Darkmotion Logo

[paddy.]

As some of you may have noticed, Darkmotion's been bugging me to do a logo for him (and his site). I finally gave in the other day and took a shot at it.

He asked for it to be "clean" and "slick", but there were no other criteria. I tried to convey the sense of motion (the swirl) but still keep it a wordmark. And the colours are just for show; we haven't decided on a colour scheme yet.

He likes what I've come up with so far, but he wanted me to put it on here to see if you guys can help me improve it further.

All comments and suggestions are very welcome. (Especially nice comments. :beam:)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/Fla5h/darkmotion-identity-2.gif

Cheers! :hr:

[esnetni]

I like the first one better because well its dark and that swirl is pretty cool idea.
Just keep it all black imo.
Hey you did a good job.
Can you make me a logo?

[paddy.]

Cheers Forq! As much as I'd just love to do free logos for everyone on Kirupa :look: , I don't have the time to spare for free work. I'd have to start charging. :ponder:

But at least you like dm's logo. ;)

[esnetni]

I was kidding about the logo I really don't need one lol.
My portfolio doesn't have a logo, it should.

[simplistik]

I like the first one better because well its dark and that swirl is pretty cool idea.
Just keep it all black imo.
Hey you did a good job.
Can you make me a logo?
SIGH... it's just meant to show the possibilities...

Looks good paddy.

[Jeff Wheeler]

I like it :thumb:

Especially the orange… :)

[paddy.]

SIGH... it's just meant to show the possibilities...
:lol:


Looks good paddy.
Cheers simp.

That was really painless. I was gearing up for some good old fashioned simp-style critique when I saw you'd posted. :P

Thanks!

[paddy.]

I like it :thumb:

Especially the orange… :)Thanks nokrev!

It's better than the one I made for you. Sorry.

Sorry for the double post aswell. I'm too lazy to edit the other one.

[Jeff Wheeler]

No worries… I like the one I ended up getting just fine… ;)

[simplistik]

:lol:


Cheers simp.

That was really painless. I was gearing up for some good old fashioned simp-style critique when I saw you'd posted. :P

Thanks!
:lol: well it would've been "simp-style" if it was ugly... but it's a pretty good logo... reminds me of like intel or somethin for some reason... but it's not similar by any means.

EDIT... yea xbox that's what I was thinkin and dreamcast :D

[B3NKobe]

Sorry to say I really dont like it, it reminds me to much Xbox 360, the squirls they used,

http://www.igniq.com/images/xbox_360_221105.jpg

[Jeff Wheeler]

I thought the same thing, but if the green hadn't been in there, I doubt I wouldn't noticed.

[Pasquale]

:P im wondering if the swirl thing would work by itself :)
faster made me like a quick one ut it wasnt finalized, it sits in the header of my site, but I really want something that is really simple but easy to recognise. I can NEVER design stuff that is 100% top notch for myself I don't know why ..

[paddy.]

It's not that similar though, is it?

Swirls are pretty common and I don't think that that is technically the Xbox 360 logo anyway.

[nobody]

Looks awesome Paddy, seriously. This is a really powerful logo that would look stellar in print, I believe. Really good work man.

If you ever get bored you know craet still needs a logo :P

Oh and the bit about the xbox, that is the dumbest connection I've ever seen. Don't worry about it.

[hybrid101]

looks awesome paddy, i love those different colors btw, all look great:D

[DDD]

took a quick swing to help ya out..
I used a lil more mischevious and kinda well dark font and used your concept with a more defined and uniform shape. Hope ya didnt mind.

[Theros]

ah, man. What sucking up do we have to do to get you guys to make logos? lol...

[DDD]

ah, man. What sucking up do we have to do to get you guys to make logos? lol...

lol....dunno sometimes I read a thread whil I have Ill open, and an idea just comes to me.....Never happens with my personal projects.

[Theros]

Mind trying to help me figure out my logo then? PS: Read the thread, skip to the last page... Simp was handing my *** to me... I need some encouragement ROFL :p

[DDD]

Gonna drop a little insight on my thought process on this one. Off top his name contains 2 very strong words one being an adjective and motion pretty much a verb. Always makes for a good combo an adjective and a verb. Most humans recognize and associate with adjectives (so say my psyc class in uni). I usually translate alot of that into my brandings and logos. So when people see "dark" for instance. The mind already has a picture of what it wants to see. Hence in your example paddy, I think your font choice goes against that because it is rather playful and curvy (things usually associated with fun and girly). Now in some cases this can be good as counter association is good as well. But for this piece I would totally play off the word dark. Now your symbol was a good one, because it put my in the mind of hypnotism which can be dark. And the randomness of the image is rather dark as well. But it is too random, you spen time actually trying to see what it is. SO it doesnt play well. SO What I did was take your symbol and make it something the mind can process and still undestand. Then the motion part just seals the deal. I think most people would process the other pieces before the motion part is consumed.

Now this is not an attempt to say my way is right or whatever. Just wanted to give insight into my thought process when I approach branding. I still plan on writing an article on branding and typography for K. This is just a primer. Because I am asked to share my tricks of the trade so often.

Sorry to be long winded and jack the thread.....carry on :cop:

[nobody]

I gotta be honest Nathan, while your thought process is creepishly detailed and very intelligent I don't see it in your logo. For one I don't like the symbol you created for the O, while it may be cleaner it makes me think of a washer or dryer or something, probably associating it with Whirlpool. As for the text, I don't know if I would call that dark, the letters that connect to eachother make me thing of a bad sci-fi movie for some reason, actually on second look the whole type treatment feels like that to me.

I can't really justify why, but I feel that yours just doesn't fit darkmotions style. I really think paddy came up with something strong, even if the type treatment is generic. Perhaps he could work on that part, but it's clean and is offest very nicely by his symbol.

Honestly they're both strong logos, and if darkmotion was some random company we'd never heard of I'd probably like yours better Nathan, but I don't think it fits the darkmotion that we all know, nor his style.

Actually I've really confused myself through this post, as I'm beginnging to fall for your mock-up as I write, though I still don't like the symbol. Maybe he should just use both :P

[Oli-G]

Nice matey.

I'd suggest brainstorming on paper and thinking of some more obscure ways to represent motion though, even if it does still involve the 'o'. I think if you are going to use a swirl, make it a swirl of something relevant, ie not a somewhat 'generic' (per se) swirl with the sole aim of representing motion in the traditional meaning of the word.

Given the kinda work he's doing, I think you could come up with some really cool representations that relate. There's *heaps* of visual plays you could run on the word dark alone, and then also somehow tying it into motion, not forgetting a typeface that may also reinforce this in some way.

So in a nutshell - I reckon you could find a more fitting typeface (or even do a logotype), and create a more fitting visual icon, that may even take precedence over the text. Not really digging it in it's current state both as a standanlone design, or as a piece to represent darkmotion as an entity. That's not to say it doesn't even have to end up being more visually subtle than the existing concept, if the icon and type are tight.

Hope you get something of value out of this entirely obscure post :P

[theflash]

I like all of them... DDD's logos look more corporate type considering typog and the symbol for 'o' in motion... symbol in ddd's logos are really nicely done and conveys motion pretty well.. (like the first one more)

paddy is on the same road and he has done all the things very nicely too..love the black one

Only difference between ddd's and paddy's logos is the feel... while concept seems to be similar...

[theflash]

But guys I must say you both did a fantastic job... dm is lucky :P

[ollie-]

I prefer the first one on DDD's, its still not perfect though... the swirl could do with some more to it, perhaps make it look more like a whirlpool?

[icio]

I really like paddy's logos :)

[Jeesus]

Think the logo is great.. the only thing that bothers me is the fact that the T and the I kinda melts together, cause of the white outline I guess. Don´t know if it will be a problem, but after watching the logo a while it shows.

Just thought you should know!
Love orange BTW

[DDD]

Yea, I agree with all folks here. All I did was use paddy's concept and then speak on my thought process on it. In know way was I putting down his logo or his process on its creation. Just sharing :beam: . I did it in literally 5 minutes and tried to capture everything I thought about in the 5 minutes, so I am sure I fell short...lol. I know DM will end up with a strong logo with paddy on the job. Just wanted to help. And for the record, I would go a completely different route with the logo as well.


the letters that connect to eachother make me thing of a bad sci-fi movie for some reason, actually on second look the whole type treatment feels like that to me.

mission accomplished ! :thumb2:


while it may be cleaner it makes me think of a washer or dryer or something, probably associating it with Whirlpool.

mission accomplished! :thumb2:

The font made you think dark (as in dark/scary) that was my goal. And the "O" was to make you think motion. So darkmotion was conveyed correctly. However you did get whirlpool out of it. But alas I think we agreed :beam:

[BoonDock]

Paddy and 3D ...

Paddy - your logo works for dark I'm sure, and that is really all that matters in the end. While it might have some similarities to the Xbox logo/Dreamcast ...who cares, everyone's style or logo or whatever might at some point turn back around and look like someone else's ... it's a bit hard to design now a days without having similarities to another design. So if Dark likes his logo you did, he can run with it IMO.

DDD - once again, you did some easy and great work. Although I must admit that the first one really looks like the dreamcast logo, but the 2nd one is great! I'd like to see a different font though, maybe the font Paddy used for the logo and then the swirl you used for the 2nd. Might work out? ... either way, I don't think you ususally need to explain yourself, because in the end you always do kick a** work anyways. ;)

[paddy.]

Thanks everyone.

I have to say I don't like DDD's at all. Sorry man, I can see what you were trying to do, but I think you fell well short. I don't think it captures Darkmotion's work or personality in any sense. And it's far too corporate IMO.

Also, it reminds me a lot of this for some reason
http://www.thocp.net/software/games/consoles/sega/pictures/sega_dreamcast_logo.gif

[Jeff Wheeler]

It reminds me of that, too. I'm no fan of 3D's. :-/

Paddy's look awesome, though. :)

[SessionDesign]

Think you did a great job Paddy! :thumb:

[thesparky007]

[quote=DDD]took a quick swing to help ya out..
I used a lil more mischevious and kinda well dark font and used your concept with a more defined and uniform shape. Hope ya didnt mind.

thats some nice farting!

[Oli-G]

Take the positive comments on board Paddy, but i'd still definetly consider throwing around some more concepts :) I dont feel the type nor the icon represents darkmotion, and the swirl of which is creating havoc with the neighbouring letters. If sticking with this direction, i'd play with the type (both in kerning and in typeface) so that it's more in sync with the swirl.

[REEF·]

DDD you jerkoff :P. I like the logos as well, the text is similar to DCs but I dont get how the swirls are. I think your work is good too.

(you get the joke eh??)

I cant say I'm fan of the text on paddys, but the swirl to me looks crazy (in the good way) regardless of people thinking it resembles the 360 swirls. Actually I like the shape a lot now that I look at it, I'd like to see it alone just to see it.

Dark - you are a lucky guy. I wish people made me logos :(.

[DDD]

Actually the explanation was my attempt to help, plus I have been asked to write about how I go about branding. So this was a primer to that article. I thinnk people are misunderstanding what is going on here. This Paddy's concept. Form beginning to end. Mine is a rip of his. I was just trying to help. Not compete with him.

I'll gracefully bow out of this one. I was just trying to help. *crawls back into his shell*

I dont see the DC similarities either. My explanation was in theory, and 28 agree with me on the theory part even tho he thought he didnt....:lol: So at least the theory may have benn spot on even if my execution was whacked. Keep up the good work paddy

[REEF·]

Alrighty then!

That being said, dreamcast was the shizznat console! Before xbox stole it's controllers. Didnt Microsoft buy Sega?

[RabBell]

as usual paddy, stellar work :beam:

[paddy.]

Actually I like the shape a lot now that I look at it, I'd like to see it alone just to see it. Just for you Reef, I put the swirl on it's own.

I also cleaned up the shapes a little. Here's a colour suggestion:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/Fla5h/dm-clean.gif

[REEF·]

Yep, that shape is definetly doin it for me. I'm really liking it on the black background (cause DMs website is dark). I have to say it looks extremely smooth from here & I'm becoming more fond of the font.

:D Whats the plan dark?

[paddy.]

Cheers Reef!

Hopefully DM will give the green light on this one. :thumb2:

[Anogar]

Looks great. :thumb2:

[icio]

looking good :thumb:

[theflash]

amazing :thumb:

[Pasquale]

:P heheh my computer is broken so I am sneaking on my sister's computer. OMG that logo is looking fiiiiiiiiiine! Thinking, maybe a little crisper where the ends taper off- but wowzers it is great :D

[ollie-]

Schweeet :m2:

[Pasquale]

*damn school, and lack of computer- due to the fact that it is being fixed* I want to play around with it but I can't do anything

[Anogar]

Bummer. :(

[Pasquale]

*my motehrboard is coming in soon...*

[hl]

I think it looks pretty awesome as just a normal size o as well. (Without the extra outer rings).

[Anogar]

I'm waiting for another week or two, then I'm getting my workstation back (the motherboard is currently dead), and buying a new CPU / Mobo. With the new Conroe chips coming out, and AMD slashing prices... ah, ripe for the picking!! :D I think I'm going to get an E6700.

[Pasquale]

woooot back and running- new mobo, processor and more ram
I will have to try and chuck this logo in with my site whenI find some time :)

[Esherido]

Excellent work Paddy Duke, I like the blue best, I think it fits in best with the colors being used in darkmotion's own site. Again, great work. :thumb2:

[Pasquale]

*now just need some time to work on something*

[Esherido]

Buy a timeshare, that'll give you some time! :D