I estimate different shades from there. Red would be 8 or 9, offering very little contrast.
My 2¢ worth,
Checkers
Posted by Mark Yearwood (Member # 2723) on :
Scooter, I like the top one because it's clean and easy to read. I would also change the secondary copy to sans serif for readability. You might put little red bullets between the words instead of commas and a tick more space between those words.
On the postmark, you could cut a mask and sponge the red on, making it look stamped. You could make a graphic "stamp" and have the postmark over it. Just make it toned down so it doesn't interfere with the copy.
Posted by Tasmus (Member # 445) on :
mark yearwood is the man! I think his ideas are terrific for #1. I am sure you intended it to do what it does, that is tell the customer what the biz is before they even read it!! Recognition at a glance, and clever name too!! Brilliant.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
Scooter,
Mark has a good point on adding spacing, but if so, I'd run the bottom text as 2 lines of type for readability and size.
Great colors. Makes me think of the US postal service at a glance. Rapid
Posted by Stretch (Member # 4391) on :
I think the top one is the strongest design as well. I would like to see the red 'stamp' in the upper right distorted a little bit so it looks more like the actual stamp that appears on envelopes. Those stamps are always a little misaligned and are usually not crisp and clean. Roughing it up would push the concept a little more?
Just my 2¢.
-Stretch
Posted by S.J. Kozan (Member # 1981) on :
I like #1, but as someone said, try it with bullets in between the words
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
My mind must work way different from everyone else. My thought's when I first saw this were: #1 looks like a postal delivery service where I got the impression that this was more a postal supplies store I thought that with the secondary copy being so small that it was misleading to what the place was actually about - but then maybe I just misunderstood what that was..... #2 I don't like the black & red especially since you said it was going to be in a black & white area - too suggestive #3 I liked the way the eye was drawn to the secondary copy, because I thought that clarified what the store was all about. I'm not overly big on the font and if you squint or look fast the word mail can be confused with the word mall, but that could be tweaked fairly easily. Sooo, there is a different perspective. EDIT * Sorry I reread my post and it comes off as sounding as though I didn't like any of them - I do like both #1 and #3. Didn't mean to sound nasty, I was just offering my viewpoint.
[ January 16, 2004, 11:02 PM: Message edited by: Kelly Thorson ]
Posted by Joe Rees (Member # 211) on :
I think #1 is great Scooter.
Both as a sign and a logo.
Yes, it takes a little work to read the sub-copy, but I don't care in this case. The name and graphic ploy are so compelling it makes me (first) register the name in my brain - what is THAT? and (second), it has piqued my interest enough to WANT to find out what the rest of the copy says. Even if I can't find out till I pass by that sign again tomorrow, I will be looking for it and satisfy my curiosity. Definitely a name and a layout that would engage a reader. Hope they pick it.
Posted by vance galliher (Member # 581) on :
.........make the mentioned changes on the postmark and sub-copy... and you've got you and your client a great looking logo .....vance
[ January 17, 2004, 12:56 AM: Message edited by: vance galliher ]
Posted by Robert Thomas (Member # 1356) on :
I like #1 as well. Run the postmark through the copier a few times, then scan & don't clean it up for a realistic look. Sans serif on the secondary copy. billets & on two lines.
Scooter, You're not a "beginner" anymore!
Cheers
Posted by ScooterX (Member # 2023) on :
i try to keep a "beginner's mind" (its a Zen phrase meaning "stay fresh and open").
thank you for the nice comments everybody. i've shown all three to the client, and he was leaning towards the top one as well (but had to show it to his store manager). i'll X my fingers that he goes with that one. I'll re-post the final version when i create it.
![[Confused]](confused.gif)
![[Dunno]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
I thought that with the secondary copy being so small that it was misleading to what the place was actually about - but then maybe I just misunderstood what that was.....![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Didn't mean to sound nasty, I was just offering my viewpoint.