Logo Critique

[skiistari]

This is my first real attempt at making a logo (I know... after so many years...)

So please donate your expert advice and help!

Thanks!
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/2348/logotests2lt.th.jpg (http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=logotests2lt.jpg)

[KevinCarleo]

Looks good at first glance, but what is the theme (intent) behind the logo?

[travis]

It looks like something in real estate, personaly I like the logo on the site (at the top of the main page) the best.

[simplistik]

:lol: lazy bums... I love that :hugegrin:

PA Action exists to maintain programs for families & students via advocating for a fair federal budget, as well as healthcare for seniors through education and information-sharing, while working to protect and expand programs that are central to most Americans.

As for the logo quite honestly, I think they may as well stick w/ the original one. This "new" one doesn't divert far from the old one, and isn't executed as well (not that the old one looks good either). The problem with this is that there was no effort into making it stand out it's just common text. For a political protest group you could draw someone standing on PA w/ a sign or something... there's many other things you could do with this logo. Simplest of all would be an attempt at an actual iconic wordmark.

[natalia84]

I don't think it's too bad.. The outline represents some state/region doesn't it? I think it's a good idea. But feels to me like there's something missing on the top right corner (inside of the outline).. maybe you could add something there and put the "ction" part a little bit lower?
good luck anyway :)

[skiistari]

Some of you have probably glanced over the thread (http://www.kirupa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225367) for the paaction.org website I was working on.
Now for a bit of explanation.
The outline is the US state of Pennsylvania. Our target audience is Pennsylvanians, and basically all Pennsylvanians know what PA is shaped like, thanks to the wonderful primary education system :)

KevinCarleo -- the theme should be something like "Progressive ideas for a better, more democratic society." As the (current) website says (rather poorly), PAAction is a political advocacy group, BUT also one which works all year round to educate the public and develop a greater, closer community amoung Pennsylvanians.

travis -- you're so right :) I discovered that when I took a fresh look this morning. The problem is Re/Max uses a similar over-laping line style in red... I don't like the Re/Max logo ...

simplistik -- Well, it's not really a "new" one, and the old one isn't really an "old" one... it was more a situation where the "old" one was decided on before I joined the team and suggested that it wasn't that great. I volunteered to help out, so I suppose this is just another in a line of successively better (?) but still unimpressive designs... you should have seen the older ones :P What does "iconic wordmark" mean?

[prstudio]

i second simplistik -

also the double "A" only adds to the lines - and makes it harder to draw out PA -

there's no real focus, honestly it just looks like you spent 3 minutes and threw the text into the state outline.

so much you could do with this beyond what you have presented here. these interst groups need to stand out above the others.

keep at it :)

as far as more creative ideas - what are some of the ones you have had?

[theflash]

Not bad.. like it.. but I am not sure about the outer frame.

[skiistari]

as far as more creative ideas - what are some of the ones you have had?

You mean in the few minutes I actually spent on this? I honestly didn't bother to think about it at all. Megaphones are coming to mind. So is the "bill" character from Schoolhouse Rock (too bad he's copywrited).

[prstudio]

there's no real focus, honestly it just looks like you spent 3 minutes and threw the text into the state outline.

so i was right :P

brainstorm - this logo is going to represent a lot - try to incorporate a megaphone - have to kick around a few ideas - logo design ain't easy :)

[skiistari]

Hm... if only they were paying me :) I always seem to jump the gun and volunteer instead of actually getting paid for my work.

[prstudio]

sounds like you're explaining it away ;)

volunteer or no volunteer - you agreed to do this for them and you need to put your best foot forward :) besides this is your "handiwork"

you asked for advice, now try implementing some of it in your own way - or it kind of doesn't make sense why you asked in the first place :)

[skiistari]

you asked for advice, now try implementing some of it in your own way - or it kind of doesn't make sense why you asked in the first place :)

Don't worry, it's totally appreciated and will definitely be put to use asap. I made sure to bring my sketch book to work after my lunch break so I could doodle in the down time :P

[prstudio]

awesome keep us posted :)

[thesparky007]

first real attempt , i am afraid is a failure

[skiistari]

Thankfully most people understand what "critique" entails -- i.e. constructive criticism.
Sparky -- I accept your opinion and I know that the logo is not good, but please elaborate, offer some advice. Really, that post is boarder-line spam.

[thesparky007]

Thankfully most people understand what "critique" entails -- i.e. constructive criticism.
Sparky -- I accept your opinion and I know that the logo is not good, but please elaborate, offer some advice. Really, that post is boarder-line spam.sorry about that, happens to me in all the threads cuz i am just too lazy to read through the posts to see what exactly you are trying to show thru the logo, but now that i read most of the posts, how about like this


PA



ction



the A extends down so that it is next to the "ction" part, and i guess the state outline still surounds the words, again too lazy to draw it and show you

[Anogar]

Sparky - How about if you're going to be too lazy to do a good job (as you put it) you don't post?

[thesparky007]

Sparky - How about if you're going to be too lazy to do a good job (as you put it) you don't post?lol, i dont usually, i dont reply in every single thread in this forum for that reason

[skiistari]

No, no, I really appreciate Sparky's input. I like the idea with the A with the extended line. This is good because that never even crossed my mind.

I'll post an update sometime next week. I'm moving right now so there's no time :)

[skiistari]

So......

Here's the next in line of ****ty-as-hell logo designs. Honestly, they hired me as a political science intern, not graphic designer...

Anyway, can you tell i'm having a lack of self confidence sort of day?

critiques please.

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/8148/paactionlogo1ny0.th.png (http://img109.imageshack.us/my.php?image=paactionlogo1ny0.png)
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/2313/paactionlogo2gc4.th.png (http://img109.imageshack.us/my.php?image=paactionlogo2gc4.png)

[theflash]

I dont know why logo still holds that frame... first one can work, but still needs work I guess.. and remove that '>' sign...

how about using some triangles for 'A' in the first logo? and I would prefer to have action in 1st line only... if you want in second try it with small fonts..

[thesparky007]

good progress but logos still not very good, and didnt u say it wasnt for money? then just submit the first one