Design Critique

[SignStudent]

Soo I've just been playing around trying out different techniques to improve my designing skill. This is my first time doing prismatic text (hand-drawn) and I rarely have time to mess around with all the different effects. I already have a logo I'm happy with, this was just for fun/learning.

Do you see anything I could change to improve it i.e. font, color, etc? I'm trying to stop being such an amateur and put out halfway decent looking stuff. My shop windows have been bare for the last 4 months because I can't even figure out what the heck I want to put that will help sales and look professional.

 

[SlightlyChilled]

I think the letters could use a little more spacing. Some are touching.

 

[SignStudent]

I think the letters could use a little more spacing. Some are touching.

Ah yeah, the kerning does need some adjusting. I forgot about that. It crossed my mind once but I never did get back to it. Prolly should done that in the very beginning.

 

[SlightlyChilled]

I do it also. Maybe to much blue? I like blue but that's a lot.

 

[SignStudent]

Fixed

 

[SlightlyChilled]

Fixed

pimped

What if you did silver and blue on the bottom and a gray back round.

Off to bed

I think it looks clean

 

[Pat Whatley]

Try changing the outline around the letters to white.

 

[SignStudent]

Just remembered a problem I ran into: the prismatic effect isn't perfect since I just eyeballed everything.

Someone in an old post on here was talking about how to find the center line of the text using a 1 step blend. Is anyone able to give a good explanation of how this is done for a noob?

I tried it on the letter R and it came out all screwed up, and I have no idea how to go about doing it on a letter with only one path like the S.

 

[SignStudent]

Tried both suggestions

 

[Rick]

I think these exercises are good, but you should study other peoples work....

I don't like too many effects unless the design calls for it. One designer I have always been impressed with is not afraid of effects and color, he balances all of it very well. I think his designs would work in black and white, but he makes them come alive.

It's worth a peek...

http://www.9surf.com/

 

[Dave Drane]

You need to get the logo first and then worry about the special effects. Although the prismatic looks good it generally only works on block letters as you have done, but design will win over effects every time.

 

[SignManiac]

Rick, great link. That guys knows his stuff. That's what I call eye candy.

 

[inthesignbiz]

Rick, great link. That guys knows his stuff. That's what I call eye candy.

+1

 

[Craig Sjoquist]

Your convex is the simple version which is fine, the next step is on the rounded letter areas use a S curve to separate colors., which is more common, also you may want to give them more contrast.
As you learn and do them more 3 and 4 color and other effects to make them look more real.

 

[signmeup]

Check out the motion video on that surf9 website. Then check out the client list. Big time stuff there.

 

[TheSellOut]

pimped

What if you did silver and blue on the bottom and a gray back round.

Off to bed

I think it looks clean

I'm not sure if this is what Slightly meant but try "Sterling" in silver/grey and "signs and graphics" in blue!

I would lose the outline altogether but the white looks better than the black.

If you did it all in one color it would still look pretty plain.

 

[HulkSmash]

not digging the effect.

 

[HulkSmash]

Here's my store front, with my windows covered. Do you know how many window Perf jobs i've gotten off of it??!!?!?

 

[SlightlyChilled]

Sorry it was late you can mix it how ever you like. The best part about PC's is how fast you can change color. Go nuts try all the colors you can think of.

I'm not sure if this is what Slightly meant but try "Sterling" in silver/grey and "signs and graphics" in blue!

I would lose the outline altogether but the white looks better than the black.

If you did it all in one color it would still look pretty plain.

 

[SlightlyChilled]

This is a trick question. But here it goes "none " people that walk in think you sell fish tanks or water.HAHAHA get it looks like the windows are half full of water. "That's a joke son" (fog horn leg horn) voice.

Here's my store front, with my windows covered. Do you know how many window Perf jobs i've gotten off of it??!!?!?