Here’s the story;
A self-proclaimed graphic artist calls. She has been working with one of my long time customers to develop a new logo and mascot. We have a conversation about designing and lettering. She boasts about her vast experience, knowledge and attention to detail.
She sends me the artwork.
My customer (our now joint customer) contacts me. The customer and I get together to discuss adding the new stuff to an already overloaded truck.
I have tried in the past to offer some changes/improvements to his self-made company brand. No luck. Obviously I do not have Dan Antonell’s ability to persuade customers to better things.
He tells me this graphic artist is part of their business network group and that is why he had her do this work for him. She came up with this fresh new original mascot art with her ability to think outside the box.
The new “logo” was a group effort; customer, his wife and the GA.
The following is right from the GA’s website and FB page.
“As a promotions specialist with a vast amount of education and experience in graphic design, copywriting, public relations & marketing, I am able to assist businesses in all their marketing needs from business cards to websites.
Not all businesses can afford to staff someone whose sole purpose is successful branding and promotion. That's where (blank studio) can help!
Those important promotional projects are given the focus they deserve, while allowing you the time you need to handle the daily needs of your business.
Need ideas on how to grow your business? Let's talk! I can help you strategize how to stand out in the crowd, while respecting your budget.
...ONE DESK, LOTS OF OPTIONS.”
This is the “final” artwork she sent me.
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As I have said before I DO NOT think I am a perfect designer. We all have things slip by us, but to me this logo has too many simple blunders to let it go out the door.
The center of the oval is miscued to the lower left and none of the copy in the oval is properly centered / aligned / doesn't fit the arc.
For me a water drop doesn’t scream pressure washer.
As for the “new original” mascot that the GA came up with while thinking outside of the box, it can be found in its entirety with a google search of “water drop”
She told the customer she is going to copy-write both of these for them?
Again I’m not above using clip-art and such as components of a design, but I can’t ever remember finding something such as this and trying to pass it off as my own creation.
I do realize there is not much difference between a GA and today’s sign designers. I know of many of both in my area that are what I would call veterans in the industry, yet they either don’t care or haven’t learned simple design / layout dos and don’ts.
As I said before I did not enter the world as a design prodigy, but I take great pride in my abilities I have developed and my attention to detail. You would be hard pressed to find a more anal individual than my-self when it comes to being meticulous about details.
Maybe I am just an “old fart” / x-sign “painter” that can’t get along in today’s new computer enhanced design world where if you can punch the keys…you’re good to go.:roll eyes:
