Hello,
I have a question about a logo. But first, allow me to introduce myself briefly...

I'm a freelance journalist, specializing in articles about human/animal history and culture. I also teach writing. I've been learning all about Inkscape for a few months now, reading everything on this forum and other places. For a few years, I was a GIMP user, but within moments of my first experience with Inkscape I was ready to switch! So here I am.

OK, I am putting together the final touches on my new Web site (which I will announce publicly soon). I want a relatively simple text logo, but as you all know -- what seems "simple" is not always so simple! Here it is:



I'm interested in constructive criticism and suggestions! Please be kind, as this is my first real attempt to design a logo. But I learn fast!

Thanks,
Matthew

Welcome to the forum!

Although lately you can find more and more logos with gradients in them (there are no color restrictions if you only plan to use it online) it is still regarded that logos should be symbols, the simplest form you can create without losing the meaning.

I like the font, nice and fat, playful so it feels right, but the gradient is a bit confusing, it's kinda canceling the nice plump font shapes. If you're after a spot light maybe more to the middle of the letter would be better. But I'd do the highlights on all letters, like they were 3D plastic (chew toys?).

The "W" shape is very luring to turn it into a paw If you make the paw large and put "dog" above "riter" the paw can become your logo icon.

I guess it all depends on what kind of a feeling you're trying to create.

Matthew wrote:I was a GIMP user, but within moments of my first experience with Inkscape I was ready to switch! So here I am.

Ya, me too. I think for most graphics novices, Inkscape's interface is much more intuitive.

prkos wrote:I like the font, nice and fat, playful so it feels right, but the gradient is a bit confusing, it's kinda canceling the nice plump font shapes.

The gradient threw me off a bit too. But my 1st thought was - what color is the background of your website - because against this forum's background, it doesn't work at all, but I can see on some other colors, it could work. Or another option, change the gradient's color. (Although please note that prkos is much more experienced than I am -- I really like the W to paw idea, or to include some other dog-related graphic....paw for dot over i, paw for colon, the word Dog superimposed over the shape of a dog with the tail where the little...I don't know what it's called, but it's the little kind of flag at the top, right part of the g, or if you're a good enough artist (which I'm not) you could actually deform the font of Dog to be in the form of a dog...sorry, I can get carried away with brainstorming )

prkos and brynn,
Thank you so much for jumping in and offering advice. I really appreciate it!

I see what you mean about the gradient being confusing. The background I'll use will be dark gray, but still I think I do need to get rid of the gradient.

I like the idea of a dog paw for the "W" and rearranging the other elements to make it work, though I need to watch the height and width proportions.

This is definitely very helpful, and now I have some ideas to work with. It also helps just hearing people's gut reactions to what they see. After all, a logo is supposed to convey an easy and immediate sense of the site and the content you're developing.

I'll work up another logo and post it to see what you think.

Thanks again,
Matthew

I think it looks more like an effect than a simple gradient. Maybe you could try with soft radial gradient, just an idea. And the 'the' doesn't fit well with the 'dog writer'.

RM,
Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to put together another version and share it here.

Regarding the word "the" in the logo: my domain is literally "thedogwriter.com" so I feel the need to include it. But I definitely see what you mean, and I want to kind of
downplay it while also including it. Maybe there's a technical term for this?

I've toyed with the idea of putting "the" in a vertical orientation.

Anyway, I really appreciate and welcome all input!

Thanks,
Matthew

Waiting to see the new one. Sorry if i didn't explain it well, i'm not english and sometimes it's hard for me to say what i mean.
I read now the background will be dark gray, white or light grey will be better for looking professional!

RM,
Sorry for not responding sooner! Don't worry, I understand what you were saying, and I appreciate the help. I'm open to all constructive ideas, and I really want to learn from what experienced Inkscape users have to say.

I'll be posting the new logo soon!

Thanks,
Matthew

I started a thread here: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4750&start=0
about inspiration and ideas for designing logos.

Not a bad start. Not sure why the colon is there. Not fond of the gradient, as others have mentioned.
I'd look at adjusting the kerning a bit. If "The" is part of the site name, you might put it in the same
color/font/size as the other words. Maybe you could set "Dog" off some how - by color, or a device
in the "o" (e. g., a paw print). Maybe the "g" could be a dog's head with a leash for the lower part.
Or maybe the dog is drawing the bottom part. Would take some work to see if that would be legible.

Hello,
VitalBodies: I just checked out the other thread you started, and I definitely look forward to seeing what develops there.

Kjohrf: thanks for the comments! I definitely appreciate hearing this kind of thing -- the only way to learn! I got rid of the gradient, and I am experimenting with all sorts of graphical elements that can mix in naturally with the text. My goal, however, is to keep is really simple while also being unique. The colon is there because it's kind of writerly, if you know what I mean. Since my site is about writing, I kind of like the idea of a colon setting up the concept of material to follow. But I hear what you're saying about how it might not make sense.

This is all very helpful!

Thanks again,
Matthew

I thought it might be nice to have a generic thread about logos as your thread is specific to your logo. The other thread was inspired by your quest for a better logo though, and being generic, should apply here also.
For your thread (and logo) I would suggest you make two logos.
The one you started out making (as you might have fixed ideas about that logo) and another logo that is not contained or constrained in the same ways.

Sometimes one has ideas that create a nice flow and sometimes those ideas just get in the way of creating a great design.
If you make two logos you will know where you stand...

Pretend my other thread is an obstacle course you can send your logos through.
Take each point/test and apply it to the logos.

Let me know if it helps...