Deciding to go my own way. Logo critique.

[SignsNowOH]

Well things are really slow at the shop and I'm debating going my own way. Kinda thought up a name Emerge Signs and somewhat have a logo for it. I'm not stuck on it and really can't come up with any other ideas for a design. Guess this is where you guys come in handy. Any ideas come to mind to make this image better? Kinda going for a corporate theme but not opposed to a grunge/industrial thing either (I've been really getting into that type of design lately but have no idea on what I want the logo to portray in that standpoint.) Thanks for any advice!

 

[pointjockey]

no comments about the logo. I'm more interested in why you feel now is the time for you to strike out on your own. I'm assuming that your current shop has been around at least a few years. What make you think that you can make it on your own? In general the economy is down for sure. The current shop I'm selling for is one year old. Ive been there 3 months. The past 3 months have been the best months period. I work the area at a rate of 35-60 stops per day. Everyone is crying about how slow it is. DING DING DING....That's where you come in...your're there to help them bring in customers.
We are selling tons of yard signs, banners, A-Frames, you name it. There is also tons of new businesses starting up in our area and they need channel letters, light boxes and monuments. Real Estate duds are giving away free rent for 1 year, 2 years and are now getting people to sign leases. It's happening but you have get out and hustle it!

Many of us will have our best year this year and 2010. If you are not actually selling your own jobs, and are slow at the shop, then you should get out and make it happen.

 

[redline graphics]

 

[SignsNowOH]

Well I've been doing this for 9 years and feel that I might be able to be successful with hard work and dedication.

 

[Mosh]

How much cash do yuu have? You are going to need at least $50k-$100K.. equipment, supplies, rent, insurance, taxes, customers. Easy to get one of those "wrap machines" or "sticker cutters" but there is WAY more to it in 2009! Start doing it on the side, get a feel for doing in by yourself before going all in. Hell you might find out it really sucks!

 

[SignsNowOH]

Well I've already bought some equipment. Have some pretty good contacts to help get me started work wise. Just looking for critiquing on my logo or getting ideas from the fellow sign 101ers

 

[Mosh]

Looks like 100 others I have seen. Good luck. Be sure you are ready to sell out. I have bought out several shops from guys who "went out on their own". Be ready to not make any money for the next 2-5 years, cause that is what you are in for. GOOD LUCK!

Sorry, but it sounds like you are thinking more about your logo than having a business. That logo it generic at best.

 

[SignsNowOH]

Wow I didn't come in here to debate about my reasons for starting a business. I've did my time, learned from experience, and am ready to apply that knowledge to provide a great service to businesses in my area. I understand that it's a down economy right now and that things may be slow for awhile. I do other things besides signs. I also do print work, shirts, and web design. The print work and shirts I have subbed out. My shirt guy has been a close friend of mine for years and we are networking together to build each other's businesses. I'm not a noobie that just bought a cutter and plan to get rich. I know what it takes to build a successful shop.

Which brings me back to my logo design critique. I can design logos for customers all day long but tend to have designers block when it comes to my own stuff (which I know many of you knows how that is). I am just looking for some constructive criticism or people that actually take time out of their busy day to layout some quick ideas to get my brain jump started is greatly appreciated. I am simply looking for design direction. No need for business advice. I'm getting plenty of that from my current boss and some other sign shops around here that I have befriended over the years. I'm also hooked up with the local SCORE that gives me plenty of solid business advice as well. I appreciate your concern about me starting something up but you need to understand that I am not new to the scene. I've been working 9 years with 3 different successful shops in the area that have taught me a ton about the industry.

 

[Mosh]

Good luck, looks like you already had the answers before you posted. Look forward to seeing your stuff on e-bay, thanks in advance/

 

[SignsNowOH]

Well thanks Mosh. Every forum has it's basher and I am thankful that it is you. There's your thanks.

 

[Pat Whatley]

Don't hate Mosh...Mosh is the Man!

Your logo design isn't bad but I'd play with it some more. For some reason "SIGNS" just doesn't look right to me. It's a fairly common concept, also, nothing really outstanding but nobody but other designers would ever notice that, customers just don't care or can't tell the difference.

Can't help but thinking of this guy, too, who's a member here (Square 1) http://www.emergedesigns.net/

 

[GypsyGraphics]

Are you attached to the name? Not sure I care for it, only because the two things that come to mind are that cold remedy drink EmergenC (or something to that affect); and the other, Emerge sounds as if you've come from a "not so good" place. I'm sure by definition that's not correct, but even if someone "emerges victorious" it was from something unpleasant.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to knock your feet out from under you. But I think you'd emerge more victorious with a more positive company name.

Unless of course it's just me... and it very well could be. Maybe other don't get the same vibe.

 

[SignsNowOH]

I am not stuck to the name....am open to opinions.

 

[GypsyGraphics]

I haven't been a member here long, so I don't know anything about you personally that would give me a good direction for a name. I went to your profile and didn't see anything personal. So, what I know is your a guy from Lancaster that makes signs.... so maybe your a SignCaster. I can imagine the name chiseled or hammered.

Maybe the word Emerge had some meaning for you and there just another word that would work better. If the meaning had something to do with a process that's brought you to the point of striking out on your own... maybe Evolution (Evolution Signs) or Solution (Sign Solutions).

What I'm getting at is that if I knew something interesting or unique about you it might spark an idea. Of course clever is always good too. If something clever comes to mind I'll let you know.

 

[SignsNowOH]

I'm trying to think of names that have a biblical root attached to it. I'm a Christian and want to convey that in the message of the name and logo to show that I am a Christian based company.

 

[iSign]

not to take away from Mosh being "the man" an all.. but anyone who can't decide if their image should be corporate or grunge... well, flip a frikkin' coin & make yer logo a head or a tail... who the flip cares... if you are so clueless who you are, how you should look and who should be drawn to your identity... I'd say you don't have an identity & aren't ready for a logo... let alone a business..


and furthermore... mosh may well have become known to be a "basher" at times,, as have I.. but it's not as simple as calling out the source of some of your replies as the forum's basher... YOU, my friend are an ideal "bashee"... you come in here stating what YOU want, and start talking back about what you DON"T want, and begging for folks to take time out of their day to draw up something to help you find direction... and you can't even decide between corporate and grunge??? thanks for narrowing down the field from infinite to .. um.. well... I guess it ain't narrowed down now is it??? ...And that's supposed to encourage professional help? ... you need professional help alright... but probably won't get as much FREE help with the control freakin' replies I'm seein' so far...

This ain't your movie, and you ain't the director... you get to start a conversation about your logo, but if we want to talk about how the cart appears to be before the horse... than that's the direction this thread will go... join us, or don't...

But, since I'm here... I think the name is going to be a liability... but if I had a client with that name, and nothing else to go from... I'd consider wraping a boring gray cocoon around "EMERGE" & I'd somehow create an exquisite pattern of color around "SIGNS"... and maybe not go as far as showing a butterfly, but maybe a subtle leaf background could hold it all together... not very "grunge" I know... but come on? Ohio??... not exactly the grunge capital.. & if you want to succeed in business, you don't want to limit yourself if you don't even have a reputation as a grunge specialist... you should focus more mainstream in my opinion... until an authentic identity builds itself around you... not you just arbitrarily fabricating one on a whim...

 

[GypsyGraphics]

Well that's helpful to know. Maybe you should post in that "5 things you didn't know about me" thread. Then I'll know six things about you that give me insight.

Let me say in advance of this idea... only kidding!
How about, a Sign from God. Even He would think that was funny.

 

[OldPaint]

YOUR LOGO REFLECTS SIGNS NOW image!!!! christian sign shop.........way to many now...........leave your religion at the gate...........if your gona do BUSINESS..........dont drag religion into it.

 

[SignsNowOH]

I'm not begging for anyone to design me something. I was thanking them in advance if they so chose to play around with an idea or two. As far as the corporate or grunge thing I've been giving it deep thought and will probably be going towards more of a mainstream theme that looks professional. I apologize if I'm coming across as needy or undecided but I figured I would get some fellow signmakers opinion of name choice and the logo I have INITIALLY came up with. I am brainstorming lots of ideas around right now as far as design goes. I'm trying to visualize a logo and how it would look on a business card, or a website design that fits the design of the logo.

I appreciate all of the negative things everyone is saying. Maybe this will give everyone more direction. Here are some things about me and what I am trying to do.
1: I'm 27 years old and enjoy varieties of motorsports (mostly Nascar & Dirt Late Models).
2: I race R/C cars.
3: I am trying to achieve the persona of a Christian based business that specializes in the whole graphic design field (ie: print work, websites, signs, & t-shirts). So I'm thinking instead of having Signs as part of the name I've been toying around with the idea of _______ Media or _______ Creative.
4: My target market is small to mid size businesses.
5: I LOVE MY COFFEE lol
6: Signs are my passion (I've been doing it since I turned 18)
7: The town I live in is going through a complete revitalization project and alot of the customers are going with the corporate/contemporary design theme.
8: I grew up in Kansas and am a die hard Jayhawks & Chiefs fan.
9: I really follow the design styles (and try to implement ideas from their style of design) of Dan Antonelli, Stevo, and Diaz. They are great artists and stay on the edge of functional and attractive designs.
10: Names I have thought about before coming up with Emerge were: Fuel, Ignite, Elevate, Summit, & SuperSignBoy (LOL My boss gave me that nickname)

 

[iSign]

ok... now we're talkin'...

(I knew "begging" was an unfair word... so I'll take that back :Oops

I think the grunge running through your racers veins can come through in your shop decor, or your vehicle... but if the city is revitalizing itself, & corporate trends are a common theme among the new business entities you may be serving... sounds like a no-brainer on that coin toss...


...and the removal of the word signs is a great idea...

So, let's get you named... and then worry about a logo!