Logo mojo
October 16, 2008 4:03 PM Subscribe
Logo redesign: Help me come up with a good logo for this site.
Although I haven't been asked for a logo redesign, I don't like the current one (you can see it here, in the upper-left corner), and felt it could be better. "A test of creative skill!" I thought as I sat down to work on it...
...and I'm stuck. I can't think of a good design for the organization (call it Global Center) in general. No one else in the Global Center has an idea either.
Main points:
- The name of the organization has to be in the logo somewhere, and removable without messing up the rest of the logo if need be. Unfortunately, it's horrendously long.
- The current design, without the name, would seem like a logo for an environmental agency - which is not what the center is about. I'd like to still keep the globe, but if it needs to be ditched, then so be it.
- I'm striving to have it similar to the logo of another organization (closely affiliated).
So for better reference, here's the logo for the Global Center, and the logo of the other center.
Anyone have any pointers, advice, design ideas? They'll be much appreciated!
Although I haven't been asked for a logo redesign, I don't like the current one (you can see it here, in the upper-left corner), and felt it could be better. "A test of creative skill!" I thought as I sat down to work on it...
...and I'm stuck. I can't think of a good design for the organization (call it Global Center) in general. No one else in the Global Center has an idea either.
Main points:
- The name of the organization has to be in the logo somewhere, and removable without messing up the rest of the logo if need be. Unfortunately, it's horrendously long.
- The current design, without the name, would seem like a logo for an environmental agency - which is not what the center is about. I'd like to still keep the globe, but if it needs to be ditched, then so be it.
- I'm striving to have it similar to the logo of another organization (closely affiliated).
So for better reference, here's the logo for the Global Center, and the logo of the other center.
Anyone have any pointers, advice, design ideas? They'll be much appreciated!
Lower case, right-aligned. It's like cruise control for 21st century design.
posted by turgid dahlia at 5:29 PM on October 16, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by turgid dahlia at 5:29 PM on October 16, 2008 [1 favorite]
I'll be honest with you: you don't need a logo. You need an acronym that makes sense or a name change that clearly illustrates what you want to be.
posted by parmanparman at 7:48 PM on October 16, 2008
posted by parmanparman at 7:48 PM on October 16, 2008
Parmanparman is on the right track. The site/organization needs a complete image overhaul, and not just a new logo.
Try not to get too literal with a logo, or try to come up with all sorts of images/objects that directly relate to the function of the organization. Rather, think about more abstract qualities about the organization or its goals and mission. That said...was there some single event that engendered the organization's creation? Some unifying event in the organization's past that can be easily depicted with a single, enigmatic object? Often, mining an organization's past can provide a focal point for a future-oriented mark.
posted by Thorzdad at 4:46 AM on October 17, 2008
Try not to get too literal with a logo, or try to come up with all sorts of images/objects that directly relate to the function of the organization. Rather, think about more abstract qualities about the organization or its goals and mission. That said...was there some single event that engendered the organization's creation? Some unifying event in the organization's past that can be easily depicted with a single, enigmatic object? Often, mining an organization's past can provide a focal point for a future-oriented mark.
posted by Thorzdad at 4:46 AM on October 17, 2008
Can I suggest finding a competent graphic designer? I'm not being snarky... It's what they do for a living.
posted by jpburns at 5:55 AM on October 17, 2008
posted by jpburns at 5:55 AM on October 17, 2008
Ditch the acronym for one. It's a mouthful that is harder to say than "The Global Center for Health Economics and Policy Research". Obviously you don't want to change the name of the organization but maybe something like HEPr would work better.
As far as a logo goes, consider that the medical symbol and the dollar sign look very similar.
posted by JJ86 at 6:14 AM on October 17, 2008
As far as a logo goes, consider that the medical symbol and the dollar sign look very similar.
posted by JJ86 at 6:14 AM on October 17, 2008
Would you ask an unpaid intern to take over the workload of GCHEPR's director? Why not? I bet that your answer would be that Dr. Scheffler is a highly-educated and knowledgeable professional.
I am not trying to be rude, but design is just like any other field: very few people can just get out a pencil and bust out quality work. That's why the majority of design professionals are college graduates with many years of experience.
So if you want help coming up with a good logo, I suggest hiring a good designer.
http://www.aigadesignjobs.org/public/individual_browse.asp
posted by Optimus Chyme at 6:28 AM on October 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
I am not trying to be rude, but design is just like any other field: very few people can just get out a pencil and bust out quality work. That's why the majority of design professionals are college graduates with many years of experience.
So if you want help coming up with a good logo, I suggest hiring a good designer.
http://www.aigadesignjobs.org/public/individual_browse.asp
posted by Optimus Chyme at 6:28 AM on October 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
Posted for fandango_matt: I'm a graphic designer and art director, and I specialize in designing identities and brands. I've done a lot of independent work for small companies and groups, and a few MeFites, too. I live in Berkeley and I'd be happy to work with you, or I can refer you to another designer. Please feel free to contact me--I'm matt at fandango dot net.
posted by Krrrlson at 10:20 AM on October 17, 2008
posted by Krrrlson at 10:20 AM on October 17, 2008
Response by poster: Good advice so far. But there's a lot of "hire someone else with experience" comments. I don't want to come up as stubborn or anything, but I'm trying to GAIN more experience here (being the webmaster AND web graphics designer). Nor am I the one who made up the organization's name. That's out of my scope. Also, I'd hate to redesign the site again, having done so just two months ago (and everyone at the center praised the new design).
BUT! Anyways, I'll see what I can do.
posted by curagea at 11:55 AM on October 17, 2008
BUT! Anyways, I'll see what I can do.
posted by curagea at 11:55 AM on October 17, 2008
Curagea, in that case, show some of your prospective designs to the good folks in the forums at typophile.com. There are some ridiculously smart and qualified posters there.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 1:45 PM on October 20, 2008
posted by Optimus Chyme at 1:45 PM on October 20, 2008
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The core is research and policy in the health field. "Health" should give you a lot of concepts and images to start from - medical cross, caduceus, stethoscope, patients in silhouette, etc. Grab a notebook and sketch out these images at different angles and styles.
Now think about what themes and images are associated with research, data, and policy. I think of books, 1's and 0's, dot grids as abstract representations of data, etc. Sketch those out in your notebook.
Now look at your page of sketches and look for any common themes or images from health and research/data/policy that can be blended together. Don't worry about the name of the organization, you can always add that to the logo as a wordmark later on. Don't try to think too literally and instead go for something abstract that captures some essence of the organization.
posted by junesix at 4:44 PM on October 16, 2008