Logo design - 1st draft - comments needed

[mycateringjobsdotcom]

I welcome your comments good or bad? And suggestions please:)

Here it is..


http://www.mycateringjobs.com/images/pic_fullybooked__1__logo.jpg

[FluxServices]

That is one excellent first attempt at a logo that.

[Simon-M]

Give us some background. Tell us what your motivations are for this design. What the business represents. The type of clients you want to attract etc. I can see a few technical problems with the work itself but without your design brief it won't be possible for any designer to comment on the actual design concept itself.

Simon

[fisicx]

What is it the logo for?

Using the words fully booked indicates to me that there is no point in continuing as you are 'fully booked'.

It's a bit like running a B&B booking website with the logo 'no vacancies'.

[mycateringjobsdotcom]

Give us some background. Tell us what your motivations are for this design. What the business represents. The type of clients you want to attract etc. I can see a few technical problems with the work itself but without your design brief it won't be possible for any designer to comment on the actual design concept itself.

Simon

Hi Simon,

The company will assist restuarants, bars, pubs market their establishment and attract new customers.

The logo will be used alot on emails and on the website. Must it must transfer well to print as well; business cards and letter heads.

I wanted a logo that has a personal feel, hence the handwritting. Also I prefer a simple logo, rather than more complex ones.

I am interested in the technical problems?:|

Thanks

Tony

[Simon-M]

Add the word "Get" to the front and it's a whole new ball game. :)

[mycateringjobsdotcom]

What is it the logo for?

Using the words fully booked indicates to me that there is no point in continuing as you are 'fully booked'.

It's a bit like running a B&B booking website with the logo 'no vacancies'.

Hi,

The logo is for a new marketing company, which will help smaller independent restaurants attract new customers and retain existing ones.

Thanks

[Lasting Designs]

What Simon said. Makes perfect sense, to understand the reasoning behind a logo design there needs to be a design brief, identifying this, I see technicial issue too.

[mycateringjobsdotcom]

What Simon said. Makes perfect sense, to understand the reasoning behind a logo design there needs to be a design brief, identifying this, I see technicial issue too.

Hi,

I did not write a very detailed design brief:(. Could you let me know the technicial issue? Please.

Thanks

[easiprint]

I think it looks really good. The only comment I would make is that if it were me, I would make the 'success you can measure' tagline bolder. When reduced for say a business card, it may not come across clearly enough. Just my opinion, but very good, well done!

[Simon-M]

Hi Tony,

Technically you have made a few errors that probably can't really be fixed. Let's take size for a start. You want to use thin in an email. Ok so as a sig in an email you want a size like this at the most:

http://www.logoquality.com/images/pic_fullybooked__1__logo.jpg

So you see how the most of the text is not readable? Your contrast between the black and gray is not enough to make the text visible. It's hard enough to read at a larger size. This gives the design an accessibility problem too.

The drop shadow you have used could prove difficult to apply across different media too. It's not impossible but can rule out less expensive printing options. Using a drop shadow like this on a website means you must use a vector graphic too like an SVG to get the best result or at least build it into a larger graphic in photoshop and then cut it and code it.

I see you also want simple. In some peoples eyes this will not be simple but as long as you know what you mean then that ok :)

I see where you are going with your concept but perhaps you should sketch out some rough ideas first.

I wrote a blog last year about ideas for logo designs if you went the self help route. You might get some pointers from there:

Logo Design Ideas (http://www.logoquality.com/2008/10/logo-design-ideas/)

Simon

[fisicx]

Hi,

The logo is for a new marketing company, which will help smaller independent restaurants attract new customers and retain existing ones.

Thanks

Agree with Simon, 'Get Fully Booked' is a much better tagline. But there is nothing in the logo that indicates 'restaurants', it could easily apply to hotels, B&B, hairdressers, campsites and so on.

'sucess you can measure!' actually doesn't mean anything. Any decent business should already be employing SMART (http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/smart-goals.html) targets or similar which means their sucess is already measurable.

Of maybe I'm just being extra grumpy this morning.

[mycateringjobsdotcom]

[quote=fisicx;746608]Agree with Simon, 'Get Fully Booked' is a much better tag line. But there is nothing in the logo that indicates 'restaurants', it could easily apply to hotels, B&B, hairdressers, campsites and so on.quote]

If the business is called Fully booked and the tag line was ..get fully booked. Would this work, due to the repetition?

Also although the business will mainly be for restaurants, it will also include pubs, bars and clubs. I don't think its possible to get so much info on the logo.

Thanks

Tony

[mycateringjobsdotcom]

Hi Simon,

Thanks for the info and the blog. Good advice, I will make some new changes and get the new design up later.

Tony

[fisicx]

If the business is called Fully booked and the tag line was ..get fully booked. Would this work, due to the repetition?

Maybe you need to reconsider the company name...

Is it 'fully booked' or 'fully booked marketing'? Either way it doesn't work for me - there are too many negative aspects to anything that says 'we are full, go away'

But if you are stuck with what you have got then repetition won't work. and you will still have the unreadable text problem Simon has indicated.

Does the name 'fully booked' really apply to a pub?

[mycateringjobsdotcom]

Here is the second draft, addressing some of the previous issues.

Comments please

http://www.mycateringjobs.com/images/pic_fullybooked_2__3_.jpg

[Afaia]

Well, I like that second one very much. If I was a restaurant and received it as the logo on a flyer or headed paper or email, it would attract me.

I'm not a designer or marketer but more like your potential clients. We'd like to be fully booked.

What a difference that advice made to it? It was nice before but pulls much more punch now.

[mycateringjobsdotcom]

Well, I like that second one very much. If I was a restaurant and received it as the logo on a flyer or headed paper or email, it would attract me.

I'm not a designer or marketer but more like your potential clients. We'd like to be fully booked.

What a difference that advice made to it? It was nice before but pulls much more punch now.

Thanks for the comment, I agree it looks alot better now. The tag line is easier to read and the text is bigger, so when it is scaled down it is easier to read.

Like you said the UKBF members advice has made a big difference to it, any more comments / suggestions welcome.

Tony

[jamie2930]

Graphic looks nice, I would get rid of the 'success you can measure' tag for the same reasons mentioned earlier. I would replace it with something like 'Increasing venue capacities' or words to that effect. Good luck with your venture!

[fisicx]

Agree with jamie - 'sucess you can measure' is just management speak.

It's still the fully booked marketing that isn't right. I know you are probably stuck with it but to me it sends the wrong message. It hints that you are fully booked rather than 'we will get you fully booked'.

[Martin P]

I like both drafts, possibly the 1st more
Could you put a little ^ and GET above it - infront of your name FULLY BOOKED?
Just an idea...

[Eagle]

The design is very '80s' - do you want to appear outdated before you've even begun? :)

Take a look at my logo portfolio (http://www.eagleimagery.co.uk/) for what could be acheived.:)

[Martin P]

Mark, - do you do logos?:D

[Eagle]

Now there's an idea! ;)

[KreativeJuice]

lol...............

[Calibre Designs]

Not bad logo for someone who is not a logo designer. Simon has addressed some key issues already.

I am not sure if this has been mentioned already but how are you planning to transpire the design on different colour backgrounds. A good design should have the flexibility to do this and still work using black and white only.

[fisicx]

I am not sure if this has been mentioned already but how are you planning to transpire the design on different colour backgrounds. A good design should have the flexibility to do this and still work using black and white only.

Good point - does it fax well? Will it work as a favicon? What does it look like on a 6ft banner?

But it's still the company name that's not working for me. Get Fully Booked is good but introduce yourself as 'bob from fully booked marketing' and you are already losing as you will have to explain what the name means.

[stevemcqueen]

great attempt. its supposed to be a rough copy. a pro would be proud of that

[Simon-M]

great attempt. its supposed to be a rough copy. a pro would be proud of that I know what you mean because it is a good attempt from a non designer but which pro's are you speaking for? I can come out and say that I would not be happy with this design leaving my studio.

There are a lot of things wrong with this logo that mean the whole thing needs to be started from scratch. Without having a design brief we are all just commenting on a graphic too. Other professionals on here have pointed out the problems so I can't see them being happy with it either.

Start the process with some sketch out concepts based on what the business is all about and the clients you want to appeal to. Then narrow those down with peer review until you come up with something that appeals and is a reflection of the business. Then get the design digitised and see how it plays out in real life.

If you skip all the process you just have a digital graphic with some text on it. Sure you can call it a logo. Many businesses do and they have brands that could be stronger as a result. It does not mean anything without understanding about your business, goals and clients expectations.

[JTSystems]

I would say different strokes for different folks.

To me, if that came in the post and I was in a business that needed to get bookings, fully booked would catch my eye (As it is a hot word in that industry)

I'd go with it, forget additional over heads for now, get everything together, up and running and you can change it at a later date.

It is simple, yet bold enough to stand out.

[mycateringjobsdotcom]

Agree with jamie - 'sucess you can measure' is just management speak.

It's still the fully booked marketing that isn't right. I know you are probably stuck with it but to me it sends the wrong message. It hints that you are fully booked rather than 'we will get you fully booked'.

Hi,

I am not stuck with fully booked, I can still change the name if I need to. I have shown it to several restaurants who liked it, but of course they could feel that they must give positive feedback.

I think the potential clients (restaurants) would understand that the name is aimed at making them fully booked, as it would make no sense implying that I am fully booked?

Thanks for the comment.:)

Tony

[mycateringjobsdotcom]

Not bad logo for someone who is not a logo designer. Simon has addressed some key issues already.

I am not sure if this has been mentioned already but how are you planning to transpire the design on different colour backgrounds. A good design should have the flexibility to do this and still work using black and white only.

I intend to use the logo mostly on white backgrounds

[mycateringjobsdotcom]

Good point - does it fax well? Will it work as a favicon? What does it look like on a 6ft banner?

But it's still the company name that's not working for me. Get Fully Booked is good but introduce yourself as 'bob from fully booked marketing' and you are already losing as you will have to explain what the name means.

The logo does fax well in black and white. And imagine it would look good on large banner. Could you tell me what a favicon is please?:|

I really dont think the name causes any confusion, I think people in the trade will understand it well.

Also if any one can explain to me how to mutli quote different users in one message, that would be great:D

Tony

[JTSystems]

I think favicon is the little icon you get in your favorites list, also next to the webaddress..

Forexample, Here is just showsa picture of a webpage and an E (The standard favicon)

I may be wrong though....

Google it :)

[Michelle Carvill]

To be blunt (in the nicest possibly way) it looks 'home made' and unprofessional. I appreciate that you are wanting to keep costs down - but with the number of high end professional logo design companies that offer branding packages at very competitive prices - there really is no excuse for poor design (sorry to seem harsh on this but it's a real issue of mine - there really is no need for such poor design these days). The area of creating a logo (the graphical representation of a brand) is based on a good brief and great design composition. Professional designers with branding experience are talented artists - art school educated (I know mine are) - who can sketch multiple ideas and work up designs that are going to work for the business. There doesn't have to be anything 'complex' about a logo - in fact most of the most powerful logos are incredibly simple - 'think Nike' - but the background to the development of that graphical representation of the brand will have taken all sorts of factors into consideration. Sure - take the advice from others that 'hey it looks great - and well done for creating such a great logo for a non designer. From a professional perspective, it's not a great logo, it looks amateur, it doesn't fit with your target market and it won't make you stand out from the crowd. My advice would be to scrap it and get one created professionally. (rant over now!). Best wishes

[JTSystems]

^ what about Panaosonic, Microsft, AMD, IBM, HP, Dell, Samsung, Pioneer,

[Michelle Carvill]

Also - talking of tag lines, this may prove useful for you...http://www.carvillonmarketing.com/?p=230

[Lasting Designs]

To be blunt (in the nicest possibly way) it looks 'home made' and unprofessional. I appreciate that you are wanting to keep costs down - but with the number of high end professional logo design companies that offer branding packages at very competitive prices - there really is no excuse for poor design (sorry to seem harsh on this but it's a real issue of mine - there really is no need for such poor design these days). The area of creating a logo (the graphical representation of a brand) is based on a good brief and great design composition. Professional designers with branding experience are talented artists - art school educated (I know mine are) - who can sketch multiple ideas and work up designs that are going to work for the business. There doesn't have to be anything 'complex' about a logo - in fact most of the most powerful logos are incredibly simple - 'think Nike' - but the background to the development of that graphical representation of the brand will have taken all sorts of factors into consideration. Sure - take the advice from others that 'hey it looks great - and well done for creating such a great logo for a non designer. From a professional perspective, it's not a great logo, it looks amateur, it doesn't fit with your target market and it won't make you stand out from the crowd. My advice would be to scrap it and get one created professionally. (rant over now!). Best wishes

And this is the where you will benefit from professional designs. Ask yourself who would be your dream top 5 clients?

If like most business people you would be looking at the high end clients, perhaps in your case it maybe would be for example, Travelodge, The Savoy, The Hilton, The Dorchester and say Centre Parcs (sp?) These will have their team that are involved with marketing as you will know, they will sniff out the small fry, and a badly designed logo will put you in that group in their eyes, you will not get the gig, unless and it is unless you have a reputation that has caught their attention.

[mycateringjobsdotcom]

And this is the where you will benefit from professional designs. Ask yourself who would be your dream top 5 clients?

If like most business people you would be looking at the high end clients, perhaps in your case it maybe would be for example, Travelodge, The Savoy, The Hilton, The Dorchester and say Centre Parcs (sp?) These will have their team that are involved with marketing as you will know, they will sniff out the small fry, and a badly designed logo will put you in that group in their eyes, you will not get the gig, unless and it is unless you have a reputation that has caught their attention.

I am mainly looking at independant restaurants, who do not have a marketing department.

The logo seems to be deviding opionion, some like it and some do not.:|

Thanks for the input, everyone. :)