Barber Sign Critique

[Atomic DNA]

First, let me say that I am not a "sign guy" as airbrush is my main forte. I do a great deal of designing, though. With that being said, I have a friend of mine that is a barber and is moving to a new location. We do his promotional items and this one thing has always bugged me: his horrible "logo". He is wanting me to throw this abomination on his new sign but I think this is where I need to intervene and throw him a rope. I am doing his new logo unbeknownst to him.

You can see where he needs some help with personalization from his original design. I did use his original sign shape that is behind the "A" as the main foundation for his new sign. My design, although I think it looks ok, may need some more embellishing such as extra filagree. Dunno. I say keep it simple. The Mr. Hyde part of me says add some stuff.

This sign would look great as a dimensional HDU sign but his budget will not allow. This will be more than likely printed and applied to dibond or another similar substrate. Your thoughts and criticism are welcome.

 

[Jillbeans]

I would not make Richie's in red, no contrast.
I'd move the A up a bit and put the barber pole on the other side..
I don't like how the A is overlapping it, and I don't like the shadow effect on the pole.
I'd put the since 1953 under BARBER SHOP not have it dangling on the bottom.
It does not need more stuff.
I'd do a sample layout but I'm a morning person.

Love....Jill

 

[Craig Sjoquist]

Woooo Hoooo ...Great start. Interesting, a flow, barber shop shape, great start on a great image.

I would like to see more air space, better contrast on both name and barber shop, also the reason the A is over the pole so it needs shading.

Look at it as a thumbnail, anyway he will like this when tweek it more.

 

[Pixels Are Bad Mmmkay?]

I think it looks like a great layout and I was impressed with it. Then I read Jill's critique and realized how much more I need to learn about good layout and furthermore I have to agree with everything she says. Taking everything into consideration, those minor tweaks will make this a knockout sign.

 

[HulkSmash]

nice design, i agree with the blue and red contrast issues, i have you tried doing the text "barber shop" in white instead? It might pop - don't even think a shadow or bevel would be necessary

 

[visual800]

I love it BUT I do not care for the oval missing out of the top of that panel, thats the only thing

 

[Jillbeans]

Also try making all your lettering smaller, leave more breathing room.
If "Arcade" is a display font, "Barber Shop" should be slightly simpler.
Here is a quick muck about, I wasn't in the mood to draw a barber pole.
I did two poles on my example because the one pole seems off balance to me somehow.
But two poles might be overkill.
Maybe dirty it up (not use 100% white more of a cream) on some of the copy.
Marooney reds and more navy blues.
I also attached something I did for a local barber.

 

[JR's]

I like your letter style.



JR

 

[Circleville Signs]

That's sick JR....Really nice!

 

[Fatboy]

Good stuff

 

[Atomic DNA]

Guys, I appreciate all of the criticisms. Thanks for your time.

Here a couple of revisions. I actually had the "since 1953" in the corner originally before I moved it back to center. I removed the beveling from "Arcade" changed the font colors on "barber Shop" and "Richie's". The original reason for not having the Richie's stand out in contrast is that the actual name of the business is "Arcade Barber Shop". The name Richie is the owner and figured I'd just throw his name in there. I removed the shadowing on the barber pole as well. I think maybe having two poles is redundant in this instance.

As for the oval in the sign at the top, that bugs me as well. I was using another artist's original design. I'm going to see if Richie is up for suggestions. You know how business owners get when you start picking their logo apart and telling them what's wrong. I know, I'll just tell him that I am just going to "tweak" his logo. haha

 

[Gino]

I like these last two and more the left one..... except for the red outline around 'Barber Shop',

Also, the flag on the 'A' looks odd as it doesn't tie in quite right.

Last, lose the bat ears at the top, that is very old school and hardly used, especially with your style so far.