Need Logo Advice and/or Opinions...

davidamarkley · November 24th, 2004, 03:09 AM

Hello,

I just made a logo for my Dad's business, and am having a dilemma.

I can't figure out which way looks better, and after looking at different variations for a couple hours, they're all seeming to run together. So, I wanted a fresh new opinion on the project.

Here are some different ideas:

Image removed. See below for updated image.

Which one looks best?

This logo will be multi-purpose, and will be used as a Shirt Logo, Stationary, Invoices, etc.

He's wanting to order the shirts fairly quickly, and so that's what this one will be used for first off.

What do you think? I'm not much for having a graphics eye, so maybe you see somehow we could tie in the logo with the name better, or more fluidly.

Here's a link removed if you feel like messing around with it.

Also, I have not done hardly anything in Photoshop with vector or with the paths, etc. So, I can't figure out how to make the logo larger without losing quality. If you could figure that out, I'd be grateful as well.

The logo is a bullseye, but is also meant to be sort of like rippling water, and actually has many different things that could relate it to the business. I just thought I'd mention that.

Thanks!

David Markley

OuTpaTienT · November 24th, 2004, 04:02 AM

I like the logo. Not bad design at all there David.

You want to know what I thought the logo symbolized? I was picturing the rings as a spot on a carpet that was being magically lifted away by your company. hehe. So you are right, the imagery works on a few different levels. That's also what makes it a good logo.

If you're going to have the graphic silk screened onto shirts then you most definitely want to furnish the screeners with a vector file. Almost universally their first choice of preferred file format that you submit to them will be an Adobe Illustrator produced .EPS file. Next in line they would ask for an .AI file (Illustrator native format). Then if the customer can't supply one of those, then they will take whatever they can get. But if you want the highest quality from the print jot then you need to furnish them with one of those two formats.

And even though working with paths in Photoshop is using vector data, submitting a .PSD file (even one that's all paths, 100% vector data) is not the same as submitting a true vector format like .AI or .EPS.

If you want I'll convert your file into those two formats for you. It'll probably take me less time than it has taken me to type this message so far.

Do you have Adobe Illustrator? It's no big deal if you don't but if you do tell me what version you have.

OuTpaTienT · November 24th, 2004, 06:08 AM

Here ya go: http://www.link_removed.com

In that zip file is:
- a recreation of your Photoshop PSD file but it's done with ALL paths
- an Illustrator produced EPS file of the same document
- an Illustrator AI file of the same document

Only issue I ran into was the fact you were using faux bold on your text. You can't use any of the faux (fake) text decorations when converting to vector. But once I got them as vector objects I beefed them up so they appeared the same as they did with the faux bold.

I also believe I improved your kerning just a bit. In "Markley" both the E and the Y seemed a bit too far away. As well with a few of the letters in "Carpet Cleaning". Kerning is sometimes difficult to do (at least it is for me) and most people don't even bother with it or even know what it is. But anyways, here is a look at the altered image. The pink areas are the originals locations of the letters...

Cyclone2 · November 24th, 2004, 06:01 PM

Out did ya a big favour and also picked my favorite of the bunch

though I would remove the italics on the bottom lettering

davidamarkley · November 24th, 2004, 06:51 PM

Hey, sorry I didn't get back with you sooner, but I was gone all today away from inet access.

I regret that I have only one word to say about this thread: SHWEEEEETT!!!!

Thanks, OuT! I really appreciate the work with the paths, as I'm still trying to figure out the simple things still.

Your thoughts on the logo are interesting, I had never seen it as spot removal...

Also, thanks for fixing the Kerning on the lettering. That improves the look 100%!!

I talked to my dad and showed him the logo(he hadn't seen it yet) and he was jumping up and down. (well, not literally, as he's not too young anymore... ) ;-)

Could you post or PM me and tell me how you turned the Fonts/Text into paths? I was wondering what process you had to go through. I like learning things!

Thanks again, you don't know how much I appreciate everything you do for this community! (and me)

David Markley

EDIT: Also, just a sidenote, I have Photoshop CS and Illustrator CS. When I get home tonight, I'll take a look at the files on my computer.

OuTpaTienT · November 24th, 2004, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidamarkley

Thanks, OuT! I really appreciate the work with the paths, as I'm still trying to figure out the simple things still.

Your thoughts on the logo are interesting, I had never seen it as spot removal...

Also, thanks for fixing the Kerning on the lettering. That improves the look 100%!!

I talked to my dad and showed him the logo(he hadn't seen it yet) and he was jumping up and down. (well, not literally, as he's not too young anymore... ) ;-)

Could you post or PM me and tell me how you turned the Fonts/Text into paths? I was wondering what process you had to go through. I like learning things!

Thanks again, you don't know how much I appreciate everything you do for this community! (and me)

Glad to help.

As for turning text into paths in Photoshop, it's a simple one step process. You'll find it about midway through this tutorial I wrote some time ago.

davidamarkley · November 30th, 2004, 02:40 AM

Well, it's been a few days, but I have modified the logo a bit here and there. And, we have one that we are really liking, and have sent it off to the uniform company.

Attached is the proof we sent. Again, thanks OuT for your work. It made it a simple task to send it to them. And, I learned about the text to paths thing. It's so simple.

Just wanted you guys to see the finished product...

David

OuTpaTienT · November 30th, 2004, 04:34 AM

Cool, glad I was able to help.

I see you got rid of the italics for "carpet cleaning". I agree with that move. I don't know if I'm completely sold on the merging of the graphic with the "M" in Markley...but if you guys like it that's really all that counts.

Did the uniform company indicate what type of file they'd prefer to get from you? And what type did you send them? Did you make these changes in Photoshop or in Illustrator? If you didn't send them an Illustrator file or an .EPS file (produced from Illustrator) then I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya.

Actually it should be fine but I just would prefer to play it safe and send a vector file. I'm sure it'll be fine.

Let us know how they turn out. Maybe even photos would be cool.

davidamarkley · November 30th, 2004, 09:50 AM

Yeah, once we added the "Experience" to it, it looked much better without the italics.

The lady I talked to with the uniform company, didn't know what formats they needed it in. She just said to send a picture.

Right.

So, I sent them an .AI Export, and .EPS, and a .PSD. If they need something else, I told them to let me know. But, that should be all they require.

I'll be sure to take some photos of the shirts.

My Dad was pretty excited. It will be an early Christmas when he gets these shirts... lol

Thanks again,

David