Which Logo works?

[adstudio3d]

Hey was just going through the thread...

Not to step on anyone's toes, but a logo is a visual representation of your company, not an advertisement of your product or skill...
It is used so that when someone sees it, they remember it.

Look at some of the most successful logos around like Nike or McDonald's.
They are very simple, but EVERYTIME you see just the arches or that little swoosh, you remember what it stands for. This is why companies do not use photographs because they are not as memorable as a "Logo". Your goal in creating a logo should be to make it easy for people to remember who you are through your logo. Use it on all of your photos, business cards, letter head, anything you create or send out, and on any advertisements along with your photos. This is how you will build "brand awareness".

Well... I think I wrote enough.
I was going to ask, I have a few minutes of free time would it be ok if I edited your logo a little bit, it would be much easier to just show you than describe what I think.

 

[zendianah]

stick with the flower ... problem with photos is that they stereotype ... so here one would think all you shoot are kids.

I like the photography as an extension of the Z ... move the Zen to the left so its the first think people read and the flower to the right half (or so) in the box half (or so) out of the box.

Gary

I agree.. I dont only shoot kids. and This makes it look like I do.. Thanks for looking at the thread

 

[adstudio3d]

Ok, since I got permission and have some free time here you go:

I think that the Black box was weighing down the logo. With a name like Zen Photography I think earth tones were more suitable since they refer to the overall "Zen" feeling. Let me know what you think, I did not want to change much but hopefully this will inspire you a little and point you in the right direction.

 

[zendianah]

Ok, since I got permission and have some free time here you go:

I think that the Black box was weighing down the logo. With a name like Zen Photography I think earth tones were more suitable since they refer to the overall "Zen" feeling. Let me know what you think, I did not want to change much but hopefully this will inspire you a little and point you in the right direction.

WOW !!! Thank you !!! I love the colors !!! Now Im inspired. !! Im excited to work on this..

To me.. This is very balanced .. Thank you.

 

[adstudio3d]

No problem. Glad I could help.
May I make a couple suggestions?

The font used for Photography is a little "grimey"
I think it would be more effective if you use a cleaner or more elegant font.

In the flower, the very small dots may be a little bit over the top. When the logo is shown large it will look good, but when you use the logo in small places, the little dots will not even be visible. To keep the logo consistent the little dots should be taken away.

Just my opinion though.
Thanks for letting me take a stab at your logo btw...

 

[Jim Gratiot]

Not to step on anyone's toes, but a logo is a visual representation of your company, not an advertisement of your product or skill... It is used so that when someone sees it, they remember it.

Look at some of the most successful logos around like Nike or McDonald's.
They are very simple, but EVERYTIME you see just the arches or that little swoosh, you remember what it stands for. This is why companies do not use photographs because they are not as memorable as a "Logo". Your goal in creating a logo should be to make it easy for people to remember who you are through your logo. Use it on all of your photos, business cards, letter head, anything you create or send out, and on any advertisements along with your photos. This is how you will build "brand awareness".

I am going to respectfully disagree here...

Brand awareness is fine when you have a 48 billion dollar advertising budget, stores on every street corner, and television ads running around the clock.

But when you're a local photographer trying to sell your photography... then brand awareness for brand awareness' sake is a waste of time, energy, and money.

This could be a complete discussion in itself -- and I'm sure you can find advocates on both side... but when you're a solotographer on a limited budget... you should be focusing on selling, not branding.

stick with the flower ... problem with photos is that they stereotype

I definitely disagree with this statement. If you were a baby photographer, having a picture of a baby would make perfect sense. If you were a wedding photographer, having a picture of a blushing bride would make perfect sense. In marketing, this is called targeting your audience, not stereotyping. If you were a general photographer, you might have a point. But if you're a specialist, targeting your audience is the smartest thing you can do.

Zen... one interesting test would be to print up a small batch of business cards... one with the logo and one with the decapitated baby head photo(sorry, that was my first impression)... then do an informal survey of a couple dozen people around town. See which one gets a better response.

Let us know what you end up with.

 

[Peanuts]

I would definitely say stay away from putting an image in your logo. My view of a logo is that you can stamp it anywhere for different purposes without having to change it. For instance, if you started watermarking your images with your logo, having a kids' face poking out isn't going to look very professional - or for instance at the top of a letter.

adstudio3d's edit looks great and serves the purpose (or at least the purpose I see a logo playing) well

 

[Jim Gratiot]

Having a kids' face poking out isn't going to look very professional - or for instance at the top of a letter.

If done well... whey would that look any less professional than a dime-a-dozen logo?

 

[adstudio3d]

Peanuts, Thanks for the kind words.

Jim, respectfully, I do understand why you would use an image as a logo being a photographer and you want people to see your work. But at the same time, if you do not specialize in one specific type of photography but tinker around with fashion, child, or product photography your logo will keep changing based on who you are trying to sell to, taking away what a logo is in the first place. Which is why you should have a true logo. I do agree that the best way to sell yourself as a photographer would be to show people your work, which is why your business cards or advertisements should include both an image (specific to the audience you are trying to reach) and your logo. This way you do not need 5 different business cards, 5 different letter heads, but instead have only one.

This is a discussion that can go on forever. Both points are valid to a degree, but should be discussed in a separate thread. In the end, Zen is the one who will make the decision and we should be here for support if need be.

Thank you, Elvis has left the building! hahaha

 

[Seefutlung]

definitely[/U] disagree with this statement. If you were a baby photographer, having a picture of a baby would make perfect sense. If you were a wedding photographer, having a picture of a blushing bride would make perfect sense. In marketing, this is called targeting your audience, not stereotyping. If you were a general photographer, you might have a point. But if you're a specialist, targeting your audience is the smartest thing you can do...

Interesting how you would "definitely disagree" but then immediately re-state what I stated.

Maybe I missed it ... but I didn't see anywhere in this thread where Zen Photography is focusing on a particular market segment. I stated that a photo of a child is stereotyping or a reflection upon what products you are selling ... in this case the photo makes you a child photographer. Doesn't matter what spin you put on it ... stereotyping or targeting ... if you are only a child photographer then it's a good thing ... if you are more than a child photographer then it's a bad thing. Targeting is good ... misrepresentation is bad.

Gary

 

[Jim Gratiot]

Sorry, Gary, my bad.

I wasn't disagreeing with the statement that photos stereotype (they obviously can)... I was only disagreeing with your conclustion that that was necessarily a bad thing.

And yes, this thread has probably veered away from Zen's specific situation. (Sorry, Zen)

Probably deserves its own thread someday...

 

[Jim Gratiot]

This way you do not need 5 different business cards, 5 different letter heads, but instead have only one.

Let's suppose that you were a "generalist" who shot weddings, baby portraits, and senior portraits. All different target markets.

In this case I would strongly suggest that you do have different business cards. For instance:

If you went to a bridal expo, you'd pass out the Wedding business cards.

If you went to a baby expo, you'd pass out the Baby Portraits business cards.

And if you were hanging around at the local mall, you'd pass out the Senior Portrait cards.

And so on. This might not be as cheap or convenient, but the results would likely be worth the effort.

 

[Peanuts]

Just in response to Jim, I have very quickly made a brush out of two of the logos in this thread (zendianah, if you want these taken down, I will do so immediately)

As you can see, the one with the little girl distracts from the main image, and is not able to be changed to white (for darker images), as the girl looks like a ghost.

Just a personal preferance.

Ah.. sorry, didn't downsize them!

 

[killcrazy]

Firstly, id like to say that im loving this thread a nice healthy debate with lots of valid comments, and lots of people clubbing together to offer advice

now.. to my point
What exactly is this logo going to be used FOR? as this should be the first question you ask yourself when you design it.
My "company" doesnt have a logo per-say, but it does have graphical images that depict it.
Take my sig for example. It has a paintballer, a Bassist, and a model.
Cos i shoot sports, bands, and models...
It also has my web address and a little bit of text, aswell as the name of my "company".

If you go to my website, my sig (minus the text) is at the top of hte page. Its not a logo. but its an image.

my business card:

Doesnt have a logo on it, but has a picture (im planning more, with different styles) But it is manly information. simple and to the point.

The name of my "company" is displayed with a funky font, but basically its all text. and an image.

At the moment i dont need a logo, because the images im using do the job.

If your using the image as a letterhead, or for a business card, will it suit all your card designs? or will it clash?
Does it need text? The nike tick, as already discussed doesnt have text, because whereever its used (pre becoming famous) it will have had the company name near it (may have been in the corner of a letter, or in the background of a business card.
As people got to know the company, that image then attached itself to the company name. Rather than having an image AND text.

think im rambling. But i think i may have also gotten some form of point accross. :S lol.
Think about what you want to use this logo for, and what it will be used in conjunction with. This should help you deside whats going to be on it.
If its constantly used next to the text of your company name, then it doesnt need text in the logo etc...

Also, logos can be as abstract as you like. The idea is to draw people to your company by using a catchy design. doesnt neccesarily ave to have anything to do with photography.

 

[zendianah]

Firstly, id like to say that im loving this thread a nice healthy debate with lots of valid comments, and lots of people clubbing together to offer advice

now.. to my point
What exactly is this logo going to be used FOR? as this should be the first question you ask yourself when you design it.
My "company" doesnt have a logo per-say, but it does have graphical images that depict it.
Take my sig for example. It has a paintballer, a Bassist, and a model.
Cos i shoot sports, bands, and models...
It also has my web address and a little bit of text, aswell as the name of my "company".

If you go to my website, my sig (minus the text) is at the top of hte page. Its not a logo. but its an image.

my business card:

Doesnt have a logo on it, but has a picture (im planning more, with different styles) But it is manly information. simple and to the point.

The name of my "company" is displayed with a funky font, but basically its all text. and an image.

At the moment i dont need a logo, because the images im using do the job.

If your using the image as a letterhead, or for a business card, will it suit all your card designs? or will it clash?
Does it need text? The nike tick, as already discussed doesnt have text, because whereever its used (pre becoming famous) it will have had the company name near it (may have been in the corner of a letter, or in the background of a business card.
As people got to know the company, that image then attached itself to the company name. Rather than having an image AND text.

think im rambling. But i think i may have also gotten some form of point accross. :S lol.
Think about what you want to use this logo for, and what it will be used in conjunction with. This should help you deside whats going to be on it.
If its constantly used next to the text of your company name, then it doesnt need text in the logo etc...

Also, logos can be as abstract as you like. The idea is to draw people to your company by using a catchy design. doesnt neccesarily ave to have anything to do with photography.

Chris thank you for taking the time to write this. I do, weddings, events, childrens photogrpahy... I don't specialize in 1 thing... Well.. not yet... So.. Maybe type would be the way to go.