Logo Development Talk

[Steve_M]

Where is it Ken?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Steve_M

Where is it Ken?

Must be on Mike's server. He had it on my screen but when I re-logged in I lost the URL he had me in. I will ask him to load it on the site ans see how it works color and design wise. It was very colorful and Earth at the same time the way he used and mixed the woods and backgrounds.

[Mike Smith]

Yeah, was playing around with the themes last night, sorry, I don't want to make this available to the public just yet Maybe I'll post a screenshot or two, get some feedback on what you guys think...

ok, attachment posted, what do you guys think? Personally, I thought I could maybe make the category strips perhaps slightly darker to make the text stand out better. Do you guys think the wood look is just too busy? I could play around with making them not as vivd, as I did with the maple background.

and yea, logo, we all know, its sketchy atm

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Mike Smith

Yeah, was playing around with the themes last night, sorry, I don't want to make this available to the public just yet Maybe I'll post a screenshot or two, get some feedback on what you guys think...

ok, attachment posted, what do you guys think? Personally, I thought I could maybe make the category strips perhaps slightly darker to make the text stand out better. Do you guys think the wood look is just too busy? I could play around with making them not as vivd, as I did with the maple background.

and yea, logo, we all know, its sketchy atm

Mike, the attached .jpg file is so compressed (or reduced) that I can't determine how the final image will appear once it is put into production. Ahh... ...I will try and download the file.....stay tuned!

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Mike Smith

Yeah, was playing around with the themes last night, sorry, I don't want to make this available to the public just yet Maybe I'll post a screenshot or two, get some feedback on what you guys think...

ok, attachment posted, what do you guys think? Personally, I thought I could maybe make the category strips perhaps slightly darker to make the text stand out better. Do you guys think the wood look is just too busy? I could play around with making them not as vivd, as I did with the maple background.

and yea, logo, we all know, its sketchy atm

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Mike, the attached .jpg file is so compressed (or reduced) that I can't determine how the final image will appear once it is put into production. Ahh... ...I will try and download the file.....stay tuned!

Mike, I was able to download the .jpg file you provided. By doing this, I was able to expand the pic and get much better detail!

I agree that the "text" does get lost in the busyness. I do think the "Category Strips" either need to be darkened or maybe choose another darker (less busy) wood grain, such as ebony or gaboon ebony?

In any case, I think you are on the right track and this will look great once finished!

[Steve_M]

I tend to agree with Tim.

The trick is to show that there's a heirachy of meaning in how the banner is visually interpreted. The most important elements should be more intense (more contrast, stronger, warmer redder, colours etc) and arranged towards the front, while the less important elements have muted colours and are slightly cooler (bluer) and towards the back.

The eye is also drawn to areas of higher contrast which can sometimes be seen in paintings by the Old Masters. This technique is called 'forced contrast'. It helped the painter convey meaning and composition more successfully.

Whatever meaning you wish to be interpreted, you also have to make that meaning very literal and explicit. Too much clutter will make the layout appear confusing. People have a certain visual sensitivity and the most successful graphic design understands this range of sensitivity. BTW composition is also something to consider. The whole impression should be capable of being comprehended in a glance of about 0.5-2 seconds.