Shop logo attempt

[Rocco G]

Hi Folks,

OK, so I know that I'm not the best at this. Heck, I'm just an old/fat sign hanger and sheet metal guy. Anyway I got tired of whatever Roman I was using and decided to make a logo. I do a lot of wholesale installation work for out of town companies plus make elec signs as well. My first thought was having the name be a set of channel letters hung from a crane, but I didn't like how it looked. OK, I'll be honest - I couldn't get my idea to pan out. Plus it just seemed like putting a chili on a tex-mex restaurant sign. Been there, done that, sent the post cards.

Anyway, before I write a novel, here are three versions of similar ideas. I'm looking for input. Maybe I'll even learn something.

I've got my helmet and flak jacket on and am about to jump into the nearest fox hole. Don't strafe me too badly. I promise to try not to whine either.

 

[nikdoobs]

 

[Gino]

It's a very good start and it will need some fine tuning.

Perhaps some of the creative minded members will share with you, their input on this venture.

Good Luck..................​

 

[Stormyj]

Im kind of like you. I love signs, love building them, working on them, designing them, and like you, I suck at logo design. Do what I did. Pay someone and have a professional do it for you. Hate to say it, but that logo is very boring. It does get the message across, but looks like something designed on Word. The ABCO portion is just terrible. Those fonts are so generic, they look unprofessional. Just my opinion. Maybe try a block or sans serif. and the general layout is for some reason distracting. Even though the "Signs" is the biggest, I for some reason not compelled to look at it. Im not sure what it is. but... It might also be that that particular design, straight font with a script follow up, has been done so many times. Any way, good luck

 

[shoresigns]

The least you could do is read a short book to learn some design basics. This one is great for beginners:

http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Layout-Art-Eye-Appeal/dp/091138068X

 

[DSC]

Try putting "Abco" to the right of the "s" in signs and above the "igns" in signs but not taller than the "s" in signs..

Mess around with that.. It will be a better shape and you can do more collateral with it..

I like it overall!

Make 2 versions.

1. With Just the name

2. The name and the offerings underneath ..

You can use them both, but for different arenas .. We have a few we use, depends on what the venue is.. etc..

Good Luck!!

 

[Marlene]

that's pretty horrid. scrap the whole thing. when you have a list of services, bullets help keep things from running together. I do like the year included as it makes it clear that you aren't some guy who bought a "cutter" off ebay and has set up shop. when you lack design talents, go for simple and clean. leave the gradiants and all that out of it. I do like that you used a rule to break up the copy and that you didn't add the dreaded over used drippy paint brush. the colors are dated and remind me of the late 1980's early 90's. maybe jus use to shades of blue and keep it classic looking insteado trying for trendy. give it another try ad lets see what we can do to tweak it out

 

[Rick]

Hi Folks,

OK, so I know that I'm not the best at this. Heck, I'm just an old/fat sign hanger and sheet metal guy. Anyway I got tired of whatever Roman I was using and decided to make a logo. I do a lot of wholesale installation work for out of town companies plus make elec signs as well. My first thought was having the name be a set of channel letters hung from a crane, but I didn't like how it looked. OK, I'll be honest - I couldn't get my idea to pan out. Plus it just seemed like putting a chili on a tex-mex restaurant sign. Been there, done that, sent the post cards.

Anyway, before I write a novel, here are three versions of similar ideas. I'm looking for input. Maybe I'll even learn something.

I've got my helmet and flak jacket on and am about to jump into the nearest fox hole. Don't strafe me too badly. I promise to try not to whine either.

THAT'S AN OLD FAT LOGO!
Now I'm an old/fat/ugly, broken toothed, pitted furry buttocked graphic designer,
but I would never design a logo for the porky, furry buns me... I would design a
logo for other me, "KING CHICKEN WING"! or "THE GRAND POOBAH OF (insert a skill or talent)

What type of client are you trying to attract? Quite a few larger companies use simple
logos and do a better job at layout out their website and marketing materials. The logo you
show says to me "newbie vinyl shop" not a shop with 40 years of experience.

WARNING: If you can't design a logo, how can you pick out a good one? The perfect logo
could slap you across the face and maybe you would't even know it. I suggest you look
at your competition's logo, and especially what your company aspires to be.

Maybe you can post those, and get some suggestions...

 

[sign_noob]

More color

You need more dimension and color to your logo. I know this isn't going to be good buy the standards of many on this forum but at least it gets your attention more than the original. Let the trashing begin!

 

[Rick]

You need more dimension and color to your logo. I know this isn't going to be good buy the standards of many on this forum but at least it gets your attention more than the original. Let the trashing begin!

You should ask yourself...

If this logo was next to a similar sign company, would it instill confidence?

I know nothing about ABCO because he does not have a web presence but I'm guessing
he's doing around 1-2 million bucks a year, thinking he wants to attract paying high end
companies.... either national sign shops, EGD Design firms, maybe even national
accounts... and a typed out copy is not cutting it... but you look at a company like:

http://www.poblocki.com
http://weidnerca.com
http://www.federalheath.com
http://www.iconsignsca.com
http://www.iconid.com/signage
http://www.signtechusa.com/web/

and then EGD Firms:

http://www.huntdesign.com
http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com
http://infinitescale.com
http://www.sussmanprejza.com
http://www.skadesign.com
http://entro.com

Even if he's not shooting that high, maybe it's something to think about when
designing to whatever audience he's attempting to attract. I think after 40 years of
work, he can let the work do the talking, the logo can be toned down to be effective
communication that is a subtle statement of his values/message.

 

[Marlene]

You should ask yourself...

If this logo was next to a similar sign company, would it instill confidence?

I know nothing about ABCO because he does not have a web presence but I'm guessing
he's doing around 1-2 million bucks a year, thinking he wants to attract paying high end
companies.... either national sign shops, EGD Design firms, maybe even national
accounts... and a typed out copy is not cutting it... but you look at a company like:

http://www.poblocki.com
http://weidnerca.com
http://www.federalheath.com
http://www.iconsignsca.com
http://www.iconid.com/signage
http://www.signtechusa.com/web/

and then EGD Firms:

http://www.huntdesign.com
http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com
http://infinitescale.com
http://www.sussmanprejza.com
http://www.skadesign.com
http://entro.com

Even if he's not shooting that high, maybe it's something to think about when
designing to whatever audience he's attempting to attract. I think after 40 years of
work, he can let the work do the talking, the logo can be toned down to be effective
communication that is a subtle statement of his values/message.

all of the logos are simple yet powerful. some of my favorites logos are the ones that just use type. you can do so much with it and you don't need all the junk people throw at a logo. simple copy can make an impact and it looks more professional.

 

[Jillbeans]

I'll just do a few pokes with a sharp stick :ROFLMAO:
None of those look much like a logo, and a logo should never have a ton of bullet points and a phone number too.
Of your attempts, the bottom has the most potential, but the colors are too colorful and the "Signs" lettering looks like it's on an upward slant. (optical illusion I'm sure, but I always twiddle with my scripts so that they look straight)
Ignore the well-meant visual suggestion from Sign Noob. That has even less potential than what you started with.
I do like the S hooking into the name, I think I'd play with that a tad.
Love....jill

 

[ddarlak]

didn't like where I was going with the top thing...then I got bored and moved on to clash of clans.....

 

[Stormyj]

I'll just do a few pokes with a sharp stick :ROFLMAO:
None of those look much like a logo, and a logo should never have a ton of bullet points and a phone number too.
Of your attempts, the bottom has the most potential, but the colors are too colorful and the "Signs" lettering looks like it's on an upward slant. (optical illusion I'm sure, but I always twiddle with my scripts so that they look straight)
Ignore the well-meant visual suggestion from Sign Noob. That has even less potential than what you started with.
I do like the S hooking into the name, I think I'd play with that a tad.
Love....jill

Hah. I love it. For some reason I get the "Mad Men" vibe from this. Post atom bomb 1960ish. I love it.

 

[Jillbeans]

...that was exactly my intent thanks!

 

[sign_noob]

Looking at my attempt makes me laugh at myself and reminds me to no post after midnight when I'm tired. LOL ABCO is who you are so I would make sure that my name is what I want people to focus on. I just felt that it need depth and colors that caught your eye. It was a 5 minute example to bring out other suggestions. Rocco is looking for suggestions that will help him with his own creativity, not to be pounded in the dirt with comments about not knowing what logo design is.

I myself am not a fan of the bottom logo. It has a phallic quality about it that isn't appealing.

Again, Rocco is looking for direction. I appreciate the gentle "Look at it this way" approach and not so much the atom bomb or F-Bomb approach that is often given on this site.

 

[HDvinyl]

You should delete the Simpsons font from your computer to eliminate those late night bad choices.

 

[idsignsil]

Pay Jill for her logo design and call it a day.

 

[Bretbyron]

Pay Jill for her logo design and call it a day.

+1

 

[Billct2]

Jill's looks like what a serious old school sign company would have.