Critique my prototype logo!

[NickSimcheck]

I'll tell you my idea behind my logo and I'd love to hear honest feedback on it. If you are a professional graphic/logo designer or just a talented illustrator whiz, I'm fully willing to pay to have a finished product made for me.

I've decided that with my ever changing market, changing myself from a "studio" to just my name is the proper thing to do. My work is Fashon, Commerical, Editoral, and Stock. I'm thinking something like:

Nick Simcheck
Photographer


Done. :lol::lol:


I'm pretty much a "smack-dab in the middle" kinda guy, meaning that a grunge font doesn't suit me just as an ornate cursive font doesn't either. Call me a New-Age Times New Roman kinda guy...

I want a simple logo, nothing tacky... but at the same time something that has some meaning to it, although maybe not instantly apparent. So a little brainstorm and I came up with the idea (non-orignal, I know) of putting my initals together.. atleast in a different way, one which I've never seen before. I did a quick and rough photoshop mockup of my idea, please let me know what you think!

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_U7gde1yWeco/Sbmzxj9-CBI/AAAAAAAAAQs/IX2FCPjioi4/s800/Untitled-2.jpg

[NickSimcheck]

Some details,

The ratio is 2 X 2 1/2 , I think that works better then square and is more "bold" then a 2 X 3 ratio. The main "bars" are 20 pixels while the two smaller ones are half that (10 pixels). The black bars were done with a web 2.0 kinda look, while the orange doesn't have any style (I couldn't figure out how to change the presets!). The orange can be FF6000 or FF6600. It's orange because... ok it's my favorite color! :lol:

I'm totally welcome different designs, like I said before I'm willing to pay for something I like. I would need a few different versions, one with the black part changed out for silver, white, empty space, etc. (so I can use it on a black background, etc). and maybe one that is frosted for watermark use. Not that I need to state this but, vector is a must.

[CanadianKitKat]

It looks more like a Z to me personally than and N and an S.

[heycow]

Backwards Z here as well. I don't dislike it, but it's certainly not an N or an S to my eyes...

[bakerbranded]

It looks more like a Z to me personally than and N and an S.

Agreed

[NickSimcheck]

My wife says the same thing...*sigh*

Maybe I will change it so the "S" isn't as pronounced...

[Rubi Jane]

Nick I saw the 'Z' first too, but the N S came very quickly after for me. I think you're onto something but need a graphic designer to pull it together for it to work every time.

Good luck

[heycow]

Just curious, but where is the S?

[Jon, The Elder]

Nick....consider a simple 'Celtic' type interlacing of your initials.

[YORCHI]

I'm sorry but I really don't like it. It doesn't look like it has anything to do with your name or photography at all...

Sorry...maybe if it had some shadowing or something to help distinguish the 'S' alot more

[NickSimcheck]

Nick....consider a simple 'Celtic' type interlacing of your initials.


Tried that at first, and if my last name started with an B, D, E, F, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, P, R, T or X I would be in luck! I could have mixed them nicely by blending them together left/right.

But with "stacking" or "interlacing" like you said I hard a very hard time finding fonts that it looked ok with... Here's an example of what I mean:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_U7gde1yWeco/Sbmzx6aLZtI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/liC6sBfjKRk/s800/NS.jpg

[NickSimcheck]

I'm sorry but I really don't like it. It doesn't look like it has anything to do with your name or photography at all...

Sorry...maybe if it had some shadowing or something to help distinguish the 'S' alot more


Happy to hear honesty!

I'm not trying to say much in the way of my photography, but a resemblance to my name - sure. Not that I want it to look like this but if I flip and rotate it, you can see a bold N with a slight S...

[YORCHI]

Why not make a signature logo?

[NickSimcheck]

Why not make a signature logo?

Cause my real signature sucks!!! :lol::lol::lol:

[YORCHI]

Cause my real signature sucks!!! :lol::lol::lol:
:lol:

change your name?

[Dusty]

:lol:

change your name?

Yeah something like Sick Nimcheck, that way you can keep the logo.

:lol:

[NickSimcheck]

Yeah something like Sick Nimcheck, that way you can keep the logo.

:lol:


Why not Sick Nunchuck? I mean if you're gonna go all out...

The makes me wonder, do people have a hard time correctly pronouncing my last name? How would you say it?

[gooble]

I see ASN and that"s only if it's viewed at this large size. Logos should work when small too.

[NickSimcheck]

You see an A?

How about the colors inverted:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_U7gde1yWeco/SbmzxvS9GnI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/UAxfhJvWwUk/s800/Untitled-3.jpg

[Dusty]

Why not Sick Nunchuck? I mean if you're gonna go all out...

:lol: Classic !


The makes me wonder, do people have a hard time correctly pronouncing my last name? How would you say it?
I'd say it the way I read it, Sim-Check. :)

[Grentz]

I was just kinda fiddling around off of your initial idea and with some fonts. Just to help with brainstorming ;)

Disclaimer: I am far from a graphic designer!

[Grentz]

Here is another brainstorm concept for ya.

[bakerbranded]

Tried that at first, and if my last name started with an B, D, E, F, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, P, R, T or X I would be in luck! I could have mixed them nicely by blending them together left/right.

But with "stacking" or "interlacing" like you said I hard a very hard time finding fonts that it looked ok with... Here's an example of what I mean:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_U7gde1yWeco/Sbmzx6aLZtI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/liC6sBfjKRk/s800/NS.jpg

I personally like this one the best. I think this has a nice concept. Its simple yet makes a point. I think if this one was played more with a designer that it could really be something great. Good luck!

[TeeJay]

Disclaimer: I am far from a graphic designer!

No, what makes you say that! :-)

Only JK!


If we must stay with that colour scheme, How about something simple like this....


TJ

[NickSimcheck]

Here is another brainstorm concept for ya.


I'm liking it!

I don't know why but for some reason I like the "box" element, maybe because it's not just letters made into a logo, but a logo made into letters (if that makes sense).

[recrisp]

Nick,

I think that to show that it is a "S", it needs to show a curve in it, otherwise, what happened already, will keep happening, and that is people will ask what it is, and not be as concerned with the 'why' behind it.
Yeah, I know this is a lot of orange, and you may, or may not like it, but it's a start... :)
I kept the idea behind the square you kind'a like, and the swirl of the "S" gives it an artsy look, and to me, this is what logos are made of, something that is artsy, and also at the same time, plain, to be in your face, but not, at the same time...
You could also go the opposite too, but to me, your last name needs to be in a bold color, and the first doesn't, but they are kind'a still both equal too.

Anyway, see what you think, I like it, but to me the orange is too much, I know you had a thinner line on your sample, but that made it too busy to me, so I went another route.

Also, this should be done in a .jpeg and an Illustrator vector file, that way, if you need an enlargement, or a reduction, you just use that Illustrator file and you're done.

I hope it makes sense to you... heheh
This was a quickie, of course it would be cleaned up and purty later, should you use it.

Randy

[NickSimcheck]

Nick,

I think that to show that it is a "S", it needs to show a curve in it, otherwise, what happened already, will keep happening, and that is people will ask what it is, and not be as concerned with the 'why' behind it.
Yeah, I know this is a lot of orange, and you may, or may not like it, but it's a start... :)
I kept the idea behind the square you kind'a like, and the swirl of the "S" gives it an artsy look, and to me, this is what logos are made of, something that is artsy, and also at the same time, plain, to be in your face, but not, at the same time...
You could also go the opposite too, but to me, your last name needs to be in a bold color, and the first doesn't, but they are kind'a still both equal too.

Anyway, see what you think, I like it, but to me the orange is too much, I know you had a thinner line on your sample, but that made it too busy to me, so I went another route.

Also, this should be done in a .jpeg and an Illustrator vector file, that way, if you need an enlargement, or a reduction, you just use that Illustrator file and you're done.

I hope it makes sense to you... heheh
This was a quickie, of course it would be cleaned up and purty later, should you use it.

Randy












HHHHhhhhhmmmmmm....

I like the concept... I do agree the orange is like Whoa. Perhaps some blank space between the letters? I'm gonna hack at it and see what it looks like, I'll post it in a few.

[NickSimcheck]

I don't know if I'm feelin' it, I think it lost some "element" that the orignal had...

EDIT - And yes, all I did was use the eracer :lol:

[recrisp]

I agree, I tried an outline of it in black and also white, it loses it's appeal, at least to me.
I also had planned on making the inner portion just plain white, but I thought before I did that I'd see what you thought, you may have hated it all... heh
To me, less is more in a logo, I make quite a few, and one color is better than two, and three can be really busy, but, it all depends on the design.

If you want to, I can make the white version, the orange it too Home Depot-y to me... heheheh
You know that I you went with another color, it's be easier, but I don't know your connection to the orange either, it may have some meaning.

The design I made is with what you said, the letters inside a box type deal, there are many other ways to go about this using other designs.

Anyway, if I can help you, let me know.

I went ahead and did the white version, this might workl O.K., but the "N" needs a little work, it isn't as defined...

Randy

[recrisp]

Here's the same thing, but with a burnt orange, if 'normal' orange is something you didn't have to have, it makes it all look completely different.
The white outline makes it busy again, so I didn't put it on here.

Randy

[Grentz]

Cool concept recrisp. That is the idea I was trying to get at but couldn't as I am not the best with graphic design :p

[recrisp]

Thanks Grentz, I think that everyone's is pretty good too!

Randy

[PhotosGuy]

I'd rather see NS, instead of SN, so my 2 minute "inspiration".

349605

[NickSimcheck]

I'd rather see NS, instead of SN, so my 2 minute "inspiration".

349605


I agree, even my variation put the "S" above the "N" which I did not like.

I like how you swung the serif of the S over the N, nicely done!

[Big O]

maybe get a little more 3d ... I too am a member of the 'not graphic artist' club ... but here is a lame sketch of what I have spinning in my head (while trying to keep to your original design theme)

[PhotosGuy]

I like how you swung the serif of the S over the N, I thought it added a bit of depth, & the red helped to pull that forward, too. I might like an "S" with the center angle closer to the angle of the "N", but PS7 doesn't have a type preview, & I didn't want to take the time to go through them all. ;)

[MikeEH]

I'm no pro by any means but i thought id share my thoughts i like the one that hase the fat N with the S inside it, what if you reversed the colors or maid one color kinda see thro like have the S the same color but very faint

the stacked S N looks way to much like the NY base ball team logo to me this is a tuffy but a logo is very important say even if it takes some time to figure out and then (least i would be like ) huh that pretty smart logo and it kinda stick in my head

that very first pic you had maybe put like photoghry or N S photography or NickSimcheck photography under it so when one looks at it they don't just think is a graphic design but a type of signature

also keep in mind for some reason the diamond shape is more...........liked then the square

hope this helps in some way :D

[Kendoway]

Another one for you - quick and dirty :)

http://s5.tinypic.com/21vrr.jpg

[sie]

Cause my real signature sucks!!! :lol::lol::lol:

Download a handwriting font you like the look of: http://www.free-fonts.com/handwriting_fonts.html

[NickSimcheck]

A graphic designer came up with these samples, I'm really diggin' the one on the left!

What do you guys think?

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_U7gde1yWeco/Sb8AzF0rRnI/AAAAAAAAAR0/6MWbH_ey6jc/s800/NS_logo.jpg

[bakerbranded]

A graphic designer came up with these samples, I'm really diggin' the one on the left!

What do you guys think?

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_U7gde1yWeco/Sb8AzF0rRnI/AAAAAAAAAR0/6MWbH_ey6jc/s800/NS_logo.jpg

Middle
Left
Right

[Kendoway]

Left.

[psycorpse]

I like them all. If I had to choose one I would go with the left. It is the logo that you wanted originally anyways.

[NickSimcheck]

I like them all. If I had to choose one I would go with the left. It is the logo that you wanted originally anyways.

Exactamente!

[MikeEH]

left

[PhotosGuy]

I'm really diggin' the one on the left! It's the same "S-N" problem for me. I like the other two, though.

[NickSimcheck]

It's the same "S-N" problem for me. I like the other two, though.


Yeah I told the designer that when I told her my revision thoughts.

She's going to try a thinner font for the S and maybe a change in the way it overlaps and what not.

We'll see how it goes...

[Grentz]

Looks like you found a great designer though, those look really nice!

[alduin]

Left.

...though I'd like to see it with the verticals on the "N" being the same width as the diagonal. The really thick diagonal makes it a little awkward for me.

[SoaringUSAEagle]

I like the left one, but I think it'd look better if your name was a bit brighter orange, and the photographer text was a bit darker too. My choice would be the left one as well... Looks nice.

[NickSimcheck]

My designer has given me some revisions, and I have now posted a poll in this thread; VOTE: Help choose a Logo! (7 to choose) (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=664448)

Any input please post it in that thread, thanks!