Ol' Drop Tyne Identity
Creative_NRG (483 pencils) | Tue, 2006-06-20 19:19
A client recently selected the following design for the identity of a new company he is creating for the deer hunting industry. [Over 25 comps were narrowed to 3 before a final vote was conducted with a focus group of hunters. This was the overwhelming favorite]
Background: The term 'Drop Tine' describes a mature buck that develops abnormal alter growth late in life. Instead of growing upward, a drop tine will grow down off the rack on one or both sides. This non-typical buck is highly sought after by hunters because they are seen as elusive, rare and extremely savvy to have survived so long. ["Dream buck"]
Before I present the final design I am looking for feedback on any issues people see in the logo. Color options will stay in the natural browns, rust and camo green range. Your critical eye on ways to improve this identity are very appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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but to me it looks like it's being impaled by it's abnormality. (is this what happens to the unfortunate bucks?) Maybe dropping the 'tyne' at the front of the antler rack instead, and curving it into the type?
I'd lessen the weight of the stroke around the disc and the wieght of the two horizontal strokes so the Buck's head and the type lunge further forward.
Overall, though I thinks it's a pretty strong visual. The typeface captures that ol' huntin' feel nicely.
I can see where vinylsofa is coming from, but the issue I'm having with the buck's head is that I didn't realize that the drop tine was part of the antlers until I read the description. Now I know this might not be an issue for most hunters who know what they're looking at, but as a non hunter, I though it was just a mark on the deer's face or another characteristic. Maybe have the entire rack be a slightly different color from the rest of the stag's head to differentiate yet display the dropped tine instead of the juxtaposing color.
Life's too short to sleep.
I was concerned about the drop tine not being noticed as part of the rack so I had a version which included more facial detail.
However, in the end the client and focus group felt the 'elusive shadow buck' image was a better visually.
I never thought about the buck appearing to be stabbed in the skull by it's own antler. [They actually grow out away from the head] The 'front view' concepts I presented give a little better picture as to how these drop tines develop.
I think one reason they stayed away from the front view is that there are so many similar images in the hunting industry and they wanted to standout as immediately different. I also think most serious hunters immediately understand the logo and didn't 'see' the impaled aspect that was pointed out.
Thanks for the suggestion on the stroke weight. I'll give that a try.
I think you're probably right that hunters would understand the logo properly, but I too thought as first it was being impaled by it's antler, not knowing anything about the "drop tine" condition. I think the shape in general works, it's just that white bit that stands out really awkwardly. But, whatever works best for the client.
I think it's great! The color, the graphic and the type! The only thing I can see is that the type isn't too integrated with the graphic - not something that's easy to do. I think it's works never the less. Good job, dude!
I am not a fan of the type. It looks amature, and I don't understand the 'y' being stretched.
The one shape in white on the illustration seems like it is too dominate. I know what you are going after there, but it might be too much.
But I do like that fact that you are supporting the killing of a rarer type of buck... god knows there are too many animals especially those cocky drop tine bucks.
http://www.davidpcrawford.com - http://www.vomit76.com
Graphic, Web and Logo Designer from Pittsburgh, PA http://www.davidpcrawford.com
The "Y" was dropped to mimic the tine in the logo. The intent of the client was to be able to 'split' the logo from the wordmark and have both stand on their own, yet connect and work together. I personally agree with you about the 'white drop tine' being over the top and I'm in the process of fixing that.
What aspects of the typeface make you feel it is 'amateur'? I considered over 4,000 unique typefaces for this project. I thought I made a pretty good selection. Do you have some better selections? Thanks for your feedback.
P.S. - A suicide deer tried to take out my father on his motorcycle while going 65 mph on the freeway. Hearing the story about how my dad skipped across the pavement and seeing the damage I say blast away. These cocky terrorists have to be stopped. :P
I am supprised that your father was hurt, becasue motorcycles are so safe.
If only his motorcycle had some kind of enclosure made out of glass and steel, that way he might have been more protected. They should make a motorcycle like that, seems like it would be much safer.
And dammit I blame that feaking dear, why didn't he use the cross walk its like he a wild animal or something.
http://www.davidpcrawford.com - http://www.vomit76.com
Graphic, Web and Logo Designer from Pittsburgh, PA http://www.davidpcrawford.com
is echoing the drop of the antler, right? Good in concept, but putting the T back is more elegant. Remember...stretching type will make you hated by all type designers. I wish the focus group would have chosen the more detailed art.
The Y was dropped for the exact reason you indicated but I'm struggling to understand your statement, "but putting the T back is more elegant". [Are you suggesting dropping the T instead of the Y?] If you can elaborate on this I'd appreciate it.
Dropping one of the letters was an idea I brainstormed in original sketches which the client immediately liked so it was carried forward. I actually modified the type much more by adding the custom 'inline' effects and increasing the size of the serifs.
There's something about the more detailed version of the logo that I like but aspects bother me and I don't know why.
Thanks for the feedback.
For most logo work I find it necessary to 'modify' the original typeface in some way to achieve desired results. Burro brings up a good point and I thought I'd post the original unaltered 'Matrix Wide' and 'Matrix Inline Extrabold' typefaces so everyone could see the before and after makeover of this wordmark.
Immediately you notice the 'kerning' issue with the first font. And the Inline version was just too 'intense' for what I wanted in this design. However, by combining aspects and modifying the original you end up with a much better result in my opinion.