Valerie is opening an upscale boutique for young women. She has always been fascinated with the concept of "coming of age". She has decided to call her boutique "Sixteen Candles" and hopes to get a logo that will somehow portray the transition from adolescence to adulthood. She's looking for something feminine yet strong and definitely not "Barbie" like. Her lines of clothing will include ethnic dress, contemporary and traditional, yet always unique. She will also carry accessories as well as books and gifts. Like the last time, I'll draw for prize. It will be a random draw for participation. Lets see what you have.
-------------------- “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: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Although it's nice to see what people come up with on projects that don't matter like panel-jams or panel-swaps or Letterhead projects. But a logo for a Boutique, a store or any business can mean success or failure and the thought process that goes into one of those cannot be of random process (remember Shane's view on logos?).
Should the inspiration not come to you at this point (we all have the blank page thing...) some of the people on this board make a living with good ideas and designs, and this should not be a free service because it will bring value to the process.
I'm thiking a guy like Charles Borges who's every design is a master piece, could be 'hired' for the job. Yes it will cost money and it's supposed to, that's what we're all here for.
The designers that could come up with the best solution for you are probably too busy to 'spare' the kind of time required for this, and the ones that have the time.... well you get my drift!
To me a logo design is too important to leave out to my neighbors, at least that's my view on it... besides I'm sure Charles would appreciate the business!
posted
Thanks Glen. Come on Rene....you know me better than that. The purpose of this design challenge is a venue for people to focus on what Letterheads is about.
Plain and simple it is an opportunity for us to demonstrate and compare the way we approach a project. I've given you a fake scenario (which incidentally isn't even closely related to any project on my plate). Hopefully those who enjoy designing and appreciate the practice will play if they have the time. I think we all can benefit and learn from an assignment like this.
Mr Pickett, hopefully our paths will cross at a meet someday and we'll get to see the person behind the name. In the past couple of months I have hired both Russ McMullin and Tracie Johnson to do design work for me because I was absolutely swamped. Yesterday I phoned John Deaton because I have a cartoon design that I know he will knock my socks off with. If you do like design and are interested, please send me some examples of your work. Although I have been hanging out here for a while I have never seen any of it. I like to do my own designs, and when I do post something for help I'd far rather have people work with what I have and show me how to improve myself than come up with a totally unrelated awesome design that just makes me feel like it's hopeless. That's just my two cents, I know there are others that feel that way as well as some that don't. Vive la difference!
Soooo, back to our regular programming.
-------------------- “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: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Glenn, any and all ethnicity. I just thought it might add an interesting element to play on. No problem Rene, ya know I love ya. It's just the outspoken french coming out in you. Thanks Jon. I hope we meet someday too, you're high on my list.
-------------------- “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: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Kelly..... whipped this up, but ran out of time... wanted to do something different in the oval, the SC is sorta a placeholder... I'll go ahead and post it and maybe have time to work on the coloring and design later....
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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Two very different takes on this. Jon's has a bit of an exotic feel to it while Glen's is modern and upbeat. I look forward to seeing other takes. So I'm curious what would you expect to find in each of the above stores?
-------------------- “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: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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This looks like fun so I thought I would try. I have done a couple of jobs within that range. I took the top idea from a women's salon logo I have admired from another design firm the added some younger girly feel to it. The bottom was from a rejected concept I did a while back.
[ August 28, 2009, 08:13 PM: Message edited by: Rick Chavez ]
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1538 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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I tried to post a picture for the first time, so read an old post by Monte for instructions, and then proceded to post the picture, (successfully) on his thread!! can it be moved? Regards Tim
-------------------- T.J.BARKER ARTLINE SIGNS PLOT 2 PRIORS LEAZE LANE HAMBROOK WEST SUSSEX UK 01243 572769 BARKERARTLINE@AOL.COM Posts: 80 | From: CHICHESTER WEST SUSSEX U.K. | Registered: Oct 2003
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Good Stuff! Charles has a new typeface he is working on that I'd love to see Sixteen Candles 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: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Phillip, the flame for the dot in the i is a great touch, Of the ones you posted I like the second and third ones the best. Keep them coming folks, in the meanwhile, I have to figure out what to give for a prize.
-------------------- “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: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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I really like where you're going with this, especially the flame dot on the "i". What about doing the vertical bars in the oval as sixteen subdued candles?
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5092 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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And now for something entirely different in style: I'm trying to think of something that would appeal to my 18 and 21 year old daughters. They wouldn't want anything too stuffy.
[ September 09, 2009, 08:03 PM: Message edited by: Joy Kjer ]
-------------------- Joy Kjer Art On Display Signs 4001 Randolph St Lincoln, NE
"My life has a superb cast, but I can't figure out the plot." Posts: 445 | From: 4001 Randolph St. Lincoln, NE | Registered: Jun 2002
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Joy, I think your design does very well at addressing the criteria given. I agree that it would appeal to the target consumer, it has a bit of an ethnic ring to it, which is something I didn't feel was always being addressed, and it avoids the difficulty of where to fit in the awkward transition between child and adult by being somewhat cartoonish.
[ September 09, 2009, 10:49 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: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Here is another one Stein sent me. I hope you wanted it posted, there was no message with it.
There really has been a wide range of ideas for this. Diversity is the spice of life.
-------------------- “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: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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I gotta say - I think Phillip nailed it: it's professional, feminine, and very creative... the font and inclusion of the flame on the "i" gives the piece an identifiable image that to me, is outstanding.
Edit: However, I should mention that Rick's has an outstanding look too...with a little bit of the youthful edginess that Kelly may have been looking for.
posted
Thanks Kelly. I thought about dropping the candle out of the design entirely, makes it cleaner. Phillips designs are beautiful but definitely missing an ethnic influence.
-------------------- Joy Kjer Art On Display Signs 4001 Randolph St Lincoln, NE
"My life has a superb cast, but I can't figure out the plot." Posts: 445 | From: 4001 Randolph St. Lincoln, NE | Registered: Jun 2002
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posted
I reread my initial post and though I listed the ethnic clothing as the first item the store carried, I didn't specify it as a priority. Isn't that just like a customer - expecting you to read their mind. Maybe Glenn's post somehow gave it more significance in my mind.
Still it brings forth an important issue. When working with a client who has a definite vision for what he/she does and doesn't like, how do we tap into that and keep it at the forefront through the entire design process.
I'd love to see something in the lines of Gary Anderson's more recent work, perhaps with a batik element to it.
I'd also love to see more people chime in with their opinions and ideas (even a verbal description of a design would be useful.) Remember the idea of this whole thing is to inspire, stimulate sign related issues and discussions.
I'm in agreement that Philips designs are lovely, but it his own words, "maybe a little too "barbieish' though. So that brings to mind the question, at what point did you realize they were that way, Philip? If it was a real client would you have persued that and worked to convince the client it was fitting? Given that you were aware it was likely too barbieish for her tastes can you fill us in on your thoughts?
I also think Rick's second design is very fitting. It would also look great on tags and stationary or even on the front of a T-shirt, and I think it would appeal to young females.
Tim's design shows some British influence. I like the colours , but the candles somehow remind me of a menorah or altar candles. Stein's is simple, but nevertheless effective.
For those of you who have taken the time to do up a design, thank you. I'll probably let this run for another week or so before winding it up. In the meanwhile, feel free to submit images, verbal ideas or discussion.
I'll be sending the winner of the random draw a couple of packages of painter's pyramids.
Next up challenge will be an old english pub sign. If anyone feels like creating a fun scenario with a wacky name "the xxxxxx and xxxxxx" email it off to me, I may use it.
-------------------- “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: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Great idea Kelly, you have the troops stirring and it is a treat to see all the talent popping up. I have a vision of two illustrations of both the teen- ager and the young woman. It tells it all. Bill
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Thanks Bill, I hope that we will have both newbies and skilled veterans participating in these challenges. Posting your work can be a very vulnerable experience for some, especially in the beginning. If no one responds to it or it is responded to overly critically, it can hurt. But it is a learning experience and you also have to realize that not every comment is necessarily right. It's a matter of sifting through the information and keeping what is of value to you and using it to grow. Hopefully we can keep these strings positive and educational. It will take participation from all levels of the board though.
-------------------- “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: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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"Still it brings forth an important issue. When working with a client who has a definite vision for what he/she does and doesn't like, how do we tap into that and keep it at the forefront through the entire design process."
I always start with a creative brief, the creative brief will give me a narrower target to shoot for. Retail clothing can be someone hanging clothes on a rack (probably a bad client for me) to someone who is into the culture of what they are trying to sell. Every "major" retailer or "designed" retail shop should develop a culture, that culture will dictate a look.
You mention some universally understandable items: --upscale --young women. -- "coming of age" -- "Sixteen Candles" -- transition from adolescence to adulthood --feminine yet strong --not "Barbie" like.
The biggest obstacles to defining the culture of this retail shop are these... --ethnic dress --contemporary and traditional -- unique
Ethnicity is a huge factor, that must be defined, even if they want to water the logo down. I will take my limited experience with my kids. Lets take the mexican girls at the school my boys go to, they are broken up into sects.. there are the "normal" school kids, low riders (chollas), Psychobilly Bettys, Jerks (hip hop dance reference) Punks, Ska chick, Emo's, loadies, fruits (manga girls) Bro chick (MX girls-usually very few are latinas)) Surf chick, Goths... and probably a few more. Ethnicity vs culture, that probably needs to be defined.... oh and the use of the word "chick" came from a young woman who helped me compile that list (just in case any are offended I would not refer to a young woman as a chick unless I was thrust back in time to the 70's when my face was full of zits and I was awkwardly skinny and shy...)
Contemporary and traditional means nothing as all have different graphics interpretations of that. I have 4 boys, 3 are teens. None of them can be described as contemporary or traditional. Teens to young woman are clanish.. if you remember the John Hughes movies like "16 Candles" or "Pretty in Pink" or the 1983 movie "Valley Girl".. that is still happening. Contemporary and traditional needs some definition before designing a logo.
Unique to what? as I mentioned above, all those factors will come into play when describing unique.
[ September 13, 2009, 01:12 AM: Message edited by: Rick Chavez ]
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1538 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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Great insight. I realize I left the ethnic/culture field rather vague. I could have specified East Indian or Chinese or something, but I wanted to leave the field wide open to interpretation. Had some one come in with an oriental or turkish or whatever flair to the design that would have been great.
My favourite store here is one called 10,000 Villages. They sell hand made items from underpriviliged countries. Visiting it is a very tactile experience and the scents and colours are nostalgic of my childhood travels. I guess it is that hodge podge of culture that I was thinking of when I drew up the scenario.
Often when I am trying to design something with a confusing array of specs I will print the positive criteria across the top left of the page and the negative across the top right. That way I don't get immersed in the design process and loose sight of where it is I am supposed to be going.
As tempting as it is to dive right in to a new project, I like to mull it over in my mind for a while. I'll often google the subject for ideas and inspiration, look up the definition of any words in the name and ret it ruminate for a while before starting. Usually my better work comes pretty much designed from inside my head. It's when I try to rush the process that I end up with some ugly happenings.
-------------------- “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: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Kelly, thank you so much for this post. I love seeing other peoples ideas from the same original thought. It helps me grow in my designs. Even though I have been doing this for a few years now, my designs need help. I know what I want in my head but I can't get it out. When I see it, I know that is it. Sorry you were blasted a little for asking, that is why I don't ask any more. I wish people would be more giving than some seem to be. All of us were not created equal in the design area and sometimes they don't want to share. Others on this site are wonderful and I have the highest respect for them. What good is a wonderful talent when you don't share it with others? Just my 2cents worth. I don't mean to offend anyone.
-------------------- Cynthia Pack 246 Diamondview Loop Galax, Va. 24333 Posts: 659 | From: Galax, Virginia USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Here is my attempt...logo design isn't my strong suit so it's good practice. "candles' is transforming from hot young pink to a more mature pink
-------------------- Scott Eckland Chelsea Signs web: chelseasigns.com email: scott@chelseasigns.com 734.475.9704 Posts: 198 | From: Michigan | Registered: Jun 2002
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Tim, I really like where you are going with that. I'm not sure about the reversed 16, but I'd like to hear others take on it. I love the colours, the cameo and the background. That has huge potential.
Scott I think the one you did has a lot of potential too. The idea of the faded colours to signify the transition in age is a cool one. Something about the 16 isn't working for me yet. I wonder if it would come across better in silver. I like the Candles and Woman's Boutique Part of the design.
Now Cynthia... Thanks for the encouragement. Letterville has taught me to grow a bit tougher skin, I think most forums are like that. There is always someone ready to inject a little nasty into things. Who knows what is going on in others lives to make them that way. Most of the time I manage to let it go, on a bad day I'll bite back. The comments on the beginning of this thread didn't bother me. Sometimes we also read things into a comment that wasn't meant - it's just hard on a forum where the facial expressions and intonations are not there. It's funny how when you meet someone they become a whole different person than you had built up in your mind. Anyway, my point is, please don't let the actions of a few scare you away from posting. We need the good folks here to become more vocal.
I'm not a strong designer and I'm sure there are some mean rumblings about me leading this. Those people could use that energy positively to participate and help acknowledge those who have taken the time to participate in this. Perhaps some with strong design skills could pick out someone who they feel wants the help and work with them to polish the elements of the design he/she posted together.
I have no idea where this "Design Challenge" thing is going. It's a work in progress and hopefully will become a positive feature on the board. As long as someone is learning something, I'm willing to put the effort in. If anyone has any idea for prizes for the participation draw, let me know.
[ September 13, 2009, 02:30 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: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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I'm trying to think of something that would appeal to my 18 and 21 year old daughters. They wouldn't want anything too stuffy.
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