posted
A logo I'm working on for an Agri centre (or is it center)???? Blue was one of the requirements - I just realized I don't do blue much....but I wanted to incorporate some earthy colors too. This will be used for highway signs, building signs and business cards. I think the customer felt it was a little to fancy, but it is a small town business so I felt we could forgo the corporate branding look. What do you all think - any suggestions for improvements?
[ February 20, 2005, 03:11 PM: Message edited by: Kelly Thorson ]
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5499 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Is that the blue that was specified, or can ya use a little less electric blue? I'd try having the cow facing the other direction...facing into the layout instead of out of it. And the "RIEL TRAIL" type, I would squish shorter by maybe 15% of the height. Another thing is the oval. I'd like to see a shape a the fits the copy and graphic.
Take all with a grain of salt, because there's a million ways to do anything and these are just off the top of my head suggestions and nothing more.
posted
Kelly, this is my take, the .ai is yours if ya want it. I think the blues were fighting with the earth tones, and I wasn't keen on the casual script. Looks like I thought the same as Don about the cow! Love Ya.....Jill
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
You're right Joey it is a sign, but it will be used as the identity for the business on signs, advertising, business cards and possibly on hats etc. I don't know if that makes it a logo or not..... I should have mentioned - the type on the Riel Trail, the blues and the oval shape were the customer's specs. I notice that on my home computer the blue is much brighter and the yellow is much duller. Interesting.... I was trying to work this so that the Agri Centre Ltd was dominant, followed by the Riel Trail and the images were just enhancements. Does it come across that way to others? I agree with you on muteing the bright blue Don, and I'll try the cow facing in - for the sake of interest I was trying to mess with instinct, but if it bothers others then I loose I'm kinda liking the script and the bright yellow, but would appreciate other input - maybe I'm out to lunch on this puppy. I'm getting a little more adventurous in bending the rules, maybe I need to backpeddle a little.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5499 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Jill's take on the colors is a whole lot more pleasing, IMHO. That yellow and blue, playing along w/ the reddish brown oval, yikes.
If you want the Agri Centre copy to be more dominating, then they other copy needs to be less. When I suggested that the height of that copy could be shrunk down, it was for two reasons. First, it wouldn't compete so much with the other copy. Secondly, shrinking the height just a bit would give that copy a little less straight outta the computer look.
It's one of those things that ya see something's different, but ya can't quite put your finger on it. Even if that font was requested by the customer, they would never see it was different.
I don't think that script plays well with the block serif type. Fonts can clash with each other just like colors can. Scripts play much better when teamed with sans serif.
As far as the cow...as a general rule of thumb, images should always face towards the inside of a layout. What you want to do with any layout is lead the viewer's eye through from primary to secondy copy, so that they want to read the entire message. There are occasional exceptions, but rarely.
I hope this was more helpful than not. I tried to add some why's to the what's.
posted
Okay - a fresh perspective on this.... I've tried to keep the overall oval shape, the Riel Trail font and some blues. I threw out all of the images. I think this is more my style - just have to convince the customer I'm always right.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5499 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Kelly, you posted that at the same time as my last post.
HUGELY improved! Set that version side by side w/ the first post, and gotta make ya proud of yerself!
Only thing I might change w/ your latest version might be the left leg of the A in TRAIL. I'm sure that's the way it came out of the computer, but I'd still suggest thickening it up a tad.If you'll notice, the rest of the letters in that copy are more or less uniform thickness strokes.
I'd probably leave a little space where the outline stripe meets the subpanel. (These things can be tweeked till hell freezes over)
posted
Thanks Don for all the help. I woke up this morning and gagged when I looked at it again - I musta burned all my perspective up on that one. (honestly - I wasn't drinking) Now I'm not going to be a suck and delete the first logo, though I would like too.
And so moving on..... I did notice the stroke on the A and figured I should change it. Now why didn't I? I also made the secondary panel a little wider and changed the outside border to brown while Don was posting.
Thanks everyone for your help and I'm still open to critisism and suggestions.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5499 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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The kerning is a little askew on the "Agri Center Ltd" lettering.....There seems to be a big space between the A and the G of Agri....and a few other more minor kerning annoyances....do the "squint" test and adjust a bit would be my suggestion.
Also...for some reason, I am having difficulty with the two choices of fonts used in conjunction together...I think I'd personally go with a sans serif bold style type for the Riel Trail....the two serif'd fonts seem to clash to me...
I do like your sign shapes very much! I think you're almost there....
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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posted
Your original and Jill's version gives it more of an identity than your last one. Good design on latest but more generic especially if to be used as a "logo". My five cents worth....
-------------------- Mario G. Lafreniere (Fergie) J&N Signs Winter did show up! Posts: 1257 | From: Chapleau, Ontario | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted
I like the second one a lot better. Again, for some bizarre reason...I'm agreeing with Don....and also Todd's kerning & sans serif comments. Looks more like "you" Kelly. Love....Jill and yes I am a beer drinker.
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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[ February 21, 2005, 01:14 AM: Message edited by: Jerry VanHorn ]
-------------------- Jerry VanHorn, Pres. Pure Sports Designs, LLC Pro Sign Design / United Wholesale Signs www.prosigndesign.comwww.unitedwholesalesigns.com West Liberty, OH 937-465-0595 866-942-3990 Since 1990 Posts: 925 | From: West :Liberty, OH | Registered: May 2004
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posted
Inserting a panel that breaks up a block of copy usually semms a no-no. It makes the read confusing as we attempt going from top to bottom. I also find there is way to much competition between the two fonts. The RIAL TRAIL still dominates the emblem which further confuses the design.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6860 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Kelly . . .The last one you did looks good...but where's the 'beef'? . . . .
Since it is looking 3 dimensional...mabey you can add an oval or round panel with the bust onto that center panel . . .but that would leave you having to put the ltd info arched, on the bottom....so . . .
Mabey you could raise the area above 'RIEL' (or put it beneath a lowwered 'TRAIL' . . .and put the cow there (but not in another panel . . .)
BTW . . .I thought you said blue was a requirement?? Cud'nt'cha just change the dark brown & tan to the same colour value shades of blue . . .use a beige-tan in place of the rust colour?
posted
The more I think about it, the more Joey's two cents seems like a good point of discussion. The post topic is "logo", but there's nothing resembling a logo anywhere here.
A logo can be a unique icon, or an interesting take on the letters in the name. It's a company brand that will be associated with that company when seen on the street or in advertising. A sign layout really isn't a logo. Maybe some customers don't know what a logo is, but Joey has a valid point that the people asked to design a logo should know. Ya don't have to be a butcher when you go to the meetshop for a sirloin. The butcher is trusted to knowing the cuts.
Besides that, it's kinda a shame that the customer specified the type for this project. Isn't much to build on.
posted
Yikes! - Jill is it okay if I become a beer drinker with you.....please.....
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5499 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
I'm lovin' it Sheila I don't know if I'll have too much time today to pound out some new ideas, but I'm definitely listening to both this post and the behind the scenes info. I have a LOT of directions to go in
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5499 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Does this mean you're gettin' phone calls and faxes too??
PS! I'm just wonderin' . . .how much do y'all charge customers again? You know, for those layouts?? If those stupid customers would just become sign painters and ask for a little critique now and then they could get their sign design laid out for FREE!! . . .(lol)
posted
"behind the scenes info" .... Just some good ideas and advice from fellow heads (who would rather not put themselves in the line of fire ), as well as what the customer wants.... I don't think the customer is going to get shown this post though - thats all he needs (or his wife....she seems to be running the show, LOL) They don't need any more ideas to add to the mix LOL
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5499 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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quote: If those stupid customers would just become sign painters and ask for a little critique now and then they could get their sign design laid out for FREE!!
Truth, Sheila! But would they be outta luck if they wanted a logo?
Since the customer specified the type, I'd probably start out by seeing what kind of interesting shapes could come out of those, using the letters in the name. Sometimes something comes out of that, sometimes not, but that's where I would start.
Was the particular cow image specified, too? Some interesting things could come out of a cow motif. Not to copy, but look what Gateway did with cows, just as an example.
As far as being afraid of being in the line of fire..I'm used to it by now. I doubt many people here like me as it is, so being honest aint gonna shake things up much. That being said, I hope I'm being helpful, and if not just say so and I'll disappear.
[ February 21, 2005, 01:16 PM: Message edited by: Don Coplen ]
posted
The first design looked like a logo that may need a bit of tweaking, but had rounded third and was heading for home. I liked it. The second design, while it would still quality as a logo, looked more like a sign design to me.
Logo: An identifying mark that designates an entity, beit a business, event, municipality or product; usually comprised of a design, icon, type or any combination thereof.
Can a logo stand alone as a sign design. Yes.
Joey: Who's broke you miserable old goat? Replace those glasses dude, the old one's are giving you a terrible outlook on almost everything. We make good money here, and we design logos AND create signs...often for the same clients.
Kelly, I liked the personality of your first design...and here's something I learned long ago from instructors that were probably even older than Mr Madden: Design in black and white. If it looks good, and will hold it's own in black and white, It'll look GREAT with color added to it. Remember, if it's a logo, there will be many times the client will have to present it in black and white, so don't fall into using color as a crutch.
and besides, ultimately, it's what the client decides on.
posted
I guess I was not in the loop when I threw toghether my design LATE last night. I was designing a sign, not a logo - hence the upsell gold statement.
I'm usually with you Don. I say what I think. More people should be that way.
-------------------- Jerry VanHorn, Pres. Pure Sports Designs, LLC Pro Sign Design / United Wholesale Signs www.prosigndesign.comwww.unitedwholesalesigns.com West Liberty, OH 937-465-0595 866-942-3990 Since 1990 Posts: 925 | From: West :Liberty, OH | Registered: May 2004
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posted
Joeys words are usually the truth Alphonse. I learned that quite some time ago. He made a good point on this discussion. That dont make him a miserable old goat. Its guys like him that we need to pay more attention to. There are few here, if any, that can pull lines like Joey. And Don, I still love you too buddy.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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posted
Another tongue-in-cheek attempt. #1 is the UCLA version of the "logo" #2 is a sign design. Love....Jill
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
this wouldn't look bad as a logo on a nice white polo shirt. whatya 'yall think?
-------------------- Jerry VanHorn, Pres. Pure Sports Designs, LLC Pro Sign Design / United Wholesale Signs www.prosigndesign.comwww.unitedwholesalesigns.com West Liberty, OH 937-465-0595 866-942-3990 Since 1990 Posts: 925 | From: West :Liberty, OH | Registered: May 2004
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posted
Fast Signs down the road from me usually deal with all the SH!T jobs.
[ February 21, 2005, 03:04 PM: Message edited by: Jerry VanHorn ]
-------------------- Jerry VanHorn, Pres. Pure Sports Designs, LLC Pro Sign Design / United Wholesale Signs www.prosigndesign.comwww.unitedwholesalesigns.com West Liberty, OH 937-465-0595 866-942-3990 Since 1990 Posts: 925 | From: West :Liberty, OH | Registered: May 2004
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