[Project Complete] Logo & Business Card for "The Whole Dog" Dog Training $200

[mikrol1989]

Admin code added by Abby - 2F247231D3571691X

The Whole Dog is a progressive dog training business that is based in the San Francisco Bay area. We come from a competitive sport dog background and still give seminars to competitive training clubs around the country. We advocate a balanced, positive, approach to dog training, and a wholistic approach to the dog/human relationship. We will offer private lessons, group classes, and coaching for competitive trainers.
We need a logo that we can use on websites, vehicles, and clothing, and a business card design.
Thanks!

[abby]

Welcome,
Can you please fill out these questions http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7819 and then copy and past the questions and answers in your project. This will help the designers better serve your design needs. If you have any questions please let me know at a.robinson@designoutpost.com

[mikrol1989]

Project Summary:
What text should be included in the main part of the logo?
The Whole Dog
And possibly our tagline.

What type of product or service do you offer?
Dog training and equipment.

How long have you been in business?
10 years.

What do you hope to accomplish with your new identity?
Broaden our client base from strictly competitive trainers to include pet dog owners as well.

What are your long term goals?
To change the way pet owners approach their relationships with their dogs.

When is the deadline for final entries before choosing a designer?
3/24/06
Audience Profile:
Please describe your existing audience
Competitive dog trainers.

Who would you like to add to your audience?
Pet dog owners who want more from their relationships with their dogs.

Perception/Tone/Guidelines:
What type of logo would you like?
Something that emphasizes the wholistic relationship between a dog and its owner. Nothing cartoony.
Active…i.e. dog playing, etc.

Do you have any colors in mind for your logo? (if so, why?)
Green, tan, maroon, wine. Generally earthy.
Do you have any specific images or icons in mind that you would definitely like to see incorporated into your logo?
A dog- active, shepherd type. Maybe a person? Playing with dog? A circle to convey whole relationship.

Communication Strategy:
What attributes would you like your logo to reflect about your business?
It’s wholistic. It encompasses all aspects of your relationship with your dog…training, communication, activities, lifestyle, etc.

What is your tagline or slogan?
Creating a balanced relationship with your dog.

What is the overall message you are trying to convey to your target audience?

Where will your new logo be used?
Website, ads, clothing, vehicle.

Competitive Positioning:
Who are your competitors and what do you think about their logos?

List competitive URLs if possible

What sets you apart from your competitors?

Targeted Message:
State a single-minded word or phrase that will appropriately describe your company:

Creating a balanced relationship with your dog.

Thank you for choosing Design Outpost

[BlueCherryGraphics]

v1

[mikrol1989]

Thank you, Jennifer, for getting this started. I like the first effort very much. I had envisioned a dog, but the hand and paw are interesting.
Maybe a less "clean cut" circle...something that spirals outward maybe?
I like the emphasis on Whole in the text. Maybe the circle could be less separate from the text?
Michael

[BlueCherryGraphics]

Hi,

Here's a variation.

[Blesseville]

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd1.jpg

[Blesseville]

Another version I like better.

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd2.jpg

[Paula23]

:)

[Paula23]

Thanks,Paula

[mikrol1989]

Jennifer, I like your second effort even better. Maybe the swirls could be more of a circle and less of a smear...looks a little like finger painting.
I also like the 2nd effort from Medigraph, although I'm not overly fond of the woman and dog...I prefer a shepherd type dog (no labradors) and the woman/person might have a toy. Also I prefer the emphasis on Whole in the text.
The effort from Paula is a little too "new agey"...although I don't dislike the yin yang idea completely.
Thanks!
Michael

[Blesseville]

A girl kissing his dog -a shepherd type. Also emphasized Whole :)

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd3.jpg

[mikrol1989]

Medigraph, I like the last design much better...but would still like to see some more active ones...maybe another playing dog? The change in the text is good.

[Blesseville]

Thank you or the feedback. Again a shepherd type, now playing with the girl :).

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd4.jpg

[mikrol1989]

Medigraph, I like the idea of the dog and girl playing, but they don't look like they go together...and the dog is a little too "clean- cut" of a silouette. Also could you move the "ground" under the girl up to the center of the cirle to imply a ying/yang on it's side?

It's seems we've stalled a bit here...is there any other information from me that would help you guys come up with new designs? I can post some dog pics if that would help with the silouettes. I know I've been a bit vague here, but I'd like to see as many different design ideas as possible because I don't have a concrete vision in my head...I'm sort of relying on your creativity :)

[BlueCherryGraphics]

Will be posting my revisions tomorrow.

[Blesseville]

Maybe they should play with each other rather than with a ball.

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd5.jpg

[Titania]

am i still on time to make a post in here? :blush:

[mikrol1989]

Thanks for checking in Titania.
We have been trying to figure out why our job has been so unpopular.
After just a few entries, it all stalled out.
We have noticed that there are many, many dog related businesses looking for logos on this site, and that could make it a bit boring for all the design artists.
But what we are looking for is something a bit different.
At first we didn’t have much of an idea and were waiting to see if the designers could help us with our vision. Now, since we’ve had a couple of ideas and some time to figure out how to express our thoughts, we hope we can inspire you all.
Looking back, we were immediately drawn to Jennifer’s concept of the-dog-hand-within-the-human-hand. We were excited that it was a fresh, abstract idea. :)
Paula’s idea was neat too. While it captured the progressive, wholistic nature of our training philosophy, it felt, as Michael said, “a bit too new agey”, but only because our training also focuses on dog sports and fun activities, like dock-diving, agility, fly ball, etc, to participate in with your dog. So, we were hoping to find a balance with the wholistic, the sporty, and the fun concepts of our training.
In other words, our philosophy is that we train you and your whole dog…..with everything you do together - obedience, protection, fun sports and simply living in a balanced relationship. :D
Medigraph’s offerings were great too, but they were falling into something fairly typical of dog training business logos. (but thanks medigraph for hanging in there for us - please don’t give up!)
So, to make a long story longer, we would like to try again.
We are looking for something creative and UNtypical.
We were even looking at portraits of dogs by Picasso and other painters. There are also pretty cool looking dogs in ancient fable books from around the world. Can you explore these avenues? (there doesn’t have to be a person in it)
We are open for all new concepts!
And we are willing to drop the tag line all together if it is best.
I hope this helps.
Thank you all in advance for sticking with us.

carol and michael :flowers:

[Titania]

i'm working on it! i'll post asap! :yes:

[Blesseville]

A completely different approach signifying the relation of the dog and his owner, as they are walking a road together.

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd6.jpg

[mikrol1989]

Medigraph, thanks for the new entry! Great idea! Can you make the footprints look like they are walking side by side? And then can you try a few variations of them walking along the top of the words...or from the bottom left side and across the words diagonally toward the top right side? To signify, like you suggested, that they are on a wandering walk together.
Thanks again for the new entry! :)

[Blesseville]

Thank you. Here are some alterntives as you requested.

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd7.jpg

[Blesseville]

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd8.jpg

[Blesseville]

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd9.jpg

[Blesseville]

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd10.jpg

[BlueCherryGraphics]

V3

[mikrol1989]

Medigraph, The side-by-side looks great. But I think I like the other font better. Can you make the footprints wander across the words? For example, from the bottom left "Creating" corner across the words in a wandering diagonal toward the top right corner above "dog" ?

[mikrol1989]

BlueCherry Graphics, Thanks! Nice variation on your original idea! Can you put the hand/paw print in or on the swirling "o" somehow, instead of on the outside of the "dog"? And can you make the "w" bigger that the rest of the word, like you did in your original? Try making the swirl bigger too, actually covering the letters next to it, and a bit of the "the". In other words, not so neatly tucked in with the other letters.

[Blesseville]

Something like that?

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd11.jpg

[mikrol1989]

Medigraph, Yes! More prints look better, implying a trail/walk/trek. But even more crossing over the words. I mean literally walking over the letters. As if they words were written on the ground and the dog and his handler stepped all over them with paint on their feet. Maybe try changing the color of the prints so they contrast the words. These are great adjustments, thanks! :D

[Blesseville]

Maybe something like this?

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd12.jpg

[mikrol1989]

Medigraph, Yes! Yes! Now can you make the footprints go through the word "whole" and end underneath the word "dog"?

[Blesseville]

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd13.jpg

[BlueCherryGraphics]

I *can* do that, but I would not recommend it. With that design, the hand/paw is the cornerstone of the identity. If you place it in the swirl, at small sizes it will be unrecognizable, totally negating the branding potential.

[mikrol1989]

Medigraph, Cool! I think that's really looking interesting! Can you make the turn to the bottom of the words a little tighter? So that the end of the trail is as evident/revealed as the beginning? Can the prints go through the "o" in "whole" and come out under the "with your dog"? (Like the clustery turn of the prints above "creating")

[mikrol1989]

BlueCherry Graphics, Ok. I see what you mean. What if you turned the "o" back into a regular letter and the whole design was on a larger swirl?...or something like that? I really like the way the swirl indicates movement and suggests/supports the concept of "whole" dog. I also like the new balance of the tag line underneath the slash...and the larger "w" works too. I'm just a little troubled by how the paw/hand reminds me of the chicken/turkey artwork of children, the way it sticks out at the end. Do you know what I mean? :blush:

[Blesseville]

Sure they can :)

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd14.jpg

[Blesseville]

Additionally I thought such a version may also look good as it allows for contrast between the text and the prints.

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd15.jpg

[mikrol1989]

Medigraph, Yes! It looks cool! Maybe a little more appearance of feet at the end? What do you think? Can the prints start even lower, near the word "creating" and end by curling around and up along the "g" on "dog"? will that look ok?
And can you try making the "w" bigger?

[Blesseville]

Well, let's see.

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd16.jpg

[mikrol1989]

Medigraph, Yes again! I thinks it looks great, except can you make the dog prints go under/around and along side the word "dog", not layered on top?
And I think you were right about the simpler colors. The contrast looks good and it looks less confusing.
The "w" looks better too. Can the font size of the "holedog" be a bit smaller?...to emphasize the "w"?
Thanks so much for working with me today. :D

[Blesseville]

You are welcome :) Here it is, I hope I got them right.

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd17.jpg

[Blesseville]

One more, the only difference is that the prints are under the text. Just wanted to show.

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd17-1.jpg

[mikrol1989]

BlueCherry Graphics, Can you try something for me? Will you leave the swirl like it is, then take the dog print out of the hand print and with a small dark brown background, layer it onto the swirl? I cut and pasted your last entry that way and it looks kind-of interesting. That way, the brand recognition would be the swirl with a paw print. And no human hand at all. What do you think? Just thinking of new concept. :blush:

[mikrol1989]

Medigraph, Great! And what a fabulous idea to layer the prints under the text. It looks even better. I was a little worried about the chaos. That's why you're the designer and I'm the client!
Now that we have seen the footprints go all the way around the text, can you repeat version 15.0 with the prints under the text? Just for a look at it? Thanks.

[Blesseville]

:)
http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd15-1.jpg

[mikrol1989]

Medigraph, Ok Great. :tup: This one, I think is ready to show to my husband....the boss! :palmer:
Can you do a little modification to one of your previous versions so that we have two ideas to present?
Using version #7, can you make the half circle the same type of "painted" look that you used in version #4? But not a whole circle. The half circle looks great.

[BlueCherryGraphics]

Hi,

I'll make the change, but I'm not entirely clear on what you want.

Do you mean a small brown background w/ the swirl on top of it, and then the handprint of top of that? :confused:

[Blesseville]

Like this I suppose.

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd7-1.jpg

[mikrol1989]

BlueCherryGraphics, Ok - Good question. Basically I'm hoping to take a look at just a paw print layered on top, in the middle of the swirl. :blush:

[mikrol1989]

Medigraph, Yes. :smart:

[BlueCherryGraphics]

Here you go...

[gig]

balanced relationship concept:)

[Titania]

picasso inspired, something different, hope you like this!:

http://titania.myown.com.ar/do/titania_thewholedog.jpg

[mikrol1989]

Hey all, I'm just back from a trip and my wife showed me all the designs. I must say it's great to have several very different designs to mull over.
Medigraph Your last entry is exactly what we had in mind in terms of the circle and the foot/pawprints. Nice.

BlueCherry I definitely like the hand and pawprint together, instead of the paw and swirl. I agree regarding the branding potential...but maybe we could see some version with the swirl sort of encompassing the hand and part of the text. I liked your second version, way back at the beginning, but I would like the swirl to involve the text, so it isn't just a hand with swirl with some text next to it. Does that make sense?

Gig I may have imagined it, but did you have some yin/yang type version that you posted then removed in the middle of the night? I would love for you to explore that concept a little more.

Titania I love the "picassoesque" effort. It is a little too "froufrou" dog for our business though...could you mess with something a little less toy/lap dog like? I really like the idea though...maybe even more abstract?

Everyone please feel free to ask for clarifications on my ramblings :D
Thanks,
Michael

[gig]

thank you for feedback. But My posted was deleted by mods because it's a same concept with other designer. So, can I start with my entry in message #54? thanks

[mikrol1989]

Gig Of course, we'll consider the one you did post. I think it's little too "clean cut". I'd like something with more...action I suppose, or a little rougher or more abstract...does any of this make sense?

We'll be making our choice by the end of today, so any last minute submissions are very welcome :D
Thanks!
Michael

[mikrol1989]

Gig My wife just told me that what I said in my previous message made no sense :) So ,here goes...the circle with the feet and paws is too perfect...with Whole centered in it, the logo looks just a little to tidy. I liked the yin/yang idea which really didn't get explored much, but barring that I'd like to see a rougher (not perfectly round and clean) circle that encompasses part of the text, but not just one word. Maybe an asymmetrical type thing.
Thanks!

[mikrol1989]

Well, we have decided to go with Medigraph. Thank you all for your efforts.
Michael

[Blesseville]

Thank you for choosing my design. Do you need any revisions? If so, the thread will be moved to revisions forum, where we can continue to work on. If not, I'll prepare the package ASAP and send you a link to download necessary files.

Thanks again,
Cem

[mikrol1989]

We have some simple revisions and color choices. Let's chat in the revisions forum.
Thanks!

[Blesseville]

Hi,

I would be glad to hear about the revisions. :)

[mikrol1989]

Hey Cem,

We were thinking of trying some richer colors...darker green, brown, and maroon or red. Could you try a few with some different colors?
Maybe a couple of fonts as weel just to see what it looks like with a different lettering.
Also when we finish can we get versions with no text and with just the company name and no tag line?
Thanks,
Michael

[Blesseville]

Hi,

v7.2 includes some different color alternatives, and 7.3 is for several font option using the first color alternative of 7.2.

Maybe you can show direction on them, as well as combinations (such that brown color from 7.2/2 with the font of 7.3/4). :)

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd7-2.jpg

[Blesseville]

By the way if there is a particular font type you like, I may try that as well.

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd7-3.jpg

[mikrol1989]

Hey Cem,
Sorry about the lethargy of my reply, but I'm driving myself crazy looking at fonts and colors.
I like a couple of fonts and would like to see them if possible...
Elephant, Copperplate Gothic, and Matisse ITC
Also I think I like the richer colors in your first couple of examples...
Dark greens, and dark reds. I think I also like the paw and footprints to be different shades of the same color scheme, like reds, or greens, or browns. I also think that I'd like to see the prints in the same color scheme as the WHOLE in the text. Thanks for your patience with this :)
Michael

[Blesseville]

Well the fonts you liked, using the first color scheme.

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd7-4.jpg

[Blesseville]

And the second scheme.

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd7-5.jpg

[mikrol1989]

Thanks Cem,
They look great. I think I like the one with "whole" in brown and "dog" in green the best. Can you try, for the sake of looking, making the tag line the same color as the paws?...or as the half circle? Instead of a fourth color.
And I think I like the first font best,(elephant) but is there a way of changing the "dog" into an outlined word - or something like that - when it's black, because it looks like one word. And I'm hoping to differenciate it from the word "whole." And the tag line looks perfect starting under the half circle. Thanks :)

[Blesseville]

Here it is :)

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd7-6.jpg

[mikrol1989]

Ok, this looks great. One final thing...could you show me how it might be formatted for a business card? We like the one with the green tagline in version 7.6. Also, we'd like a version with just the image (circle and foot/paw prints), one with just the text, one with just the "the whole dog" (no tagline or image), and one with the image and "the whole dog" no tagline. Does all this make sense? Thanks a ton for your work on this, we really like where it's ended up.
Michael

[Blesseville]

I will deliver you the logos in those three versions :)

Two business card options with backsides. The horizontal one:
http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd7-6bc1.jpg

[Blesseville]

Vertical one:

http://www.medigraph.net/do/wd7-6bc2.jpg

[mikrol1989]

Cem,
Great job on the business card! We like the first (horizontal) version. How do I put my info on it? Do the business card printers generally do that?

I count five versions...am I wrong? The finished logo, one without any text (just image), one with image and "the whole dog" no tagline, one with just text (tagline included), and one with just "the whole dog". Is that right? Can you do that? I guess it's really just pieces of the one logo. If so, I think we are done here.
You've done a super job, thanks so much :)
Michael

[mikrol1989]

Oh, I almost forgot. We need the logo in a jpeg format on a clear background. The company I use to do my website only works with jpeg images and if it's not on a clear background I can't use it.
Thanks again.
Michael

[Blesseville]

Well, send me a private message with your info and I'll send you the final version with that info on. Printers can also do that job, but it may be the case that they may not use the same font. Does not make too much difference if needed anyway.

I'll prepare those five versions as well, but it is not possible for a JPG to have a transparent background (by nature). Instead I can send you PNG files with clear backgrounds, they will do the same thing.

[Blesseville]

A private message (PM) is sent to you with information to download the necessary files. You can check it here: http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/private.php?

Regards,
Cem :)