Logo critique

[Dobick]

please give it to me. What really sticks out to you as a no no, or just hits you wrong. This is in the very early design stages at the moment, just wanted some feedback.

Thanks

1


2

[ChristopherCoy]

I like #2


ETA: What about changing the sun to the front of a camera lens?

[texkam]

Kent Sunman Photography

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by texkam

Kent Sunman Photography

Are you suggesting that I change my last name, or that I should change the business name to that, or that when you look at this logo you unintentionally read it as that, or are you suggesting that I should drop the sun out of the logo completely?

I am sorry, but I am just not sure what the comment means?

[texkam]

Does the sun have any significance? Without reading the design brief it's hard to tell you if I think your logo is on target. If you're not familiar with the design process this may help.

http://www.ecademy.com/node.php?id=89074

[Crashoran]

I like it, but is it drawn as a vector so that you can scale it infinitely?

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by texkam

Does the sun have any significance? Without reading the design brief it's hard to tell you if I think your logo is on target. If you're not familiar with the design process this may help.

http://www.ecademy.com/node.php?id=89074

Thank you for that link. I am completely over my head on design aspects, so that helps.

I did not set anything into writing with a design brief, and enlisted the help of a very talented graphics artist (that is also a relative) for the design process. She is out of town this weekend, but gave me a few starters to get the ball rolling.

The sun holds no real special signifigance to my business other than what a rising sun symbolizes. Some of the things that the sun symbolizes to me, is that a new day is dawning, and fresh new and hopeful is on the way. It also represents the light, which is very important to me as a photographer.

With the logo I was hoping to be able to have a single recognizable symbol that without words could be identified with my business. The words will help with that endeavor, but I truly would like the symbol itself to be standalone.

I don't really want the symbol to be something that overtly says photography (like a lens elment or aperture blades or film edge, etc) those things seem like they have been done and I would likely not be able to come up with a symbol that I liked that incorporated those elements.

So I am gonna guess that it is in need of a drastic redesign?

[J Eddington]

Kent, I like the concept. #2 being my favorite. BUT the lettering with the S &sun is bothering me. It doesn't seem to work together. I don't know what to tell you to do. MAYBE make photography fit under Sparkman? It just seems to vast.
I would like to see what other ideas they come up with.

[texkam]

So I am gonna guess that it is in need of a drastic redesign?

Yes and no. Judging from what you stated the idea has merit. A good designer should be able to develop this concept, but the existing concepts do need work. I'm glad the info. was helpful.

[d2creative]

Originally Posted by Dobick

enlisted the help of a very talented graphics artist

I don't mean to step on family toes, but really?

With the logo I was hoping to be able to have a single recognizable symbol that without words could be identified with my business.

It ain't happening. Never in a million years would that represent photography. To me, anyway.

So I am gonna guess that it is in need of a drastic redesign?

Bingo.

Maybe somehow play off the "spark" part of your name. Could relate to ideas, or creativity. It's still abstract but at least it kind of relates to your field. Shoot... you could even change your name to "Creative Spark Photography" or something like that.

Also make sure it's designed in vector software so it's infinitely scaleable, and make sure it works in black and white. Not grayscale, but actual black and white. Also make sure it works at very small sizes.

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by d2creative

I don't mean to step on family toes, but really?


It ain't happening. Never in a million years would that represent photography. To me, anyway.


Bingo.

Maybe somehow play off the "spark" part of your name. Could relate to ideas, or creativity. It's still abstract but at least it kind of relates to your field. Shoot... you could even change your name to "Creative Spark Photography" or something like that.

Also make sure it's designed in vector software so it's infinitely scaleable, and make sure it works in black and white. Not grayscale, but actual black and white. Also make sure it works at very small sizes.

Ok, first -- you are not stepping on family toes. She threw out a design vastly different from this, and I took it and mucked it up to the bastard child that you see before you, so the only "toes" you are stepping on is mine, and hell I don't mind at all, I appreciate the honest feedback.

Secondly, I am not looking for the symbol to represent photography, I am looking for it to represent me and my business. Does that make sense? The Kellogs "K" does not have anything to do with cereal, but you know it when you see it, a logo of an apple with a bite out of it doesn't really have anything to do with computers but it is widely recognizable, and depending on the shape and size of a deer, it can either be immediately associated with a powerful licorice flavored achohol, or a very nice farm implement company. I am wanting to have a standalone symbol, but it does not have to have anything to do with photography. If I am completely dreaming, then so be it.

Finally... I am not changing the name of my business just to fit a logo search, or even for that matter for a whole branding campaign (at least not yet) Even if I was to consider it, I still would like to do business under the moniker "Kent Sparkman Photography"

[d2creative]

Originally Posted by Dobick

Secondly, I am not looking for the symbol to represent photography, I am looking for it to represent me and my business. Does that make sense? The Kellogs "K" does not have anything to do with cereal, but you know it when you see it, a logo of an apple with a bite out of it doesn't really have anything to do with computers but it is widely recognizable, and depending on the shape and size of a deer, it can either be immediately associated with a powerful licorice flavored achohol, or a very nice farm implement company. I am wanting to have a standalone symbol, but it does not have to have anything to do with photography. If I am completely dreaming, then so be it.

Got it. I was wondering if that's where you were going.
This can be tough because what you're talking about is something like the nike swoosh. Everyone knows the swoosh, you don't need the nike text to recognize the logo/company. But it take a lot to get there. I guess it depends what you want your logo to do for you, and how you present it and what is presented along with it in your overall marketing campaign.

As a stand alone graphic it needs work. But as long as the idea behind it represents what YOU want it to represent, stick with it. There's tons of photography logos out there that are abstract or completely non-literal in terms of photography. It just make take quite a while until the symbol can stand on it's own and have meaning to someone else.

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by d2creative

Got it. I was wondering if that's where you were going.
This can be tough because what you're talking about is something like the nike swoosh. Everyone knows the swoosh, you don't need the nike text to recognize the logo/company. But it take a lot to get there. I guess it depends what you want your logo to do for you, and how you present it and what is presented along with it in your overall marketing campaign.

As a stand alone graphic it needs work. But as long as the idea behind it represents what YOU want it to represent, stick with it. There's tons of photography logos out there that are abstract or completely non-literal in terms of photography. It just make take quite a while until the symbol can stand on it's own and have meaning to someone else.

After going back and reading the comments of this thread -- do you think I should make the logo somehow play off of the Spark in sparkman -- that always seemed a bit on the cheesy side, but I am not totally against cheesy or gimicky if it will garner recognition or cause people to recognize me?

[texkam]

A good graphic designer working specifically with you can give you better guidance than a bunch of photographers. Just like a good wedding photographer working specifically with you can give you better guidance on shooting your wedding than a bunch of graphic designers.

[bryanlindsey]

I vote #1, but in black and white. I'd consider ditching the orange color as it may clash/distract from the photo it's pasted on. For what it's worth...