New Logo, is it ok?

Bob the Builder

I designed this new logo for my new (portfolio) website. I think it looks ok but I need it to be fairly good, as I want it to make a good impression.

I would consider myself better at web programming than graphic design to be honest.

I *want* criticism and if you feel that there is something crappy about it, feel free to make a suggestion

It is trying to say "NevF Design" btw

Thanks a million,
Nev

democrates

Ok I wasn't sure what your domain was, there seemed to be a few possibilities but then looking at your post I copped it is www.nevfdesign.co.nr
If someone is on your site they already know it, so no problem, but if it appears in print some people may be unsure, and some may be discouraged from using you for web design.
One step could be to have only the words 'nevf design' in the graphic, and the full url undrneath in easily readable text.

It's very large too, at that size it seems like it's made for a flash movie, but I presume it's so you can use it for print at 300dpi or more and also reduce to 72dpi for monitors, anyway be sure you can reduce it and still read whatever text you settle on.

I tend to try to make a seperate logo image so I can fit a small version in a favicon as a sort of reminder sub-logo, like the G from google, the W from wikipedia, the dolphin for mysql, the penguin for linux etc, but it is very hard to come up with something small and that will be associated with your business.

You could experiment with combining N and d in an artistic way, and following through on the style in the words nevf design which would follow in the full version of the logo.

Personally I'd stick with two prime colors and replicate these throughout your site in borders, buttons, hyperlinks and rollovers etc. Once you have that done you can decide where you need to add another color or two for a splash to avoid it looking boring.

Though graphics programs make textures fun to use, I'm not sure I'd use them, I prefer making a logo in one or two colors and using bevel and drop-shadows subtly, but everyone to their own and maybe an even more bold speckled look could make your visual identity stand out from the crowd.

I think your logo is worth the effort up front, especially if you're going to print a lot of business cards and do mailshots or maybe take exhibition stands, even though it can be a painstaking exercise for those of us who aren't composing graphics for a living. The best way to design logos I've found is to do lots of sketches, let your creative juices flow, and when you settle on one then hit the graphics program to render it.

Good luck in any event.

kjt

Sorry to say but it comes across very childish to me. Try something with less colour, more solid colours. Try just use 1/3colours and nice fonts. When too much goes on in a logo it kills it.
Post up any updates you have

Serbian

Personally, I think the logo looks terrible. The swoosh effect looks really unprofessional and the colours don't go very well together. Assuming your function will be web design, your own logo will need to make a big impression for people to hire you for your design skills.

The idea above about taking an image or shape and incorporating it into the logo is a really good one, and it's something that you really should look into. I would also say that if you find yourself using a lot of Photoshop filters (or whatever software you use), you are probably doing something wrong. Keeping things simple is the key.

I would suggest thinking about the logo again and starting from scratch. If you are looking for inspiration I would recommend looking at LogoPond. There are some really great logos in there.

matu

I agree with the above post it looks like you went over board on the effects side of the logo most common and eye catchy logos are simple in design and dont contain to many colours.

have a look what over design sites have you find that it is a simple but effective logo.

Bob the Builder

I have taken all the advice here and am using it for my next logo. I don't think I'll be able to draw a proper shape as my graphics pad is broken .

I'll see if I can get one for free on the internet

Serbian

nevf wrote:

I have taken all the advice here and am using it for my next logo. I don't think I'll be able to draw a proper shape as my graphics pad is broken .

I'll see if I can get one for free on the internet

You don't have to use an icon in your logo, it would be nice if you could think of something, but you can also make a really nice logo that just incorporates a nice Typeface. Take a look at the logos of these companies, most are really simple and are largely based on a nice font and a good use of colour:

Good Creative
we create things
Pronet Advertising
Jek2k
ReeBoot Interactive Studio

Bob the Builder

Serbian wrote:

You don't have to use an icon in your logo, it would be nice if you could think of something, but you can also make a really nice logo that just incorporates a nice Typeface. Take a look at the logos of these companies, most are really simple and are largely based on a nice font and a good use of colour:

Good Creative
we create things
Pronet Advertising
Jek2k
ReeBoot Interactive Studio

I know what you mean, I am desperatley crap with my imagination at these things though. Typeface's look good in those w/sites...hmm...I'll use that theme...Thanks fo all your responses!

Bob the Builder

Wooh I don't know where to start, anybosy got any ideas for a bachground. I will put a typeface on over it....

Bob the Builder

Here's my latest! Any suggestions, gimme a shout! It will blend into a similar background...

kjt

nevf, it's looking better but I'd say start it again.
It's still got too much going on. Maybe try a plain background? This way you can implement it easily into any situation, website, paper headers.
Why not just try a white background, and black text. Try keep it even simpler than what you've done. Just use two fonts, keep them solid without and modifers on them...

Just my opinion

trecool

Dude, the Logo is fairly good.. But if you want to make a good impression but a proper domain..

Constructive Criticism!

John

daymobrew

You could pay someone to make a logo on Sitepoint.com 'Contests' forum. Lowest 'prize' seems to be $100.
Check out some of the proposed logos in existing threads. Some great stuff there.

I suggest paying for it because you said:

nevf wrote:

I designed this new logo for my new (portfolio) website. I think it looks ok but I need it to be fairly good, as I want it to make a good impression.

Serbian

nevf wrote:

Here's my latest! Any suggestions, gimme a shout! It will blend into a similar background...

I read the following questions on a design blog not so long ago and I think they are appropriate here. Ask yourself the following question in relation to your logo:

• Does this logo set myself apart from my competition?
• Is this logo memorable?
• Does this logo convey a sense of style and intelligence?

I think the third question is a bit too abstract but if you can answer Yes to the first two questions then you are on to a winner. Personally, based on your previous two attempts, I don't think you are any closer to answering yes here. You're going to require a really big re-think if you are going to get this right.

Bob the Builder

Looks like i'm started again!

http://nev.mayowheelers.com/images/NevLogo.png
..The new logo

http://nev.mayowheelers.com/design
...The new design. i have tried to make all the css, font tags, etc. perfecto!

I apologise for the slow loading pictures, I have them all as png files for the time being until I'm sure of what I'm at....

forbairt

Hmm... to be honest I don't like any so far ... and yes my comments are going to be critical ... so don't read on if you're sensitive

How many logos use the blur effect you seem to be so fond of ?
How many logos use the "comic" style fonts you are using ...

I guess a lot boils down to personal taste.

Do a search for logos
http://images.google.com/images?q=logo&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images


my suggestion would be to use a clean logo ... forget about the blurry effects you seem to be using ... select a professional font

As it is your logo reminds me of something from the 90's ..

But keep the updates coming its only when your customers criticise your work that you have a problem

Edit: I've also got to question your logo title NevF ... while its your name is a bit tricky to remember ? ... NevDesign or similar would be better in my estimation

democrates

nevf wrote:

Looks like i'm started again!

http://nev.mayowheelers.com/images/NevLogo.png
..The new logo

http://nev.mayowheelers.com/design
...The new design. i have tried to make all the css, font tags, etc. perfecto!

I apologise for the slow loading pictures, I have them all as png files for the time being until I'm sure of what I'm at....

HTML Validation Result

---

http://nev.mayowheelers.com/design/

line 84 column 78 - Warning: <img> element not empty or not closed
line 85 column 67 - Warning: <br> element not empty or not closed
line 86 column 77 - Warning: <img> element not empty or not closed
line 16 column 71 - Warning: <img> lacks "alt" attribute
line 84 column 78 - Warning: <img> lacks "alt" attribute
line 86 column 77 - Warning: <img> lacks "alt" attribute
line 90 column 1 - Warning: <script> inserting "type" attribute

0 errors / 7 warnings

That's from the firefox html validator plug-in, very handy as is the web developer plug-in.

Typically use jpg for photos, and gif for logos or anything with a small amount of colours.

As for design inspiration, just look at the logos of the worlds best know brands, their approaches to symbolism, type, colour, and the size on their web pages. They spend a fortune for the best designers, so there's benefit in learning from them.

kjt

Would you not consider yourself a bit young to be charging for you work Nevf?

Rollo Tamasi

have to agree, building up a portfolio and gaining expierence from that should take priority over making a bit of cash on the side

matu

This is good advice as well

As for design inspiration, just look at the logos of the worlds best know brands, their approaches to symbolism, type, colour, and the size on their web pages. They spend a fortune for the best designers, so there's benefit in learning from them.

at the moment you are setting up a design site and ask us here if your logo is ok now dont take me up the wrong way but with the standard of that logo and the way you have approached this you are not going to last long in the design industry, as the lads said take your time you still have a learning curve to get over.

do some site for yourself or for free and build up your portfolio after all you didnt go into your first class in school and take the final test straight away.

It will come in time

democrates

Answering an earlier question I missed: I'd use a white background for the logo.

I'd lean towards coming up with some other business name too. A business name is usually to communicate to the world what you do, and/or to be a memorable brand name.

Online search engines may be important to you. Something like 'mayo web design' has obvious strong advantages if you wish to target the local market, but very weak from a wider search engine perspective because each word is very common and gets thousands of matches, which all add up.

Nevf, or Buitani for that matter, are rare and would get fewer matches, so your site has a better chance of coming out near the top. But they might be hard for people to recall from conversation when they go to type it in their web browser, and you'll have to spell it out on the phone all the time - I've a rare surname and I find that tedious.

There's no 'one size fits all' answer, but I'd be inclined to go for something that explains what your business will be for the medium term, and makes it as easy as possible for potential customers to remember.

That's a bit of theory. In any event don't be discouraged, you're on the right road. Look at some of the wierd names that have become big internet success stories, but look at the money they have to advertise, and the business area they are in too.

mneylon

Simple logos are more likely to lead to some form of brand recognition.

Your logos to date would be hard to reproduce on business cards or headed paper.

Names that people can pronounce are easier to remember (though my first name is so "odd" in this country that I find the opposite to be true )

Choose a short and memorable domain. There are over 250 domain extensions, so you should be able to find one that you like - you could be clever and use a trick....

tricky D

Keep slogging away.

Keep it simple

Don't use Comic Sans for typography, its too amateur looking.

Max 2 fonts with little or no effects. Avoid white text.

As few colours as possible and black. Keep them flat and use them boldly.

Keep it simple

Use a white background

Incorporate 'Design' fully into the biz name and domain name or don't at all and keep for a strapline.

Keep it simple, really simple, in case you missed that the first two times.

Most of this advice is only until you really know what you're doing.

\my 2c

Bob the Builder

error9 wrote:

Hmm... to be honest I don't like any so far ... and yes my comments are going to be critical ... so don't read on if you're sensitive
I'll take everything into account.
How many logos use the blur effect you seem to be so fond of ?
How many logos use the "comic" style fonts you are using ...
I guess a lot boils down to personal taste.
My suggestion would be to use a clean logo ... forget about the blurry effects you seem to be using ... select a professional font.

Yes, i must admit i find my own work critical. if I was really confident, i would have just put everything there by now.
I swear by Comic Sans MS because its clearer than other fonts, the blue effect is colorful as a background.
I agree, cleaner and nicer!
yeh, I agree. I will decide on a name before I make any more moves.

As for Democrates: Thanks for pointing out that. Pretty crap, i'll see what i can do

kjt wrote:

Would you not consider yourself a bit young to be charging for you work Nevf?

Point taken! Sounds weird, a 14 year old going out as a "Self-Employed Professional Web design", but I am feeling mature enough to do it . I will be 15/16 before I have a decent reputation(portfolio). Thanx for your opinion though!

Rollo Tamasi wrote:

have to agree, building up a portfolio and gaining expierence from that should take priority over making a bit of cash on the side

Well, thats what im doing. Not many people would give an very-unexperienced 14year old a web design job. With a good portfolio under my wings, I would have a better chance.

To Matu:
Great advice! Thanks

---

Generally, everyone is saying:
Logo:
White background
Plain Typeface
Good icon

Website:
Simple
usable
Unique

Myself:
Learn slowly(at my pace)
I'll never last in the design industry...hence the reason, i'm becoming a programmer
I'm too young
Get some experience...

Thanks to all for your help, and sorry for this long post

forbairt

nevf wrote:

I swear by Comic Sans MS because its clearer than other fonts, the blue effect is colorful as a background.

http://bancomicsans.com/

matu

I swear by Comic Sans MS because its clearer than other fonts

please dont take this the wrong way put the opinion when I see your logo I think "Ban Comic Sans" and is this site going to be littered with clip art and animation .gifs.

checkout here
http://www.logoyes.com/?source=goog&keyword=logo
you will see the most of the logos use a standard font with one colour and most of the images in the logos also only use one colour which is bright and is catchy to the eye.

this has been said to you before in posts above and until you get his right and a least have an understanding about it I wouldn't try to charge anyone for a design as yet.

This is a study in it self and if you dont have the basics yet then just dont do it, learn first then come back with an aresnal of info under your belt.
example what are you going to do when a paying customer tells you they dont like the design or logo you have done for them..... do you know how to win them around and explain to them why this design/logo impacts their market and why it will work for them.

It isn't as simple as you think and the people out there are looking for quality to something that wil just do.

Bob the Builder

I don't like online editors...and Ban comic Sans says exactly what you've been saying...:"Get rid of it!"...it ain't suitable which I realise now,

any other good typefaces?

smash

a rule with logos - you should be able to draw a logo in sand... keep it simple and don't make it loud or scary

matu

Yeah I agree with not using online editors but llok at teh examples there on the first page as steve06 said about the sand they are simple and clean.

forbairt

nevf wrote:

any other good typefaces?

If you've got to ask that question then EEK!!! ... but we all had to start somewhere ...

every font for a logo is different (may not be true) :P ... what are you trying to convey ...

http://www.dafont.com/

lots to choose from and thats just one site ... usage restrictions apply on certain ones ... so be careful

Huggles

nevf wrote:

Point taken! Sounds weird, a 14 year old going out as a "Self-Employed Professional Web design", but I am feeling mature enough to do it . I will be 15/16 before I have a decent reputation(portfolio). Thanx for your opinion though!

I'm sorry but I am not posting this to be mean. Nevf it doesnt matter how mature you are, if you are not a designer, you are not a designer, simple as. TBH when you turn 15/16 I will be very surprised if your design skills have come any further.

If you are very serious about this, I suggest you start educating yourself on the very basics of design, perhaps your art teacher can help you here. I do however firmly believe design skills are something you either have or have not got.

Your very young so there is no harm playing around with stuff but I cant help but think you'll land yourself in a whole heap of trouble if your charging for stuff that is just not good enough.

Sorry if this seems harsh but I see this everyday and I think its best that someone tells you now before you put loads of time into it.

Bob the Builder

Hey TheGooner, thanks for that, I agree with your point. I know, i'm crap, I am *trying* to learn designing, make a bit of money(which ye said i'm crap at), but i feel, when i have learned programming, it will be much better for me. I enjoy PHP more than design tbh

I will have a look, at everything. When My graphics pad is fixed, I will have a better chance

My art teacher(who I praise) is very sound and she has told me about all different ways of drawing, she can help me there. As for now, i'm stuck with a laptop mouse...
Thanks all!

Webmonkey

Ahh 14. Not bad work for your age and knowing PHP at your age? Pretty impressive. Keep it up and you'll have a nice future and you will become creative, - i believe creativity can be learned

Bob the Builder

I must admit, I have taken everything everyone has said harshly but I am getting better, I don't know that much PHP yet and ASP is a blank sheet at the moment

Something like this?

Gordon

I think that looks like it should be on the front of a fish fingers box, sorry.

The fonts aren't very special there imo. Also the hard edges of the text compared to the fuzzy brush you've used for the container shape doesn't look right.

I quite like that shape you've made though, if you could make it a bit more defined and symmetrical it could be nice with a new font logo.

daymobrew

Gordon wrote:

The fonts aren't very special there imo. Also the hard edges of the text compared to the fuzzy brush you've used for the container shape doesn't look right.

My first thoughts exactly.
Maybe make the red bits harsh (as opposed to fuzzy), maybe with a shadow edge, to create a 3D look.

Huggles

nevf wrote:

Something like this?

Toothpaste?

Bob the Builder

TheGooner wrote:

Toothpaste?

maybe!

Huggles

nevf wrote:

maybe!

Bob the Builder

I don't mean to be putting up a new logo every eight hours but here is another one I made. I have two versions of it.

I know these ones are going to get criticism too and and putting such crap up here is waste of time...sorry!

it will be a logo for my website, but when i remove the "my portfolio" writing, that will be my logo

Note that I have changed the name from "NevF", to "Web Nev (Design)". Was that a good idea?

9.7: is without a drop shadow
9.8: is with a drop shadow (afaik)
(Both are png files, as always!)

Webmonkey

your colors, fonts and effects are all wrong sorry.

Colors - I think there is too much of a contrast and i believe one should keep away from using primary colors such as those unless you know exactly what you are doing

fonts - way too bouncy, more like what you'd see on a shop sign or an ice cream van (don't ask me why i thought of this!).

Effects - Never and i mean never use that ugly drop shaddow, it is horrible!

Webmonkey

I done up a 10 minute sample there for you, maybe it would inspire you but see how basic fonts with just 2 colors and a few simple, and i mean simple effects can turn out nice enough. Advanced effects such as bevel, drop shaddow - I think they spoil things imho.

Edit: Just realised i put down Web New instead of Web Nev but you get the idea neways

Bob the Builder

Ok, now your joking, 10MINS??? fine piece of art for 10mins work! I like it....What program did you use?

Webmonkey

I used photoshop. I would definetely recommend you to start using it.

mneylon

Webmonkey - nice job.

Photoshop is very powerful, but it's only a tool. You could get comparable results with other tools - you just need to know how to use them

Gordon

At the risk of feeding a troll..

nevf what program are you using?

Nice one webmonkey.

projectmayhem

Webmonkey wrote:

I done up a 10 minute sample there for you, maybe it would inspire you but see how basic fonts with just 2 colors and a few simple, and i mean simple effects can turn out nice enough. Advanced effects such as bevel, drop shaddow - I think they spoil things imho.

Edit: Just realised i put down Web New instead of Web Nev but you get the idea neways

perfect guide tbh. lots of stuff gets put up here and it's just too much going on. simple effects that can be done in PS or even PSP are the way to go! good job..

nevf wrote:

Ok, now your joking, 10MINS??? fine piece of art for 10mins work! I like it....What program did you use?

photoshop is your saviour. free trial on the adobe website

Webmonkey

Webmonkey - nice job....Nice one webmonkey....good job...

Thanks guys

rsynnott

nevf wrote:

I swear by Comic Sans MS because its clearer than other fonts, the blue effect is colorful as a background.

I swear AT Comic Sans 'cause it'd damn hideous.

rsynnott

nevf wrote:

(Both are png files, as always!)

Do remember that Internet Explorer doesn't support png files properly; in particular, it doesn't support transparency in png files.

democrates

You might be interested in gimpshop, it's the gimp with a photoshop style interface, and it's free, but I haven't tried it so I can't rate it. Lot's more apps at http://www.osalt.com/graphic-applications

I still use corel out of inertia, typically my graphics start in Draw as vectors, then finish in Paint for raster effects.

Whatever you use, put in the time to get proficient in it.