Week 5: Logo Design

What a fun assignment this has been!  Designing my logo has been something that I have put off for quite a while.  Before returning to Western New York in 2009, I owned a company in New Jersey and had drawn a logo myself.  I just sketched without giving any thought to the elements and principles of design.  I will include these in this assignment just for reference showing how the logo was used on my business card and a pan face sign on the front of my building.

Now, as I pursue my passion in the fiber arts, I am glad that I had reason to begin development on my new logo.  This isn't as easy as drawing Dr. Gelcoat!  My work encompasses so many different aspects of fiber arts.  I felt, I bead, I design and sew garments made from fabrics I create surface designs upon....so the challenge to incorporate all of this, I find, probably requires a professional. I consider the work I've done, on the right track, and I do like my final concept.

The most important discovery I made in this endeavor was that I wish I knew how to use Photoshop and Illustrator.  I have limitations in my illustration skills.  As an artist, I should sketch more.  I keep journals of ideas, and then I just execute them, rather than sketch them out.

Watching the videos, powerpoint, and reading the  material broadened my interest in graphic design and has me thinking about ways to create a pattern to print on fabric that could be my signature to use in linings.  The videos are wonderful insights into the field of graphic design companies and how each persons responsibilities fall into play.  In the first video, the whole episode seemed so staged and in my opinion the design left a great deal to be desired and didn't represent something "dynamic" at all.  The product packaging redesign in the second video was far more interesting to me simply because I am always redesigning packages in my head when I don't like something.


The following images are my attempt at designing my logo. These are the first two concept sketches, including some play with my initials.

This sketch tried to incorporate a both a piece of fabric and a finished evening bad.  Eh.....not there yet.

 This exploration now identifies what I do but I'm still not feeling it.

 This is much closer to what I would like to see, but feel that a true graphic design professional would be able to refine the design.  I really like the fact that my initials are M W which gives alot of opportunity to manipulate them.  There is a balance, even though the upper right is larger, because the solid black initials in the center lead the eye spiraling down to the left where the text of my name is.  The handwritten text provides the information and somewhat fills a negative space.  Ultimately I'd like to see typography, even if the font is a handwriting font, create the text, not my actual writing.  This would make it possible to stretch the text, curve it, etc., to make the logo complete.  I'm pleased with the outline serving as a frame, so that the design can stand alone. 

 In Photoshop, which I have never used before, I attempted to manipulate my initials to create a "signature" using just the initials.  I can see using this as a "stamp" or simple embroidered identification mark.  It still needs some development, but I would like to include it here, because I did explore this while working on this assignment.