March 22, 2012

Logo Design #7


This is a playful illustration representing a corset company. Using wings tied together, it works to convey the company product. To me when I think of a corset, I think ... pain. However, this illustration works to change that perceived impression. The type treatment on the design works really well together. Using upper and lower case for the name and then solely lower case on the bottom compliment each other nicely. My only concern would be the application of this logo on other colours as opposed to the cream. The highlights in the wings may not show up as well.


This is actually a piece of student work that I discovered at logopond.com. As mentioned earlier, I'm a sucker for script type and this fictional company logo is quite beautiful and elegant.

Again, loving the script use for this logo design. The flow of the lettering matches the stroke of the swan illustration. By matching the lettering and the design, the logo becomes more cohesive and a much more solid piece. I’m all for simplicity in design and this logo does that perfectly. For the word “soap,” she could have tried lower case but I do think that the use of upper case suits the design just as well. I find that the combination of script and serif compliment each other and work well to bring out the best of both faces. The nice thing about this logo is that because of its simplicity, its application is easy and could be used on a number of different areas.


Can’t get enough of script logos. In this particular case, I love the application of the face. The distressed nature of the script gives further meaning to the company name. The lettering flows nicely, with enough kerning between each letter so each can be distinguished. My only concern with this logo would be is actual application and how it would look. In this example it is placed on a blue background, bringing forth the eroded nature of the type treatment, however, if placed on a different colour, would it have the same result? It’s something to consider.


I’m starting to really enjoy the nature and design of vintage logos. The type treatments on them are really quite elegant and beautiful. This in case, The Everleigh Melbourne is an excellent example of bringing vintage and classic design back to modern application. From the use of type to the curved baseline, the logo flows gracefully and with the use of flourishes, gives the design greater presence and attraction. Having developed an interest in vintage design, it would pleasant to see the small design details that were accomplished in this design. The added flourishes really push the design into truly embracing vintage design.



There’s something about this logo that I love while there are parts of me that don’t find it all that appealing. I love the illustrative element of the design and how well it accompanies the type treatment as well as the frames, but I feel as though the design is quite tight and I’m not too sure where to give my attention first. I feel like the added flourishes around each corner become overwhelming and distracting from the design itself. Don’t get me wrong they are a nice added touch, but the designer has added to many and to me, takes away from the message. The type used for the logo works well to convey the vintage look that the company is going for.



I was immediately drawn to this logo design for its typeface use. Candy Script is a face designed by Ale Paul who is based out of Buenos Aires. Known for his elaborate script faces, he has become world renown for his digitalization of script faces. Although my phase with Candy Script has passed, I still enjoy its application in this design. The colours alone convey the nature of the company and work to push the desired message of the company. The letters become another additional element that work to illustrate the brand itself. Although I’m not a big fan of exaggerated swashes, this design works well to balance the swashes with the lettering.


Logo Design #6


How can you not love this particular logo? You have a robot rocking out on a keyboard guitar! How cool is that?! Absolutely love this logo. From the type treatment to the use of colour, everything about this logo design works really, really well. I love the choice of typography for this logo. The combination of serif and italic sans serif brings together old school and futuristic looks. Juxtaposing two such faces doesn't always work but in this case, works extremely well to give the brand personality and attention. The typeface used for "Electronica" reminds me so much of the movie "Electra" starring Jennifer Garner. Weird connection, but true. Staying away from the stereotypical robot tones of grays and blacks, the use of oranges and browns work to bring the old school feeling forward.


To me, this logo looks like two people have raspberries on their heads. Hilarious but it conveys a message. I tried to look up what the company does however, couldn't find it on the Internet. From the illustration, I'm assuming that it's a company that works with children or a child daycare. Based off of that assumption, the colour palette for this design is warm and welcoming. As their little heads look like raspberries, the use of pinks and reds further pushes the warmth and friendly nature of the group. The sans serif with rounded edges also allow the design to be more open and soft. Removing the shark edges of the type works really well to convey the message of the brand.


This logo rocks. I love the way the designer incorporated the "ok" symbol with the antlers of a stag. Clever and cheeky, the design becomes completely coherent and works to convey the message of the company. Again, this is a fictitious company but this logo would be a great addition to a company identity. The only thing that I'm not sold on is the colour used for the text. The contrast of the red and the white is great and becomes the clear dominant object in the design. The writing kinda gets lots considering the contrast with the other two is so prominent. Differentiating the text and the background colour would help make this logo more appealing.


I'm a big fan of ornaments in logos. Maybe it's the vintage look that I'm drawn to, it's just something about the flow and design that is so attractive. The combination of the curves of the ornaments with the thin, condensed sans serif typeface treatment. The thing about this logo is that it's simplicity will allow it to be used on various mediums with different colour treatments, depending on the situation. In this particular example, the use of black, neon pink, and white great an amazing contrast and emphasis is placed on the type/name of the company.


Love vintage logos. This may be a current logo, but its reminiscent of an older, vintage logo from decades ago. The simplicity of the design is enough to convey the message of the company. I personally like the somewhat eroded serif typeface used for "Black Coffee." I seem to be "in" to the eroded serif lately. Just something about it that works and gives it more personality and charm. The colour choices work well together. The black and cream give it a vintage look. The "air roasted" is a little small and could get lost if the logo is make any smaller than it already is.

Logo Design #5


This logo is pretty damn cool. Granted, I'm not too sure how well it would look if converted to black and white. However, the incorporation of various snack foods and type work well to push the brand essence. This is the type of illustrative work that I'd like to learn how to do. Working completely within Illustrator to create a design that becomes 3D gives the design further personality and attraction. I'm drawn to this logo based on the fun nature of it and how well the elements work well to convey the brand itself.


Being a type nerd, I (of course) love this logo. The hand written treatment of this logo works well to convey the company. I also like the treatment of the letters themselves being eroded and give the impression of being created by hand. To me, gives it more personality. I love that the T and the D are connected by a single ligature. It keeps the logo cohesive and seen as one entity. The only area that concerns me is the added ligature from the "p" that crosses the bridge of the "e." I find that it creates a little "bump" and to me personally, distracts from the flow of the design itself.

As I work in a restaurant that sells molton lava cakes, this logo was enticing to critique. I love the combination of script and condensed sans serif type and works to create a nice contrast between the elements. The colour combination as well is warm and draws the viewer in. Adding the image of the molton cake at the bottom situated between two thin strokes, further creates balance in the logo. My only concern is the spacing between "C'est" and "Lava" ... at this point they are touching and to give it some room to breathe would maybe make the logo flow better.

I'm always drawn to illustrative logos that are playful and not to sound too girly ... but cute. I really enjoy this logo for a company that focuses on children's development and using creative means to get there. I'm not sold on the typeface for "tee pee" but it still works to convey the company strategy and essence. I just keep staring at the amount of "e"s in the name and how all of them look the same, there's no differentiation between them. If they were trying to mock children's writing, the "e"s could have had more personality and difference between them.


I love this modern look to this particular logo. The colour combination is what really draws me into this design. The combination of orange, blue and gray work well to draw attention to itself. The blue and gray make it cool and cold, while using the orange, which is warm and bright, give the logo amazing contrast. Using a serif typeface would not have conveyed the appropriate message to consumers, so the use of a sans serif furthers the modern and futuristic approach that they are trying to create. I love the incorporation of the little space man as well as the rocket ship.


I'm not sure how I feel about this particular logo but there was something about it that I was drawn to. Maybe it was the combination of black and gray but ultimately, it's a very impressive and intricate logo. I think it's the typeface used for "Silver Light" that I'm not too sure of. It's just not sitting right. It seems a little left-heavy when it comes to the word positioning. However, I will admit it seems to work with the above image. The intricate and delicate nature of the drawing works to highlight the ability of the company to control great lighting. The shadowing of the object is beautiful and the tones created by the "faux" lighting gives the object further emphasis and definition.


March 1, 2012

Logo Design #5


I've noticed that I've gotten into a script phase. The thing with creating logos with script fonts, you need to be very careful in terms of application. The logo needs to remain legible while still maintaining its elegance. With this particular logo design, the script still holds strong with very little distracting ligatures. The only thing that I would adjust would be the leading between the C and the R ... seems a little tight and given a little more space, might give the logo better appeal.

This is another logo form that I've come to like lately ... the seal form of design. This seal of approval works to convey trust and tradition. It is also this form that mostly appears in circular form. It is through this means that most logos are produced and seen as the most appealing. I really like the vintage look of logos and the ability to play with shape. In this particular case, the logo above conveys the symbolic nature of the the ship building business. Using a serif typeface enforces the traditional and historic connotations. As well, the use of traditional blue and white colours works to further the desired feelings for both the business and the identity.


Another area that I'd like to explore would be to expand my illustrative techniques. This logo is a prime example of what I'd like to create for further designs. The contrast of thick and thin lines on the envelope and wings gives more humanity to the design and makes it less rigid. Having the colour (white) not restricted to the lines that surround it make it more real and playful. Although I love the illustrative envelope, I'm not entirely sold on the selected typeface for 'wingo.' Its lines are not linear but still, comes off rather bold as opposed to the finer image placed next to it.

The colours are what drew me to this logo. They're warm and appealing, much like the product that the company is selling. Although I do like the use of the serif typeface, I wonder what this would look like with a sans serif typeface. The typeface seems a little too heavy against the delicate nature of the pie silhouette. It becomes distracting and I feel, takes away from the desired meaning of the brand.

I absolutely love the redesigned logo for DC Comics. Depending on the character that the logo is being applied to, the peeling off paper and 'C' change and reflect the personality of the hero himself. The simplicity of the design works well to be adapted depending on its application. The revamped logo works to represent the entire DC community and through its design, does it amazingly well.


This playful logo is always one that I look to for inspiration. It's design works well to

Logo Design #4



Although the thought of web design is scary to me, I absolutely love this logo design. The mixture of text and illustration work to create a design that is playful and cheeky. Using the <> as a part of the design furthers the message. Code Chef works to help people develop their own web designing skills. As learning code can be intimidating, taking the "cooking" approach lessens the worry about creating great web design. I really enjoy the colour palette used, the browns create warmth and richness.


I'm a sucker for custom typography. I'm currently in the process of trying to produce custom lettering. I'm drawn to this one due to the flow of the letters into forming a guitar. The ending ligatures create balance for the design. I also love the high contrast created by using red, white, and black. As the logo represents a rock band based out of Los Angeles, the logo conveys the desired connotations that the bands would like to show.


I love the interaction of the numbers and the lettering on this particular design. Breaking the baseline for the number 5 works to create flow and movement in this piece. Using bright and vibrant colours draws the attention of the viewer. Using the silhouette of a peacock perfectly highlights the desired communication the company is going for. The birds are known for their colour and vibrant palettes, so to use it in this application works perfectly.


Like the logo previously mentioned, this company uses an animal to display its corporate identity. Again, the use of bright and complimentary colours works well to compose the animal itself. Another feature of the logo design that works well is the use of typography. In this case, linking figures are used to create a sense of flow and connection. The extended ligatures bring the company name together and give it balance. It is through this process that the letters gain symmetry, despite being seen as playful and out of place. Contrasting with this hand-lettering is a thin, sans serif furthering a sense of identity.


Again, another example of typography being used as the sole means of communicating as its logo. Cleverly using the shape and style of letters, numbers are used as a replacement. It is through this process that the logo conveys the name and number that it represents. Using a serif typeface, the logo becomes simple and elegant.

February 29, 2012

Logo Design #3

I go back and forth with this logo on whether or not it works. There's just something about it that doesn't work for me. I love the incorporation of the word 'wine' into the design of the bottle and how well the 'e' mimics the soft edges of the bottle. Using a serif face further gives the notion of class and elegance, which are also feelings associated with wine drinking. To be honest, I think it's the typeface used for the word 'On,' is what isn't working for me. The juxtaposition of a script font and a serif work very well to compliment the other but in this case, something isn't matching up. I'm almost tempted to see the logo use a sans serif font instead of a script for the 'On.' Maybe then it will give the logo more contrast and work better as a whole.

There is something about this logo that I dig. Maybe it's the contrasting of thick and thin lines that draws me to this. To be honest, it's not that great of
a logo but at the same time, there's a playfulness to it that really grabs your attention. My only concern for this logo would be its reproduction and application at various sizes. I feel if the logo got too small, the small, thin lines wouldn't work and would get lost, thus, taking away its appeal. Another criticism would be that this logo doesn't really convey what the company does.

The fluidity of the logo is what truly makes it a successful design. It gives the design motion and allows the reader to draw attention to the name of the company. Making it a two colour design also creates a strong sense of communication. The motion of the logo contrasts well with the thin sans serif font.

Again, some text and illustrative logos that I find work really well. I particularly like the logo above for the incorporation of different design elements. Through this means, the design becomes 3-demensional and gives greater life to the meaning. Adding in the small clouds also pushes the idea of movement from the logo. Although presented in black and white, this logo could be applied using various colours. For instance, a combination of red, white, and black could work well with this particular design.


This has to be one of my favourite logos that I've come across. Using only type, it completely conveys the desired nature of the word itself through placement and positioning. It reminds of me a project we did first semester where we had to use the letters of the word to visually represent the meaning as a whole. It's playful and works so incredibly well with the fallen over 'i'. Although I feel Helvetica is overused, it works well in this situation to completely work with the design.

February 28, 2012

Logo Design #2


The simplicity of this logo design is what makes it very appealing. Using the negative space between the Z and the P works to create an illusion of a zipper giving further meaning to the logo design. Although presented in black and white, the design has the ability to work if different colour schemes are applied to it. Taking into consideration colour theory, particular colours could create different meanings of the logo design. The use of a sans serif type works to push the geometric linings of the logo itself.



I have a soft spot for typographical logos. This one for instance, works to convey the fun and playful feelings associated with creative studios. The use of red and white create high contrast in the composition. The use of both upper and lowercase lettering work well together as well. My only criticism would be that the H30 becomes a little too left-heavy, taking full attention away from creative studio. Although I do like the smaller point size of the creative studio, the hierarchy seems a little unbalanced.



Seeing this logo warms me up. The incorporation of type and illustration works to convey the feelings associated with coffee drinking. Using rich tones of browns and golds give higher meaning to the design as well. Having the two f's in the same gold colour contrast with the rest of the illustration in white.
I just saw this logo and for some reason (well, a few reasons) ... it stuck with me. I was browsing that design blog and came across this particular logo design. The article was showcasing some interesting and creative single letter logos and this one really stuck out with me. It's true to its meaning and very, very literal. Another thing I give the designer credit for is the amount of time it would have taken to create that letter. Sometimes, people get confused with logo design and need to remember that simplicity is key.

If you wanna check out more of the single letter logo design, check out:

http://blog.reflexstock.com/2010/11/65-inspiring-examples-of-single-letter-logo-designs/


Since we have to develop a logo for a hypothetical design company for my type class, it seemed fitting to look into logo design and what constitutes successful design. I've found endless lists of successful logos from various sites on the internet but I came across this particular site that offered some *great* examples of sexy logo design:

http://blog.reflexstock.com/2010/11/65-inspiring-examples-of-single-letter-logo-designs/

http://blog.reflexstock.com/2011/02/clever-logo-designs-that-speak-for-themselves/

http://blog.reflexstock.com/2009/08/66-creative-logo-designs-for-design-inspiration/

Again, this site (blog.reflexstock.com) has been so amazing the last few days, just with giving me come creative inspiration for my own work. The simplicity of some of them ... blows me away. They're clever, unique, and to the point, which is key to creating a great logo. The logo needs to symbolize the essence of the company and through these particular examples, fully illustrates the business itself.

With the whole 3D fad in television and movies paving the way for the future entertainment, this logo seemed to stick out in matching that particular theme. I like this and I don't. It's hard to explain what I don't like about it, which is rather odd b/c I'm usually pretty articulate. Being a film girl, I'm not a big fan of 3D ... so maybe that's why this logo doesn't really resonate with me. Maybe I'm staying loyal to the old ways of film?

January 16, 2012

Logo Design #1

I've come to appreciate decorative logos lately and the above logo is an excellent example. Using a circle is one the most commonly used shape for logo design. Its simple design allows for balance and innovation towards logo design. I was drawn to this logo for a number of reasons. To begin with, the colour palette for River City Gift Co. is warm and appealing. The combination of the pale blue and chocolate brown work well together to give the impression of being a store that is welcoming and open. Even if the logo was provided in only black and white, its shape and arrangement would still work to achieve the desired look. Another area of the logo design that works well is the choice of typography. The sans serif face further enhances the warmth of the design. Modern and sleek, the letters form around the circular shape and act as a seal of approval. Overall, very impressive logo design.

This was another logo design that appealed to me. Its playful design worked well to communicate the business itself. Playing off the elephant trunk, Maximum Cleaning Service uses a simplistic animal design to further their message. In some ways, this cheeky logo communicates that the company has a sense of humour, which I think is very important. Keeping the logo design to two colours, the logo can be versatile on its application. The use of type also works well to compliment the design and to further the message. Using all uppercase letters, the letters work to create further contrast. Again, the use of a sans serif face maintained the cleanliness of the logo look.



This logo is absolutely beautiful. My passion lies in typography and this logo exemplifies the beautiful look that using type can create. Although this logo is presented in black and white, it can be applied to various colour palettes, depending on the application. However, I do like the simplistic nature of the high contrast that the black and white create. The connecting figures give the logo design class and appeal. Its really quite beautiful the way the 'h' flows into the 'j.' The combination of both upper and lowercase letters gives further contrast to the logo. As the designer's name is in uppercase, the contrasting letters in lowercase add some playful nature to the design.



I've come to notice a trend in the logos that I tend to admire and it's how great design comes from the simplicity of the elements involved. In this particular case, a silhouette of a weight is used to emphasize the connotations associated with it. This logo is masculine throughout its elements including both colour and type choice. Using various tones of gray, the colour further promotes the masculine nature of the design.

I love the play on words for this logo design. The images of a hat, fork, and knife work to create a pirate flag of sorts. The pirate flag is rich in history and with using a design such as the one above, conveys lots of information in its creation and what it stands for.






August 5, 2011

thoughts

I've found that this past summer has been one of obsessions. You can take that as a good ... or bad thing. I'm still unsure about it myself. I've come to start collecting design books, all sorts of disciplines in design. Very cool that I've composed this mini-library of sorts, which during the school year will act as a great resource for various projects. In some ways though, seems to be a bit excessive, especially when it comes to how much money I've spent on making this resource centre. Not being in school everyday and the lack of design projects has led me to become rather bored and "meh" with my everyday tasks. It's not the same without that creative environment that I've come to thrive on. Granted, it's my own fault. I need to maintain the student lifestyle with a job as a server and as a result, has taken up much of my time. I don't feel the desire to create or distract myself. Totally sad, I know. I've got a month left to do something with my summer. Let's hope I can get myself in gear and shape up.

May 1, 2011

A Few Tips ...


Came across this a few weeks ago and have since then ... have started making it into a poster for my apartment as a reminder. As a design student, it's important to keep perspective and these 'things' help us keep us grounded and not nit-pick at the small things.

Check it out,

http://www.jamiewieck.com/visual-essays/the-50-things-every-graphic-design-student-should-know/