Here are some of my proposals. Instead of creating a separate icon / typography combination, I've created an all encompassing logo / unit. One that can be used for additional elements just as branding stamps, watermarks, shirt badges/embroidery etc.
The logos are 100% vector so will scale well to any size, and works well in full colour, B&W and on coloured backgrounds if needed,
It would be my pleasure to work up any variations so please do say. I look forward to your comments or thoughts.
When I google on apothecary I was able to find a bunch of examples.
I really like the design work used on c.o. bigelow creams. http://www.bigelowchemists.com/ - I obviously don't have any legal right to use their designs and would only like to use those as an example of what I like.
Thanks again for the feedback and comments! Yeah I have to say the C.O. Bigelow Creams packaging and designs are really nice aren't they!
OK so here are some new variations of mine;
#55 - As per the original, just using Capital A and S #56 - As per above, but trying a more decorative font #57 - new design using custom hand drawn line art with new fonts #58 - a version of #26, just with new fonts and line art
I think #57 definitely has that custom, old school apothecary feel and vibe to it, whilst still coming across as a distiller / brewing company.
Hope you like them, and look forward to your thoughts.
Actually, we felt you were the only one that gave a mark with the small gold star, that is one of the reasons you are our favorite still. We were hoping for something to help brand all our products - some sort of a powerful symbol where the purchaser would recognize it and understand they would have the same high quality products for each in our line.
Yes all good this side thanks, actually having a quiet and relaxing weekend with my wife :)
Aah ok I gotcha ... So a unique icon / mark. That's something I can definitely create to go with the logo, but also one that people will come to recognise as "Almighty Spirits". Now we can work on something that involves the initial letters of A and S. But I was wondering if there is something we can do that's more interesting and related to your location. For instance if you're near a Forrest we could use rustic and retro styled crossed axes. Is there an animal that has a connection to you guys? If you did beers we could use hops and barley, but I don't think that would work!
Let me have a think and see what I can come up with.
Not sure if you saw my earlier questions above? Let me know if you have extra on those points. But in the meantime I've created a few marks that I think could work.
#79 - Created an A with a star used for the negative inner space #80 - Using the idea of four stars from the Chicago Flag #81 - A hand drawn apothecary bottle with a A on the label #82 - An a vintage styled crest using the A and S from the name, a star from the flag and the bottle
All of these work well within the whole logo or could be used separately down the line.
I am not a fan of the bottle, but the rest look good - I like the A and the use of the stars like the Chicago flag (79 and 82 are the best) but the A looks a little like an oil rig.
Also in America we shorten Established to Est (no d is necessary)
No offence, but I didn't want to answer the previous message for fear of pushing you in a direction that is in my mind, which isn't always the best.
Thanks for the feedback and comments ... And don't worry no offence taken about the questions, completely understand!
With #82 would you like me to replace the bottle with something else? Not 100% sure what yet but will have a think, unless there is something you'd like to see. I will also change the Estd to Est.
Thanks and hope you have a great rest of your Sunday!
I'm really not sure, do you have any thoughts? is there a different variation of the A with the star for the A side and maybe a bottle with an S on it where you have the s, and something up top? I'm really not sure, sorry.
OK so I did a bit of research into Illinois and found out that it has a few state symbols. So for instance, the Tree is the White Oak. Flower is the Violet, animal is a white tailed deer, fish is the bluegill, insect is the Monarch Butterfly... And thought some of these could work well as icon within that cross design in the top middle.
#83 - uses a white oak leaf #84 - as per above but introduces the city and state name #85 - the A with a star, oak leaf and bottle #86 - the A, S, star and deer head #87 - the deer head on its own with stars #88 - the A, S, star and monarch butterfly
I think all of these do a good job of representing the Chicago, but in a subtle way, and make for an interesting story when people ask why do you have "X" in the icon.
Hey, I left a comment for you yesterday, but it isn't showing up today, sorry about that, I wonder if it went under someone else's. Let me find it and paste it here.
Angus, I can't find the message I left, so I am going to try to remember everything I put - first, it looks like we are going to select your design, but want to get the mark hammered out. That being said, we will need labels pretty soon and some other items for the bottles (business cards, some items for the website, labels {as mentioned are really important}, and many other designs) - is it ok with the site (I also already asked the site but haven't heard back) if we contract you for ongoing work?
Now going back to the symbol and the logo - I love the stag, but I am worried it is overused (jagermister, red stag, etc.) so we shouldn't use it; here are some thoughts: -a Y shape with a circle around it is a symbol for Chicago (can be inverted), perhaps try that with the 3 items in it. -I like the A on the left and S on the right, is there any way to make them both more of a symbol instead of just eh letters (similar to what you did with the A and the star in it (also the Chicago star has 6 corners) -please change to est. (from estd) - we are trying to have 3 things - apothecary, all natural, and from Chicago all in the logo. You hit the apothecary on the head, but we would like all natural somehow, ideas? - Chicago roughly translates to wild onion or wild garlic - that might help with the all natural and bring Chicago in, but I don't know how to make the image (like perhaps keep the A where it is and add a star, put the S with an apothecary feel/symbol and D underneath with an onion in the inside. I am really not the best designer, these are just thoughts. that is only if it is the 3 pronged, but the 4th, I am torn.
Sorry about the long message, and thank you again!
No worries and thanks for the message. And great to hear you guys want to use my design ... Its been a great project to work on so thanks. And of course will keep on working to nail the mark.
In terms of ongoing work - yes its allowed outside of the site, once the project on here is complete. And it would be my pleasure to work with you on anything you need help with.
With regards to the mark ... Let me see what I can do / create. Its the evening here in the UK, and I am out with the inlaws tonight, but I'll jump on this tomorrow for you if that's OK.
PS: on a side note ... I do think we have to be careful as to not overcrowd or complicate the mark ... We want it to be clear so when its seen at small sizes, we're not guessing what the elements are. I'm just worried that some of the solutions might be too small for it. But lets see what we can do :)
Just a quick update ... I want to be completely open and honest with you, my computer has been on the blink today (so doing this via my iPhone), and have struggled to do much on this yet. I'm hoping it will be back up and running soon, so I can do a few bits tonight for you. Will keep you posted.
Right, well after a lot of hair pulling and frustration I'm back on track - sorry for the delay.
OK so here a number of new options based on your feedback. But before I go into them ... I tried a number of options trying to bring in elements into the initials (A and S) within the mark, but it just became too small and I think we'd really struggle when used at small sizes. I did do one option like this so we can compare. Sometimes we have to sacrifice design for legibility.
So the designs;
#89 - Chicago Y symbol, with A (plus a star inside), S and a star #90 - As per above, but now putting the bottle behind the S. I think this is too detailed and not recommended #91 - Using the A, S and Star within the Chicago Y but included a rosette styled / seal of approval behind #92 - As per above but introducing a garlic #93 - Version of #92 but no background #94 - Version of #93 but introducing a "natural" feel surrounding the mark #95 - As per above but replacing the garlic with the star #96 - As per #91 but using 4 prongs and bringing in the D #97 - As per #96 but introducing the natural feel
Personally - I'm leaning towards either #91, #96 or #97. I think the rosette / seal of approval outer shape hold it all together whilst bringing across the feel of authority as it is a seal. At the same time containing clean and legible elements within it i.e. the A, S and star and the Chicago Symbol.
Hey, I'm having a problem opening the .eps file, I can't tell if it is my computer, please check it out, I am trying to get on a friend's computer also, but it's been hectic. If we can't get it to open, would you please send another copy?
One reason they might not be opening is due to the version of Illustrator you have. I'm running CS6, so if you're on an earlier edition, they won't open on your machine. Also I have to ask, are you trying to open it with Adobe Illustrator or something else? Illustrator and Photoshop are the only programs you'll be able to open them with.
What I've done is emailed a folder with versions saved in different formats. The version will be in the actual file name. One of these should work!