Designing A Logo...

[Camilla and Darwin]

When I read about the DK logo competition I thought about trying my hand at it, then quickly dismissed it. I had never taken any kind of graphic design class, or even used Adobe Illustrator that often. The only thing I had going for me was that I enjoy using Photoshop CS5. Then, as the day wore on I started to think that maybe I did want to enter after all. Knowing that many of the entrants were professional designers kind of scared me, and I was worried that my entries would be totally juvenile in comparison. I put that aside and started on my entry, knowing that while I likely wouldn't win, it would still be a fun experience.

 

Now, I'm not sure how the real designers do it, but I just hand drew my first set of entries. I assume they do some fancy pants thing in illustrator to draw images digitally... but that was beyond me. I sketched my design, scanned it in then traced it in illustrator to make it smooth, and a vector image. 

 

 

 

I knew this was somewhat lackluster, so I started playing around with color and I couldn't choose! Doodles are so many colors and I had no idea which was the most common. I did one of each color I was considering, and changed the text to something more bold. ultimately I narrowed it down to two or three.

 

 

Then i saw Adina's statement that she was hoping for a dog image that could stand alone, and I created this.

After doing this, the polls started and people really didn't like my designs! I was embarrassed, and was suddenly glad for anonymity. LOL. I wasn't offended though, as I had the same concerns as everyone else. :-) Too cartoonish, my doodle looked slightly angry, etc. Adina asked that I do a version that seemed more cheerful so I edited and came up with these two...

 

Then the polls started, and I noticed that people were REALLY not liking the cartoon look. Honestly I thought I had no options because it's REALLY hard to make a detailed realistic drawing of a doodle. I'm sure many people can do it well, but absolutely not me! Everytime I tried to revise and make it more realistic, my dog ended up looking demented and scary. So I decided to go in a totally different direction. I started thinking of doing a doodle silhouette, which wouldn't be a photograph but would be realistic. This was all at midnight so I couldn't go take new pictures, I had to work with what I had. I started with this photo of Darwin, and slowly turned it into a doodle silhouette. By the way, if you notice the grass obscuring his paws in the photo... I had to Photoshop paws from a different image onto him, then blend them in. LOL

 

Out of which these two designs were born

I felt these were really crisp clean, modern, etc. Although they still didn't seem very successful in the polls and I do wonder if it's because the doodle silhouette really just wasn't fun or doodley enough. Obviously darwin is a doodle, but it doesn't come across super well in the outline.

 

After this, I ended up creating each design (modern and drawing) with and without the .com, and with and without the "Where Labradoodle and Goldendoodle owners connect" text. LOTS of versions. :-) 

 

I knew all along that I probably wouldn't win, there were just so many great designs from REALLY talented people. So I wasn't too shocked or disappointed when the final choice was selected. I did end up getting better ratings than I expected, which made me proud of my efforts. I applaud everyone who entered the contest, as I know first hand how challenging it was to come up with a design, revise, revise, receive negative feedback etc. And I'm so glad I did this because it really taught me that there are so many different opinions and styles when it comes to logos. I'm also glad that I learned how to use vector software and illustrator better, because I'm definitely going to try this again! 

 

Hopefully this wasn't extremely long and boring, I just thought you guys would like seeing my design experience, the revisions, etc. :-) 

 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

below should say BRAKE~ vs.~ Break.  Must have been subliminal on my part!  Hah

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Do we know what logo was officially chosen?  I am having computer internet problems as well as family emergencies and am missing out on 'stuff.'  Boo Hoo.

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

I liked your designs!!  You did very well so congrats on that and for trying too.    Have you thought about making notepads or anything (vistaprint probably does that for cheap).   Honestly, I'd LOVE to buy a notepad with one of these doodle images on it.   So your work wasn't for nothing!    LMK when you start marketing your notepads.  :-)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I love that you shared the progression of your thoughts and your submissions. I adore the first sideview below Darwin himself.  That is my favorite doodle for a logo.  It looks like a doodle and is not cartoony.   I like all of the profiles actually.  I am impressed with the way you got in there and tried.  You are multi-talented, Camilla.

[F, Calla & Luca]

That is nice. It could say doodle. Or if a little company had the equipment it could print out individual dogs' names inside. I guess the  company who made this can.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

You are correct~ thank goodness for the anonymity during the contest.

Now I have another challenge.  A few months ago I found this on a car.  I wanted to also create one for doodles but ran out of time during the contest.  Today I have a break job to do on my car, and tomorrow I am painting my sisters porch.  No time this week to color. Still, I'd love to have one as a car magnet. 

Anyone want to try this one?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Oh, I liked the last one you submitted!!!  A lot....voted for it.

You did a very good job. I can't believe it was Darwin!!!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Camilla, you are absolutely amazing! I voted for yours! I love the one with the doodle at the side of the text, but actually, my absolute favourite is the silhouette one. It love that crisp clean look. The only thing I might add to either of them is to find a way to include some sort of kiss image. I have no idea how though. Good for you Camilla! You should pursue this as I think you have a talent. I would have no idea where to begin.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Camilla, I can't believe those were yours! I loved that silhouette, it was my very favorite logo! You did a great job!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Thank you everyone for your kind words. Tina, your design is wonderful, great depiction of a doodle!

Debbie, if your designs are the ones I think they are, they were awesome! And some of the member's favorites.

I would really encourage anyone who is interested in doing this to give it a try! It's like F says, you just never know. I really had fun and I definitely want to try something like this again.