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Effective logo, but still in need of help. Any suggestions?
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I created a logo for the SOAR: Serve and Offer Autism Resources campaign last week. The campaign called to action over 2000 participants to send emails to the Senate to support an act for autism. I am wondering how positive the logo is before we go more wide scale.
You can view the logo in context on Change.org:
www.change.org/actions?event_id=16512
It is wonderful to meet you all, and thank you for your feedback!
Kendra
Posted at 11:52AM, 5 February 2008 PDT
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Hi Kendra,
First off , you have a lot of color going on.
Now I don't if you have a b & w version or single color, but you need to take this into consideration if you are going to use this for printed material.
Gradients and multicolor background and effects can put the kybosh on any logo when you go to the print process.
If it is going to be used just for the web then that it fine.
But find out exactly how it will be used.
then you might have to re-tool your design to work on several levels.
Posted 52 months ago.
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Ummmm... I concur with Dmans...
Logo's work better as 2 color, maybe 3...
Also, I don't like the bird it's a good idea, you need a better vector is all....
Posted 52 months ago.
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WHOA! There are way too many different photoshop filters going on there - gradients, textures, and some other silly/pointless filter on the text.
Has this been designed by a designer using the proper vector software or someone who thinks they know a bit about photoshop?!
I appreciate charitites cant always afford to get proper designers, but that is a really weak logo, sorry. It wont work in many printed formats and it really need to be simpler.
Like dmans4t4 says find out a bit more about how it might be used / printed, and make sure even when it is small its still clear and easy to read.
I can see the idea behind using the bird to tie in with the name, and it is a positive image. It just needs to be stripped down a bit and rebuilt.
Posted 52 months ago.
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Okay, first thing I saw was a one winged bird dropping a cracked egg between S and AR. "SARs", "Avian Flu", both bad associations. Then I saw the gradients and the drop shadows and I thought, well, this is more about photoshop filters than graphical communication. I truly believe you need to simplify. Work in black and white first and get the typography together before you start adding any graphical elements like a bird. Print it and stand a few feet away, does it read? If printed on an envelope at small sizes, how will it look? Go find a good book on logo design and try to communicate the word Soar with the logo. I don't read uplifting or soaring, or flight from this.
Posted 52 months ago.
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Thank you!
It will be used just for the web, as the campaign urges others to go to a website and send an email. Reducability is not an issue right now, nor black and white, but it will be in the future.
Which filters are the most annoying? I did have too much of a field day with filters- I can see that now. I am a texture fan, but this is too much.
I can see that it looks like the O is a cracked egg now. The cracks are fine- the egg is not. Hmmm. Somehow I have to combine these elements:
1) The bird- which is the logo of the Hawkeye Ranch Center for Autism, which created the SOAR campaign.
2) The letters SOAR
3) The puzzle piece, which is the symbol of autism
HELP!
Kendra
Posted 52 months ago.
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Before I get into the graphics I would like to know what your thoughts were when you came up with the symbols?
I just dont see the connection here; a puzzle in a ball and the bird and the ocean? Could you please explain that?
Especially in this case, when it's about autism, it should be very clear what it's about. Or at least you should be able to read it without having to guess. I would foucus on using only one symbol.
Is the bird a symbol for autism maybe? Forgive me for my lack of knowledge in the area of autism.
Posted 52 months ago.
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Could you not leave the "SOAR" as typography on it's own, and combine the bird and the puzzle pieces as one element? Maybe the birds tails could show a hint of some puzzle pieces coming together.
And I'd definitely keep it much more simple - vector illustrations with 2 or 3 colours is enough - no lens flares, bevels or rainbow effects. The concept needs to be understood straight away, and showering it with photoshop effects will only make it harder!
That's my 2 cents anyways :)
Posted 52 months ago.
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Thanks guys! Everyone is so helpful.
Stoos: When it comes to the symbols:
1) The puzzle is the "universal" symbol for autism. I can not use a single puzzle piece on its own because Autism Speaks trademarked it. The puzzle shapes linked together, with red,green, yellow and blue pieces, are used for autism awareness materials for most autism non-profits nationwide. The puzzle symbol came from a famous book written about autism that had a picture of a child on it made of puzzle pieces.
2) I am required to use the Hawk in the logo somehow because it is the logo of the non-profit that created the SOAR campaign.
3) I had no idea that there was an ocean! LOL! It is amazing what I have missed in my logo- eggs, balls and oceans! The ball is just the letter O in 3-D, like a globe. SOAR is also helping with legislation in other countries, so I went with a globe.
Posted 52 months ago.
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I am also wondering how much flashyness is needed in context- this is for an internet campaign with SOAR logos on MySpace and Facebook pages, etc. I am competeing with Html.
Posted 52 months ago.
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Sometimes, when your logo has to stand out between very dense graphics, the simpler and cleaner it is.. the better it works. I would start by working in a white canvas. Now, lots of people mentioned the filters, and they are correct. You don't need the shadows either.
Also, I think that you need to look at some good logos.
Get an idea of what's right, that way you can work towards that.
Posted 52 months ago.
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These are some you can check out.
img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/FlorenciaBsAs/Avatars/mar...
img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/FlorenciaBsAs/Avatars/mar...
img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/FlorenciaBsAs/Avatars/mar...
Posted 52 months ago.
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No filters- gotcha! What about a one-color background? I looked at all of the logos that you showed me, and they are much better, and witty. Sometimes I wonder if I am from a different era- I'm just not that minimalistic.
Is there anything about the logo that you do like?
Posted 52 months ago.
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...i think it's not about being minimalistic, it's just better in general to keep it simple :)
i like the elements used in the logo, but i'll recommend you to:
first, for eye recognition purposes at small sizes, flat or less colors works better as well as vector shapes. so maybe it could use just about 2 or 3 colors...
second, i think the background is unnecessary because creates a frame for too many elements, but if you want to keep it, maybe it'll look fine if you use a single blue tone for it, then the bird could be white, as well as the fonts... if you're working without the background, you could use a color for the fonts and the bird, and another color for the O-puzzle.
about the puzzle and the O, i like it, but i'll make it more obvious, like building the O with just 3 or 4 pieces. so, if you resize the logo at a smaller size, you'll got a better chance to understand that there's a puzzle in there.
and, if you don't like totally flat colors, maybe you can use very soft gradients for the same color, example: making a gradient between a blue 100% and a blue 80% gives you a little more vivid effect, and doesn't affect too much the visual recognition.
i think you'll enjoy Color Schemer Studio, it's a tool that (among other things) allows you to visualize color harmonies, you can download the trial here: colorschemer.com/
well, that's all. i hope this comments will help you in any way. sorry for my english :)
greetings, and good luck!
Posted 52 months ago.
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Does the bird have to be that certain shape?
It could be so much more elegant. Using a shape like the one you have at the moment makes it tricky to use text with it.
Posted 52 months ago.
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You have to imagine what your logo would look like as just white reversed out of a black background or just black on a white background. Also, print it out at about a quart inch or half inch height and see how legible it is. Also, try outputting it with various halftone screens as one color to see how well it's going to print in a newspaper, on crappy newsprint paper (small details fill up with black because of the paper) Also imaging how well it would work embroidered small on shirts, which is commonly done. I think you need to simplify the design a bit more and pick a better font too.
Posted 52 months ago.
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I was thinking about the autism thing and how it could relate to the word soar...What if you had a graphic of an elegant bird cage with the door open and bird flying free?
To me that is a much more powerful image that people could totally relate to, in any country. You are setting something free from it's bondage. It's universal.
Posted 52 months ago.
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Thanks guys! This is all truly helpful!
I am actually using an adobe knockoff called PhotoImpact Pro (We are non-profit, and a zero-budget one for design). I would love to change the bird, but it can not be more elegant because it has to relate to the Hawkeye Ranch hawk (see my avatar).
If anyone uses this program and knows how to get a clean vector shape, that would be wonderful!
Unfortunately, we have to use the puzzle pieces. I'm thinking that the tail of the bird and the text could be more enmeshed like puzzle pieces are. But the puzzle pieces are breaking away from each other.
Why is the font wrong?
Thank you all so much!
Posted 52 months ago.
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isn't being a designer great?
You have to start selling them on a simpler logo design.
You are going to run into nothing but headaches.
Here is the first thing I would do,
First go to a local printer and see what they say about it and what it would cost for say business cards...
Stay with me here...
Go to kinko's and see what they charge for color copies as well as black and white, for say a simple letter head...
stay with me.
YOu are going to start to get a feel what your design is going to cost as well as the headache the design it's self has created. Because, believe me you are going to plaster that little logo everywhere, and I do mean everywhere.
You now have a feel for cost. Go to the powers that be and tell them what is it going to cost to reproduce this design on every level. Every level!
Sugguest simplifying it, incorporate the elements you have to have without all the slick effects. It has to work black, white, reversed as well as one, color, or two.
It is a nightmare as it stands now and You are going to have to change it sooner or later.
How much money do they want to spend? Oh, you have the wonderful honor of telling them the cost breakdowns. They need to know and you have to tell them.
That which does not kill us, makes us stronger...
Sorry, just the facts in the biz...
one last thing...
save it big and in all the formats you can.
.tiff, .jpeg, .gif, .bmp, . psd. .ai...
you are going to need it on many levels.
Wait till you get requests for use in a Word document for a presentation that they want created in 4 color....
Originally posted 52 months ago.
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Dmans4t4 edited this topic 52 months ago.
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For the vector shape...
Bring it into Adobe illustrator and redraw it, or live trace it...
You have work to do...
Posted 52 months ago.
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Thank you- it is time for me to sell all of your suggestions to the co-founders! I do not have Adobe. Graphic design for non-profit is pretty bare bones.
Should I just scrap the whole thing and start over?
Posted 52 months ago.
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Start with a white paper and a black pen.
Draw anything that comes into mind when thinking of this campaign.
Just quick sketches. As many as you like. Kinda lika graphic brainstorm.
Then you leave them and take a walk.
When you have cleared your head, take a look at the sketches again. Now it should be easier to decide on which way to go.
Then you start your computer.
Originally posted 52 months ago.
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stooss edited this topic 52 months ago.
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Yes Kendra, I think you need to start over, you'll be doing it with a new mind, with some tips, and lots of us wishing you do well for this campaign *hug*
Posted 52 months ago.
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You have to sell them on getting you some apps.
It will save them and you in the long run
Big HUG.
Good luck.
Posted 52 months ago.
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Good luck Kendra, I'm working for a couple of non-profits at the moment and know what the budget constraints are like. fast, cheap or good pick any two, as the old saying goes. As far as the Adobe Creative Suite, I think you should talk to them about getting it, but start out with pen and paper and a scanner or digital camera can then bring the work into your computer. There are free alternatives, but if you are planning on staying in design you'll eventually need to know the Adobe programs.
Posted 52 months ago.
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you should it it vector black&white
Posted 52 months ago.
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Kendra! You've been so great through this feedback.
I'm not familiar with the program you're using, but have you heard of Gimp? It's a free program very very similar to photoshop and very credible and (ta da!) free! You might want to look into that for this or for the future.
Take all the suggestions from here and go with them. I'm so glad you decided to ask a community like this for feedback, because it is all very relevant and will help you grow and be more successful in the future. Be sure to post the finished product for us to see when you're done!
I won't comment any more than people already have, maybe just repeat to start on paper, and truly think about if every single element is necessary (read: VITAL) to the logo, or not. If it's not vital, scrap that element.
Good luck, and thanks for working for such a great cause. :)
Posted 52 months ago.
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an idea...
Posted 52 months ago.
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Great discussion! I like Gritphilm's tight, minimalist option; the first floaty one. It focuses on the connection between the acronym and the graphic, and is simple enough to reproduce anywhere.
You are in good company, Kendra. Most logos are created by design newbies. Textures may go against the trend and are awesomely hard to get into a logo, but the best stuff comes from those who 'didn't know better'.
In other words, if you don't like the offered artwork, the advice to start over is excellent, keeping in mind the crucial technical requirements of reproduction in various formats.
My advice is to hang tight to the purpose of the symbolism and make sure the final art holds true in every way. As designer this is your challenge and responsibility. Beware that good kernels of meaning can get lost either drifting away from the original intent not only while playing with cool filters, but also from letting opinions 'school' it out of you. Are you familiar with the term "design by committee"? Sometimes a design can become "frankensteined" by the even the best experts until it becomes meaningless.
In my experience designers generally believe the best logos are simplistic concept symbols, not too unlike an additional character to the alphabet, in that it's meant to be used in conjunction with text and not so much admired for its own presence, the way we look at a painting. This is not a rule, as there are no rules. (E.g., David Carson.)
A trendy logo style right now is to do all text, usually upper case. Another trend is swoops, drop shadows, and/or two-toned text. It's kinda like the anime of design, cool and stylized. Trends last a few years and are quite safe for shorter projects.
Having said that, your originality is precious. If you want a longer term logo, you can safely focus on the icon. Shell gas keeps their shell icon and changes the type and style every ten years or so for 100 years, give or take a few.
The concept of soaring is wonderful. Everything doesn't always need to have words. Non-textual symbols can have more traction. For example, the Ralph Lauren polo pony icon is preferred over having the company name written in big text. You can put the symbol on more things and people appreciate it "more than words can say."
REGARDING YOUR SYMBOLOGY: I am overly familiar with puzzle pieces because Microsoft once put it all over the technology world. But I don't know nearly as much about autism and didn't know a puzzle was THE symbol for autism. Only you can decide if it's appropriate. Will anyone think Microsoft is involved?
And for the bird, what about the ranch? How much is this a symbol for a ranch activity? That might determine how much eagle to include. I checked out your denim version of the bird and it was pretty cool. You might use it to get a perfect trace in a drawing program. Or call here for an inspired artist redraw.
Enjoy your project. It's a great cause.
Posted 52 months ago.
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