Banner Graphic - Thoughs Warmly Welcomed

Let me preface this thread by saying that I am still learning photoshop.

That being said, my graphic probobly sucks. Its the top banner I designed for a web design company that I will be starting next year.

And thoughts/criticism warmly welcomed. I'm looking to improve.

It's a little too grungy in my opinion for a web design company.

Hmm, so maybe a more solid background on the right half, and less graphic contrasting with the text?

Yeah, and I hope Clever Online Solutions isn't going to be the real name because that name is anything but clever. Sorry to be rude like that, but it's not the best idea to have a name like that.

lol, by all means do not sugar-coat your criticism. Be as rude as you want.

No clever online soultions is just a mock up business right now. It by no means has to be the final business name.

I tweaked it a little, it may still look a little unprofessional but i'll keep workin at it till I get it right. Heh, everyones gotta start somewhere right?

I like it better. I don't really think the LED fan light is really going to go anywhere, to be honest. I think you need to grab a pencil and paper and try to work on a vector logo. I have the Logo Lounge books, and they're excellent books to get ideas from. It's where I got the idea for my butterfly wing logo on http://ryanfait.com/

I would say the most important thing to do is get a logo. Once you have that down, it'll have certain qualities and convey feelings that will allow you to work the rest of your site around. Identity is one of the most beautiful things.

Also, it's been discussed here before, and I agree to a certain extent. Use of words like perfect and clever are words to stay away from in a business name. If you can't deliver something clever, you're going to shoot your portfolio in the foot.

I completely agree with RyanFait there. I think you are trying to make it to complex, I would get rid of that circular thingy, make the shadow on the text far more subtle and then see what it looks like.

Here is what it looks like after the above changes:



Hmm, looks like i'm going to have to do what I dreaded the most - Actually having to draw something to fill some of the space in my graphic.

Can you center the wording more within the darker blue area? Meaning... move the wording over to the left a bit more. That would balance it!

Lookin' better. But I still recommend hunting for a fresh logo.

More suggestions:

Change the font to something simpler and centre the shadow behind the text.
Instead of drawing something i would just use a realy simple shape.

And now see how much better it is now its simpler

Take your business name and have a brain storm. Think of objects/imagery associated with that name and come up with a defining object. Then using a pencil and paper, come up with a simplified image to use in the logo and work up the design in a vector program such as Coreldraw or Illustrator.
Keep the colours and detail limited and you will end up with a professional logo

Think of Nike, Dell, Puma, infact nearly all large companies will have a simple but instantly recognisable logo which gives them identity and a professional look.

I'm really not keen on the font you use for the name of the site - it doesn't say professional to me - more guns and commandos... Plus it's quite hard to read!

I like the bit on the left, I think the colours need to be altered/toned down on the right to make them work together...

In summary... change everything except that bit on the left! :P Sorry!

change the name - quick

hahaha...lol

Thanks everyone for the comments. I'll try to work up a logo once I obtain a vector program.

Untill then the consensus seems like everyone hates the name, lol.
Who wants to help me brainstorm a new one?

Post!

If you're still looking for a vector drawing program, Google has one for free called Google SketchUp.

I would avoid bevels and drop shadows if possible. Makes the copy look cheap and the banner very dated. Also I think there is a bit too much going on in the background. You want your logo to stand out and be very noticeable. I think in this case less is certainly more.

__________________