Wanna throw out some feedback?

[killer cacti]

Hey guys,

 

I wanted to pitch something to you and get your thoughts on it. My high school has always used a generic/clipart panther as its logo:

 

Pretty crappy.

 

Being a full-time Graphic Designer, I want to do something about it. So, here's the first draft. Let me know what you think, and don't be too nice about it:

[Creighton Duke]

Does it HAVE to be a panther head? I think a paw (a la Clemson) or an eye (like LSU) would be cool (I know, they're tigers, but you get the point).

 

Even doing something cool, as you appear to be doing with the school initials, would be preferable as a primary logo in my point of view.

[killer cacti]

Does it HAVE to be a panther head? I think a paw (a la Clemson) or an eye (like LSU) would be cool (I know, they're tigers, but you get the point).

 

Even doing something cool, as you appear to be doing with the school initials, would be preferable as a primary logo in my point of view.

I understand. This would be mostly for print...Helmets are solid gold...always will be, so no potential for that. I'm thinking the letters would be the primary & the head be the secondary.

 

Rival school uses the paw, so that's out. I'm trying to figure out if it needs whiskers or teeth beveling.

 

And thanks so much for the response.

[Creighton Duke]

Does it HAVE to be a panther head? I think a paw (a la Clemson) or an eye (like LSU) would be cool (I know, they're tigers, but you get the point).

 

Even doing something cool, as you appear to be doing with the school initials, would be preferable as a primary logo in my point of view.

I understand. This would be mostly for print...Helmets are solid gold...always will be, so no potential for that. I'm thinking the letters would be the primary & the head be the secondary.

 

Rival school uses the paw, so that's out. I'm trying to figure out if it needs whiskers or teeth beveling.

 

And thanks so much for the response.

I agree with the bolded. Don't think you need to mess with the teeth or whiskers.

[EbylHusker]

Not a fan of whatever is hanging down below the bottom jaw. In fact, it could almost look like a second jaw (as in it has its mouth open). It just messes up the lines and the visual. If you want the mouth closed, at least get rid of whatever is hanging down there. If you'd rather it be open and showing more teeth, go in that direction.

 

Edit - Also, the entire face is too vertically compressed. Or just too wide. Whichever.

[killer cacti]

Not a fan of whatever is hanging down below the bottom jaw. In fact, it could almost look like a second jaw (as in it has its mouth open). It just messes up the lines and the visual. If you want the mouth closed, at least get rid of whatever is hanging down there. If you'd rather it be open and showing more teeth, go in that direction.

 

Edit - Also, the entire face is too vertically compressed. Or just too wide. Whichever.

Much appreciated.

 

I think you're meaning the bottom gold "U" shaped part? I can see how that would look a bit awkward. I may do another with the mouth closed. Great idea.

[EbylHusker]

Oh I see it now, the mouth is actually open. I feel a bit dumb, but yeah, that's how I saw it, as the mouth closed and something else below the lower jaw. That in itself may be a good indication is needs a bit of tweaking, though. hehe

 

If the lower teeth overlapped the tongue a bit, that might help remove the illusion of the tongue looking like the lower jaw/chin with a closed mouth. Or something like that.

 

Anyway, I do think it's a nice start.

[killer cacti]

Oh yeah, if it's not obvious, it needs some work.

[Landlord]

Seems to busy to me cacti. I'm actually really surprised because your designs are generally so clean and simple i wouldn't have expected it came from you! Not awful, just doesn't seem like your typical work.

 

I do like the typography of the initials. Maybe you could come up with a 'full' insignia that has the school name or the 'PANTHERS' name with a logo, that could also stand apart secondary. I'm thinking like the Pelicans branding:

 

 

 

But regardless, something about the current design feels too busy compared to today's design trends especially with logo work. I can't think of any good specifics for you, but maybe try coming up with a brand that's a bit more abstract and simple without the context of knowing it's supposed to be a panther.

[killer cacti]

Seems to busy to me cacti. I'm actually really surprised because your designs are generally so clean and simple i wouldn't have expected it came from you! Not awful, just doesn't seem like your typical work.

 

I do like the typography of the initials. Maybe you could come up with a 'full' insignia that has the school name or the 'PANTHERS' name with a logo, that could also stand apart secondary. I'm thinking like the Pelicans branding:

 

 

 

But regardless, something about the current design feels too busy compared to today's design trends especially with logo work. I can't think of any good specifics for you, but maybe try coming up with a brand that's a bit more abstract and simple without the context of knowing it's supposed to be a panther.

Thanks Landlord .

 

Being too detailed in non-type stuff is one of my flaws that I'm trying to work on. I drew this thing about 12 times removing/simplifying things each time. You should have seen the first drawing .

 

I truly value your advice and you definitely hit the nail on the head. I'm trying to work on it and gain some confidence on the illustration part of what we do.

 

Edit - I have that as a full typeset, but it gets to be pretty busy in itself. May work it up for you to check out.

[AR Husker Fan]

The head seems a bit...ambiguous. What I mean is that at first glance I thought "tiger" rather than "panther". It doesn't scream "panther" so much as "big cat of some kind". The benefit of the generic one currently in use is the ears flattened to the skull - that makes me think "panther". And perhaps a black-and-white motif for the head would help; you've incorporated the school colors in other ways so you might be able to get away with black-and-white for the head and that might help it look a bit more like a panther. With the coloring of the head, I also think "LSU Tigers".

[Landlord]

When I googled the pelicans logo I came on a "contest" site with some submissions and something like this is essentially what I'm feeling you could accomplish:

 

 

 

Clean, sharp, simple and focused. That is a badass logo. Maybe the secret is in using some vector shading as the 'detail'

[killer cacti]

I like the advice...

 

FYI, this is the guy all of this is based off of:

[Minnesota_husker]

The coloring of the tounge throws it off a bit. I like the fierce look, but when only using a few colors it can make the details miss.

 

 

Maye use some black to make the details pop more and add a bit more "fierce-ness" to the eyes.

 

I like it tho.

 

 

Curious what the stars are about?

 

Also.. I have used Killer for a few Logos... the guy is a stud!

[killer cacti]

Curious what the stars are about?

7 State football Championships, 5 as an integrated school system, 2 as segregated (1 each).

 

Obviously the stars would be only on the football logo - basketball would have 1.