Favourite Logo?

[DJE]

My friend has a very successful business in our local area doing semi permanent make up and after 4+ people copying her she wants to rebrand to something not quite as easy to copy.

She has decided but I feel she is making a mistake. I don't want to lead this conversation in any way so i will just put the current logo and also 3 concepts and if everyone can choose a favourite that would be great. I will then pass this info on to her and i hopefully would of made my point.

Current

And new concepts

Thanks all

 

[ADW]

First then last. Wasn't bothered by middle 2. With the last, haven't got a clue if SPMU is a known phrase for people who use make-up. If it is not then it won't get the message over that well.

Also, there are different messages in the logos. Some semi permanent other one permanent then added skincare for others. No point using number 1 when skincare is being heavily pushed. They need to decide on their aims before you can compare logos.

 

[ethical PR]

'she wants to rebrand to something not quite as easy to copy'.

As was pointed out to you previously. She could have contacted those who were copying her about 'passing off' to stop them doing so.

Changing the logo for her brand to any of the other three, or any other logo, will in no way will make it any more difficult to copy than her existing logo.

If she wants to change her logo, she needs to be asking her target audience not randoms on a business forum. And needs to provide the context in terms of the brand.

If she wants to protect her brand she should trademark it.

 

[DJE]

'she wants to rebrand to something not quite as easy to copy'.

As was pointed out to you previously. She could have contacted those who were copying her about 'passing off' to stop them doing so.

Changing the logo for her brand to any of the other three, or any other logo, will in no way will make it any more difficult to copy than her existing logo.

If she wants to change her logo, she needs to be asking her target audience not randoms on a business forum. And needs to provide the context in terms of the brand.

If she wants to protect her brand she should trademark it.

Completely agree with everything you have said. I passed on the information about 'passing off' but because it has happened so many times i think she decided she wanted a rebrand.

I have explained that it will be just as easy to copy any new one she creates without protection.

This is not really trying to get an idea of what one to use as she has already decided but more of what people in business think of these 3. Once there is a few replies i will go a little bit more into detail about her choice but i don't want to influence peoples decisions.

The problem with asking her customers (she has a massive market share) is that no matter what she puts up they will say its great but at this time she doesn't have a website so i feel getting the branding right will influence future customers that aren't already aware of her reputation.

 

[DJE]

First then last. Wasn't bothered by middle 2. With the last, haven't got a clue if SPMU is a known phrase for people who use make-up. If it is not then it won't get the message over that well.

Also, there are different messages in the logos. Some semi permanent other one permanent then added skincare for others. No point using number 1 when skincare is being heavily pushed. They need to decide on their aims before you can compare logos.

Its hard to go into detail without giving away what one she chose but I do agree with all your points. Will go into detail later

 

[TotalWebSolutions]

Agree with the above comments about changing but in terms of the proposed desigs the last one but with 'Semi Permanent Make Up' rather than SPMU

 

[ethical PR]

To be honest, as you admitted on another post you aren't a designer, and I am not sure why you are getting so involved in this?

It's her business and she seems to be doing well financially out of it. Let her get on with it.

I don't know who came up with the design concepts, but respectfully it doesn't look like the work of a professional graphic designer who understands brand or anyone who works in marketing.

There is no consistency - some talk about bespoke permanent, some about semi permanent some about skin care, some use initials for the services she provides.

If she wants to rebrand, let her use a freelance designer or agency who understands brand not just someone who creates marks out of free software. They can then ensure they develop a mark in line with her brand values that works across the online and physical materials she needs to produce.

 

[Xtm_Mike]

I really like the first new concept however the font spacing needs adjusting - the joined lines don't join up.

I also quite like the second concept.. although thats just personal taste, I don't believe it works, its all over the place and inconsistent. It doesn't read very well.

I hate the third design.

However, I agree with everything else that has been said in this post.

 

[UKSBD]

Is it a product or a service?

 

[fisicx]

The second for me. But what will it look like 40px high or as a favicon?

And it's easy to copy so her competitors may well do the same

 

[DJE]

Thanks for everyone's replies. So basically I created my current logo in a cheapy app as purely a concept before she even stared her business and she loved it. I said it's only a concept but she wanted to run with it. Picture 1 was my preferred logo as although it's easy to be copied to the font is less accessible and more unique. This concept is over a year old but she wasn't keen so that got left hence why it has 'semi permanent make up'
Since her success she has been copied multiple times and she is at the point she wants a change to something more unique. She sent me a picture of a basic font with initials so I therefore created the 3rd concept. Would need a proper designer to finish it off and create the wow factor. Hand drawn SH symbols to make it really unique then get the proper trademark protection in place.

Concept 2 was actually done by a graphic design agency and I am shocked at the level of the design. It's over complicated doesn't need all the words that are in it. It has no submark alternatives and wouldn't work on all mediums. On web design it would need to be so big that it pushes important stuff below the fold.

She has decided to use number 2 but she doesn't know brand or graphics and I feel this will damage her brand she's built.

You may think I just want her to use one of my designs but it really isn't the case. I've had no financial gain from doing these concepts. She is just a good friends of mine and want to stop her making a mistake. Was hoping to show her this post

 

[ADW]

I am slightly confused to be honest. Is this whole process so that when it is changed it is harder to copy. I have some okay designers working for me and it would take them 20 minutes to give me back something similar looking to any of the 4. There isn't anything remotely unique if this is a copyright exercise. All look smart enough as it using white font onto black which gives a strong look.

 

[DanBullBranding]

My personal opinion is the last logo.

I like the fact that you have the SH can be used on social media as a graphical asset that is related to the brand.

 

[DJE]

I am slightly confused to be honest. Is this whole process so that when it is changed it is harder to copy. I have some okay designers working for me and it would take them 20 minutes to give me back something similar looking to any of the 4. There isn't anything remotely unique if this is a copyright exercise. All look smart enough as it using white font onto black which gives a strong look.

I guess it sort of doesnt matter now as she has chosen number 2. It is obviously different but i dont feel in a good way. Number 1 and 3 did only take me 10 minutes for the pair of them but they was only ever meant to be as ideas to see what she liked then it would of been passed onto a designer who created something special.
Unless a top designer does something completely custom its always going to be copied from competitors which is why the legal side of things is more important for her.

My personal opinion is the last logo.

I like the fact that you have the SH can be used on social media as a graphical asset that is related to the brand.

Agreed and number 2 which she chose doesn't have any standalone symbol to use as the writing goes through it.

Thank you everyone for your input

 

[DanBullBranding]

Interesting decision... it's definitely a bit different and outside of the box.

Thanks for letting us know.

 

[ethical PR]

I guess it sort of doesnt matter now as she has chosen number 2. It is obviously different but i dont feel in a good way. Number 1 and 3 did only take me 10 minutes for the pair of them but they was only ever meant to be as ideas to see what she liked then it would of been passed onto a designer who created something special.
Unless a top designer does something completely custom its always going to be copied from competitors which is why the legal side of things is more important for her.

Agreed and number 2 which she chose doesn't have any standalone symbol to use as the writing goes through it.

Thank you everyone for your input

Not quite true. Having a 'top designer' developing a brand doesn't stop it being copied. As mentioned before trademarking the brand or contacting people using a variation of the brand about 'passing off' is what will stop them.