posted
The customer had already chosen a traditional shaded sans look; I offered these options. He chose the second one down. I wasn't expecting that, would you? On the real thing, I'll use shade rather than drop shadow.
The Yale keyhole element was borrowed from a more complex Raymond Chapman idea. (Hope that's okay).
-------------------- Arthur Vanson Bucks Signs Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England arthur@buckssigns.co.uk -------------------- Posts: 805 | From: Chesham, Bucks, England | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
All the sketches seems ok to me, and i should have choose the same than your client, It's easy to read and the inverted panel divide the sign in two well readable panels,
posted
I vote for # 2 too. I had a client tell me that when you use a color inverted on a panel like that it is like getting a third color. I think I understand what he meant.
-------------------- “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
Thanks for your interest and responses everyone, they are very much appreciated. Nice idea Doug, I think that would work really well up close, thanks for your time.
-------------------- Arthur Vanson Bucks Signs Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England arthur@buckssigns.co.uk -------------------- Posts: 805 | From: Chesham, Bucks, England | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
I, also, would choose #2. Good rework Doug.
Would anybody care to elaborate on why they thought #2 was better than the rest? I have my own opinion but would like to read others.
Kelly, when you have adjacent colors like that, they tend to project a tint of their complimentary colors on top of the respective adjacents, thus producing a 3rd (virtual) color. In color theory terms, this is called Simultaneous Contrast. There are many situations in sign design where this is useful.
-------------------- Bill Cosharek Bill Cosharek Signs N.Huntingdon,Pa
bcosharek@juno.com Posts: 703 | From: N.Huntingdon, Pa, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
I think #2 is the best because of a better balance of positive & negative space. Also the "bits' of information all run together when it is all blue copy spread over a white background. The reverse helps break up the copy into the "bits" that can be more easily digested.
I also think that a dark color reverse panel on the secondary copy can often make it become the focal point that draws the eye first, which we want the primary copy to do. My variation was an attempt to reverse that tendancy as well as adjusting the overall balance of blue to white.
posted
Of all the signs on my website the customer zeroed in on this very simple, painted one.
This lead me to believe he would prefer either #one or #three. I was pleased, if a little surprised, he went for #two. As an exercise in advertising I’m sure it’s the best of the five originals, perhaps because the blue panel grabs your attention and, finding nothing to read, slides off to the most important text without any confusion.
Even with the Doug’s reworking I would still go for #2. The layout would be great for a label or something small to be viewed from up-close, or if the sign was squarer. But, despite compromising the size of the main text, a bit of lateral distortion and losing the shade on the lower line it still doesn’t fit the space. It’s not the fault of the idea itself, if the fascia was taller there wouldn’t be a problem – just damned reality getting in the way again!
Thanks again for your comments.
[ September 10, 2004, 07:46 PM: Message edited by: Arthur Vanson ]
-------------------- Arthur Vanson Bucks Signs Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England arthur@buckssigns.co.uk -------------------- Posts: 805 | From: Chesham, Bucks, England | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
I think, with a little rework, #4 would be best. I originally chose #2 because of its seemingly better legibility than the rest.
The blue panel helps break into the domination of the white background. White is very unforgiving as a background color. Yes, its easiest to work with & less time consuming; but unless designed properly, most achievements don't look that good.
In order for colors to achieve harmony they must be used proportionately. Not all colors are created equal. They have different values & intensities. White & yellow contain the highest values & yellow is the most intense. They command a lot of attention when used sparingly on dark backgrounds. When the whole background is either of the two then that's way too much! How many times have you seen signs with white backgrounds & thin-stroked lettering? The white just overpowers & surrounds the lettering making visibility poor at best. If the sign is internally illuminated & viewed at night, it has even worse visibility, if any all at. For lack of a better term, I've decided to call this phenomenon "Disproportional Overload".
Arthur - You seemed a little miffed that the client didn't pick one of the keyhole renderings. I think #4 would be more visually pleasing if the outlined panel were made solid, like in choice #2; with white lettering. Keep the keyhole as is, but maybe make the panel larger. That would give you a solid color beneath the main line thus exemplifying the main message & removing some of the dominating white.
Please don't be offended by anything I mentioned here. I didn't just make all this up - just the name.
-------------------- Bill Cosharek Bill Cosharek Signs N.Huntingdon,Pa
bcosharek@juno.com Posts: 703 | From: N.Huntingdon, Pa, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
Bill, over here miffed means mildly annoyed. Assuming it means the same there, I assure you the client didn’t annoy me in the least, his choices surprised, that’s all.
I am genuinely pleased you and everyone else have taken the trouble to look at, and respond to this post. The sign is in production at the moment but had it not been I would have been very tempted to show the client your suggestions as another alternative. I think it would have been my favourite.
I really don't have the same objections to white backgrounds as you and some of the others have. I feel it can give a fresh, light and airy feel, but then I probably don't analyse things as deeply, just go with something when it feels right.
Thanks
-------------------- Arthur Vanson Bucks Signs Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England arthur@buckssigns.co.uk -------------------- Posts: 805 | From: Chesham, Bucks, England | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
Art, you and doug do very good work, and i like them all but i like the blue variation too. I especially like the freehand lettering on the last one too {LOCKSMITH]. I like what doug did with the layout too.
-------------------- Mike Norcross Mikes Signs and Graphics Box 1232 172 adams street Afton, Wyoming 83110 Posts: 82 | From: Afton, Wyoming | Registered: Dec 2002
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