Homemade Logo - Your comments please

ExtremeEzine.com · #1 (**permalink**) 07-27-2007, 12:29 AM

Last week I completely re-designed my site using simple HTML/PHP and I had planned on paying a graphic designer to create a nice looking logo. While I was waiting for the designer to reply I started playing with my Jasc Paint Shop Pro and after two hours I was very happy with my own creation. I would love to hear anyone's comments, good and bad. You can see it here: Your Ad Tracker :: Link Tracking Service

doughdo · #2 (**permalink**) 08-15-2007, 03:05 PM

it looks distorted. i would see what your designer can also come up with, or maybe he/she can work with your idea to clean it up? it reminds of Target, lol

wbmcl · #3 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 09:26 PM

I like the concept. However, were it me, I'd tinker it with the following:

a) Delete the red stroke around the stylized "A"
b) Create a think black stroke around the perimeter of the bullseye
c) With the horizontal segment in "A", I'd extend it into the bullseye and round it off, making it part of the concentric circles of the bullseye
d) Change the typeface of "YOURADTRACKER"
e) Delete the right arrow

Nonetheless, it's a fairly interesting idea.

Bill M.

ran_dizolph · #4 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 02:23 PM

you should resave it as a gif to lose the artifacting going on from it being a low-level jpg.

**mjtaylor** · #5 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbmcl

I like the concept. However, were it me, I'd tinker it with the following:

a) Delete the red stroke around the stylized "A"
b) Create a think black stroke around the perimeter of the bullseye
c) With the horizontal segment in "A", I'd extend it into the bullseye and round it off, making it part of the concentric circles of the bullseye
d) Change the typeface of "YOURADTRACKER"
e) Delete the right arrow

Nonetheless, it's a fairly interesting idea.

Bill M.

I think Bill is very much on track with his feedback, especially on points d & e ...

And it definitely needs cleaning up as ran-d suggests.

It is a nice idea, though it does remind me of Target, too ... but how about sending it to a logo designer and see if they can take it to the next level ... there are designers out there who will not charge you if you don't use their work ...

FWIW, MJ

Vitaly · #6 (**permalink**) 09-13-2007, 03:18 PM

It is good as concept for a logo but it needs a lot of work to look professional.

Good luck,
Vitaly.

davebarnes · #7 (**permalink**) 09-16-2007, 11:53 PM

Looks like crap.
Hire a professional.

ran_dizolph · #8 (**permalink**) 09-18-2007, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davebarnes

Looks like crap.
Hire a professional.

i LIVE for your reviews Dave.

Too good.

**mjtaylor** · #9 (**permalink**) 09-18-2007, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ran_dizolph

i LIVE for your reviews Dave.

Too good.

Yep, he should be nominated for MTM ... Most Tactful Member.

yougottakickalittle · #10 (**permalink**) 09-20-2007, 05:27 PM

Dave, I liked your review. Short, sweet, to the point.

But here are my thoughts on the logo. You've got something to work with here. Perhaps give it to your design company as your "concept" and see if they can apply a professional touch to it.

Or:

1. Clean up the quality of the image. It got very messy and blotchy when you flattened it out.
2. Your choice of font for the "Your Ad Tracker" phrase and the "Secure Your Free Membership Now" at the bottom of the page is highly unprofessional. It looks more like a hybrid of the rock bands KISS's and AC/DC's signature fonts. Is this the message you're trying to send to your customers?
3. The logo itself is jagged on the edges. Think clean. Think smooth.
4. And finally, why are you using black and red as your colors? Is there a reason for it? A lot of theories exist about how color schemes convey a message about your organization or business. I have my opinions on what black and red create in my mind, but you should do your own research and form your own opinions.

Good luck with your project!

yougottakickalittle · #11 (**permalink**) 09-20-2007, 05:34 PM

Ok... I thought about this for 10 seconds longer and decided I needed to follow up to my fourth point in my reply.

To be honest, you really, really need to rethink your colors and fonts. Your lower case letter "S" at the bottom of your page is an exact duplicate of the 1930's-40's era Nazi "SS" signature. Your black, red and white colors only makes that association even more painfully obvious.

I didn't want to share this thought with you, and instead wanted you to make up your own mind. But this is a really bad business move on your part.

You can laugh at my suggestion if you want. But your duplicating the Nazi-esque font isn't something I dreamed up. Go check some reference materials online and you'll see what I mean.

**mjtaylor** · #12 (**permalink**) 09-21-2007, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yougottakickalittle

Dave, I liked your review. Short, sweet, to the point.

Short, yes, to the point, agreed. But sweet?

Dubbya · #13 (**permalink**) 09-21-2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davebarnes

Looks like crap.
Hire a professional.

LOL!! I laugh every time I read that.

Dave, I love the way you don't mince words. You're the greatest!

nuksies · #14 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 03:20 PM

you're all so harsh but I have to agree, the border around the 'A' looks terrible and the name underneath, well, not to sure at all about the font. Its quite ugly and you shouldnt have a vertical logo, it makes the header of the web-page to large and a bit stupid looking.
Instead, make it a horizontal style logo. To be honest, start again right from the start.
I was once told, you can't polish a turd, the same goes for you!

**mjtaylor** · #15 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nuksies

you're all so harsh but I have to agree, the border around the 'A' looks terrible and the name underneath, well, not to sure at all about the font. Its quite ugly and you shouldnt have a vertical logo, it makes the header of the web-page to large and a bit stupid looking.
Instead, make it a horizontal style logo. To be honest, start again right from the start.
I was once told, you can't polish a turd, the same goes for you!

And some are harsher than others ... yes, we are a little tactless in our criticisms around here, though I have to say, I would rather be told the unpleasant truth rather than not learn what's really wrong with my work.
The turd reference does rather take the cake, though!

Cheers, MJ

reverend_mikey · #16 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nuksies

you're all so harsh but I have to agree, the border around the 'A' looks terrible and the name underneath, well, not to sure at all about the font. Its quite ugly and you shouldnt have a vertical logo, it makes the header of the web-page to large and a bit stupid looking.
Instead, make it a horizontal style logo. To be honest, start again right from the start.
I was once told, you can't polish a turd, the same goes for you!

Are you not the same guy (or girl) who posted a logo for their driving school and then took offense when we gave you our non-harsh opinions? You seem to be able to dish it out but suck at taking it. And no one called your design a turd, stupid looking, or anything bad.

cw1865 · #17 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 08:42 PM

You know when I looked at it at first, I focused in on the 'A' and frankly thought it was ok, but then I realized that the 'D' was right next to it and that wasn't immediately obvious to me. Actually the first thing that came to my mind was 'Target' - but yes, the image quality isn't there and the font below is jagged.

If you're not artistic, pay for the logo. Know when to defer to the expertise of others.