I'm currently working a couple of more ideas. I realize that it is difficult to see the detail in the illustrations on these small and low resolution images. However, I chose to illustrate your Belara rather than just apply an autotrace to it. I wanted to give the illustration more texture in the hair and enhance the image a bit from the original photo such as make the Belara's right eye a bit more pronounced. Keep in mind that if you are using a photo in a logo, it is best to either make it a true illustration or use an actual raster image (photo). An autotrace is fine for small photos with little detail, but it's reproduction unfortunately may look like a badly printed photo. If the idea is to show a perfect likeness, than you are better off placing the actual photo within the logo after the contest is completed. We are only allowed to do 100% vector files so this is the reason we designer are not placing the actual photo in these comps. Enlarged, you can see that the drawing I did of Belara has actual pen strokes, so it is truer to appearing as an illustration or "portrait sitting" if you will. :)
Please feel free to request any changes in color, fonts, drawing and/or photo enhancement... you name it!
Thank you for the new rank. Do you know if you are leaning towards using an actual photo after the contest is complete? If so, then I won't worry too much on the image of Belara since it will be switched out. I can then focus on the layout and background options. If Belara is to be fully vectorized, then I would dedicate more time to also offering option of the drawings. Of course with the dog (or dogs) being a main component of the logo, it is important that they look good and reproduce well. Would you mind if I uploaded a close-up? Just let me know what part of Belara you would like to see, and I'll take a segment and enlarge it for you to proof. I may need to withdraw it shortly afterwards because we are only allowed to upload full size logos.
Sorry for sweating the details, but I like to have a client see what they might be getting. It makes it easier to do this beforehand while a contest is still active here on Logotournament. Of course if you will later be switching the drawing for the actual photo, then this is a non-issue.
Hope this all made sense. I'll be uploading more options in the morning. :) Your feedback and thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
I think that the site is a bit "buggy" today. I also noticed that some of the logos were not showing up. In fact when I last wrote you I did not see your comment which was obviously there (the timestamp says 9:08 and I wrote at 9:10... that's strange.
Anyway in Top 5 phase only the top 5 designers can keep submitting revisions. It's is usually the phase were the client decides which designers they feel might work out best (either because of what they already submitted or their design style might be a good match.) Keep in mind that if a designer was ranked low, they may have withdrawn from the contest. You might want to ask them in their comment area.
Your communication with us designers is invaluable since we don't have the luxury of sitting down and talking one-on-one and explaining the nuances and/or issues in the designs. Feel free to ask any of the designers all the questions you may have. We are all here to help. :)
Being an amature photographer the photo Is probably not that clear anyway, I would not want to do anything to the logo myself as far as adding the photo later, Really I do not understand all of this.
And I do not know the terminology so not sure what all this refers to. I do like the look of what you are doing with the dog, the text and colors are all the simple things. Making the dog look the best most realistic as possible is important and the ability to re-produce it is important.
The current colors are ok, I do not like the bright light blue behind the dog, from others I have seen today the beige and browns seem to bring out good color in the dog. Skip the paw prints, I do like the one where it appears that she is coming out of the circle.
I did choose your work because it was different take on the dog and I like the feel of what you have done to highlight her.
I found the whole contest was a bit confusing even thou I read and thought that I understood the process. I did not know that when it closed I would not have any more time to look at and consider options.
You will have time. Logotournament and the designers want you to be completely happy with the logo. So even when the contest ends most designers are willing to keep working with the client. That fact that we are spread all over the world does creates a bit of a slowdown due to time differences and language barriers, but those can be managed. :)
What makes this contest a bit more of a challenge is that there is a photo involved. And depending on how that photo is used, will determine how the logo will end-up looking. For this reason, it may be beneficial for you to ask of everyone to please include a close-up to be able to better make a decision. Also, you may want to contact Ivan (the site administrator) if you have any technical questions or for any other help.
Unfortunately we cannot link you to outside links, but if you google "vector v. raster images" then you may get a sense of why most logos should be only done in vector. The problem is that using a photo requires vectorizing it, which can be accomplished by either redrawing the image or applying software to recreate it. The problem with software is that as long as the file image is kept small, then the details are so minute that it makes no difference.
Thank for the information on Vector vs raster I definately want vector I have posted comments on the general page for all to see for colors I like ect... Looking forward to seeing more designs from you
I am currently working on Belara. I can just do the "Live trace" and leave it "unexpanded" but then it will not reproduce well and will give you a lot of problems. This would technically create linked raster images and may be rejected by the printer. I cannot nor will I sell a logo that can't be correctly reproduced. BTW - I have over 20 year experience in printing as you may have seen from my profile and link. Again, please feel free to contact Ivan (admin) by clicking on the help button if you need further assistance.
Also, I noticed that you are now leaning toward a square emblem, which I had done previously. Would you like to see that instead? Please let me know.
I appreciate your comments and candor, I love your work, would still like to see no 69 in different color scheme.
I am to assume that the logos submitted are rough draft and that the designer will work with client to make it perfect for final draft in relation to compatability ect. ?
I honestly think that there are so many good ones that one cannot go wrong, My assistant and I have spent lots of time looking and I like more than one, your work included.
It is likely that I will end up buying more than one for other purposes, like photos that have been done in the past by professionals, all so good I just buy what I want or think that I can use for different things.
Yes there is a solid drop shadow beneath the word in #88 and #89 (FYI - if you add the hash or pound mark in front of the number it lets you view the image when you hover over it.)
I can easily remove or add the shadow if you like. I'll make the other changes, please allow me a bit of time. Since the images are 100% flattened vectors it take a little bit more time to make some of the changes. But don't worry, I'll work on them shortly. :)
From a print perspective will some print better than other?
I am torn between the oval and the round top/squared bottom.
The contest rules state that it must be exactly as you want before you select a winner, if I change my mind from oval vs round top/square bottom is this a problem
I like no 99 color combo the best with the blue behind the dog, what is your professional opinion on color behind the dog, blue vs the brassy gold tone? (The new website colors will be built around the logo)
Like shape of 87 with text below feet vs in the circle
Don't worry too much about that rule. It is meant more to protect all parties in the sense that a design should not be chosen than the client come back and say, they changed there mind and now want something completely different for example you chose any of the logo from any designer and than a week later you say you want to change the name of the company and want it to show a house instead of a dog. I'm exaggerating the point, but hopefully you understand. Changes to the basic essence of the logo are to be expected. I am currently awaiting some changes from a client from Logotournament that has since paid me and is out of the country for a couple of month. There is still a little bit of color tweaking that we need to do.
I do like both backgrounds but obviously the blue background gives Belara better contrast. Also, keep in mind that the hard part was Belara's illustration. We can do color changes very quickly, it is also not unusual for a logo to be used with different colors such as seen here for Nike's brand http://tinyurl.com/lfx3t7y
I also do prefer the bottom text across the bottom.