Project 1 Final: Personal Logos

Illustrative Logo:

Typographic Logo:

Overall, I'm pleased with my first project. Already, through working on these logos, I've learned so much. It's not to say, however, that Illustrator and I don't have our problems. Especially copying problems. But still, I think I'm starting to like Illustrator. 

Out of these two logos, I really like the illustrative one. I generally like images that have a more pictorial quality to them, anyway, but it's a little mind-blowing to see what started off as a sketch got transferred to a computer and became an actual logo. I'm very excited to use this in the future as my brand, as something that stands for me.  

Project 1: Typographic Initials

Currently, I am trying to find the right colour scheme for my initials. I really like the various purples, and the way it looks like stained glass, but there's something that isn't quite right. Also, the colours don't translate as well onto blog. For example. in Illustrator, the top right set is violet. Here, it looks blue. 

I feel like I'm closer to what I want with the grey, red, black combination. I think I'm going to explore more greys and see what other combinations go together.

Project 1: Illustrative Initials

For my illustrative initials, I decided to take the key concept further and use bone characteristics for the "skeleton key".

After some sketches, I really liked where I was going with it, but I felt like something was off about the positioning of the initials. After a group discussion, we realised that the "B" and "F" were being read in two different directions, which throws the viewer off.So, I decided to rework it.

I ended up modeling the "key" after an arm bone. Even though the "B" is read backwards, all of the letters are read in a swooping up and down fashion, rather than the previous up and side way. 

I've now traced the outline onto Illustrator and will be working with it digitally.

Project 1: Thumbnail Final Decisions

In the end, I decided to work off of these two concepts. The typographic [left] has remained pretty much the same, but the illustrative [right] has a lot more edginess and bone-like appearance incorporated into it. 

Currently, I haven't really worked on the illustrative, and have been focusing more on the typographic since it seemed easier. But even in its "easiness", I've been having difficulties. I find Illustrator so finicky, especially if you don't know what you're doing and aren't sure what all the commands do. I'll do a set of commands on one variation and it works, but if I decide to adjust the colours in another one, it gives me lip and I have to work my way around it.

Difficulties of a Beginner

I have very little background knowledge in the the category of graphic design. Really, the extent of said knowledge lies in Photoshop, and even there, I only really know how to adjust the lighting and colour in a photo, maybe get rid of a blemish or two.

I didn't have time this weekend to work on my initials due to a thoroughly and previously planned engagement, and I was pretty bummed to have to wait until I got back. A battle was in store, for sure.

I tackled Illustrator for a ridiculous amount of hours just so it could do the simplest things. On the bright side, because of my repeated effort, I'm learning, and I'm already working on it a little bit faster. This week, I just gotta buckle down and give it all of my attention.

Project 1: Thumbnail Sketches

I'm nervous to actually try and translate this into illustrator, but this is why I'm taking this class -- so I actually learn how to do said translating. My personal favourites of this series are 8, 22, and 25. I undesrtand why, though, 22 isn't a very good example for this project. I'm hoping I can modify 8 and fancify 25.

Illustrator! You and me, let's have a throwdown.

Logos: Good vs. Bad

I'm feeling that this: 

is a good logo.

I speak with the background of knowing what this is for, but even if I was not aware, this logo implies fun, and lots of it. I really enjoy the manipulation of negative space into letters, and it's very impressive that the squished font doesn't actually look or feel squished; rather, "gishwhes" appears spaced and placed appropriately. The mascot doesn't get in the way or take away from the overall image. Really, it just kind of adds an entertainment factor.

 This, however:

is a bad logo.

Really, I don't know what the designer was thinking. When I looked at this the first time, it took me a very long while to finally understand that the weird jagged shapes are actually the numbers 2012. It was a difficult conclusion to get to, and it was not at all easy to understand. Even after I understood the numbers, it didn't make the image any better. There's an awkward feel to the piece, a lack of cohesion. The colour isn't so bad alone, but when I think of the Olympics, a fuchsia pink does not come in mind. So, again, colour choice is also poor. The only think I kind of like is the font that's used for "london" and that "london" is inside the numbers rather than outside. 

Project 1: Mood Board

grisly, elegant, volatile

I enjoyed making the mood board. I usually enjoy collages, as time-consuming as they are. There's something relaxing and creative juxtapositioning images together.

I'm really hoping to successfully relay this atmosphere into my logo.