Third try at a logo

[Steelsun]

OK, here's the third, at hopefully last idea for me to float through the forum on a Logo for "Steelsun Photo".
The designer and I went through alot of variations already and have narrowed the things we like down to the following.

It's a stylized camera with a stylized S or SS in the middle.

I'd like you to vote on what elements you like. There is also a choice at the bottom for "Don't like it at all".
You can vote for more than one element if you like them.

The image at the top left is what I am leaning towards so far.

Thanks for your time.

[kimberley]

I agree with using the left image but....the black and white is hard to look at its like one of those mind trick puzzels, you know what I mean...

[Tom]

They also all look very jagged like clipart.

[texkam]

But which approach does your designer think best solves your branding problems and how does it do that? If your designer can not come up with a solution and tell you why that solution is on target for you then they are not worth their salt.

[valdesp03]

I feel like there all a bit bland and dont spark interest.

[rab3rd]

I am not getting "camera" out of that shape at all. Needs some defining lines around it at a minumum....

Some curves or something. I agree on the clipart look of it as well.....

[iamjediknight]

I hope you don't take this personal, but you need to fire your graphic artist. I don't think those logos are clean nor simplistic, the halllmark of a good logo.

I would go back to the drawing board and first start to pick out colors that you would like. Maybe do some googling on color theory and determine what messages different colors portray (i.e. blue is calming and cool). I would then google for photographer's logo and find logos that you like. You won't steal the logo of others but you will find different design elements in various logos that you like.

Then I would take that information to a logo designer. A good designer should either have you fill out a form asking probing questions or even have a sit down design consultation.

Just my two cents.

[d2creative]

Originally Posted by iamjediknight

I hope you don't take this personal, but you need to fire your graphic artist. I don't think those logos are clean nor simplistic, the halllmark of a good logo.

I would go back to the drawing board and first start to pick out colors that you would like. Maybe do some googling on color theory and determine what messages different colors portray (i.e. blue is calming and cool). I would then google for photographer's logo and find logos that you like. You won't steal the logo of others but you will find different design elements in various logos that you like.

Then I would take that information to a logo designer. A good designer should either have you fill out a form asking probing questions or even have a sit down design consultation.

Just my two cents.

+1
That is all good advice.
When i read that you were actually working with a graphic designer, I was shocked.

[valdesp03]

Originally Posted by iamjediknight

I hope you don't take this personal, but you need to fire your graphic artist. I don't think those logos are clean nor simplistic, the halllmark of a good logo.

I would go back to the drawing board and first start to pick out colors that you would like. Maybe do some googling on color theory and determine what messages different colors portray (i.e. blue is calming and cool). I would then google for photographer's logo and find logos that you like. You won't steal the logo of others but you will find different design elements in various logos that you like.

Then I would take that information to a logo designer. A good designer should either have you fill out a form asking probing questions or even have a sit down design consultation.

Just my two cents.

I agree with the majority here, except for colors coming first. They should be last. Figure out your brand first and what message/idea you’re trying to convey, and then choose colors that best compliment that.

The whole idea behind color theory is just that, a theory. Depending how the colors are used will in the end determine how they make you "feel"

[texkam]

I would go back to the drawing board and first start to pick out colors that you would like. Maybe do some googling on color theory and determine what messages different colors portray

Figure out your brand first and what message/idea you’re trying to convey, and then choose colors that best compliment that.

This is what you pay a graphic designer to do.

A good designer should either have you fill out a form asking probing questions or even have a sit down design consultation

At least! The GD should develop a relationship with you and really learn your business. Study what your competitors are doing. Find out what your challenges are. What you need to accomplish with this. What makes you unique. etc, etc, etc.

Color can be crucial. If the color green is specified for instance, you might want to have a better reason than it was a color that I liked. I may not much like orange and black, but it may be appropriate if I were doing business with a lot of OSU alums. How's burnt orange gonna play in College Station? Bottom line is you should walk away confident that the brand image solution your designer has presented is on target. For whatever reasons, you are on your 3rd round and your designer has given you no solution. Either throw the dart or settle up as per your contractual agreement and move on ....just another 2 cents worth. Good luck.

[bigjon0107]

Originally Posted by iamjediknight

I hope you don't take this personal, but you need to fire your graphic artist. I don't think those logos are clean nor simplistic, the halllmark of a good logo.

I would go back to the drawing board and first start to pick out colors that you would like. Maybe do some googling on color theory and determine what messages different colors portray (i.e. blue is calming and cool). I would then google for photographer's logo and find logos that you like. You won't steal the logo of others but you will find different design elements in various logos that you like.

Then I would take that information to a logo designer. A good designer should either have you fill out a form asking probing questions or even have a sit down design consultation.

Just my two cents.

+2!

None of them look like a designer did them, more like a kid playing with word/clip art in Word.

[Steelsun]

Thanks all for the voted, comments advice.

The mockups above were just quick drafts done at a cafe laptop where we had a lunch meeting, and by no means a final product. (and I downrezzed the sheet he sent me to a jpg that could fit on the forum with low kb size too).

Based on the input here and another forum, I'll be passing on this logo and going back to the second version I posted earlier (the hollow S theme) to be developed further. I think the S has more flow and ability to merge with the total brand concept. We just need to decide how we want to develop it.

Thanks again.

[Daylon]

My two cents -

I like the starting point of the "F" image above. Try this, keep the drafting lines (aka like an architecture draft) - make the 'S' out of steel I-beam - maybe with some rivets along the inside edge? For some added character, weather it a bit, maybe with a hint of some rust trails from the rivets?

I'm thinking of an art-deco industrial look, aka like Gotham City?

Or maybe do the above, but make the very top part of the S an uncompleted lattice work? With the bottom having a finished, riveted "skin" ?

D.

Originally Posted by Steelsun

Thanks all for the voted, comments advice.

The mockups above were just quick drafts done at a cafe laptop where we had a lunch meeting, and by no means a final product. (and I downrezzed the sheet he sent me to a jpg that could fit on the forum with low kb size too).

Based on the input here and another forum, I'll be passing on this logo and going back to the second version I posted earlier (the hollow S theme) to be developed further. I think the S has more flow and ability to merge with the total brand concept. We just need to decide how we want to develop it.

Thanks again.