how can I make this Logo better?

[JustinStudios]

This is my first logo to create. It is vector art and the Jpg doesn't do it pure justice, but you will get the general idea of it. I attached the Jpeg so please let me know what I can do to improve on it as it is my first and I am sure its not wonderful yet.

[pa007]

I'm not sure if I like the outer glow and the font's seem a bit odd to me especially the one for the 'ju'. I quite like the gradient on the oval thing but the border is a bit odd - it lines up nicely at the bottom but the top left part has a shadow or something there. This may be an effect you want but I'm not keen on it.

Quick question, what is the logo for? Just so we can see where you are going with it. Is it a design studio?

Pete.

[JustinStudios]

Yeah, well its going to be a portfolio site for me when I am done. My real name is Justin and so I came up with the name Justudios.com (because the Just is IN studios... Just IN Studios) It's a bad pun , lol but I think it makes for a cool domain name. I am not using the site to sell my services to people just to display some of the things I have done and pretty much give me a reason to learn this graphics stuff.

Thanks for the comments, I will surely play around with your suggestions and see if I like it.

Please keep the comments coming Even if you hate it ! lol

[Ryan Fait]

Okay, since you egged me on... I hate it. Well, maybe not hate, but a strong dislike. It's too clunky and busy for a logo. Why not use a simple shape (or a couple of shapes) as your logo instead of encasing some text in an oval with a zillion styles and colors. IBM, Target, McDonald's, Apple, and so on. They're simple, memorable and killer!

[sannbe]

I think (my own opinion) that you could use your "bad pun" as a starting point for your logo. (by the by I did get the pun).

[Ryan Fait]

Hehe, I actually really like the pun. It makes for a good .com domain as well. It's so hard to find short ones that actually have some semblance of meaning.

[pa007]

You mean like the one I got recently: pnda.net.

It does have meaning to me PNDA are the initials of my four names. I just wish I could have got panda.com that would be so cool. Then I could become some kind of net legend. People would say "You checked out panda's blog? You haven't? Man, you're a nobody!" or "Hey guess what? I actually met panda the other day. I mean, I touched him and everything. Man, I'm never gonna wash!".

Unfortunately that is all just a pipe dream as panda.com is gone. I might be able to get it in 2025 or something.

But, err... yeah! Logo.

Pete.

[JustinStudios]

Ok, well thats just yall's opinion and I appreciate it . The text "was" arial but I conformed it into my own special text. I thought the T was a bit much, but I quite liked it after I got the S a bit larger. I am playing around with a much simpler logo though and will post back when I am done.

Thanks for ya'll opinions! They are highly appreciated!

Justin

[JustinStudios]

Ok, I have made a newer logo and I think this one is much simpler. Maybe too simple, but please let me know if it is better, worse, or just superb . Lol thanks guys.

[acrikey]

Like it, it's simple and memorable. udios is lower than the Just part, was that your plan? (It stands out once you have noticed it.) Wound mean reducing the size of IN though or bother. See what others say, but like this one better. Spot on design

[Lchad]

Yup I like this better also. Now you are on the right track as far as making it easy to read. Memorable...well??? Not so much... I think it's a good start..

Acrikey has a good point, you need to perfect the alignment. Either make JUST taller to fit the rest in square.

[The Matt.]

Much prefer the second one, its simple but effective, and looks more professional.

however, the alignment needs fixing to make it look a bit cleaner, and i'm not the biggest fan of emboss effects on text, although here I guess it kind of works (y)

[Ryan Fait]

I like this quite a bit more! I think you're approaching this wrong, though. The logo is far more important than any bevels, shadows or colors you put on it. Find something 2D that's black and white you love before you start giving it candy.

[Lchad]

That's how I design logos too. In black and white first. If it's visually appealing in black and white, it will be easy to add color to.
But if this is just for the website, treating it like a real logo (ie. vector, 300dpi) probably isn't necessary.

[JustinStudios]

Yeah, this is just for the website, but I am designing it in Vector format . I was taught to do this because of the mutlipe sizes that logos are needed in and I want to practice to get better at creating logos. I wish I had illustrator because I heard that is the preferred program, but at the moment I am using Macromedia Flash 8 Pro. Which when Flash CS3 comes out it will have all the power of Photoshop in flash! HOORAY!

Anyways, I will try the black and white idea. I have been trying to take things and make them look good then piece them together, and that is probably why my text isn't aligned well. Thanks!

[Lchad]

Take a look at Xara Xtreme It's an affordable vector program. I found it user friendly and many of the features rock!

[Ryan Fait]

I'm an Illustrator dude, what can I say...

[Lchad]

Ryan that's sooooooooooo boring! hahahaha

[pa007]

I'm afraid i'm an illustrator guy too. It's just too good a program i guess.

Pete.

[sannbe]

Second logo has much more potential. Yes, definately start with black and white. No distractions. Deconstruct and reconstruct. You may find you have to do it several times but when you get it right...you will know.