Forensics Logo Help Please

Looks like a cheesy logo for a childs detective kit.

Try exploring some other elements of forensics in to it, think about using microscopic detail of an object.

I'd lost the effects on the type as it's all a bit too shiny for me.

America is a stange place.

Magnifying glass is the first thing that comes to my mind when I hear the word "forensic". You either have to dig deeper and find a more interesting visual or execute the magnifying glass in a very original and interesting way.

Regarding typography, lose the effects. They just clutter it. You need a great idea and the right style of typo to make an impression, filters will not do it. You need convey he's a pro. You need to convey he's someone you can rely on. I would say you need type that is mix between a law firm and a science & tech firm.

Hope this helps somewhat...

I think it's very cheeseball. I agree expressing more professionalism would be ideal, but it's not meshing well with the "Foresncis Guy" name in my mind. The client has over a decade prior experience strictly in a law enforcement setting, but his private company name doesn't express experience. I think I'm stuck how to convey reliability and professionalism with that name.

It looks like your trying to incorporate too many elements. Try to think in less literal terms. You can show magnification without a magnifying glass. You can suggest the lines of a fingerprint without an actual fingerprint. I'd stay away from courier (I think that's courier) for a font. It's kind of typewriter looking and no one uses typewriters anymore. Its like that goofy movie with Tommie Lee Jones and the volcano where they'd flash the day and time on screen accompanied by typewriter sound effects. No one's using a typewriter - sorry had to get that out. And definitely no Photoshop filters/styles/whatever, they say "I just got Photoshop, look what I can do". I think with a silly name like Forensics Guy it's even more important that the look convey professionalism. Don't worry about matching the logo to the name, match it to the service. Try some new concepts, something will come to you.

As much as I hate to admit it - the clients are always right! We designers can all agree about its asthetics. The client is the one what is paying, and if they love that cheezy...er...type of logo. Then you make it the best possible, collect your payment, and forget you did it. I read an "Ask Marylin" type article about a designer complaining about her clients desire for a pink and red logo. The response was that she should give her the best red and pink logo that will fit the clients needs. Do one as you think that it should be done, and give them the one that they directed. You have given it so much consideration and insight. There is only so much that you can do. Good luck!

Look at their logo—it has a handgun incorporated in the name in lieu of the letter "R" in Sopranos. It's clever and it conveys what they want to convey—that these are a bunch of bad guys. They didn't use bevels, no glows, no Photoshop. Please, always design your logos in a vector application (i.e. Illustrator, Freehand). As you probably know, when you design a logo initially in a raster program such as Photoshop, you're dealing with all kinds of resolution problems.

OK, that being said, I agree with what everybody else is saying. You're incorporating too many elements into this design. I think just with the name alone, that people will get what this guys business is. Believe me, I got it.

But stick with one element—i.e. fingerprint, DNA double helix, magnifying glass, luminol, gloves, tweezers...you get the idea. Then simplify. That's the best policy when designing a logo.

Less is more. Good luck!

suzanne maestri-walters :: graphic designer :: www.onegirlcreative.com