Logo Pimp
polycounter lvl 18
I've begun work anew on my personal website. I spent about the last two months being unemployed. Although it did give me a nice chunk of time to work on my personal projects, on the whole it kind of sucked. But I'm working again, and I've definitely learned something from my experience. Working on your portfolio needs to be an all-the-time thing. It doesn't cut it to work on it when you need it. You need it to be there, ready and full of sweet content at a moment's notice.
And in the spirit of that, I'm redoing my portfolio site from the ground up. And I decided to start with a personal logo. Here's a link to the under-construction site, with an image of the log as the splash page...
http://www.willhawthorne.com
I thought it best to keep it simple. The general structure of the logo isn't really up for discussion. I like the design, and I'm sticking with it. However, how the design is tarted up is something I would like some guidance on. Right now I've got a pretty basic color scheme in primaries, simple gradients, and a reasonably conservative drop-shadow. Nothing too complex.
Do you think I should do anything to make the logo "pop" more on the splash page? I can always tone it back for the rest of the site. (when I construct it) Also, would a splash page really be best? After seeing other portfolios, I'm beginning to think that a flashy (and possibly actual Flash) intro isn't the best way to go. Should I just throw the user right into the thick of the content right off the bat?
And in the spirit of that, I'm redoing my portfolio site from the ground up. And I decided to start with a personal logo. Here's a link to the under-construction site, with an image of the log as the splash page...
http://www.willhawthorne.com
I thought it best to keep it simple. The general structure of the logo isn't really up for discussion. I like the design, and I'm sticking with it. However, how the design is tarted up is something I would like some guidance on. Right now I've got a pretty basic color scheme in primaries, simple gradients, and a reasonably conservative drop-shadow. Nothing too complex.
Do you think I should do anything to make the logo "pop" more on the splash page? I can always tone it back for the rest of the site. (when I construct it) Also, would a splash page really be best? After seeing other portfolios, I'm beginning to think that a flashy (and possibly actual Flash) intro isn't the best way to go. Should I just throw the user right into the thick of the content right off the bat?
Replies
On a side note, i have to agree with Neox. The colours are really dull and are not helped by the gradient behind them. They look dull and unintersting. You dont need a logo, its not going to get you a job. Its fun to have one but a bad one just gets you off to a poor start.
Rampant window dressing that is a distraction, is detrimental.
Splash pages are like that car salesmen that asks you what your looking for, and then shows you everything else on the lot except what you want to see. By the time its over you've punched him the nuts and drove off.
(I understand you're not looking for crits on the logo itself, but I've got to say this. You should skip this next part I get kind of ugly)
Definitely don't assault your viewing audience with it on a splash page. If you're really set on keeping it, make it much smaller, and move it off to the side.
If you're going for an artist position in this industry and you plan to keep the logo and make it a splash page... Make sure the art behind it is top notch. I think you're digging yourself a hole that doesn't impress. Who knows maybe you have something planned that really kicks ass?
I'm still not behind it but if you're going to use the idea, replace the color with pics of your work, and have the shapes be buttons to the different galleries. That way if people don't get the logo, (looks like most aren't) then you didn't waste their time.
And yeah, brushes metal, gradiants and such far dropshadows? It's all a bit much.
Okay, for comments on the logo itself, I like being pretentiously clever. I'm actually quite pleased that several of you realized what it was I was going for with it. I personally find it to be a rather clever play on my initials. (W and H) To be honest, I'm not attempting to beat people over the head with it, or force them to recognize this. If they don't "get" it, that's fine, the logo is easy enough to recognize and remember without getting the slight sight gag.
Now onto the other comments. I'm definitely agreeing with everyone who says that a splash page is a no-no. The more I think about it, and the more I think of splash page examples I've seen in the past, the more I think it would be better to just launch into the portfolio proper. Of course, for the time being I'm still just going to have the "under construction" page. I'm building my site from the ground up, so I don't have the styles or design for the content areas ready yet.
I also agree with everyone who doesn't like the colors. It's not that I find them distasteful. I was actually surprised to hear that they looked like the Windows logo. That hadn't even occured to me. I did remember that it is currently using the same color scheme that the Google logo uses. Does any one have any suggestions on colors?
I'm also hearing you on the gradeints and dropshadow. I'm thinking perhaps an outlined version of the logo instead? Or maybe a more "sketched" version? I'll probably put together a sheet of "altered" logo variations over the weekend. Oh yes, and whatever design I settle on, it will be shrunk down considerably. I never intended for the final version to be that big.
I think there are a few guys with logos out there : Poop has two, Pascal Blanch
I say less talk more rawk at this moment Richard. I'm not going to remember you for your logo, but I WILL remember you for your work that you produce. As pior said, focus on the content (your art) and once you've made your portfolio fat and happy, then move onto the logo.