Logo Design Feedback

Paulmack

Paulmack

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Paul
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I have ben playing around trying to produce a logo for my website and in future what I am hoping will be my business.

Its fair to say that I am not very flamboyant or creative in design talents but so far I have managed to come up with this.....

3559572046_5c1a9065aa.jpg


Anyone care to give me a feedback as to whether or not it is a viable logo or if I am way off the mark. I dont really have a set idea in mind as to what it needs to look like but I do want it to be relatively simple and catchy.

Comments appreciated.

Thanks
 
I guess it depends what type of customer you're aiming for, that cartoon style would benefit by being more colourful I think with a less abstract camera.
 
I see what your saying but I dont really want it to come across too serious or old fashioned if that makes sense so thats why I chose that style. I think there are far too many sites out there that use images of actual cameras or lenses and I just want to be a little bit different really.

Not really got a particular customer base in mind as I dont want to tie myself in and put people off, i.e. those in motorsport put cars in their logo but it would kind of put a family off who wanted a portrait session if that makes sense?
 
rocdamike said:
IMHO, the revised logo looks great.
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Cheers

I like it but a part of me is still telling me it's rubbish and I can do butter but it's difficult to come up with ideas that aren't cliches.

Will keep trying to see if I can suprise myself with a design classic.

Thanks for all the feedback so far!
 
The 'aperture' is at odds with the rest of the design... it's off centre. If you're going all clean and neat then I think you want a circular or even a bladed aperture. If you are going all sketchy, make the camera rombus shaped, off-set the lens, and keep the aperture as it is.
 
Nooo! use the first one you came up with. The second one looks kind of "half baked" like your almost at a good design but not quite there. Also the flash on the first logo makes the camera look more like a camera than the second one.
 
Right ok then revision 3 based on comments made above:

3560724794_39b5b527a0.jpg


I have tried the copyright symbol rather than an aperture symbol as I don't really want to go for the blades look, but I do agree that what I had wasn't working either. I have put the flash back in so it at least looks like a camera and I have squared, centered and straightened everything up using the grid in CS4 this time.

Is it getting better?
 
Double post even though I only clicked on submit once!
 
That works a lot better I think.
 
The logo was initially what I perceived to be a ball ache......Now the logo is pretty easy compared to the task of the whole redesign of my site to go with the logo which I finally choose.

I can see many a night coming up whereby hours are spent staring at this screen going back and forth with my site! Oh well something to keep me busy when I get back off my hols :)
 
I dont think the logo works with that copyright symbol in there.

If you're set on using that graphic though, I would consider using another typeface, or close the spacing between the letters a little.
 
I actually quite like the idea of introducing a stylised camera into your logo as it adds a little touch of humour, it connects your logo to your product and it should provide an instantly recognisable image for your clients and customers. The problem you face is getting it right.

You really need to get out there and do some proper market research as TP isn't the right audience to be asking. Everyone on here should have some interest in photography and therefore ought to be able to spot that your logo is a camera. But other photographers aren't going to be your clients - it needs to be recognisable by everyone else.

As for the other elements, I can't say I'm madly keen on the font, the colours or the text itself. There's potential there but so far I would say you've fallen somewhere short of the mark. And maybe it's just me, but as soon as I see 'Mac' I'm instantly thinking about computers.

And why is it 'Mac' when your surname would seem to be 'Mc'?
 
glitch said:
I actually quite like the idea of introducing a stylised camera into your logo as it adds a little touch of humour, it connects your logo to your product and it should provide an instantly recognisable image for your clients and customers. The problem you face is getting it right.

You really need to get out there and do some proper market research as TP isn't the right audience to be asking. Everyone on here should have some interest in photography and therefore ought to be able to spot that your logo is a camera. But other photographers aren't going to be your clients - it needs to be recognisable by everyone else.

As for the other elements, I can't say I'm madly keen on the font, the colours or the text itself. There's potential there but so far I would say you've fallen somewhere short of the mark. And maybe it's just me, but as soon as I see 'Mac' I'm instantly thinking about computers.

And why is it 'Mac' when your surname would seem to be 'Mc'?
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Firstly the reason I used Mac is simply because my whole life I have been called Mac or Maca, secondly my full name is also that of what appears to be a famous australian comedian when googled so I decided to go this route to keep it simple and separate.

As previously mentioned I am not at all keen on being patriotic to the old school logos with traditional cameras and lenses in them, my whole take on it with the drawing/cartoon like camera was to be a little different and maybe quirky.... but of course getting it right is something totally different, and I dont think I am there now but at the same time the more I look at it I do think it is getting closer.

My colour choice was simple, I wanted 2 opposing colours so I could separate the Mac and Photos and blue just seemed to work for me. I also thought about a grey and green but then wasnt too keen when I saw it.
The font I have struggled with and I have looked through them all in photoshop and havent really found one I have thought straight away thats the one, so will keep looking.

Once again thanks to all for your comments, greatly appreciated at this stage!!
 
Try searching on Linotype.com for a typeface, you will need to purchase it if you want to use it though.
 
Paulmack said:
Firstly the reason I used Mac is simply because my whole life I have been called Mac or Maca, secondly my full name is also that of what appears to be a famous australian comedian when googled so I decided to go this route to keep it simple and separate.
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No offence meant but I was a little confused by the differences! However I can see your point.

Paulmack said:
As previously mentioned I am not at all keen on being patriotic to the old school logos with traditional cameras and lenses in them, my whole take on it with the drawing/cartoon like camera was to be a little different and maybe quirky.... but of course getting it right is something totally different, and I dont think I am there now but at the same time the more I look at it I do think it is getting closer.
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I think you need to find yourself a suitable starting point and then evolve things from there.

Ideally you'd be looking for a compact camera (probably 35mm) that's instantly recognisable to everyone that you can draw in your own way and turn into a stylised version that's recognisable by your clients and customers both as a camera and a unique logo for your business.

Only I can't really think of a suitable model so perhaps your original idea of a relatively simple collection of geometric shapes might be the way forward.

Paulmack said:
My colour choice was simple, I wanted 2 opposing colours so I could separate the Mac and Photos and blue just seemed to work for me. I also thought about a grey and green but then wasnt too keen when I saw it.
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Blues are very 'now' and work well in certain circumstances, but be careful to not make everything feel too cold and unwelcoming.

Paulmack said:
The font I have struggled with and I have looked through them all in photoshop and havent really found one I have thought straight away thats the one, so will keep looking.
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Forget Photoshop, try dafont.

Are you going to be using the same font for your logo as for the rest of the text on your website and any of your business stationary, adverts, etc? If so, try a simple sans-serif font like Helvetica as a starting point and go from there.
 
As always I don't mean offence when I crit this, so please don't take as such.

The font is terrible, just in my eyes doesn't work. Something classic such as Helvetica, or if you want something a little different (and free) try coolvetica. Maybe georgia? Just not what is there.

The colour scheme doesn't work. It sits at odds with the almost childish nature of the camera and comes off as a little cold in tone. Maybe try a light grey with the blue, or go for something different (again only my opinion, blue is hard to pull of without being cold in my eyes).

Lastly the camera. It looks amateurish. The way it sits above the text does not work. the position above the P and h letters looks like it is about to fall off the edge onto the o. Maybe try it at the end of the text, or make the logo around it and place text inside the camera shape, and please lose the copyright symbol it doesn't work at all. It is OK as a logo, but not something that to me makes me go wow I must check his site.

Sorry to sound harsh, but it is just my opinion on it.
 
Harsh but fair advice from Mr Spring there, but I'd have to agree he's right on the money for the most part.

Paul; with regards to the camera part of the logo, are you wanting that to be an addition to the text or to replace it in certain circumstances? I.e. so you could 'sign off' with the camera and people would (hopefully) recognise it as you?
 
Ok then changing the whole logo what about this then......??

3567849586_0942fc966c.jpg
 
I still think there's work to be done but that's instantly got more impact than your previous efforts. Very elegant and professional.
 
I agree with glitch, #3 is the best followed by #2 and #1 in order of quality.
 
Ok so it is agreed it is improving then? haha

Come on then glitch, if there is work to be done I need to know in what area's? Font, Colour, shape??
 
Liking the latest version . . . but . . . the camera seems to be just hanging there.

Have you thought of adding some tripod legs, just basic lines and not attached to the camera in the same way that the square of the camera has a gap at the corners..
 
Forget the font for now and the colour as that's easily altered. You are along the right lines with the one you've picked but it's still a little fussy for me and it lacks continuity throughout its design. Perhaps that just how it's being presented in its current state when paired with the abstract 'camera' shape alongside it though.

The way the logo looks now it's seemingly obvious to me that there's two distinct styles trying to be combined and it's not working. The font looks polished and professional and the shape looks like it's been added as an afterthought and certainly doesn't follow the design ethos of the font or its lines. if it was to stay in that form the thickness of the lines would need to be exactly the same as the font and there would also need to be some of the serif detailing brought in to complement the font.

Main issue with that shape is that it's way too abstract. Admittedly I think I know what it's supposed to be representing (looks like one of those old-style film camera with the curtain to throw over your shoulder) but there's no way your customers and clients will do and it loses impact as a seemingly random collection of shapes. You really want the little icon to be able to distinguish you and your work on its own when taken away from any accompanying text and right now I can't say that's going to work.

With the right font (try something sans-serif) and a slight tweak of the layout and colouring of the text you've got a usable logo that can be stacked (as here) or turned into a single line depending on the usage, which is always a great advantage as your logo needs to be flexible whilst still retaining enough character to identify itself. But it's all hinging on that stylised camera and it's that which needs to be thoroughly worked through so it both sits alongside the text and also works as a recognisable image in its own right.
 
Ok glitch will read and re-read what you just wrote and see if I can incorporate some of your comments........

PS I am using photoshop for this as my drawing skills are poor (photoshop skills arent great either) so please bear with me as it is difficult to actually produce what it is I am thinking about seeing if that makes sense??
 
I like the one in post #11 definitely works better with the more professional font.
 
Very last one is good for me

Very simple and uncartoony like the ones above (sorry if that sounded harsh it wasnt meant to be)

Very formal and would look great on a letter head.

Funnily enough im trying the same thing in Photoshop

I wont be posting as its a waste of uploading

LOL

Regards
 
Ok I have probably had enough of this for now....getting fed up of staring at my screen trying to make shapes look like what they do in my head with little joy.

Anyway I need to finish my packing before I b****r off to cyprus tomorrow for 10 days so will put this one to bed and resurrect it when I get home.

As ever thanks to all for your comments and ideas so far. Much appreciated and hopefully soon will have the finished article.

Cheers
 
cowasaki said:
I like the one in post #11 definitely works better with the more professional font.
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Thanks matey, I thought the general consensus was that it wasnt very good!

Hoping a few days in the sun will generate some more ideas and possible new way of thinking when I get home.
 
desperatedan1992 said:
Very last one is good for me

Very simple and uncartoony like the ones above (sorry if that sounded harsh it wasnt meant to be)

Very formal and would look great on a letter head.

Funnily enough im trying the same thing in Photoshop

I wont be posting as its a waste of uploading

LOL

Regards
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Its ok it didnt sound harsh, plenty of people have said it looked too cartoonish which is fair enough.

I do quite like the last one but it does need a bit of refining which I am not ashamed to say will probably be best carried out by someone who knows what they are doing with photoshop so will speak to someone I know when I get back from my hols......
 
The thing is that its all about personal choice. I like it and I also like the later ones but #11 is the best. The font choice for the first few just wasn't right. I am sure you will never get a 100% consensus
 
Yeah I agree and to be honest I don't expect everyone on here will like what I eventually go for but the thing with posting on here is that I will get an overly critical view point from the TP members as they have an eye for detail and if I get a 50/50 or majority vote on my final image then I know that it should fair quite well with my future client base.... Fingers crossed anyway!
 
I've got to say it's now getting better with every revision. You're so close with that last one. It's got all the elements for a stylish, professional logo that's instantly recognisable.

Anyway, enjoy the sunshine in Cyprus and have a relaxing 10 days away.
 
An interesting thread. I am currently in the process of coming up with a new logo. It's good to see how other people develop their ideas (especially with feedback from others).

I really liked the last one. The colours to me looked nice. I'd like to see how it looked on your website.
 
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