Created a logo, but...

[KenJulio]

For me the font isn't giving me the warm and fuzzy feeling, I'm not sure why. Thoughts and opinions are more than welcomed!

I do plan on increasing the size of the images, this was the first go around. And I'm going to use y'all as a sounding board! *snicker* Oops, that wasnt suppose to come out...

[tukaniray]

What program are you using to create your logo??

I would recommend rounding the bottom eye lid also ...

I like the Kenneth on the left as oppose to the Kenneth on the right but like the photography font on the right as oppose to the left. And Lim looks funny on your right one.

If you are not doing this in Illustrator ... I would recommend it ... would get a smoother look ... unless you are wanting the Aliasing that is coming up.

-Ray-

[KenJulio]

Ray,
Thanks for the feedback, I am using Photoshop CS4 now, I am trying to grasp the pen tool within. I was watching and following along with an online tutorial in regards to vectors and paths in photoshop on kelbytraining.com. I think I may have missed a step as I was following and hearing the tutorial.

As for the L in the left image, yeah, I noticed that. I'll be spending more time with it tomorrow. I'd figure I'd take a break from staring at it.

[tukaniray]

Once you have created your object with the Pen tool ... use your Direct Selection Tool (A on your keyboard) ... and you can fine tune the points.

And yeah ... those tuts on kelbytraining.com are awesome ... too bad I didn't find it til after I was done with Design School ... eh ... they are still great references.

-Ray-

[tukaniray]

Oh and if the jagged edges are still bothering you ... it's because the pen tool in Photoshop is a raster image as oppose to a Vector image ...

-Ray-

[toverman]

What are your photo specialties? The logo evokes certain things to me, but that might not match up with your target audience (or maybe it does).

[KenJulio]

Todd - right now, I am trending for sports, events(non-weddings), and landscape. I have been tweaking it since I posted. I have dropped bend underneath the eye and moved all the text beneath.

I have been playing with idea of a 'tree' with the use of the "i" in my last name.

[toverman]

That's cool, Ken. The feeling I got from the logo was "sports" and non-warm and fuzzy events.

[klynam]

I've been a visual designer over 20 years and also teach graphic design. So I'm going to help you, but I'll ask you to take the same pledges I ask all my students to take on the first day of class.

Repeat after me...

"Just because I thought of something, does not make it right."

"Just because I spent days and days working on my design, does not make it good"

"I want to be a good designer so I will listen to your instruction and correction, and never take it as personal criticism."

"If I do not listen and learn, odds are high (about 999,999-to-1) that I will make most, if not all, the same mistakes everyone before me has also made."


Okay, we're ready to go on...

You have a few things going well, but overall the logo is too complicated. You're playing with Photoshop (fonts, colors, layer styles, etc.) too much instead of designing a logo.

Suggestions:

• Pick a point of emphasis - your name and the eye thing are competing right now
• Which ever element you choose as the "hero", use the other smaller as a compliment
• Tighten up the spacing between all the elements
• Change to a more legible font
• Loose the drop shadow
• Use color with purpose and to emphasize, not as afterthought to accessorize

Great logos are ALWAYS designed to work in a single color (black) and to be easily recognizable and reproducable at any size. Then - and only then - are stylistic effects added.

If you work the other way around, you'll end up with a logo that cannot be easily scaled OR reproduced, which is where you are heading right now.

Trust me - I'm a doctor: www.TheImageDoctor.net

[KenJulio]

Originally Posted by klynam

I've been a visual designer over 20 years and also teach graphic design. So I'm going to help you, but I'll ask you to take the same pledges I ask all my students to take on the first day of class.

Repeat after me...

"Just because I thought of something, does not make it right."

"Just because I spent days and days working on my design, does not make it good"

"I want to be a good designer so I will listen to your instruction and correction, and never take it as personal criticism."

"If I do not listen and learn, odds are high (about 999,999-to-1) that I will make most, if not all, the same mistakes everyone before me has also made."


Okay, we're ready to go on...

You have a few things going well, but overall the logo is too complicated. You're playing with Photoshop (fonts, colors, layer styles, etc.) too much instead of designing a logo.

Suggestions:

• Pick a point of emphasis - your name and the eye thing are competing right now
• Which ever element you choose as the "hero", use the other smaller as a compliment
• Tighten up the spacing between all the elements
• Change to a more legible font
• Loose the drop shadow
• Use color with purpose and to emphasize, not as afterthought to accessorize

Great logos are ALWAYS designed to work in a single color (black) and to be easily recognizable and reproducable at any size. Then - and only then - are stylistic effects added.

If you work the other way around, you'll end up with a logo that cannot be easily scaled OR reproduced, which is where you are heading right now.

Trust me - I'm a doctor: www.TheImageDoctor.net

Kevin - thanks, input which is helpful.

And no, I'm not saying the others aren't, just a bit more detailed which helps me get my head straight as I said, this first go around, it just didnt feel right.

[tukaniray]

Funny klynam, I found my self raising my right hand reading that ... It's pretty cool that you teach graphic design ... I use to teach Final Cut Pro and Video Post Editing ...

Anyways, I look forward to seeing what you came up with ken74 and hopefully with a bit of help from us all ... you will create a killer logo.

Good Luck.

-Ray-