Web Design Forums

Wolfman · 11-03-2008, 13:17

Hey everyone,

First time poster and my first logo. Please critique it..if you don't like it, don't just say it sucks -- tell me how to make it better.

My company develops social media applications, therefore "Media" is needed. There is a company in my area already named "Archway Media" which is little known and only produces wedding videos. So I had to add "Technologies" which has been abbreviated to just Tech. Archway is significant because my partner and I were both born and raised in St. Louis, MO, our company is based there, and this will be our target market (granted our flagship product isn't successful and we do client work). For branding purposes, which is better: Archway Media Tech or Archway MT? Or any other ideas?

In the first logo, Media Tech is abbreviated as "MT" which is a play on trademarks. If we chose this logo, we'll eventually have to drop the MT and add TM when we do get it trademarked.

Colors - I'm open to changing these, but I'd like something with contrast.
Font- NeoSans, any other suggestions?

I'm also not sure about the text masking, as I don't want the logo to look dated when all this "2.0" crap fades. All in all, I was going for something simple.. thanks.

JonoMarshall · 11-03-2008, 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfman

I'm also not sure about the text masking

Agreed, my opinion would be to get rid of it.

At small scales your marque might become a little weak, you could consider bulking up the arrow.

The "MT" is too small and hard to understand, the other execution depicts the full-company-name-thingy more successfully.

Have you tried any other variants? The Arrow could break out/stretch the box, could leap over it, etc? The arrow point could possibly be tweaked to read AW with the point of the arrow making a W?

At the moment I don't hate it, but I also don't love it?! The type's pleasant, I don't understand why the arrow is in a box, or why a box is even used though, etc? I like the arrow as an A, although an arrow as a visual identifier isn't really that original?!

Coops · 11-03-2008, 13:30

I'd take the gradient off, take the arrow out of the box and use it as the 'A' of Archway. Then play around with that and develop it. It will need developing, oh yes it will.

minus brain · 11-03-2008, 13:31

Yeah, I'd say get rid of the masking on the type; way too trendy and it wont survive through the week.

From a distance your logo looks like half of the McDonald's arches. And really, it's simple, but not in a good way. To me its reminiscent of a refresh or back button in a web browser. Not terribly memorable. Experiment with the arrow element living outside of any boxes you might be tempted to make around it. It would also be nice if the "media tech" bit lined up with the word above it. But "media tech" seems like you're describing a solitary person, and even though you may be the only person in the company, your name isn't "media tech."

minus brain · 11-03-2008, 13:32

Oh, one minute too late, I'm afraid. WELL.

H3LLRA1Z3R · 11-03-2008, 16:08

Its a good concept just doesn't look resolved yet.

Wolfman · 13-03-2008, 00:04

Thanks for the feedback everyone. The whole point of the box was to have a consistent logo and favicon.

I thought of using an arch (or the arrow) for the "A" in "Archway" originally yet every font I used didn't look right. Any suggestions?

minus - I agree about McDonald's and the browser refresh button = not memorable. And my name is Media Tech, thank you.

I'll mess around with it and post it again.

Wolfman · 13-03-2008, 03:15

Don't know if this is a step in the wrong direction or better..

Paddy · 13-03-2008, 03:24

nrc’nwny?

Definitely in the wrong direction.

H3LLRA1Z3R · 13-03-2008, 04:32

Yup wrong direction, but worth a try.
IMO play round with the original and coops' idea of the arrow for the archway as the A, could be good.

abbasinho · 13-03-2008, 05:04

the arrow on the original reminds of mcdonalds. how about playing around with the idea of an arrowhead at the base of the right hand fork of the H?? and losing the arched arrow icon?

i agree with the post above, the base concept is there - it just needs some tweaking to get right.

Paddy · 13-03-2008, 05:50

Incidentally, there must be a thousand companies called Archway something or other. I googled “archway logo”. Here are just a few of the image results (there are lots!):

Is there nothing you can come up with that would be a little more personal?

Coops · 13-03-2008, 05:59

Loads of Archway logos, all shite! Definitely needs to be clean and simple with a twist.

Wolfman · 15-03-2008, 04:13

Agreed Coops. They're all shit. Clean, simple, and corporate with a twist is what I need.

Speaking of shit, I don't want my logo associated with dog shit served in plastic containers, so I've decided to stay far away from the original McD's-looking arrow.

Here's some slight modifications on my last attempt ... I figured it was worth another try.

Paddy - I'm a noob.

I can't think of anything other than incorporating a handwriting/script typeface or a human icon to make it look personal. Any other suggestions?

I'll keep trying until I get it right..

H3LLRA1Z3R · 15-03-2008, 04:16

My advice......stare at it for the day, turn it upside down, and do some more concept sketches.

TBH i prefered the original

H3LLRA1Z3R · 15-03-2008, 04:33

Infact yes keep, the original get rid of the gradient or add it to the box with the arrow in it.

Paddy · 15-03-2008, 06:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Agreed Coops. They're all shit. Clean, simple, and corporate with a twist is what I need.

Paddy - I'm a noob.

I can't think of anything other than incorporating a handwriting/script typeface or a human icon to make it look personal. Any other suggestions?

I was really referring to the fact that you would really benefit from using a less generic and better thought out name than Archway, regardless of the logo.

A more personal name would probably also help you with the logo design.

H3LLRA1Z3R · 15-03-2008, 07:02

Paddy is right mate if you can get a different name, you could start again and come up with something a lot better.

How much say or control do you have in the name? Archway does seem a little generic. or at least to me doesn't fit what you do!

Is this what you do? and no its not a porn link.
http://www.acoupleofchicks.com/social.html

If so they are your competition.

EDIT: Also Wolfman I have had a thought, I got the idea you are not a logo designer and figured that there are some talented freeks on this forum maybe we could benefit from you needing a logo.
Goto the link and as I said its just a thought.
think of a competition.....

steveb · 15-03-2008, 07:43

Here's my idea:

brooks · 15-03-2008, 13:13

steveb that looks top, wolfman i'd coin some ideas out of that.

11-03-2008, 13:17	#1 (permalink)
Wolfman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 11	My first logo needs a review Hey everyone, First time poster and my first logo. Please critique it..if you don't like it, don't just say it sucks -- tell me how to make it better. My company develops social media applications, therefore "Media" is needed. There is a company in my area already named "Archway Media" which is little known and only produces wedding videos. So I had to add "Technologies" which has been abbreviated to just Tech. Archway is significant because my partner and I were both born and raised in St. Louis, MO, our company is based there, and this will be our target market (granted our flagship product isn't successful and we do client work). For branding purposes, which is better: Archway Media Tech or Archway MT? Or any other ideas? In the first logo, Media Tech is abbreviated as "MT" which is a play on trademarks. If we chose this logo, we'll eventually have to drop the MT and add TM when we do get it trademarked. Colors - I'm open to changing these, but I'd like something with contrast. Font- NeoSans, any other suggestions? I'm also not sure about the text masking, as I don't want the logo to look dated when all this "2.0" crap fades. All in all, I was going for something simple.. thanks. Attached Thumbnails

13-03-2008, 03:15	#8 (permalink)
Wolfman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 11	Don't know if this is a step in the wrong direction or better.. Attached Thumbnails

13-03-2008, 03:24	#9 (permalink)
Paddy Grammar Deputy Join Date: May 2005 Location: Béal Feirste Posts: 749	nrc’nwny? Definitely in the wrong direction. __________________ Electronic Music?

13-03-2008, 05:50	#12 (permalink)
Paddy Grammar Deputy Join Date: May 2005 Location: Béal Feirste Posts: 749	Incidentally, there must be a thousand companies called Archway something or other. I googled “archway logo”. Here are just a few of the image results (there are lots!): Is there nothing you can come up with that would be a little more personal? __________________ Electronic Music?

15-03-2008, 04:13	#14 (permalink)
Wolfman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 11	Agreed Coops. They're all shit. Clean, simple, and corporate with a twist is what I need. Speaking of shit, I don't want my logo associated with dog shit served in plastic containers, so I've decided to stay far away from the original McD's-looking arrow. Here's some slight modifications on my last attempt ... I figured it was worth another try. Paddy - I'm a noob. I can't think of anything other than incorporating a handwriting/script typeface or a human icon to make it look personal. Any other suggestions? I'll keep trying until I get it right.. Attached Thumbnails

11-03-2008, 13:30	#3 (permalink)
Coops Pops. Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,353	I'd take the gradient off, take the arrow out of the box and use it as the 'A' of Archway. Then play around with that and develop it. It will need developing, oh yes it will.

11-03-2008, 13:31	#4 (permalink)
minus brain balloon engineer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 94	Yeah, I'd say get rid of the masking on the type; way too trendy and it wont survive through the week. From a distance your logo looks like half of the McDonald's arches. And really, it's simple, but not in a good way. To me its reminiscent of a refresh or back button in a web browser. Not terribly memorable. Experiment with the arrow element living outside of any boxes you might be tempted to make around it. It would also be nice if the "media tech" bit lined up with the word above it. But "media tech" seems like you're describing a solitary person, and even though you may be the only person in the company, your name isn't "media tech."

11-03-2008, 13:32	#5 (permalink)
minus brain balloon engineer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 94	Oh, one minute too late, I'm afraid. WELL.

11-03-2008, 16:08	#6 (permalink)
H3LLRA1Z3R whiney little bitch... Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 315	Its a good concept just doesn't look resolved yet.

13-03-2008, 00:04	#7 (permalink)
Wolfman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 11	Thanks for the feedback everyone. The whole point of the box was to have a consistent logo and favicon. I thought of using an arch (or the arrow) for the "A" in "Archway" originally yet every font I used didn't look right. Any suggestions? minus - I agree about McDonald's and the browser refresh button = not memorable. And my name is Media Tech, thank you. I'll mess around with it and post it again.

13-03-2008, 04:32	#10 (permalink)
H3LLRA1Z3R whiney little bitch... Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 315	Yup wrong direction, but worth a try. IMO play round with the original and coops' idea of the arrow for the archway as the A, could be good.

13-03-2008, 05:04	#11 (permalink)
abbasinho Branding Bitch Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 65	the arrow on the original reminds of mcdonalds. how about playing around with the idea of an arrowhead at the base of the right hand fork of the H?? and losing the arched arrow icon? i agree with the post above, the base concept is there - it just needs some tweaking to get right.

13-03-2008, 05:59	#13 (permalink)
Coops Pops. Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,353	Loads of Archway logos, all shite! Definitely needs to be clean and simple with a twist.

15-03-2008, 04:16	#15 (permalink)
H3LLRA1Z3R whiney little bitch... Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 315	My advice......stare at it for the day, turn it upside down, and do some more concept sketches. TBH i prefered the original

15-03-2008, 04:33	#16 (permalink)
H3LLRA1Z3R whiney little bitch... Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 315	Infact yes keep, the original get rid of the gradient or add it to the box with the arrow in it.

15-03-2008, 07:02	#18 (permalink)
H3LLRA1Z3R whiney little bitch... Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 315	Paddy is right mate if you can get a different name, you could start again and come up with something a lot better. How much say or control do you have in the name? Archway does seem a little generic. or at least to me doesn't fit what you do! Is this what you do? and no its not a porn link. http://www.acoupleofchicks.com/social.html If so they are your competition. EDIT: Also Wolfman I have had a thought, I got the idea you are not a logo designer and figured that there are some talented freeks on this forum maybe we could benefit from you needing a logo. Goto the link and as I said its just a thought. think of a competition..... Last edited by H3LLRA1Z3R : 15-03-2008 at 07:24.

15-03-2008, 07:43	#19 (permalink)
steveb Quality maintenance Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Järvenpää, Finland Posts: 3,722	Here's my idea: __________________ My free fonts www.utfi.net Moje vznášedlo je plné úhořů

15-03-2008, 13:13	#20 (permalink)
brooks inventer of the left-hand Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Leeds / Lincoln Posts: 1,253	steveb that looks top, wolfman i'd coin some ideas out of that. __________________ Flickr Photos

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