Logo practising

I've always been a webdesigner 1st... every now and then when asked by I client if I could do a logo as well, I've done it. I have noticed here that most contests (which I hope someday I will be able to participate in) are logo-contest. I have therefore decided to start practice a bit on logo-making.

I have entered in two other contests just for practice (I have no hopes of winning, but hope to learn from the experience) but have noticed the feedback is almost non-existant. So... maybe if I ask here, where it's more friendly? :-)

The first are for a sub-category header to http://www.abbreviations.com/ where you can search for US zip-codes. It should go in the same style as that header, and the other sub-category headers (Simply just font and black/grey with no or little graphics).



The second is for a sub-section (or maybe a different site but same company) of http://www.conscensia.com/. It shall be on white background and look related to the main site/color-scheme. Name is "Outsourcing 2.0". What I did was mainly the same as the original site header/logo with switched colors (a thought and smile goes to Chung Da and his thread. If the dutch gov can, why can't I? Just too bad the prize isn't as high...)



Any thoughts or feedback from the real pros here?

i really think that the colours will give a boost,in first logo,make the flag with colours,and just leave the stroke black,maybe,otherwise its very simple design and maybe i would do something creative with word zip,
the other,maybe some glossy retouch would do
the concept is good,only work little more on it,try different things,keep it up!

Most of the inexperienced logo designers choose a FANCY font for their logo design just to create identity.

US Zip - The flag within the text is good but you can see a lot of that kind of style already. I like the way you put the 4 stars under the ZIP to create balance - good layout. Perhaps you can try diff font style for the ZIP.

outsourcing 2.0 - Good choice of font, simple yet modern. You did good for incorporating the "dots" elements to the letter "i".

As a starter... I could say, you are doing great. ;-)

Maybe on your next projects, try to play around with the typeface... BIG/small caps, BOLD, Italicize, etc.

Have Fun!

i really think that the colours will give a boost,in first logo,make the flag with colours,and just leave the stroke black,maybe,otherwise its very simple design and maybe i would do something creative with word zip,
the other,maybe some glossy retouch would do
the concept is good,only work little more on it,try different things,keep it up!

Thanks... I tried it with colors first but the design brief from the client clearly states that there should be no colors, and just black and maybe some gray in the design... and no or very little graphic elements.

Most of the inexperienced logo designers choose a FANCY font for their logo design just to create identity.

US Zip - The flag within the text is good but you can see a lot of that kind of style already. I like the way you put the 4 stars under the ZIP to create balance - good layout. Perhaps you can try diff font style for the ZIP.

outsourcing 2.0 - Good choice of font, simple yet modern. You did good for incorporating the "dots" elements to the letter "i".

As a starter... I could say, you are doing great. ;-)

Maybe on your next projects, try to play around with the typeface... BIG/small caps, BOLD, Italicize, etc.

Have Fun!

Thanks for the input... i'll keep on struggling

The second one is great; very nice colours,font etc.

The first one is cool but may i suggest turning the '.com' on its side to see how it looks? Or maybe the spacing could be a little more wider between the letters.
Small letter 'z'? It needs a little more experimenting with i think, but it's looking good so far!

Update: Proposal for the 1st logo was rejected and for the 2nd the revision below won.

great! well done tomas.

Tomas, it's great you're starting to design logos. My advice to you is to not get gimmicky. There are a few ways to ruin a logo. One way is to try to incorporate the entire identity into a mark, or basically trying to illustrate everything about the company. Many of the best logos are not related directly to the business (a lion for a bank, for example). Another way to ruin the logo is to add frivolous visual elements. Including a swoosh for no reason other than to add a swoosh is the quickest way to lose respect as a logo designer.

Conceptualize and brainstorm. The first 10-20 ideas you have for a logo are most likely the same ones everyone has. The reason clients hire designers is because they can go beyond the obvious, and that's our job.

Your logos, Tomas, are a great start. But you are teetering closely on each end of the spectrum. Your USZip logo is starting to get gimmicky when you add in the stars and stripes. On the other hand, Outsourcing 2.0 is nice, but suffers from unnecessary elements. What exactly are the orange squares meant to represent? Are they something you developed when thinking about outsourcing, or just a cool element you thought would look good on an internet company logo?

I'm here to give some tough love, and these are the questions professional designers must ask themselves all the time. There is absolutely nothing wrong with making a design look good for aesthetic's sake, but nothing beats a great idea. Keep it up!

monospaced

monospaced:
Thank you very much for your reply, appreciate it very much. The USZip logo was my first try and I actually skipped the stars n' stripes for the last version. Regarding the orange dots on the outsourcing logo they are actually taken from the companys (http://www.conscensia.com/) original logo and not so far fetched as it might seem... but anyway thanks for your good critisism and good advice. And as you said as a pro you have to ask yourself those questions and always look to improve yourself.

the 2nd logo was pretty good with the i and the dot, but when the dot in the eye was revised to a diamond hard edged shape, it made everything "fit" better. very nice. even though it was such a small revision, it was a GREAT deal. awesome. i can't get over that. goodluck to you in your future designs!

hi tomas!
i think the different elements in the 1st one look too seperated from eachother - it is not "compact" enough for me...

in the 2nd logo i think the "2.0" is a bit too far right...

otherweise nice designs!

mike

I think outsourcing is really nice.
US Zip definetly need some work - anything i wanted to say about was already said.