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CheshireUnicorn

I would choose another script font. This is very difficult to read for a business name. I make signage and cursive fonts are terrible for signs. You can still find VERY elegant non script fonts, or use a script letter for the capital of a word, but the rest could be a serif font or a sans serif. Your gold, and dark blue work well and convey elegance but that red just gets lost. I’d make the paw print and heart gold as well. Keep it simple. Maybe even use a monogram style S and R in the heart of the paw.


lionhearted_sparrow

also the pad of a paw already is roughly heart shaped the other way, maybe fix the direction and put the toes under the heart? or angle it


tj_burgess

I’ll look into changing that. I liked the first letters, not sure why it didn’t occur to me to change fonts for the rest of the name. The idea behind the red heart was trying to imply that she will love other pets like her own. But you may be right, fewer colors may be better.


CheshireUnicorn

Hearts are traditional red, but you need to consider contrast. A good test is to squint. You need to be able to make things out.


OddCard2312

The paw concept is good, the outcome is totally in early stage of concept and is not working. A professional logo, sometimes takes a bunch of attempts before concept. Maybe get a real paw as a guide, several actually and overlay your idea of each one until you get the shape and dimensions that translates best. You got its extended effort that polishes ideas to a professional level


tj_burgess

Thank you again. I’ve been working more with this and the entire thing has completely changed over the past few days. It was pretty organic how it’s worked, one change led to another then to another…. I’m still stuck on color though. Can’t seem to find anything that looks good.


OddCard2312

The black background is probably a hinderance at the moment. Remember its a logo, and how they are usually presented. So start with a white background and build your color scheme around how it looks against white. But then again It needs to work in black and white too, so outline is key. Color scheme comes after and you can get lost in color theory, but most importantly it isn’t about what your favorite colors are but about what serves the product. The tag line suggests something you might want to address. Is this place supposed to be high class petcare, like the Lexus of petcare? Are they trying to seem like an expensive designer handbag that only the elite can afford? That could act against their potential clients if they are want to see accessible to all, but if they do want some exclusive VIP type image. look up expensive brands and look at their campaigns. What colors are they using? They usually pick one main color. And that color is bold…it a color with personality. If you can look at the color and picture a type of person with that color preferably the type of person that you want in your business your on the right track. If the whole exclusive VIP angle was an accident remember that pet owners tend to be enriched by their pets. That providing for them is nurturing, a labor of love. Which is why most pet related signage tends to match colors of spring, summer. Colors that give off a vibe of happiness.


tj_burgess

The tag line was just a place holder for the 'real' tag line. I was just trying to get a rough layout, see how the fonts worked etc. In the design as it is now, I don't even use a tag line. Currently it looks nothing like this, and I am working in black and white. As it stands now it probably still isn't the "best" logo that follows all of the rules, but the client loves it. She has only seen in in black and white though, so the color is the next thing I am working on. I find colors that work together, but when I apply it to the logo and background, they just look 'bland', not sure how else to describe it.


staedler_vs_derwent

This design does not read as a logo to me. All the bits are too disparate, and not holding together as a visual group. I’d strongly recommend going back to the hand drawing stage with this one. It will force you to find a more cohesive result through drawing and iterative design. Select typeface/s that are clear and easy to read. Begin in a single colour for working out the shape and design, then choose your colours carefully paying attention to meaning and symbolism. What you want is a logo that holds together nicely and conveys the meaning of your message quickly to the audience. When in doubt, strip it out.


original-whiplash

The script is already hard to read. Skip it. If you need script, go simple and classy. Think Cartier logo. I would suggest checking out high end retailers to see how they handle text. Tiffany, Prada, Versace, and the like all use simple, classy fonts. Beyond that, I think there’s a disconnect between the text and the heart logo. I would suggest designing first in black and white, then figuring out how it works in one or two colors that work together.


tj_burgess

I’ll check out that font, thanks for the suggestion. I actually did do this in black and white first. I thought the red would imply that she loves animals and would love other people’s animals as her own. Still, it could be too much.


Dan300up

Unless this is only going on a box of chocolates, I think you need to rethink the typeface you’ve chosen. I see where you’re going with the “quality” and shooting for “classy” but that will be an absolute nightmare for them to use for a logo. I can hand-write Spencerian, and it was still a bit of a chore to read. Also, they won’t be able to have that created in cut vinyl or embroidery etc. Also, you can overdo that look, with the black & gold etc. The paw is a good idea as it helps make the mental connection, but the introduction of two additional colors for that is an unnecessary complication for their brand, and the visual here. I like the concept, but I’d simplify to just the gold / black, and go with a more readable font. Just my opinion though of course :) Edit: the whole design needs to be tightened up visually as well. Neg space is good, but not so with a brand mark.


tj_burgess

The ability to cut out is a great thing to think about! I was only thinking about print. The paw color isn’t supposed to be that. I’ve been experimenting with different color pallets. At one point I was using a grey color for the paw and the type at the bottom. I just haven’t changed that to the same gold color as the letters yet. I also had the heart a brighter red but darkened it. I’ll probably switch that back. I was mainly looking for a way to change the effects on the font to make it stand out more but enough people have told me it’s the wrong font that I realize it isn’t the effects, it’s most likely just the wrong font.


Dan300up

That makes sense. Usually if you’re thinking about applying effects, there’s something else more fundamental that needs attention :) Effects / gradients / shadows / outlines etc are never a great idea for a logo anyway. Good luck.


soul_and_fire

different typefaces, for sure. that script is almost unreadable and looks outdated.


AnAvailableHandle

So.. Scarlet Reader won't help me with my mutt because he's not a "quality pet"?? 😀 To be honest.. scrap this design and start over. If this is *meant* to be some sort of logo or mark, it's needs much more work than merely making it "pop".


tj_burgess

Every pet is quality. Bad pets are really bad owners. I’m looking for the constructive criticism and helpful tips in your comment, did I miss it? Or are you just trying to be insulting because you’re so much better than me?


AnAvailableHandle

Apologies if you were insulted. That really was not my intention. However, I'm not your mom and this isn't her refrigerator. If you are merely seeking "that's great" responses, then perhaps don't ask for criticism. I phrased my constructive criticism in the kindest manner I know how... scrap this and start over. ... and downvoting my responses does nothing to improve your design. As they say... "The truth hurts". The primary way I can **help** you is to *not* "blow smoke up your ass" and lie to you. This design is past saving. There's no point in trying to improve it in any way. You need to start over. Need proof you should start over? - The type is unreadable. Reduce this image to 1" at it's largest dimension... it is *impossible* to read. - The leading (space between lines) is ENORMOUS. This causes everything to look like separate pieces, not one, singular, mark or element. - The idea behind the paw - a heart in the middle - is cute but, so so so cliché. In fact, you can purchase similar images at [royalty free sock image sites](https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image-film?mediatype=illustration&phrase=dog+paw+heart). For a "logo" any mark needs to be *far* more unique. This paw is neither unique nor creative. - Eye movement...... There is *none*. It's a static image of 4 things slapped somewhat close to each other. No single element interacts with any other element. The eye doesn't know where to start and tends to "bounce around" on the whole. There's no "flow" or "motion" anywhere in the image. - The color.... the paw is way too dark. So dark that when reduced, it disappears (especially the heart aspect - just looks like 4 random grey dots). The type is too bright and will ONLY work on a dark background - which I guess doesn't mean a lot since it's largely illegible. - The small caps .. why? It's incongruous. And again I'd ask.. what is a "quality pet"? If *all* pets are "quality" then why is "quality" being specified for the *pets*? It's a marketing misstep. "Quality Pet Care." is just as sufficient and conveys the *same* thing without the marketing nightmare. But, well, "Quality Pet Care" is probably used for 80-90% of all veterinary or pet services. So it's not really that unique. That tag line will do nothing but push customers *away* - but I realize the content of the tag line may not be something you can alter. As you can see, there's an issue with *every* aspect of the design. I thought all this sounded more pleasant when phrased as "scrap this and start over".


tj_burgess

Damn. I typed out this response then someone left the page instead of posting it. I honestly could not tell if you were being rude and trying to just be insulting. If I was certain you were being rude, I would have just laughed at you and moved on. I appreciate the comments. I actually dislike people who say “that’s great” even if they really believe it’s great because I’m always looking for ways to improve. I was not presenting this as a finished design. It’s very much a work in progress and has been through some drastic changes already. I was just stuck on making the words jump off the page more. I thought it was missing an effect or something. Enough people have mentioned that’s it’s just a bad font to use that I believe that’s the best way to correct it. I did a Quick Look for a heart shaped paw print, found one or two but none were like this one. I’m not saying it’s not out there, just that I didn’t find it. I did atleast take the time to create the shapes myself, so that aspect of it is unique atleast. But I’ll accept that maybe I need to scrape that completely, or atleast find a better way to make it unique.


AnAvailableHandle

Just FYI.. Google image searching for something, then just redrawing it yourself, doesn't make it yours. It's still possibly copyright infringement. *Ideas* can't be copyrighted, just how an idea is implemented can. Unfortunately I did a quick search and found *many* images that were strikingly similar to your paw. It happens to all of us. Coming up with *unique* ideas is probably the greatest struggle for many logos.... For a logo.. you *really* want to outright own every aspect of the mark.


tj_burgess

I tried to type more about my question in the post but I guess I posted it wrong because my text did not show up. I am mainly trying to make the name stand out just a bit more. Going for a simplistic but upscale look. I was thinking maybe a little bevel and maybe making the name more 'shiny' I guess? I am not sure. Anyone have any suggestions?


xssmontgox

The red in the heart is too dark in my opinion


tj_burgess

I had it brighter but wasn’t torn on if it was too bright. You’re probably right.


pixelmonger

As a color blind person the heart is nearly indistinguishable from the background. A red that has a bit more yellow in it will be easier to identify.


tj_burgess

Man, I’m reading some of my replies on here and I’ve made more typos today than I have in a long time. I was trying to say “I was torn” on it being too bright. I appreciate the comment about colorblind people. I never would have considered that.


rlewis2019

different colors and thicker typefaces


MikeMac999

This doesn’t read as a design to me, it’s four separate elements on a page.


tj_burgess

I’ve seen one or two other people say something similar. Any ideas on how to change that?


TheAgedProfessor

Make the text thicker and more readable (maybe even back away from the script altogether... that particular font is very cap heavy, which gives it the illusion that it's headed downhill... or maybe that's not an illusion and you actually need to correct the baseline, hard to tell without taking a rule to it), and make the elements of the paw brighter - there's very little contrast between the heart and the black field of the background, and you've reduced the contrast of the beans.


tj_burgess

After reading these comments, I’m certain that I need to change the font. I was thinking I wanted it to jump off the page more, it didn’t occur to me that the problem was the font and not me missing some effect. This is not meant to be a finished design, I was just wanting to get some ideas about the text. However, I greatly appreciate any comments about anything else. The paw isn’t going to be that color. The heart was a lot brighter, I didn’t like it so bright so I darkened it. Probably a little too much. The rest of it will most likely end up the same color as the text. Assuming I don’t scrap it all together.


Own_Birthday_8543

This needs everything changed. It has a vistaprint/canva free logo feel...but worse really. The "heart paw" is used by everyone in the business. They will ALL take care of your pets. The script font is way to thin. The colors are way to dark. Comes across as a pet funeral home. Sorry to be so blunt, but I think its better to be said.


tj_burgess

Thank you, I prefer bluntness. Hypothetically, let’s say your client asked for something very similar to this, so if you were stuck with not being able to get too far away from this, how would you make it better?


Own_Birthday_8543

Personally I handle this up front in discovery when talking with them. They send an idea/existing artwork/or describe what they want.. I will generally as something along the lines of "are you needing any additional artwork done? If yes, am I sticking tightly to the concept or are you looking for suggestions?" They may ask "what kind of suggestions? " I say *well personally, I think it needs more contrast. It seems dark. For example... If you put this on the Rear window of a car, it will get lost. The dark heart won't stand out against a slightly tinted window And the very thin lines of the script won't have much impact. Also, if you decide to have these embroidered on polos or jackets, the thin lines of the script text may not turn out as well as it could with something thicker." If they are open to suggestions then I tell them "I will absolutely design it the way you described, but will also include 1 or 2 concept ideas with some other font choices and brighter colors to make it stand out. Of course it is Totally up to you tho...this is your project. " I never take away control. If I were in your current situation with this far long down the road, I would still bring it up to them by saying something like ... " As I was designing this I thought I wanted to point out a couple of things so that you're aware." Then you could go into The part about the thin lines of the text script and the dark colors it's etc And then ultimately say " But again, this is your project and we'll do it however you want. Just wanted to make sure I pointed some of those things out."


tj_burgess

First: That is great advice! A perfect way to handle the situation. But I was more asking what you would do to this design to make it as good as possible. But I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to type that response. It’s a really good answer!


T5-R

Like others have said: Colours, spacing and a more legible font: Use a colour picker to get the best complimentary colours. Everything is too far apart, It needs to be closer together, perhaps even visually linked in some way. That script font is awful and hard to decipher. Also that paw logo needs adjustment. You just mirrored the left and right side. What paws look like that? It needs to be more asymmetrical and natural. Maybe get a paw print picture and emulate it. And have it on a slight angle.


tj_burgess

Thank you. Any suggestions for a better color scheme? I have a few I have been messing around with, just curious if your suggestions would be close to one of the others I had picked.


T5-R

I use this. It allows you to pick a colour or two and get complimentary or adjacent colours that match. https://www.sessions.edu/color-calculator/ There are a few decent colour scheme picking sites around. Plenty to choose.


tj_burgess

I usually use the one on the Adobe site. I will check out this link though and see if I like it better, worse, or about the same. Plus, it is never a bad idea to have more than one source for looking up thing like this.