logo design problem

[Donny Bahama]

This is my 2nd attempt at a logo for my new business venture. I need something to spice up the teaser page on my website. I'll also be using it in a PowerPoint presentation (which I'll be using to solicit venture capital.) In other words, this needs to be good - and I'm afraid it's not.

It's supposed to look (the red text, that is) like an autograph, and I think it's close, but no cigar. Here's what I'm looking for...

A. A bold handwriting font that looks more like an autograph (stylized but still totally readable)
B. Someone who can "sign" and scan something for me in a cool "autograph style"
C. Someone who is willing to do a logo for me in return for some shares of stock.

In the case of C, I'd want someone who is very good at logo design - I'd want to see samples, etc. Note that (at this time) I can't disclose the details of the business, so I can't give you a lot to go on. I can only tell you that it's a very, very big/bold/innovative idea and it's related to the entertainment industry.

[Donny Bahama]

Some further thoughts on the "autograph" font... I think the problems I have with it are that
1. when someone is signing an autograph, the (non-capital) letters are usually not so "well-formed" - they're just a series of elongated loops, spikes and bumps, and
2. There are usually some "flourishes" accompanying the text - swirls, loops, underlines, etc.

I think the "L and the "T" look pretty decent, but the "ive" and the "ime" are unsuitable.

[Donny Bahama]

Well, here's the latest incarnation. (Thanks for the help with the fonts, Linda!) Somehow it still doesn't do it for me... when I try downsizing it and inserting it into one of our print ads (where a space was left specifically for a logo), it just doesn't look right.

I'm very open for suggestions. Please help!

[Lchad]

Actually that's quite nice Donny! What is it that bothers you about it?
Is it too busy?

[Marc]

Personally, i think the background is too much. Other than that, pretty cool! And i wish you luck in your idea!

[sannbe]

Ya, dump the background. the cursive script is very nice and still easy to read. You can always do some tweeking of the script if you need to. But that background needs to be shot and put out of its and my misery.

[Donny Bahama]

The background is actually relevant... it's representative of a key element of the business model. I'd rather find a way to make it work than 86 it altogether. The background started out as a multi-colored grid (as opposed to grayscale). The thing I liked about it was that it was kinda retro... kinda "Partridge Family".

Here's my latest incarnation - which actually goes back to my initial effort, but incorporates the script element of the logo above. I think I like this one...

[Donny Bahama]

Here's an alternate version with the background grid muted differently and without the "glowing" letters. I prefer the "neon" effect - to me it's very "show biz"; my wife doesn't like it, though. Comments?

The other thing I could do is add the underline embellishments back in. Whaddaya think?

[Lchad]

Donny my personal opinion is that the neon letters won't replicate well on letter head or other forms of print. I think you should use the jeweled toned partridge family blocks of the first but not blur the lettering.

That's much nicer .. I agree...
Have you tried one black rounded background for both words?

[Donny Bahama]

Thanks for the input, Linda. I hadn't thought much about letterhead, but now that I do, I'm not sure how much I care...

I think most letterhead isn't in color anyway, right? (Or if it is, it's maybe one color - not 12!) So I guess I'll try a grayscale version of this that uses the font without blurring. (And maybe omit the drop-shadows as well.)

I think most of our advertising will be on the internet. (This is not just a web-based business - it's a business that would not exist if not for the 'net.) Radio is also a likely advertising medium. If/when we do advertise in print media, they'll be full-page, full-color ads.

All that aside, I think that this logo will probably be used exclusively for the early startup days, and once the idea is public, I'll pay a really top-notch logo designer to replace it.

As for the dual black backgrounds for each word, that, again, is relevant and symbolic. It would make perfect sense to you if I could disclose the nature of the business.

[Lchad]

Well alrighty then!


You sound like you know what you are doing!

But.... what about t-shirts, hats, coffee mugs? All of those types of things...
gray scale probably would work there.

[acrikey]

Take your 3rd posted first design and reduce your fill on the background to 50% that might look cool, try it and post it. But I prefer the first set, they looked more at what your were originally aiming at

[Paramiliar]

Originally Posted by Donny Bahama

Well, here's the latest incarnation. (Thanks for the help with the fonts, Linda!) Somehow it still doesn't do it for me... when I try downsizing it and inserting it into one of our print ads (where a space was left specifically for a logo), it just doesn't look right.

I'm very open for suggestions. Please help!

Have you tried making it erm plainer? so remove the background around the "signature" and trying that? or you could go down the web 2 effect with the text

[Donny Bahama]

OK, I think this is it - the final version (and the alt grayscale version).

I noticed the spacing wasn't right on the floating (black, rounded corner) blocks, so I fixed that. I also noticed the "ive" and "ime" weren't the same (letter spacing, angle and vertical alignment) so I fixed most of that. (The "L" and the "T" prevent me from using the same vertical alignment.) I also muted/darkened the "jeweled" background some more.

I can now say I'm happy with it. It represents key paradigms of the business nicely and I think it looks good. I hope you like it, too.

Thanks for all the help, everyone!

[Paramiliar]

Very nice! now you need to develop a layout that will match!

[Donny Bahama]

Originally Posted by Paramiliar

Very nice! now you need to develop a layout that will match!

I'm not sure what you mean by that...

[Lchad]

Very nice Donny!
That is one fantastic logo!

[Donny Bahama]

Well, I have now posted a page with several logo designs and multiple variations on a few of them. It represents the evolution of my design and shows various elements that have been considered at one time or another.

If you want to have a look, the web page is here: http://www.livetimenetworks.com/logodesigns.html

[dcpweb]

Hi,

I looked at the designed on http://www.livetimenetworks.com/logodesigns.html

Second variation of logo 7 - this logo I liked the best

I have been working as a web designer for many years and I would recommend you use a dark coloured logo and a light coloured background if possible. This will enable you to transfer your logo design to business documentation without having to re-colour the logo for white paper.

I have created over 60 websites for my clients and you can view my portfolio of websites at the following url for insperation: http://www.dcpweb.co.uk/portfolio.html

Also visit http://logopond.com/ - for logo design concepts

have fun

Regards

P Shah - www.dcpweb.co.uk

[charlie019]

Donny Bahama, your website is so confusing. At first I thought I was waiting for some flash to load. Then i thought hey maybe my internet is just slow. After ten minutes of waiting I click the center link. Thus, making my email pop up.

Please for the sake of mankind recreate that