in a quandry, hope this doesn't sound lame
I have nowhere else to turn... that sounds a bit dramatic but..
I have a problem that kept me awake last night. You see I built a website.
Since I designed it I never had time to do a logo for the organization. I just used the original typeface that came with the template. Even though I changed everything else about it. The original typeface was Planet Kosmos. Don't know if you know it but it's a chunky sci-fi typeface. My brother is an artist http://williamruane.ie and the last time I saw him he had a go at me about the typeface. So the other day I decided to do something about it. I designed the logo that you see at http://naturesnexus.org.
I wrote this little bit about it "The design is hand drawn. It symbolizes the network that Nature's Nexus has become, as well as the fact that we are all one (the single thread of the dream catcher), the circle of life and the things that dreams are made of. Dreaming of making the Earth a better place for everyone is a dream that can become a reality, with enough love and sharing and never losing sight of that vision. We can all do our part and reach out to others and connect across the world."
It looks very different to the Planet Kosmos typeface in that it takes up far less space and IMO it opens the page up. BUT my team HATES it. It's up. Not sure what to do and how to keep them happy. They want a chunky typeface. But it has to be something suited. My confidence is shaken by their reaction and now I am wondering myself.
I am attaching a copy of the "old logo" which wasn't even a logo. One member of the team want's the old one back. I tried to explain that it wasn't a logo. I suppose what I would like is your opinions on the logo, validation that the 'old one' was not suitable and an idea for a typeface that is chunky and suited to nature. Or do you think it is a case of letting them get used to the logo or does it really stink? Hope this post is ok, sorry if I sound a bit clueless.
logo copy.png is the old typeface and logo.png is the new one.
| Attachment | Size |
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| logo copy.png | 12.14 KB |
| logo.png | 10.66 KB |
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Could you post the new one?
So we could get a comparison. But what you're talking about here isn't a design problem, its a relationship problem. You're a little worried because your afraid that because this is someone's else's design (the approved logo) that it may come to bite you in the bum later? My take on it is spell it out for them and be honest, say 'look people this is a typeface that we don't own the copyright for, we will need to address this in the future.' You need to sell it. But I am a bit confused. When you say you presented it to 'your team' is that another set of designers or a mixed bag of clients?
"Try not, Do! or do not, there is no try."
-Yoda
Thanks for your
Thanks for your response.
Unfortunately the team is a mixed bag of clients, none of whom have any clue about design. Trying to explain how the "Planet Kosmos" typeface was just wrong for the Nature's Nexus organization was very difficult. Trying to convince them that it was not actually even a logo was even more difficult. But now, even though the design of the website is my domain, and I have never had to consult with the rest of the team before. I fear that I am going to be working on this forever. I mean one of my team actually formats documents in Google docs with the default typeface of comic sans and expects me to publish them that way!
Yes I think you are right, I need to sell it to them but I need confidence in the design, and now that's been shattered, HATE is a strong word. The hardest thing now will be keeping them happy. But do I stick to the logo I designed or do I sit down and work on pleasing the team?
See above.. I uploaded the new logo
"The more you tighten your grip, the more star systems will slip through your fingers." Princess Leia
Try to get one contact
Try to get one contact person for the logo design. Design by commitee never works. :)
The two logos look completely different, so it's understandable that this new change you've created is making waves. My only critique is that the new logo looks too "literal" (too hippy dippy) for the more technical website design. Seems like the mission statement needs to be clarified, and then represented in the logo.
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Natobasso
dirtandrust.com
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
Thank you, I feel validated!
Thank you, I feel validated! You have hit the nail on the head!
And hippy dippy are exactly right. It also struck me today while I was working that the website is actually an online magazine so it need a banner rather than a logo.
I worked for hours today and finally finished it. It is completely different and I didn't consult anybody...again because I knew there would never be agreement.
The when I presented the new banner I made sure to tell them before hand that it was painstakingly hand drawn...each letter.
I still have to hear what they think. Anyway, this one is staying put.
If you click this link you will see the new banner, I can't upload a new image at this point in the discussion.
http://www.naturesnexus.org
Thank you.
"The more you tighten your grip, the more star systems will slip through your fingers." Princess Leia
Good on ya for posting your
Good on ya for posting your logos not only here but on the actual website for feedback. I do recommend you find the "decision-maker" at your company so you don't further blindside them with logos. :) A champion who can make the final decision; the leader of the "committee" as it were.
I know you've spent a lot of time on the 2nd logo, but it still just doesn't work with the rest of the design, I feel. A good test is to both shrink it down very small and also to make it all black and white. I have a feeling in b/w the letterform is not going to be very legible/strong.
It's a start, but the site is so clean and "pure" and your logo so "dirty/earthy" that they still aren't going together quite right. If it's a magazine's website, put the logo on the magazine's masthead and see if it works there. Does it fit your content?
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Natobasso
dirtandrust.com
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
I aggree with you. Infact I
I aggree with you. Infact I am also the owner of the website and the team works for me. That leaves me in a situation where I can turn around and say tough luck if you don't like it but then I've got unhappy team members. So I aim to please.
I agree with you that the new logo doesn't fit the over all look of the site. I originally had it in gray scale and It looked great. Clean and yet alive and natural. But then it was suggested that it might be better using natural colours.
Now the only problem is that the team are totally in love with the new one. I think I can make slight improvements on it without changing it totally. Thank you so much for taking the time to give me some solutions and tips. I really appreciate it.
"The more you tighten your grip, the more star systems will slip through your fingers." Princess Leia
Remember, grayscale is NOT
Remember, grayscale is NOT black and white. Try your logo in black and white (only 2 colors: Black and White) and see your logoform blur a little because of the foilage you've added.
Good on ya for being the boss! I do recommend having a logo meeting before you create something. You've already lost support if you just do something and then try to get "buy in" after the fact. Especially with a bunch of designers working for you! Imagine yourself in their shoes... :)
Whatever I can do. Thanks for listening!
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Natobasso
dirtandrust.com
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
I agree with Nato. . .
My first reaction was. . . "Hmmmm" then I put myself in 'Client' mode and now I see where their coming from (too different, too soon) . . . one thing is that they ALL have consensus with their dislike of the new logo right? Well my dear, go with the flow. . .
MY recommendation would be to GRADUALLY make slight alterations and get approvals each step of the way. . . long, laborious and painful, but eventually you will change the logo and get something EVERYONE likes. . . Lets see what you can do to modify the existing one slightly and lets see. . . you can post each stage in the critique section and we'd have a look see. :)
"Try not, Do! or do not, there is no try."
-Yoda
You are correct. I am the
You are correct. I am the team leader, the 'boss' as it were. But I am not a natural leader. I am a spontaneous creative person who lives by my passions. Not a great candidate for team leader at all really so I am having to learn as I go. I have always worked for myself and I have to work on not doing things just when and how I feel like it without letting them know that a change is coming. Your suggestions are very useful and I will remember in future. For now the crisis is past and they have fallen in love with the new banner and don't want me to change it. I agree with the pros here who said that the new one doesn't suit the site perfectly, and so I am sort of back to my original place of having a banner that doesn't look totally professional. On the other hand at least the team like it and I designed it myself. http://naturesnexus.org
Still I have a think about things looking just right. I will make minor adjustments to the new lettering without changing the over all look and maybe they won't even notice ; ) (only kidding)
Thanks again.
"The more you tighten your grip, the more star systems will slip through your fingers." Princess Leia