I'm nervous about doing this, but I want to learn. The first pic you will see is the logo I designed 2 1/2 years ago when I started my business. There are things about it that I liked, and things about it that I was never satified with. (like the shape behind kokapelli) The second pic was my logo in black and white, but this version contained shades of grey that I could easily print at home for letterhead, etc. Recently, I needed a stricly black and white version, which brings me to the updated design number 3. I think the design is a little tidier, and I want to work it into a color version.
I have western red cedar laminated and ready to create my first blasted sign. I want to use my logo, but I want to be sure that it looks professional, and that I am totally happy with it.
Okay, bring it on. Constructive criticism and color suggestions are welcome.
Sue
------------------ "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, Sk Canada
Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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I guess I should clarify that I am replacing the first two logos, and the third design is what I have come up with. I'm glad you like it. How would you do it in color?
Sue
------------------ "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, Sk Canada
Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I like #2 better although I would try a few changes. I would like to see the little guy and the graphic he is in, a little bigger. I like the oval and "DESIGNS" small, like in #2 but I don't like it scounced down so much. I like both SEDOR SIGNS - black on white and white on black.
------------------ Laura Butler Vision Graphics and Sign 560 Oak St. Lapeer, Mi 48446 810-664-3812 visiongraphics@tir.com
"Anything thats comes from my shop, comes from the right brain."
Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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I like your logo development. It's not too drastic from the original design and somehow has more impact and clarity. I think we as artists should be updating our look at every opportunity. As for colour, choose with your heart. No one is going to look at it more than you! Go with the latest designer colours and change them when the mood hits you. You may want a certain colour scheme for a stand alone sign and another to co-ordinate with a vehicle. Go wild!!!!
Happy Signing......Marty
------------------ Marty Happy Signmaker Since 1974 Happy Ad Sign & Design Regina SK, Canada S4N 5K4
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I played with it a little bit in color, but would go with si's idea for the gold leaf. Course you would need a darker b/g for that. ------------------ John Deaton III Deaton Design 109 N. Cumberland Ave.,Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-573-9101
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Hi Suelyn, There's something bothering me about the distortion on the primary copy. The beginning and ending "S"s seem way more condensed than any of the rest of the type. They're not really, but they sure give that illusion. Maybe a different font that didn't close up on itself so much would help - or just don't make the scoop so drastic.
I love the Kokalelli graphic and it could stand to be much more prominent. I like the lines under him from version 2. Gives him something to stand on. I like the diamond shape field better than the circle, but would like to see that element more vertical. Possibly a tall oval or rectangle that extended down behind the main name - maybe even all the way down to (or even past) the bullet panel at the bottom. You might not even need a panel around him at all if he was big enough. Maybe his feet could be on the lower panel and him huge behind the main copy. Push it around a bit and see what happens.
Finally, the Helvetica in the bullet panel is too common in my opinion, and maybe a little too heavy. Something thinner or more open, and spread out a bit would be classier. Maybe even something with a slight flare like Optima or Baker Signet. At least a more open and more modern block like Folio, Futura or Humanist ?? Worth a try.
If it was my project, these are the things I would look at. I'd try them all and keep the ones that helped. Don't be afraid to go back to good old pencil and paper either - working up a series of small, very rough thumbnails to explore different arrangements of the basic element shapes. It's a good logo and could be better. I think it's too soon for any color suggestions. It's got to work perfectly in straight black and white first.
Those are my opinions. Now for some advice: Be careful about asking for opinions. You just might get them.
ps, my Mother In Law had a great saying. "People give advice to get rid of it". Aren't you sorry you asked?!
I love your graphic....it's great! I like your first diamond shape better than the circle around the graphic. The only thing that I'm having a hard time with is the stretching of your letters. I find it a bit too distorted. What about taking away the oval stretch and just stretching and enlarging the "s" on both sides down to line up with the bottom panel. Then this will give you more space and balance for your graphic to become larger. The graphic symbol is great and should become more defined. This way....you may not always need to use the business name, but could sign things with just the graphic. Colours - Oranges and blues...good start with first logo, but stay away from gradations and work with different tones of colours that compliment each other. Make your "name a good solid colour" and the graphic secondary.....everything else should follow with lighter or complimentary colours.
------------------ Brenda Beaupit Classic Graphics Kemptville, Ont CANADA
Posts: 346 | From: Stittsville, ON | Registered: Dec 1998
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Hi Suelynn, Please excuse my ignorance, but what the hell is a kokapelli?? Is it something like a hedgehog, or an echidna which is an australian spiny anteater. I like #3 and definately agree with Si. If you are working on real timber it would be a sin to waste the natural grain. Nice Logo.
------------------ Drane Signs Sunshine Coast Nambour, Qld. dranesig@dingoblue.net.au Downunder "If we did all things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves" - Thomas Edison
Posts: 965 | From: Nambour, Qld. Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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SL- I like the logo. Joe made some good suggestions on the rendering (but don't feel bad, Joe, constructive criticism is exactly why she put it out there) When you get ready to paint, you can use your sandblast mask as a paint mask for the gradient effect of #1 and save some time and hassle. Good luck, and please post the finished sign- we'd love to see it.
------------------ Sonny Franks Atlanta
"Well done beats well said every time"
Posts: 4117 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Kokapelli is a Native American symbol of wisdom and magic, represented as a humpbacked flute player. At least that's one explanation I've seen.
The other explanation I have heard is that kokapelli is a symbol of fertility and the symbol has been modified over the years to suit mainstream society's need to protect everyone from risque' imagery. I have heard that the original symbol depicted Kokapelli playing with himself (to put it tactfully), not a flute. I dont know if there's any truth behind it but I would say it's possible based solely on the pose kokapelli is always shown. =)
------------------ Mike Pipes -----trapped in a box with a computer and a slice of cheese-----
Posts: 145 | From: Lake Havasu City, AZ | Registered: Dec 2000
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posted
I like the overall look but I agree with some of the others on a couple things. I think "& design" could look better in a thinner stroked font (maybe even VERY thin). The S's in the main copy bother me a little too. In version 1 your main copy looks to be wrapped part way around an invisible cylinder because of the 3D block moving from the left to the right as it wraps from left to right. In your third version, the perspective of the 3D block / drop shadow is to the right on all letters. Also, the drop shadow in Sedor looks like it is closer to a 3D block, but Signs has a definate drop shadow.
------------------ Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 ICQ: 21604027 sherwood@up.net
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i too like the #3. as a rule i never like to condense a serif typeface below 75% otherwise i would pick a condensed serif typeface. the reason for this is the copy really looks "squezzed" nice job.
posted
"Humpbacked Flute Player"??? That's great!.........But I think our family symbol is a "Pot Bellied Tuba Player".
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
posted
I'm thrilled that so many of you have taken the time to respond.
I have looked at this logo for so long, that it is hard to see it in any other perspective , so all of your comments are welcome and appreciated. I'm glad so many of you like the basic concept, makes me feel like I am at least going in the right direction.
Bernice, yes I do still have the van, though it has a different striping package on the side. The logos are still in the back windows, but I may update them this summer.
Dave, Mike is right about Kokapelli.(sp?) A few years ago I was into reading books about very early native culture. (Clan of the Cave Bear, The People of the River series) One book was about a man that wandered from tribe to tribe, a type of medicine man of sorts. He played a flute, and wore a wild headress of feathers. The tribes loved to hear his flute in the distance, because his arrival always meant good fortune, abundance, and yes the women where amazingly fertile while he was around. I loved the story and felt that when I quit my job to start this business, I could use all the help I could get. When I first read the book, I hadn't seen or heard anything about Kokapelli, now you see it everywhere, especially the Arizona area. But being in the Saskatchewan prairies, he's still pretty original here, and he continues to bring me luck and prosperity with my business.
Anyway...back to the design. I am going to go back to the drawing board with your suggestions in hand. I can definately see what some of you are saying about the squished s's and the helvetica. I'm excited about the finished product, and I will keep you posted.
Thank you again for the help.
Suelynn
------------------ "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, Sk Canada
Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Suelynn, I forgot to tell you I liked #3 too. Good schtuff! :^)
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
If I may suggest, toy with letting the outline of the letters and that panel be the same color. You could cut down on all the extra outlines and it would be easier to produce and read.
I thought the round panel looked nice, as it made me think of a drum, used in ceremony.
The top of the triangle could have the horizontal lines (cutaway strips) keeping the shape of the triangle and not taking away from the lettering, but I do also have an issue with an upside down triangle...maybe right side up with the point cut off to give the graphic illusion he is high up on a plateau. In this case you could keep your "sun" but cut the bottom off with your panel edge in front...more depth.
The last section of copy could be reversed out, similar to the main name, inside the rear panel.
As far as colors go...go natural. Turqouise is good for prosperity and stands up great with black and white, you can add coral or orange for impact and natural hide color (beige/tan) to soften.
One last thing, (yeah right!) have you thought of tilting your triangle in such a manner that it is more like an arrow to up and right directions? (It's an action thing...good for customer radar
Hope you don't get too overwhelmed!
Have fun and don't be afraid to play!
------------------ Linda Silver Eagle Peace Signs logodesign2@icqmail.com Georgia, USA
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