SupplierLocator logo - yikes?

[Leisa]

Hello. Well, it's kind of boring but is it ok? I'm not much of a graphic artist! This is what I've been using for the past several months.

Should I leave it alone or scrap it and start over? Any suggestions as to what would help if help is needed?

Company Info: Wholesale supplier locator - online directory of suppliers and manufacturers

You can see how it fits into the website at http://supplierlocator.com - Thanks for your time!

http://supplierlocator.com/appimage/logo.gif

[matauri]

I'd think about a logo if I was you. Even on your site the title is sitting there looking very non-committal.


Cindy

[Leisa]

Thanks for the feedback. I posted my request even though I was 99.9% sure I already knew the answer. I just needed some outside opinions to help. Thanks again.

[spiderbait]

Hi again Leisa,
I'm no graphic artist either so my comments should be taken with a very large grain of salt.

I think you can get away with a text-only logo for a while, particularly on a website, and you've done a nice job. I think this text version works well for the present as it's got a professional and trustworthy character to it - not flashy or overdone at all.

But it's pretty hard to establish a strong branded identity based on words alone. Plus, it's harder to incorporate a text logo into other design elements (bullets, backgrounds, buttons, you name it) whereas a graphic only logo can serve many design purposes, all of which reinforce branding.

If your goal is to build a credible long-term business with a recognizable identity and customer loyalty then you'll probably need to travel the professionally designed logo road at some point. I know I'm going to. As a new business startup, it's just a matter of making the strategic decision of when you can afford to vs. when you can't afford to wait any longer.

cheers,
jade

[Leisa]

Thanks for the wonderful insight jade. You bring up some very valid points I had not considered.

I'm anxious to see what kind of a logo will come out of a designer's mind for the site. As you said, I just need to figure out whether it's something I should do now. I'm leaning toward yes on that point. It's probably better to settle on a logo as soon as possible huh?

[christoefar]

I like your logo quite a lot, But then I also agree with Jade that you need a logo, but this is not essential but does add a professional touch to your site,

Good Look

[spiderbait]

You're totally welcome Leisa. Glad I can help. And thank you for being such a great contributor on so many threads.

See you around in the forums,
jade

[Leisa]

You guys are great. Thanks for the help!

[matauri]

Leisa, I would start tinkering with designs if I was you. It took me a year before I finally settled on my one now, after many throw aways. It wasn't that any of the designs I had done were bad, it was more that they didn't reflect what I wanted to reflect as an introduction to my business.

Another way to think of it.... if you were to put your current design in your signature here, it would be just a mass of words. If you had a logo, it automatically makes you distinguishable. Take a look at Grease & paulhiles logos for their businesses, in their signatures, you dont have to see 'who' it is from...their logo tells you 'it is them'. They wouldnt have to have even their business name on it, because the graphic tells you who it is.

The above is just an example. And I have to agree with Grease on this point....'take away the text & what have you got?'. You want it so that when people see your graphic, they straight away know its 'XYZ' company.

Its all a learning curve :-)

And as you come up with a graphic, post it on here, and eventually you will have something you are VERY happy with. It worked for me!

Good luck ! :-)


Cindy

[Leisa]

You make a lot of greats points Cindy. It's sad but my logo is the one thing, until now, I've totally neglected. You guys have made me see the light. Down with the "mass of words"!

My problem now is that I can't think of a single visual thing that would speak for my service and be neat for a logo. I'll see what I can come up with, otherwise, I'll hand the job over to someone who actually knows what they're doing (because it's not me!).

Thanks again for the help. Later.

[matauri]

Leisa.... if you cant come up with anything, how about going to the Break Room's Christmas Kharma forum & make a Christmas wish. There will be bound to be someone who could rally to your rescue!

In the meantime, I will have a look at your site & see if anything springs to mind :-)



Cindy

[Leisa]

Christmas Wish? I didn't even know it existed. Thanks!

I just had a potentially lame idea...what about a little guy with a metal detector or something. I mean the whole point of a metal detector is to locate goodies so maybe it would work well with what I've got...I don't know. What do you think?

[matauri]

Leisa...I just threw together one for you. You can keep it if you wish, or keep it to compare with other logos you might toss around.

http://activnet.org/image-library/leisa-logo.gif


Cindy

[Leisa]

Wow, thanks! That's more powerful than the one I came up with. Will you PM me and let me know what your price would be for something like that?

Also, here's the one I came up with:
http://supplierlocator.com/appimage/logo3.jpg

It's really fuzzy. I'm not really good at working with graphics. It may be too cartoonish for the service I'm offering.

Here are some sample pages:
http://supplierlocator.com - Original
http://supplierlocator.com/testlogo1.php - My attempt
http://supplierlocator.com/testlogo2.php - Matauri's Design (which I accidentally made fuzzy)

I know the image quality stinks and I'll work on it. What do you guys think? Again, thank you all for the help.

[spiderbait]

Hi Leisa,

I've just taken a course on self employment including a lot of material on marketing and whatnot. In the course we covered logo design. I created mine using the "rules" they suggested to us. I don't think mine is ideal, but it meets enough of the criteria that I think I can live with it for a while.

Here's the basics:

1) your logo should ideally tell the viewer who you are and what you do - without words (easier said than done, which is why logo designers get the big bucks)

2) your logo should reproduce well in black & white, so that it works in any medium, faxes, newspapers, etc... think in terms of "yin & yang" b&w simplicity

3) less is more

4) you can create variations of your logo that include slogans or tag-lines so you can use them in different applications, but your logo should be a standalone creation. (ie. my slogan is "What good is your web site if no one can find it?" and my tagline is "Get Results - Get Found")

5) it should be memorable and distinctive

In terms of going about creating one. I listened to the instructor (a graphic artist specializing in logo design) and then followed her instructions.

First, just take a stack of blank paper and a black felt pen.

Using one page for each image draw a picture, using block or outline style, every image that you can think of that reminds you of your company's services (it doesn't matter how well you draw - this is just brainstorming)

Draw images for the benefits customers might experience by using your company. The "discovering" theme of the metal detector for example, maybe a bullseye for "finding the target", maybe compass points for "providing direction", etc...

Draw images showing features of your company that set you apart from others.

If you create a couple dozen images you're off to a good start.

Then place them all out on a table so you can see them all and think about them. Sleep on it, leave them on the table and think some more.

Think about how to combine two or several of the images into one image. The best logos incorporate several elements in one image.

Take your combined images and show them to people. Ask them what images they think of when they think of your company. Try and incorporate new ideas into your existing design. Be prepared to throw out the whole bunch if a new idea comes along.

It will work out in the end. And remember, even if people don't get what the logo means when they first see it, the real question is do they get a good feeling from it and will they recognize and remember it.

Until you can afford the whole graphic designer created corporate identity package, this should get you started.

I hope this helps.
jade

[matauri]

Will you PM me and let me know what your price would be for something like that?

No charge for that one. It didn't take long, so consider it a Xmas gift. You can put a link to my site if you want :-)

If you want to keep it & want the text copy changed, let me know.

Yours was OK, nothing wrong with it...except that it's kind of remeniscent with sites that flooded the internet years ago...so a little outdated. But perfectly usable if you want.


2) your logo should reproduce well in black & white, so that it works in any medium, faxes, newspapers, etc... think in terms of "yin & yang" b&w simplicity

While I agree to a degree, I believe that these days the general public is aware of the grey colour variation in black & white print to accomodate that, for the little it is used. With such fierce competition in business identity I believe you now have to be more powerful in your impact. If you can find a logo that is powerful & can reproduce just as powerful in black & white, that's good...but I don't believe you design exclusively for that media. It just isn't utlized as much any more. The more preferred medium is emails rather than faxes, and newspapers are including more & more coloured advertisements.


Cindy

[Leisa]

Ok, I'm definitely going to have to print this thread and spend some time with it.

Matauri - Thank you a million times over for that logo. I love the different elements you put together. You are a gifted designer. I will link to your site when I finish my Resources page (within 2 days).

Jade - Once again, your knowledge has proved to be very helpful. My only question...Did you retain all that info or did you refer to your notes? If you retained it, holy cow!

Chris - Thank you for sharing your opinion.

[spiderbait]

Hi Leisa,

I'm glad that you think the info is helpful. I thought it was and that's why I shared it.

It's virtually impossible to answer your question without sounding like I'm blowing my own horn, but here goes. I wrote it from memory, but I don't think it's as impressive a feat as you might initially think. And I probably skipped stuff and also probably rendered the advice a little too "black and white."

But the truth is, once you've gone through the exercise it all seems very logical and simple (understanding the process that is, not the process itself which can be mind-numbing and self-doubt inducing to the point of madness :)

I've just been through it so it was pretty fresh in my mind. Guaranteed, once you've done it too, you'll be happily telling everyone who'll listen just how easy it is. And I guess as a bonus, they'll think you're brilliant too ;)

cheers,
jade

[grease]

Hi Leisa,

Matauri's design is well done, but I have to step in here and remind you that the walking fingers are going to pose a problem for you. Yellow pages et al most definitely have that symbol trademarked AND on another note, the likeness will hurt your credibility when people find out that you are not a yellow pages subsidiary. Please excuse me if you are :)
Sorry, I don't mean to burst any bubbles here; I just wanted you to know before you became too attached.

There are many more symbols that will work equally well, if not better.

Take Care,

Grease

[matauri]

Intersting point Grease, and one that I actually thought about after I did the design. The fingers are actually a webding available for general use. Even though granted the concept of them is the same, they are actually different. I tried to do a search to see if there was anything on the net lending to it being considered a trademark image, but nothing. It seems that for generic marks like that it is open season (unless you know of another resource about it). From what I can gather its much like having the phone, the tick, and the bell. It doesnt seem that the concept of any of them are trademark to Bell, Telecom, Nike & Taco Bell...but their actual exact interpretation of them is (i.e if the fingers were walking across a page or book).

Be interested to find out more if anyone has any resources on this topic though.


Cindy

[venezart]

Hey Leisa,
I though I join the cause on your redesign. http://www.venezart.com/image/SPlogo.jpg

[Leisa]

Oooh, there's a new twist venezart! Thank you!!

Also, about the walking fingers, I had a couple people mention the trademark issue too. I'm not in any way affiliated with Yellow Pages. I wonder...

[venezart]

You welcome,
and since we are all in the wpw in a christmas spirit, if you want it you could have it, just let me know so I could send you the original.

Vª

[Leisa]

As if you all aren't tired of hearing from me by now, here I go again!

Thanks venezart! Before I do that, let me introduce another idea. That is if you all swear not to laugh at my further attempts...

http://supplierlocator.com/appimage/logo6.gif

It can be seen in action (well, in place) at http://supplierlocator.com/testlogo5.php

Ok, as always, your wonderful feedback is so very much appreciated!

[cyanide]

ooh, yes much better !

That other one... I thought the little guy was vaccuuming, ha LOL !

[Leisa]

What exactly, cyanide, is wrong with vacuuming? I do it all the time! HA! Seriously though, when I looked at it again from that perspective I laughed my hiney off. Uh, yeah, that one goes in the circular file.

[cyanide]

What exactly, cyanide, is wrong with vacuuming? I do it all the time!
uhhh, me too ?!?

I laughed my hiney off. Uh, yeah, that one goes in the circular file.
ahhh, good -then my job is done here...

It's always important to remember that most people won't stare at it like you're doing while creating it. You've got a mere seconds.

[Leisa]

Well, the new logo is in place! I would have never been able to get over that hump without all of your wonderful insight and help! You all helped lay out the path that led me to the answer. Ya'll rock!

[matauri]

Site looks a lot snappier Leisa :-)


Cindy

[cyanide]

I agree nice job !!

[spiderbait]

Nice Leisa,
congrats to you and everyone who helped you develop it. Looks good,

jade

[copywrite]

I liked your logo.
nice page layout and design..fits well with everything else.

Very good job!

[Leisa]

Thanks copywrite!