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Critique of Logo for Web Design Business

D

dkotter

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 30, 2009
57
0
I'm trying to create a logo for my fledgling web design business, which I am thinking of calling DK Design. The logo I came up with is below. I like it, but at the same time it's just not exactly what I was going for, but I'm not sure why. Any critique, tips, etc., would be really helpful.

And I know it would be best to get a professional, but I don't have the money at this time to afford that. Also, I'm not really stuck on the name either, if anyone has a better idea for that. I'm a student right now and I still have a couple semesters left, but I figured it would be nice to start trying to get some clients. Also, be as harsh as you need. I'm not sold on the logo so it won't hurt my feelings, as I've seen happen in other threads. I'm just looking for honest advice.
 

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Nope

I would start over.

Keep it as basic as possible for the time being, ie; lose the drop shadow!!!

Lose the corny font for "design", it looks terribly amateur, comic-sansesque.

Your logo overall looks too organic, for lack of a better term. It does not communicate "web design", at all.

Think sharp, sleek, tech, bold. Not twirly, curvy, handwritten.

It looks like you typed "DK" and liquified it a bit.

I would maybe even consider changing the name. DK Design sounds common. You will see business everywhere with the "XY _____" template name.

Keep at it, and make a few different renditions that are similar, just work some ideas around a lot. Do not spend too much time on one idea, rather, different ideas based on the same.
 
It definitely has a tendency to read as DX. And I agree with the comments about losing the drop shadow and choosing a better typeface than Marker Felt or whatever that is. Layer effects are rarely a good idea to use on a logo.

It sounds like pretty much every aspect of your identity is open for change at this point, so definitely take some time to play around with some other ideas. If you're worried about creating something "amateurish" and then being stuck with it, keep it simple -- like a wordmark. Once you have nailed down your idea, you can spice it up with your color selections.

Since your business is in the web design field, consumers will expect certain things from you, and your identity should reflect that. Attention to detail, organization, refinement... All great things to think about when you're working. Does this logo say "I always doublecheck my code"? Does it say "In a sea of unskilled hacks, I am the guy you can count on to make sure things get done right."?
 
Thanks for all the replies. It sounds like I better just start over. This was the third or fourth incarnation of the same idea, just tweaked a little each time but I was never real happy with it. And I was worried the DK part wouldn't be clear, and I guess it does look like an 'X'.

I do want my logo to be consistent with the web design field, but I wasn't sure how to do that. I thought it might be good to be creative, and let my logo make people see that if it's creative, the sites they build are too. But obviously that isn't the way to go.

So I definately like the ideas given. I want it to convey that I know what I'm doing, I can be counted on, and make it sharp, sleek, tech, etc. like has been said. I'm just not sure how to go about doing that? I guess just do something real simple like just text at this point? Any ideas?
 
There are definitely ways to take the characteristics from your current logo ideas and incorporate them into something more polished.

I don't know what kinds of typefaces you have access to, but you may want to think about picking something that is friendly and energetic, but still clean and logical. And remember that when it's time for it, color can go a long way in helping convey a mood.

Bright colors, especially blues and greens, are really trendy right now for web companies. Why? Because they seem more friendly, and all that "web 2.0" mumbo-jumbo is about being open and friendly.
 
I have whatever fonts come preinstalled on my MacBook and then I have the Adobe CS4 Web Design Premium pack, which I'm assuming comes with fonts. I was thinking about doing something in green but colors are something that can be changed easily so I'm not to worried about getting that down yet.
 
what about a cleaner font with each letter of the DK inside a square of a different color?
 
Here's a couple different logos, if anyone is still following the thread. The first isn't much different. I just changed the font, got rid of the shadow, tried to edit the "k" down a little to make it look more like a "k" and changed part of it green to make it even more distinct. I don't know if it's any better though.

Then I also just did one using fonts, which is pretty simple but maybe that's what I should stick with for now.
 

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You need a name first, I think. It doesn't have to be amazing or revolutionary. I mean, my business is Trend Setting Design-totally not a wonderful name, but it makes a clear statement about my vision as a business. I think you should come up with an idea of what makes you unique among the web design community, then develop your name and your visual brand around that idea.
 
dkotter said:
I'm trying to create a logo for my fledgling web design business, which I am thinking of calling DK Design. The logo I came up with is below. I like it, but at the same time it's just not exactly what I was going for, but I'm not sure why. Any critique, tips, etc., would be really helpful.

And I know it would be best to get a professional, but I don't have the money at this time to afford that. Also, I'm not really stuck on the name either, if anyone has a better idea for that. I'm a student right now and I still have a couple semesters left, but I figured it would be nice to start trying to get some clients. Also, be as harsh as you need. I'm not sold on the logo so it won't hurt my feelings, as I've seen happen in other threads. I'm just looking for honest advice.
Click to expand...

The first impression I had is a fish swallowing another fish. If you called it Shark Design, it would fit.

But I doubt this is the message you want to give.

Google "logo design". There are some excellent articles to find on the web. I was designing a logo for my own business as well, but then dropped it for the moment.

Better no logo than a bad logo or an average logo or a logo that gives the wrong impression.

Google "Rohrschach test" to find out how strange an association people can make when they are presented with an abstract form. It's easy to make a negative impression this way.

If you like to make your logo, do it. Ask friends and colleagues rather than anonymous posters on a web forum.
 
better to stick with what you're good at

I went through a similar exercise for two startups. I invested over 100 hours and came up with faecal logos. I found the following sites very helpful:

http://fontfeed.com/archives/the-logos-of-web-20/
http://www.bamagazine.com/

The Before an After magazine is supeerb at explaining why a graphic design works, unpicking the parts and offering very practical rules of thumb that improve any design.

... but, to be blunt, my artistic skills are ****e.

In the end I found a great web designer who said she could do a logo for $500 - or she would bundle a type only logo for free with the web design we were buying. The web design was superb and the free logo is serviceable and much better than anything I could do. Still, there are some great books on logos to persue on the web
 
Lines

dkotter said:
Here's a couple different logos, if anyone is still following the thread. The first isn't much different. I just changed the font, got rid of the shadow, tried to edit the "k" down a little to make it look more like a "k" and changed part of it green to make it even more distinct. I don't know if it's any better though.

Then I also just did one using fonts, which is pretty simple but maybe that's what I should stick with for now.
Click to expand...


Looking better. Basing it on a clean typeface is always a good idea.

I reworked your most recent one to give you a different idea:
workup.png


Make sure you use guides and try to keep everything as evenly spaced and all that as possible.

What does DK stand for? Is it your initials?
 
MattSepeta said:
Looking better. Basing it on a clean typeface is always a good idea.

I reworked your most recent one to give you a different idea:
workup.png


Make sure you use guides and try to keep everything as evenly spaced and all that as possible.

What does DK stand for? Is it your initials?
Click to expand...

Yeah DK is just my initials. I also have another business named DK Deals, so it fits with that. It's a simple name and easy to remember, which is important when dealing with a web address. But maybe something less generic would be better.

That logo does look better then mine. I had to much white space in mine. But I think I might just stick with something simple like that for now, until I can afford a professional.
 
I would rename it something crazy to draw people in. Like "Spatula Designs" or "Kickpot Media".

That way you can have items represent your business in silhouette.
 
ezekielrage_99 said:
Not be a jerk but you are starting a design business but you would think it be best to get a professional. I am really confused :confused:
Click to expand...

It's a web design business (web pages, web applications), not a graphics design or logo design.
 
dkotter said:
It's a web design business (web pages, web applications), not a graphics design or logo design.
Click to expand...

I understand where you're coming from it just sounds perplexing, I starting a design company but I need design help...

But to the op, I'd check Logopond for some inspiration, if not a nice simple font (please not more than one) and you've got yourself a good logo to start with.
 
ezekielrage_99 said:
Not be a jerk but you are starting a design business but you would think it be best to get a professional. I am really confused :confused:
Click to expand...

That really confused me too.

If you're not doing design you shouldn't calll yourself a 'web designer'. 'Web developer' or similar lets people know what you do. Designer implies.. well... 'design'

If you can't do a nice logo then just keep it very simple –*one typeface, maybe a couple of colours.
 
ezekielrage_99 said:
I understand where you're coming from it just sounds perplexing, I starting a design company but I need design help...

But to the op, I'd check Logopond for some inspiration, if not a nice simple font (please not more than one) and you've got yourself a good logo to start with.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the site. It might help with some inspiration. But yeah I think I'll just stick with a simple logo for now.

a cat *miaow* said:
That really confused me too.

If you're not doing design you shouldn't calll yourself a 'web designer'. 'Web developer' or similar lets people know what you do. Designer implies.. well... 'design'

If you can't do a nice logo then just keep it very simple –*one typeface, maybe a couple of colours.
Click to expand...

A web designer designs pages, which a logo might be part of that but there's a lot of web designer who don't do logo design. You can always collaborate with a logo design company to get that done. A web developer is usually seen as more web applications, web programming, etc. I think the general public would understand designer a lot more then developer.
 
dkotter said:
Thanks for the site. It might help with some inspiration. But yeah I think I'll just stick with a simple logo for now.



A web designer designs pages, which a logo might be part of that but there's a lot of web designer who don't do logo design. You can always collaborate with a logo design company to get that done. A web developer is usually seen as more web applications, web programming, etc. I think the general public would understand designer a lot more then developer.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the 101 on what a web designer is... I don't know about the people you talk to, but on a day to day basis collaborating with lots of people who build websites – a designer implies you have design skills. It is closely associated with complete UI and front end development.

If I hired a web designer who couldn't develop a complete site, including any potential graphics/logos I wouldn't be too impressed.
You may have a differnt view, but you have to take into account that there are lots of 'web designers' out there who do that very thing – a complete package (rightly or wrongly that IS the case). You have to be clear with your naming on what you are providing because otherwise you're going to waste your time and other peoples.
 
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