Hey everyone - I was hoping to get some opinions on this. I've been working on maybe coming up with a new logo but I keep scrapping a lot of ideas. This is one that I ended up fully forming and I like it, but I'd like some objective feedback.
I'm not too fond of the type underneath, maybe it's a bit too floral (the yellow is little off as well, to me, but could look better on a dark background).
I like the refresh logo, but I feel like the rest of the text is more bold than it is - should it not be the other way around? I feel like the refresh should be the focus.
I agree with @TheDoc about the yellow font. It kind of threw me off a bit compared to the top text. I really like the Boundless text/logo though. Looks really good.
Thanks guys - I really like the font on the bottom BUT this is where I think I'm getting too subjective. I like it, so I'm maybe forcing it to fit with the logo instead of the other way around.
What do you think of where I highlight the refresh and make that yellow? I thickened it as well... on these next couple:
@JoshWhite, I think I like Concept2 the most out of those three.
@TheDoc, I actually really like that too, I just feel that the orange letters are spaced a little too far for my tastes. I like that direction a lot though.
I think the main typeface has a bit of issues showing jagged lines. I also think the inner shadow of the symbol is a bit too much. I'd try something other than pure black, perhaps a few gradient combinations (like this).
I agree about the inner shadow. I took it way down in these versions and I also changed the top font to see if that jagged-ness is taken care of.
I also tried a red color to see how that might look I kind of like the dark gray gradient a little too. Concepts 8 and 9 I tried a serif font for the main logo.
I personally really like the sans-serif version of the main text, and I really like the bottom text in Concept 9. So a mixture of Concept 6 and 9 would be my favorite. But yeah, any reason for the yellow symbol?
I think that particular sans-serif typeface should go. The 'N' looks incredibly funky and the color palette doesn't compliment each other except for Concept 7 minus the yellow of the symbol.
I agree with @TheDoc but a better and different sans-serif typeface should do the trick.
The main reason I made it yellow was that all my existing colors are in black / yellow / orange. So I was trying to keep it consistent, but I'm definitely open to something different.
Yes, much better choice. I would go a bit deeper and not be so strong on the dark gradient on the 3D effect. I would also give the text -45 degree gradient (shades of black/gray). Oh and for the symbol, I wouldn't make it "pop" that much. You still want to make it look like it's part of the text.
My typography teacher would murder you for not having the "ouroboros" O not be the same thickness as everything else its fitting in with. The last set you linked is the best for the under text and I am glad you got rid of the drop shadow. It looked like it did not belong and was a distraction to the overall concept. I also think you should try the typical sans / serif. Sans is your main part of the logo, so try a serif on the bottom for more contrast, perhaps even all in small caps or lower case. Small caps is made to be wider than normal upper case, so would put a little more weight on the bottom to balance the very large top you have.
Also, Josh, you're making the symbol stand out too much. It's not quite matching the color palette of the rest of the text and the darker color of the gradient is too strong. The hardest part is getting it right. It's probably best since this typeface has such a thin weight to it, to use a single color.
@ChristopherBurton - Upon Jeager's suggestion, I made the symbol about the same thickness as the type to see how it is. To me it looks better thicker but I'm curious what others think after they see it.
@Jeager - yes the shadow was just for the concept. I don't think it would belong on any actual application I can think of.
As for the "O" not being the same thickness - above, in my first versions I was about the same if not a little thinner and after trying it slightly thicker I thought most people (including myself) liked it more.
Here's the next set that has both sans/serif versions with the new thickness and I kept it all in blue this time. Final Set 2
After seeing both thick/thin of the O, either would honestly work. Go with your gut, but however it is overall more cohesive of a design being the same thickness. Also, I love the last of the set with all the bottom characters in lower case serifs.
The issue I am seeing right now is the 'B' and the 'E' roughly where the x-height would be for the font face is where the cross bars of the B and the E should be, i'd say closer to where the current one in the B is. I think if you lined the E's up, it would read much better also.
Edit: One other small adjustment I see being, in the stylized O, the cutout facing the arrow tip is rounded, perhaps try to make it the same angle as the arrow tip.
I was actually worried about that was well when going with Neutra. Back on my font tests it was kinda between #3 and #5 and that was the major difference.
I went back and thickened it but split the difference on the symbols. I think I like it slightly thicker but I believe this is a good compromise. The thinner one actually did have the arrow cut out (it wasn't supposed to round but it was too thin to tell). So this one gives you enough definition to see it real clear.
I would agree if the symbol was excluded from the typography. The problem that I have with the concepts is none of them compliment Neutra. The personality of the serif's seem too strict and serious instead of laid back and friendly. I would try a more illustrative serif with ligatures applied or a slab serif. I liked the previous versions (here) and how you matched the weight of the symbol to the text. Not sure what brought you back to adding more weight in the end.
Before I forget, there seems to be too much tracking going on in all the text. Especially the 4th version (bottom-right). I have to say this has come along way from your initial version. I spent weeks on my logo until I deleted all my concepts and came up with an entirely new idea within a few hours (my logo using the same typeface).
Hmm... I think I need to take a break and come back to it - all the ideas are just swirling around in my head :P
That's kind of the feeling I thought the type-writer font gave it - a more playful feel, which was what I was going for in my existing logo. That's the feeling that it gave me anyway when I originally saw it. Am I just weird and it doesn't give off that impression?
Here's the same as the previous version you mentioned but with a similar typewriter font but it's much less flowery than the old one. I also toyed around with "design + marketing" instead of "design & marketing". Yet another look!
When I am stuck doing anything I grab a piece of paper and draw it out. Sometimes I end up using the drawing, vector it, and done. So perhaps try your hand at a hand done 'design +/& marketing'... Might turn out nice. It is the same idea of contrast I mentioned earlier, but instead of using a serif, you are going humanistic.
When I am stuck doing anything I grab a piece of paper and draw it out. Sometimes I end up using the drawing, vector it, and done. So perhaps try your hand at a hand done 'design +/& marketing'... Might turn out nice. It is the same idea of contrast I mentioned earlier, but instead of using a serif, you are going humanistic.
Edit: Also about the tracking/ kerning - I find myself doing it a lot also, so I did not even think of mentioning it, but does look better condensed a bit.
Maybe you should. It certainly helped my logo evolve.
A serif like that can but it has to compliment your main typeface, which it doesn't. I think that slab serif is a bit too heavy in weight too compared to your main text. Are you totally against not having the symbol or are you open to options? If you go a bit heavier with Neutraface, I'd like to see if Brioche would compliment it. I really love the cupping of the serifs on this typeface.
That's a good suggestion Jeager. I'll give it a try and see what happens.
@ChristopherBurton What is your opinion on the using the Futura instead of Neutra? It's almost the same except has some more weight to it. I took a sample of Brioche to see how it would look with Futura and also tried one called Graduate. I really don't have that many fonts like this which is a shame. Futura Combo
I'd really like to keep the symbol if at all possible. I was really hoping to tie it in to a few applications just using the symbol itself.
I like where its going. Futura is my favorite geometric font. I think the bottom one however is a bit to floral, but the top one is pretty good combination because of the french style serifs.
I'll keep poking around seeing if I can find some different and more fitting combinations. I kind of feel like I'm at that point where we're just splitting hairs until something "clicks" and it really works :) Thanks a ton for all the insight guys. I really appreciate it and it's come a long way. I'll do some playing and see where we end up :)
See It Here
Thanks in advance!
I like the refresh logo, but I feel like the rest of the text is more bold than it is - should it not be the other way around? I feel like the refresh should be the focus.
What do you think of where I highlight the refresh and make that yellow? I thickened it as well... on these next couple:
Concept2
Concept3
Concept4
http://cl.ly/1t2N1s0u3h3W0y0O4502
I know it's a lot of uppercase going on, but I think it just works better.
@TheDoc, I actually really like that too, I just feel that the orange letters are spaced a little too far for my tastes. I like that direction a lot though.
Edit: I was also thinking you could give it some sort of depth instead, like Jordan Metcalf has produced in this artwork - http://jordan-metcalf.com/1865/577460/gallery/poets-writers-magazine-cover
I also tried a red color to see how that might look I kind of like the dark gray gradient a little too. Concepts 8 and 9 I tried a serif font for the main logo.
Concept 6
Concept 7
Concept 8
Concept 9
I agree with @TheDoc but a better and different sans-serif typeface should do the trick.
@ChristopherBurton - is this kind of in line with what you mean? Idea
I tried a new font - maybe this one will be better :) I'm glad I have access to some typography guys lol.
I also put together a quick font option sheet with sans-serif fonts: Font Options.
Edit - some new depth options. I kinda like it down versus to the right: Depths.
Final Set 1
@Jeager - yes the shadow was just for the concept. I don't think it would belong on any actual application I can think of.
As for the "O" not being the same thickness - above, in my first versions I was about the same if not a little thinner and after trying it slightly thicker I thought most people (including myself) liked it more.
Here's the next set that has both sans/serif versions with the new thickness and I kept it all in blue this time. Final Set 2
The issue I am seeing right now is the 'B' and the 'E' roughly where the x-height would be for the font face is where the cross bars of the B and the E should be, i'd say closer to where the current one in the B is. I think if you lined the E's up, it would read much better also.
Edit: One other small adjustment I see being, in the stylized O, the cutout facing the arrow tip is rounded, perhaps try to make it the same angle as the arrow tip.
I went back and thickened it but split the difference on the symbols. I think I like it slightly thicker but I believe this is a good compromise. The thinner one actually did have the arrow cut out (it wasn't supposed to round but it was too thin to tell). So this one gives you enough definition to see it real clear.
Final with Font Change
Before I forget, there seems to be too much tracking going on in all the text. Especially the 4th version (bottom-right). I have to say this has come along way from your initial version. I spent weeks on my logo until I deleted all my concepts and came up with an entirely new idea within a few hours (my logo using the same typeface).
That's kind of the feeling I thought the type-writer font gave it - a more playful feel, which was what I was going for in my existing logo. That's the feeling that it gave me anyway when I originally saw it. Am I just weird and it doesn't give off that impression?
Here's the same as the previous version you mentioned but with a similar typewriter font but it's much less flowery than the old one. I also toyed around with "design + marketing" instead of "design & marketing". Yet another look!
Edit: Also about the tracking/ kerning - I find myself doing it a lot also, so I did not even think of mentioning it, but does look better condensed a bit.
A serif like that can but it has to compliment your main typeface, which it doesn't. I think that slab serif is a bit too heavy in weight too compared to your main text. Are you totally against not having the symbol or are you open to options? If you go a bit heavier with Neutraface, I'd like to see if Brioche would compliment it. I really love the cupping of the serifs on this typeface.
@ChristopherBurton What is your opinion on the using the Futura instead of Neutra? It's almost the same except has some more weight to it. I took a sample of Brioche to see how it would look with Futura and also tried one called Graduate. I really don't have that many fonts like this which is a shame. Futura Combo
I'd really like to keep the symbol if at all possible. I was really hoping to tie it in to a few applications just using the symbol itself.
I would go slightly heavier in weight. I don't think either serifs would work though.