Aries - LOGO

[Mu]

Here's my two cents:


- how about doing only outlines? Strong fat and bold outlines? It's much easier to leave out unneccessary things that way...

- it would also help simplifying the whole thing. I don't know where I heard this, but it made sense to me: You should be able to draw a logo with your toe in wet sand and it should still look good on a stamp.

You are definitely on the right track emotional-wise (your keywords), so just throw away as much of the filled space as possible...

[Zanith]

Hey Mr. Mu! Thanks for the advice.

Here is another shot of the piece, with the back of the head showing. I am using only the outlines. I also added some text I am working on for the business title.

I was still thinking of doing something about the back of the head and the eyes. I think the eyes could use some improvement. Yes/no?

-D

[arielmedel]

Zanith, I´m not specialized in logos, but design is partly what I do for a living, maybe my advice will help you. I´d suggest you fing a good real life reference pic. lot at the prime features of the animal, the ones that define the shape and character, then draw the head, you can go for a realistic approach, almost copying the head, so you can feel what things make that pic look the way it looks, you can draw it several times until you feel it looks real close to the pic, by tehn you should know what features define the image, now try to draw it and make sketches of it trying to simplify the look, don´t go too far though, you want this to look like that animal on first glance. When you feel it´s good and simple enough, trace your sketch, the best one, and then add the letters. Use fonts that are easier to read, and keep in mid the logo should be fit to be printed in different sizes. Maybe you could use a more legible font, right now, the font used for aries workshop looks a little messy, keep its look clean. experiment a lot. once you like something that´s also clean a easy to read, at least easy enough, print it in small sizes to see it the lines you use are thick enough. then you can experiment with colors. nowadays, some people use effects on logos, which I particularly think one should be careful about it and keep in mind that if effects are used, you´ll have to be able to print your logo always using color selection and that´s more expensive. Anyway, I hope this helps. :thumbsup:

[arielmedel]

Also, I recommend you buy books on logo design. There are a series of books with hundreds of logos to be used as inspiration, but never copy, just see how designer with worldwide recognition make things, the latest trends, etc.

[Zanith]

Thank you for your advice. I to am a designer and I know a lot of what you are saying, especially the text. Do note, this is all a rough form of the final piece. I am experimenting. The way it is at the moment I am not set on.

I want to make the logos modular, to it can look nice in a simple, single tone over a background manner, as well as have it be flexible for a graphically intense variant; of which I am writing the design guide for as soon as my selections in the logo and its various forms will be.

As for drawing the real animal - Honestly, I do not like it. I am trying to go for a more stylized, aggressive, bold approach. To represent a design firm you must be creative - take the form of the creature, stylize it, yet have it presentable enough to where you understand what it represents (in this case a Ram) I would think would be a good image for a Design businesses logo.

As for the books, I am looking around and trying to get inspiration.

Thanks again.

-D

How do I deal with the back of the head? Ahny suggestions on the eyes

Recommended fonts for the title?

[Mu]

How do I deal with the back of the head?

So, erm, actually I must have really gone nuts to expose myself so much, but who knows? Maybe it is helpful...

I say:"when in doubt leave it out". I don't care for the back of the head. The horns, the eyes. These features make your animal, in this case. Throw the parts away that trouble you.



http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/1734/logosupp8ro.jpg

edit: not that it was actually hard to perceive, but this is just to show that the back of the head is not needed. It is by no way a suggestion on the rest of the features, cause, hm yea... it sucks really:scream:

[arielmedel]

I meant to look at a real pic for reference only, I say this cause I work that way sometimes, but I don´t mean making it real, to the contrary making stylized, but a real pic reference might help you with the back of the head and eyes. That´s what I do I look at real pics to resolve things when I get stuck, that way I get a logical solution when stylizing a animal shape for example. Anyway, I´m glad if I can help, of course these are just suggestions. Good luck with your project. Bye. :thumbsup:

[Zanith]

Ariel, again thank you so much. And please, I mean no offence at all.

And Mr. Mu - I agree and thank you very much. I might try tweaking line weight and go from there. There might be hopes for this yet. LOL

THANKS GUYS! More constructive advice welcome!! :bounce:

[Zanith]

I figured the horns are a major issue. Oy! Another thing to work on

[Zanith]

Here is an update. There is some slight changes (See images above). I have edited the horns and the head. The eyes have been narrowed to give a slightly more aggressive appearance. I am using the same font-work as in the previous image, that will be next to be edited.

Any suggestions?

[Ilikesoup]

Here is the keywords that should represent the logo:
Bold, Professional, Clean, Strong, Aggressive

Hey, Zanith. My recommendation would be to go back to the drawing board. Nothing wrong with this view but if it's the first concept you came up with you may be limiting yourself. Like arielmedel suggested, look at as many reference pictures as you can. Ram skulls, astrological charts as well as photos of the animal. Consider action pics of two rams butting heads or one standing proudly on a high rock. Once you find the concept you can create an appropriate icon from it. Personally, I think the lone ram standing alone on a rock with its head held high epitomizes the values you (or your client) have chosen to emphasize.

Hope that helps.

[Zanith]

Thanks for the insight. I have considered the head only, and been doing so from a couple different angles. However, I did not consider the entire creature ona rock. The one thing I am concerned about. although I will look into it, is that the creature standing may become too complex for small printing as arielmedal had pointed out to be a prime concern, since this will be part of an identity system.

I am trying to keep it close to the point Mu pointed out, " You should be able to draw a logo with your toe in wet sand and it should still look good on a stamp..

I am looking into your suggestions and thanks again everyone.

-D

I am having a hard time finding good ram photos on Stock Xchange, Getty, and on Google, does anyone have any good ram reference photos?

[Ilikesoup]

try "bighorn sheep" in google.

[Zanith]

Thanks ilikesoup! I will look into it.

I tried to ad some dynamics to the weight of the profile in photo shop and tried one color combo inversed and non.

Opinions?

Just so you guys know; I want the logo to be able to be used for the following items.

Business logo - Graphic Form
Business logo - Basic Form
Letter head
Stamp
Business Card

I am trying to create something styled and flexible like the Dark Horse logo, however, I want something . . . A little classier and not too close to their design.

[Mu]

wow, I think you are actually getting there!

Really like the offset shade and line weight.

I do think that you could run into problems when size gets very small, though. Don't know, you would have to check that in print, e.g.
Also, if this is really the case I am not sure about how to remedy that. Further simplification, maybe?

For example. The eye appears to be just one line in the smallest size - so it should actually be just one line in bigger sizes also. Try to make the logo lose no information by reducing size.

[Xillion]

the company name begins with an "A" or "a" why not trying to incorporate the letter in your design ? maybe the horn can mimic curvature of a cursive "a" (similar to @)...or if the ram will stand on the top of a peak (as suggested by others) mabe the wole logo can mimic the form /layout of a capital A...this way they could use those forms in animation, fading from the logo to the companys name, or , in case this is a logotype, incorporating the symbol in the text.

[Zanith]

Here is an image showing progress and my take on ridges as well as some choice fonts . . .

Still trying other concepts to try to steer away from the Lionhead Studios concept. I do not think I will box it in like I have been showing, I think I will take on the weighted lines, instead, or make it reversible so it is easy to see small and clean when seen on larger scale . (Such as filling in the ram when printed small, and leaving it as shown for larger print) . . A thought.

CC Welcome!

-D

[Zanith]

Xilion - That is a concept I am currently working on.

I did not think of the Ram standing on the A. Good thought.

I am wanting to emphasis the connection between the name and the Ram. But looking into it. Thanks!

[Zanith]

How would the whole title mimic the form of a capital A? I am intrigued.

[Zanith]

I am trying a new spin on the ridges and having some issues. It does not look right. I need another set of eyes . . .

[jeroentje]

You're adding stuff while you should be getting rid of things. There's a very promising basic shape in that sheep which you could use.

When you have that, try to find a typeface that fits with the illustrative part and try to give the both some interaction.

Here's something simmilair I did some time ago for a client:

http://www.jeroencoert.nl/pics/commission/cmprsns.jpg

[Zanith]

Thanks. I will see what I can find. So you think the ridges are too much, then?

[Zanith]

Until I can simplify the logo such as jereontje advises, this is the concept I am running with. Here i am also displaying a type-face I am thinking of using, but I do not have yet in the layout I want and I have yet to add the sihlouette of a Ram atop the A.


WHATTYA THINK?

[Zanith]

I want to thank all of you guys for your support and . . .


HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! :beer: :wavey:

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