Initial reaction to this logo

[DigMe]

What do you think of this logo? I posted a few different pics with the different color combos that I have available. Please weigh in on the poll. I realize it's a bit hard to see at times thus the "make it white" option.











Thanks for your input!

Brad

[DigMe]

Actually I have one more color combo available.. I'll try to get that up.

EDIT - last color combo added

brad

[texkam]

You need to explore a version that will come off a dark background as well as a version that will come off a light bg. Probably grayscale. I applaud you for seeing and appreciating the importance of the little subtleties of branding.

[DigMe]

If you have a minute I'd also love to hear what your negative feeling is on it if you voted Trash it. Even if it's just a few words. I have no problem trashing it... just would like some comments as I think about the next one should I end up trashing this one.

Thanks for the comment, Texkam.

brad

[kenw]

I like it. My dad (a commercial artist for eons) gave me a tip many years ago that I have really taken to heart: add a drop shadow or outline of a contrasting color. Here a light grey would work for all the colors and set it apart from the background. In your case a thin/subtle outline might be more appropriate for the crisp font you are using. A drop shadow would tend to soften it, that may or may not be something you like.

[groovyone]

I like the clean look of the logo, and that it is not all white. You may need a few color options so it will be visible on different photos, and pick one main color option to use for most.

[auddii]

All but the last one have one word that blends in to the background. I agree that a thin outline, or using different color schemes for each picture may help. Overall, the design is simple and clean; I like it.

[Snarfy]

I hope this doesn't come across as harsh, but I think there are some things you need to ask yourself:

What is the implicit reasoning for the overlap of the letters? Why do the initial letters overlap, while the "d" and "k" exist in extremely close proximity (this creates visual tension and does not allow my eyes to move away)? Have you considered using a heavier weight font to minimize the "airy" negative space between letters?

Why continue to place the logo over dark and medium tonal regions of the photo? Elements are getting lost to low contrast.

What does this logo say for you as a photographer, as a professional, and as a personality that people would want to work with? Similarly, what do the colors imply?

As for the outline/drop shadow: the design community generally views elements like outlines and shadows as usable only when adding to the gestalt (the whole) of the art. Consider first that the logo form should stand out against varying backgrounds on its own, in black-and-white, then it should stand out in color, and finally have those elements added-in to enhance the connoted imagery. I do not recommend them as stopgaps for readability.

[DigMe]

Thanks for the questions. I haven't studied graphic design and you are right in that I hadn't thought of these. I did have a designer do this for me but I didn't come up with the design. It is somewhat based on another example design and in that design there were no overlapping letters. I see your point about the visual tension.

Believe it or not I tried to move the logo around to where it was the most visible based on the constraints within LR3 but also not right over important parts of the subject. In most cases it is in the part of the picture that it was most visible based on where LR allows me to adjust it. This logo needs to be able to be placed on the photos at export for the sake of minimizing time spent in PS and just cutting that time out of workflow. I think such a solution can be found even if this is not it.

One reason I liked this logo and its style is that it strikes me as being simple yet somewhat elegant.

Thanks.

Brad

Originally Posted by Snarfy

What is the implicit reasoning for the overlap of the letters? Why do the initial letters overlap, while the "d" and "k" exist in extremely close proximity (this creates visual tension and does not allow my eyes to move away)?

Have you considered using a heavier weight font to minimize the "airy" negative space between letters?

Why continue to place the logo over dark and medium tonal regions of the photo? Elements are getting lost to low contrast.

What does this logo say for you as a photographer, as a professional, and as a personality that people would want to work with? Similarly, what do the colors imply?

As for the outline/drop shadow: the design community generally views elements like outlines and shadows as usable only when adding to the gestalt (the whole) of the art. Consider first that the logo form should stand out against varying backgrounds on its own, in black-and-white, then it should stand out in color, and finally have those elements added-in to enhance the connoted imagery. I do not recommend them as stopgaps for readability.

[HotHolly]

i'd say you are 50% of the way to an awesome logo. i like the clean lines. color is important too. it helps memory. red, blue, green are typically used with children's shows. think huey, dewy, luie - alvin and the chipmunks - some other show that's from this decade with red, blue, and green. you get the idea. something i'd alter is the overlap. the overlap of the bottom letters isnt good - the C and R blend. u don't want your name assoc with Crook. and unless u r doing jack of all trades, consider making your logo appeal more towards your target demo. u want to be able to make it: memorable, easy recall, easy to visualize. u can tell if it's checking those things by looking at it, and then close your eyes. if u can still see the entire logo - and remember the whole thing - its good. then its just a matter of appealing to your target demo. good luck!

[texkam]

Brad,
Chris is spot on with his response.

I did have a designer do this for me but I didn't come up with the design.

What does this logo say for you as a photographer, as a professional, and as a personality that people would want to work with? Similarly, what do the colors imply?

A good graphic designer should have an intimate understanding of their client's needs and should be able to addresses these challenges and find the best possible solution. That's why the good ones are expensive (relative term). On the surface it's got a friendly, relatively clean, casual, straight forward look to it, but having not spent any time learning about you and your marketing challenges it's hard for me to tell you if it's totally on target. At the end of the day, it's better than a lot of other stuff out there. Many are happy with the price of "good enough". YMMV. : )


BTW pic #4 is very cute!

[Snarfy]

Originally Posted by texkam

Brad,
At the end of the day, it's better than a lot of other stuff out there.

This is absolutely true, and your photography does incredibly well in speaking for itself!

If there's any advice I hope you'll take away its this: Focus on contrast; avoid those drop shadows and outlines; use colors that speak to your personality and/or photographic style.

If you want to evaluate it further: consider the negative space between the characters, much like photography, the story is told in the empty spaces; try using heavier font weights if you want a logo that can exist on almost any background; try using a grid system.

[DigMe]

Originally Posted by texkam

Brad,
Chris is spot on with his response.A good graphic designer should have an intimate understanding of their client's needs and should be able to addresses these challenges and find the best possible solution. That's why the good ones are expensive (relative term).

Exactly! And I currently do this on the side mostly by referrals so I don't make enough money to spend on a thorough graphic designer that is going to do all that. :) At this time I'd be happy with a cheap and "good enough" logo. I'm still undecided if this is good enough or not but I'm definitely soaking in the critiques here.

BTW pic #4 is very cute!

Thanks!

brad

[DigMe]

Thanks, Chris. Ultimately I think of all your excellent points the one that sticks out the most is the need for a weightier font. My first color choice was the gray and black personally. The designer offered me the others as well.

Lots of great direction here.

HotHolly - thanks for your comments as well.

brad

[DigMe]

I've taken some of these ideas to the designer (via email). We'll see what comes of it.
Thanks again.

brad