posted
I was asked to design this for a welding and diesel shop. I tried to capture the essence of his trade and also his personality. With the use of a bitmap background from Rob Ivers (thanks Rob) I came up with this. Different eyes see different things, so comments welcome.
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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The diesel shop is a secondary service, but still I need to beef it up some. And I used to many font styles.....maybe!
Your turn.....
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
OK...here are a couple of things I would change. The old english letters...it seems like the "S" in each line is too big: can you shrink them down a tad. Also that's not a lower case "R", so I would change that and see if copy looks better with all the small letters in Bros on the same bottom line. I realize you may have put the copy alignment, and "R" in there like you have it on purpose, but to my eye it would be better changed a little. Other than that, I like it...I don't think you have too many letter styles.
I'm editing to add that the top line lower case is smaller that the Bros. lower case...also that J ....I dont like the protrusions on the right side....they dont make much sense. Remember old english is pen formed...that helps to see where things should go.
OK, I'm done. Thanks for the post!!
[ April 05, 2003, 09:56 PM: Message edited by: Jeff Ogden ]
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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Let me tell you what I like about it. Almost everything! The diamond plate looks great! Actually, I really like the letter style you used in Diesel Service the first time best. What is that letterstyle anyways?
You know what I really like? It's the shade gradiation you used in the name. That's very nice!
Okay, so I'm not sold on the Old English, though really I think it's just that it's looking abit spikey. I think you can tone it down and actually alter it some to minimize that.
Impressive piece overall, as far as I'm concerned.
Nettie
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
posted
At first glance, I thought the old english wasnt working, but now, after seeing it again, I love it! I actually liked the lettering style you used on diesel service the first time too. Very impressive layout. Twill look good.
-------------------- 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
Has a classic look ... I like it a lot. the only thing I don't like are the n's (like tight double ii with no dots) ... I might maybe make the right side of them more like on the h (less the drop down accent thingy)
-------------------- Compulsive, Neurotic, Anti-social and Paranoid ... but basically Happy Posts: 2677 | From: Rochester, NY, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I'm like most of you on the Old Letter style, but when I do see it I associate it with iron work! I don't know why I just do. Maybe a monster garage thing....I just kind of like it in this layout and it seems to work for the most part. The fonts are LHF Old Blackletter - LHF Convecta base - LHF Boston Truck Style for the ambersand and Bedrock for the Diesel Service in first design. I'm working on some tweaks, so I'll show you one more time before presentation.
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I'm going to play devil's advocate here, and go against the group demigods...
The only place for old english, is furniture polish. There are a lot more 'heavy metal' looking fonts out there that are TONS more readable. No one will ever read that name unless they stop and look at it for 5-15 seconds. If it's on the side of a welding truck, it's going to be a colorful blur.
The coloring looks good though, Chrome is always good, although most trendy types would say it's too 70's. 500 funnycars cant be all wrong, eh?
The background works, although your bolt shadows are going in all directions, might wanna tune that up. I'd make they a little stronger as well, give it that 'Chevy Tough' look you're going for, something to reaffirm the diesel side of things.
How do you plan to produce this thing? If it's and Edge/ColorCamm/Summa print, no problem. If you're a painter or vinyl/airbrush guy, you're gonna have a lot of hours in this thing to get it right, and reproduce it often. You may want to think of the 'how' before the 'what'.
Since it's a logo, have you given any thought to doing it in black and white first, then a color version? If you do it in greyscale, it's going to look horrible when shrunk down to letterhead or envelope size. That is, unless you remove the checkplate and modify your outline thicknesses. Then it will work.
I just wanted to call attention to form over functionality with this post, as I see a lot of that on here. Just because it looks good on screen doesnt mean it automatically works in the real world - especially depending on your production capabilities and methods.
posted
Hey RObb! How about posting some of your stuff so us demigods can have a go at it? Huh, pretty please?
[ April 07, 2003, 07:00 PM: Message edited by: John Deaton III ]
-------------------- 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
You Know I was going to post a reply here yesterday Morning, but got sidetracked. I too agree that Old English is not the way to go, for the exact same reasons as Robb stated, It's just too bloody hard to read, especially on the side of a truck, going down the road, and even standing still for that matter. But I love the Colors and the overall design, I just hate the Old English typestyle, especially 2 lines stacked on top of one another, but that's just my humble opinion.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Well, I'm still not all hot and bothered about the old english as a few of you are. Like I mentioned earlier, I just think the spikes need to be toned down abit, and smooth out some of the kinks. Seems many of us can read the copy just fine. May have something to do with our supernatural group "demigod" eyesight. hahahaa Oh Robb, Puhleeeeez!
I would like to share some more thoughts on this design though, if you folks don't mind. What about taking the diamond plate backer, downsizing it and putting it diagonally so it's a diamond panel behind the copy?
To make the name win even more favour how 'bout putting a slight cast shadow on it, to subtly fade out some of the visual busy-ness created by the pattern of the back panel, and improve upon the legibility even further.
Another thought. By changing the heavy black outline around the backplate, and making it a shiny chrome-like beveled edge, you'd help to visually drop that panel back abit too.
Okay, so there's a few more ideas to chew on, ... if you want to. But hey, feel free to spit them out too. ;)heehee!
When I toss out feedback on this kind of stuff, it's just suggestions, with no pre-madonna attitude that it's the right and only way to go.
I usually spill out things I would try. What a great asset we have here, to be able to use each other eyes in this way.
Nettie
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
Just a quick check in to see what you had to say. I'll post a revision in the next day or so!
Thanks again for the comments...
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I may get blasted here, but I like the letterstyle. If he actually uses it as a logo, they don't have to read the name. They will read the shape, and welding and diesel service are easy enough to read. I do think you need to fix the "n"s, since they really don't look like n's. I would leave the spikes on the letters, just round them a little on the outline. Look at the lower right corner of the "s" in Bros. If you could do that with all of the spikes on the outline it would help a bunch. I also like Nettie's idea of losing the heavy outline on the diamond plate, but I would just bevel the plate instead of adding chrome.
-------------------- Don Hulsey Strokes by DON signs Utica, KY 270-275-9552 sbdsigns@aol.com
I've always been crazy... but it's kept me from going insane. Posts: 2274 | From: Utica, KY U.S.A. | Registered: Jan 1999
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posted
Don, I respectfully disagree about not having to read the name. Yes once the company is established, and this new "Look" is embedded into everyones mind, then they won't have to "Read" it, but I think it's extremely important to be able to read it when it's new. How many times have I read comments from people on this board, about the confusion over this typestyle, and now it seems like everyone likes it, fancy coloring and special effects does not improve it's legibility. I have a hard time critizing you guys, because most of you are great sign people, and I respect you. I may not be one of the greats, but I do know that this copy is hard to read as it stands now. Another thing to keep in mind is that we "Know" this letterstyle, we're familiar with it, but I bet the average Joe on the street will find it even harder to I dentify. Again just another 2 cents worth. and it's only an opinion. lol
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Hey Neil, you're one of the greats in my book!
After all, you are the guy that provides me with "snow fixes" each year when you send me your blizzard shots! heehee! Oh yeah... and your work ain't too shabby either!
Did you catch my comments about smoothing out the existing old english? Don Hulsey also reinforces this idea. I'll agree, it doesn't really "kick" as is. While I wasn't sold on it from the start, I do think that style has potential. Especially knowing what "look" Chuck is after here. Visualize some of the thoughts in my past reply and I really think the overall look of that logo would read quite well.
I'm looking forward to seeing Chuck's redos.
Neil, I do get what you are saying, and completely agree with your reasoning.
smiles, Nettie
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
posted
Hiya Nettie, yes I agree with you, no doubt about it, softening those spikes would be an improvement, And Like I said in my first post, I do love the colors and layout, it's very professional, and like chuck said he was even worried a little about it, or at least he was questioning himself and us about it. I guess I'm not a big fan of Old English used in this manner, Maybe a more "Macho" for a lack of a better term, typestyle would make me happier. How about just using the Diamond plate in the panel that says Welding, and like someone said cutting down on the thick black outline, man you'd think I'd have better things to say. lol
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Hi Chuck.......I love your design. The thing I would change is the 'J'. It needs some tweaking to look more like an upper case J. Awesome colors. Great idea.
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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Thanks a bunch for the ideas. I definately knew this would be a hard one to get approved because of the letter style. I really did get more positive comments on it than I thought. I like trying to make something work that normally doesn't. This is a cool letter style, but everthing is a trade off in life and lettering and I'll take all the suggestion and see how much I can improve on it, but it might be a day or so before I post it.
Thanks again and keep checking so you can see the changes........see ya!
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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