Thoughts on my logo?

[sumone]

I don't understand why some folks are being so hard on this kid. Every so called "expert" started not knowing a thing.

Encouragement can go a long way. You should try it.

I'm not entirely sure why you quoted me.

But I don't have a problem with encouraging him I do have a problem with the way some people here chose to judge him. Some people used his age as an excuse to defend him while others used it a means to bash him. At the end of the day age has nothing to do with it, it's experience. If you have been working on graphic design since you were old enough to hold a mouse then you will probably be a dang good designer by age 15 conversely if you never learned a thing you probably won't. I think many people here got heated because the guy tried to use age as an excuse and it's not an excuse. I think he should be judged by his skill set and experience which as of now is "Beginner" and there is nothing wrong with that as you stated everyone needs to start somewhere.

I think what the OP should have said is "hey, i'm just a beginner and trying to create a logo for a website, here is my design. I would like some feedback and perhaps some tips on how to improve" I believe this thread would not have turned out the way it did had he started it off this way.

 

[fdorado]

Hi Simon,

My name is Fernando. I'm a freelance Graphic/Web Designer and student from New York. This is a good start. It's great to see a teenager having the desire of becoming a graphic designer. I'm going to give you a few tips on the creative process.

1. Explore and get inspired: look at websites such as smashingmagazine.com, brandsoftheworld.com, etc.

2. Learn: there are various websites out there where you can read awesome tutorials; planetphotoshop.com, psd.tutsplus.com, tutvid.com. There's also great graphic designers and typographers that have their own style and you can learn from. Here's a few: Milton Glaser, Paul Rand, Herbert Lubalin, Saul Bass, Jessica Hische, Erik Spiekermann.

3. Sketch: use pencil and paper. Just doodle anything that comes to your mind. Great ideas come when you let your creative juices flow.

4. Execute: Now that you have ideas on paper, you can scan them and trace them in PhotoShop, Illustrator, or whatever program you use.

5. Review: Look at your work and don't be afraid of having people judge your work. They might be right or wrong.

6. Execute again: If you don't feel your design looks good, go back and execute it again. Design is about making things beautiful and this is what you're eventually going to get paid for.

This is not the golden rule of design, but it helps me a lot and it's what I have learned in school. Anyways, keep up the good work and don't let other people discourage you. Feel free to email me if you have any questions or need some help with work.

Best Regards,

Fernando Dorado
me@fdorado.com
www.fdorado.com

 

[boss.king]

I don't understand why some folks are being so hard on this kid. Every so called "expert" started not knowing a thing.

Encouragement can go a long way. You should try it.

I think what people are reacting to is that the kid installed photoshop and is calling himself a graphic designer. That's a little insulting to the people who spend years learning to properly use the software and make a career out of it. Just because you play a guitar doesn't make you a musician, and the same applies here.

To the OP: keep practising, you'll get better, and don't be afraid to look elsewhere for inspiration. I am currently doing a graphic design/digital media/advertising course at university and I definitely recommend you taking some sort of course if this is what you want to do, it's really helpful and makes you to understand that when designing things there is a philosophy behind why you do things the way you do, not just because you want it to look cool.

www.fdorado.com

I checked out your site (just out of curiosity) and I'm really impressed with it. I'm not a pro designer or anything, I just wanted to say congrats, I really like look of it and I'd be interested to see it once you've got content in all the sections of it, especially your portfolio. Keep up the good work.

 

[Thetonyk123]

Hey,

I was just wondering about your thoughts on a logo I made. It would be used for my upcoming graphic design website. Any tips on the colour, size etc.. is greatly appreciated,

Thanks.


Image

Not that bad

 

[ezekielrage_99]

I don't understand why some folks are being so hard on this kid. Every so called "expert" started not knowing a thing.

Encouragement can go a long way. You should try it.

I think you'd better reread some of the posts, they have been encouraging to learn the craft not start a business, the general consensus was:

1) You can't call yourself a designer without the knowledge and artistry for the industry. It's just that simple, working within graphics for nearly ten years I've only met one person who had enough talent to carry them without formal training.

2) Links and ideas where shared, you may not have agreed with them though the general gist was learn the craft before jumping into a business. From my experience, a designer sells ideas and artistry not pixel pushing via knowing an app or two they are merely tools for design. It's like buying a hammer and screw driver and thinking it qualifies you as a builder, it just make you a tooler.

My advice is still the same, learn the process and concepts of design before jumping head first. Contact a design agency you might be able to get an internship and learn from knowledgeable people, this will give you direction for the OPs obvious passion. Finally get onto to links previously mentioned, you'll learn something about the craft IMHO.

 

[6749974]

To the OP, I think you're learning a few lessons about constructive criticism: how to give it and how to get it. To recap:

1. Consider the quantity of people you're asking for feedback. Perhaps you should start with a friend. MacRumors may not be the right place this early in your learning phase if you don't want lots of responses. Especially not the thousands that peruse Design and Graphics.
2. When asking for feedback, you state the objective of the design and ask if your viewer feels you have met the objective, why and why not. You stated the objective was for your upcoming graphic design website. I think people were honest in answering to that criteria.
3. Feedback hurts but it builds strength and a desire to articulate your position and needs up-front.

Regarding your logo:

Color - I think you picked two colors that work well, but this depends on the tone you're going for.

Outline - Why is there a gray outline around the teal K? This style doesn't work well. In fact the dark-gray outline around all type doesn't work well for a logo, as logos must look the same small and large. The outline will disappear when small, and reappear when large. That creates a discrepancy that is not viewed as professional. Think like album art. Album art must look good as a thumbnail in your Apple iPod Touch, and look good as a CD Cover or poster. Scalability is an important thing to consider.

Shape - A logo should work well as a shape. Pretent you don't know english or can't even read. What does the shape of this logo tell you? To me it says "complicated" because there is large type, small type, small type above, small type way below, lines here, kerning issues there. Please think of how you can simplify the design. I would start by removing the large K line. I would also not create a logo with such a small x-height. Think simple, monotone... these are the logos that look modern and professional. You got too creative, so too speak.

Typeface/Font - Why this font? Google the description of the font. What era is it from? Does that match the era/style you're going for? This font is feminine, so to speak. Does that match you or your style of design? It would be perfect for a fashion line, for example. Typefaces are the voice behind the words, in a way. This has a feminine voice. Nothing wrong with that, just want to make that point about typefaces.

You have a lot to learn and learning is fun. You will probably be amazing in one-year. Don't let the negativity prevent you from learning. Let it guide you.

Remember this quote:
"A professional is an amateur who didn’t quit."

So don't quit and time will make you a professional.

 

[shiekh]

A logo should photocopy well in black and white, so reds are good (look like black to a b&w photocopier).

Differing shades will not photocopy well.