[Project Complete] Due Dec 7th -$200 logo for photography business

[michelleh]

Admin code added by Abby - 6SF427877E1611801

Project Summary:
What text should be included in the main part of the logo?

Michelle Haley Photography

What type of product or service do you offer?

I specializes in fine children's portraiture as well as unique maternity, newborns, babies, high school seniors, and family portraits.

How long have you been in business?

3 years.


What do you hope to accomplish with your new identity?

Reinforce the brand that I've established as a high-end family and children's photographer and roll out the new logo with marketing materials for 2008.

What are your long term goals?

To firmly establish myself as the one of the leading family and children's photographers in my area and increase my client base.

When is the deadline for final entries before choosing a designer? November 28th

Audience Profile:

Upper middle class. Target market is highly affluent and more concerned with quality than price.

Perception/Tone/Guidelines:

What type of logo would you like?

Elegant, sophisticated, clean and feminine. I would like to see the M or the H used either in conjunction or simply the M by itself. Would not mind scrolls added as art elements but I don't want anything too frilly or busy. Clean is key. I tend to gravitate towards the ultra modern looking logos but my style is a bit more classic (see below for samples I like).

I would need the main graphic element (one of both of the initials) to be verstaile to be used as a watermark for my work at low opacity across photographs.

Do you have any colors in mind for your logo? (if so, why?)

Pale blue/taupe is my current scheme and I'd like to stick with that. The shade of blue can certainly change but pale is better (photos look better against a pale background). If you think other colors would work better show me some themes! Current colors can be viewed on my site at

http://www.mhaleyphoto.com


Do you have any specific images or icons in mind that you would definitely like to see incorporated into your logo?
nope.

Communication Strategy:
What attributes would you like your logo to reflect about your business?

That this is no chain portrait studio. The logo will reflect a classy, elegant and established photography business.


What is your tagline or slogan?

None

Where will your new logo be used?

Website, business cards, brochures.

Competitive Positioning:

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

My closest competitors either don't have a logo or they have made their own.

Some logos that I do like (but in no way want to emulate) are:

one of my favorites..she most closely matches the "look" I'm after
http://www.susanbraswellphotography.com/

I like the fluid, abstract peanut and the clean font on this one
http://www.peanutphotography.com/

I like this logo with the simple but eye-catching "i"
http://photosbyiasha.com/#

and this one for it's clever play on iinitials
http://www.cynthiagraham.com/

Please...no flowers.

[OffbeatDesign]

Thanks

[OffbeatDesign]

v2

[OffbeatDesign]

v3

[tini1]

:)

[tini1]

:)

[Leclerk]

Hi!

http://www.logoholik.com/do/logoholik_michelle_01.jpg

Cheers,
Bojan

[Leclerk]

in vertical layout...

http://www.logoholik.com/do/logoholik_michelle_02.jpg

[OffbeatDesign]

v4

[OffbeatDesign]

v5

[Leclerk]

http://www.logoholik.com/do/logoholik_michelle_03.jpg

[michelleh]

Wow everyone! Thank you so much for the quick submissions.

First, I'll offer some general comments and clarify a few of my earlier points. While I don't want over-the-top frilly or an actual flower used in the logo, I do want a fluid, feminine, classic look. I think I'd also like to see the overall colors go lighter than those shown here. Scripts and scrolls are welcome if they are done tastefully. I prefer circles to squares for the art elements.

Offbeat -
Thank you for your submissions. I do like the colors of your first version, although I think a tad lighter might work better. The blocky look isn't what I'm looking for. This reminds me more of a corporate accountant than a portrait photographer. Perhaps more circles as elements instead of squares with a fluid, feminine appearance.

V. 4 is closer to the concept I'm after, but I don't care for the M off to the side and don't like the broken strokes like a paintbrush. I don't care for the font either.

Tini
You are closer to the look I'm after, but I'm not thrilled with the font or the use of caps. I think all lowercase or a much thinner caps font would work. Think understated and elegant. I like the colors ok. Feel free to mix some others that are light - I can change if needed. On #6 I like the organic look of the circle, but it reminds me of a dairy cow or animal print.

Logocoick-
I love the circle and the play on the M and H...can it be made more fluid and feminine? Maybe a different color because the taupe is a little too dark/muddy for the look I'm after. I do like the name in lowercase as you've shown it. #11 is too box-y and aztec looking and doesn't say classic portraiture to me.

I hope I've offered some good feedback here. Overall more feminine would he helpful.

Thanks everyone!

[OffbeatDesign]

v6

[OffbeatDesign]

v7

[OffbeatDesign]

v8

[tini1]

:)is this font better?

[OffbeatDesign]

v9

[michelleh]

Can I just say this is such a cool process? Thanks so much for the new concepts - definitely headed in the right direction.

Offbeat,

Thank you so much for the additional concepts! You are a talented designer!

V. 6 is closer to what I'm thinking of, but it's identical to most photog logos these days. Unfortunately many photogs use a circle with their initials inside and their name below. I'm looking for something more unique to stand out among my competitors. The font is also very common, so I'd like to scrap that one for future ideas. I think one of the keys to this project is coming up with a unique font that will help my logo stand apart.

V. 7 is neat in the play on the mh, which would certainly add to the unique nature I'm seeking. But I'm not getting the H clearly enough, seems more like an M and N with a number 1 above it. Not sure how I'd feel about the concept with a stronger H....doesn't seem quite feminine enough.

V. 8 This one doesn't work for me all around. The concept seems a little on the dull/common side and I just don't like the font.

V.9 I really like the scipt font in that it's unique, but it's a little too traditional looking with the initials on top and name at the bottom. As I mentioned above, this is the style that most photogs use for their logos, so I would blend in a sea of cursive initials with my name underneath.

Tini,

Thank you for the revision! I really am attracted to the square with the abstract M....I prefer the earlier version with just 2 colors. But the text just isn't flowing with it for some reason. It seems disjointed? Maybe another font would help....I wish I could offer more specific direction. It's a little too spaced out I think. Maybe I just have to keep coming back to it. I do prefer the all lowercase, as I think it flows better with the lowercase abstract M. Thank you so much for working this one through.

I really appreciate all the time and effort on these! :)

[tini1]

thank you Michelle for feed back...
here is a unique, organic script font...:)

[OffbeatDesign]

v10

[OffbeatDesign]

v11

[OffbeatDesign]

v12

[OffbeatDesign]

v13

[OffbeatDesign]

v14

[giant]

Here's from me... :)
Thank You.

[Taldo]

hi :)

[nhr]

Hello:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/nhrdesign/DOO/MichelleHaley1_nhr.png

[nhr]

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/nhrdesign/DOO/MichelleHaley11_nhr.png

[nhr]

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/nhrdesign/DOO/MichelleHaley20_nhr.png

Thank you.

[michelleh]

Thanks so much for the additional entries. The holiday set me back a little so I may have to extend the deadline on this project.

Tini...I think I like your original logo better. The font is organic but it just doesn't go with the style of the M block. I think another thin, clean font...something like geosans light or smiliar would work better.

Offbeat...thank you again for so many versions. The mh together with the little stick in the center for the "h" isn't working for me....it's just not distinctive enough to see that it's an H. Would love to see another concept if you have ideas. In version 11 I like the circle broken into both colors with the M...but just not the font. It's too bubbly/childlike and I'm looking for sophisticated/classic. Ditto on the font for v. 14.

Dewa - Thanks for your play. I just don't care for flowers (see initial instructions) Although it is a clever play on the initials!

Carol - I really like the M on yours....but the layout is too ordinary.

I would love to see some vertical or unusual layouts that get away from mh on top name on bottom. I think the font, particularly for the initials, needs to be more abstract to get the look I'm after. The ones presented on this forum for jessadkins photography are more along the lines of what I like. (am I allowed to say that? :eek: :cool: ). Tini I particularly like your first version on that thread.

Thanks for all your hard work!

[OffbeatDesign]

v15

[OffbeatDesign]

v16

[OffbeatDesign]

v17

[OffbeatDesign]

v18

[tini1]

:)

[michelleh]

offbeat, it's such a treat to log on and see so many concepts each time...thank you! These latest are far too blocky and masculine, though. I don't mind squares or rectangles/angles if there's a feminine aspect to the idea.

Tini - good to see you back. I like the idea you posted but now I think the box in a box makes it *too* boxy and loses it's umph. I like the font better but think the best in this line of designs is the very first you posted.

This concept is best with a scripted letter to offset the box..as seen in your original idea on this thread, post #7. I don't suppose this can be used yet since she hasn't made a decision? I would love to see a scripted m that's long and flat like the "a" here

http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14952&page=1

To give you all some ideas that I've seen here that I really like...(and why)

post #34 - I love how different this is...particularly the font that the name is in. I like a different font but still clean like this. The off center initial in the square gives it an overall unique design for our industry (way too many of us photogs out there, and on here..LOL)

http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14952&page=2&pp=30

same thread as above, post #35. I love the different layout with the box or art element to the right.

same thread, post #44....I like the angle that the initial is laying on within the square. There's one similiar on this thread but I like the font, free-flowing design better on the one referenced.

same thread, #45. ....this would be super cool with an abstract m going through a circle or square. Again, what helps it work for me is the flowing initial through the art element of the square.
________________________________________
This thread, posr #157...I like the a as an abstract art element...and love the font for the name as well.

http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14496&page=6&pp=30

and on this one, the M intriques me...I'm not usually keen on frilly fonts but this one with the crisp "new york" under it is neat...post #213

http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14496&page=8&pp=30

Hope that gives a bit more direction.

Thanks for all your efforts!

[OffbeatDesign]

v19

[OffbeatDesign]

v20

[tini1]

here is a variation...:)

[tini1]

variation....:)

[xpressions]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/nemagazine/mhaleyphoto.png

[xpressions]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/nemagazine/mhaleyphoto2.png

[xpressions]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/nemagazine/mhaleyphoto3.png

[shnickerdoodle studios]

One from me...
Thanks, Deanna

[Taldo]

:)

[abby]

Project Update: The project deadline has been extended to Dec 7th.

[graphxguy]

An entry from me.

Thanks.

[michelleh]

hi everyone! Thank you again for all the entries and hard work. You're keeping me busy!

NHR...thank you for your submissions and I apologize for missing feedback for you on the last round. In your version 1 and 1.1 I'm not liking the M widget....in version 2 it's difficult to see that the M is there and I don't care for the script font used.

Offbeat I like the cursive M on v. 19 ok but the font for the name is too bold...so I'm not sure if that concept works. I don't care for the M in v. 20.

Tini - love your style! In v. 6 the M is cool but I would like to see a different concept...this one isn't quite as clean as the one you did for arravagio. In V. 7 I'm not liking the colors (feel free to change them up if you like) - they are a bit too harsh. I don't like the slant of the M but I do like the abstract, clean feel it has.

Xpressions - I've seen your work here and admire it as well. The M used is a bit too tall/messy for me. I tend to gravitate towards abstract, linear m's. In v. 3 I love the font you used for the name but the M still bugs me.

Deanna, thank you for joining in! This concept is just a bit too busy for my liking...and the cursive font is a little too sloppy handwriting-ish.

Carol...your new version has that beautiful classic look I'm after! I love the 3 dimensional look of the widget, but the main thing I see is an upside down smiley face. I love what you did with the name - the font, size, part bold and part not is just perfect. And I do really like the circle to the side...the M just doesn't come across as an M. Any way to make it more distinquishable while keeping the same look? I do like the abstact/while still staying feminine approach.

Graphxguy, thanks for jumping in as well! This one is too busy and blocky for me.


.

[xpressions]

Thank you for the feedback. Here's another try:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/nemagazine/mhaleyphoto4.png

[OffbeatDesign]

v21

[OffbeatDesign]

v22

[OffbeatDesign]

v23

[OffbeatDesign]

v24

[xpressions]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/nemagazine/mhaleyphoto5.png

[Taldo]

:)

[Taldo]

:)

[tini1]

:)

[Fabian]

Hi

[Fabian]

version 2

[Fabian]

version 3

[michelleh]

hi everyone! Sorry for the delayed feedback...I'm in my busy season.

Let's see....some more beautiful work here.

Xpressions - I really like the abstract M but it's a bit too thick at the bottom left. Could you try a variation of that idea? v. 5 is cool - love the font and the little shadow under the circle. The m is too abstract, though....and I don't think it resembles the initial enough. Just looks like a widget.

Offbeat....I like version 21 except that's it's back to the common initial m over the company title. I feel like this particular style is overdone in photography. But it does have the clean eye appeal I'm seeking. 22-24 are better, but the m reminds me of a bird. I like abstract and skinny but this one looks like it's ready to fly away. Love the company name font choices and style

Carol v. 3 ...that still looks like a smiley to me. But I really do like the style. Any other ideas along those lines? v. 4 doesn't do anything for me...not feminine enough. Thank you for reworking that first one!

Tini...this new version just doesn't do it for me. I still love the original. Maybe she won't select it? lol.....would love to see more ideas from you. see below for some instruction on a different direction. THank you!

Fabian...thanks for joining in! V. 1 and 2 don't do anything for me...the m and the fonts are not what I'm looking for. V.3....I like the cleaness. Just not sure about the widget. Can it be more "m" like?

Would like to entertain a new direction. With trepidation, because I understand this can easily go over the top and be too much....would like to see some scrollwork ideas. I think it adds the perfect artistic and feminine touch when done correctly. This website shows what I mean by scrollwork, but this was was way overdone for my taste. I'm thinking simple and elegant scrolls.

(remove space from link below after http/before html)
http ://www.phrizbie-design.com/logo_design. html

If you are still in modern, sleek, clean mode by all means show those. I just think going outside the box a little might pique my interest.

thanks so much for the submissions!!

[tini1]

michelleh,
thank you for feed back....
which logo are you refering to, :confused: , the audras?
thanks:)
Tini...this new version just doesn't do it for me. I still love the original. Maybe she won't select it? lol.....would love to see more ideas from you. see below for some instruction on a different direction. THank you!

[michelleh]

tini....is was here.... post #7 but it's been removed. I liked the linear a with the separated rectangle and then the version where it was an a with a line thinning at both ends and then the company name. I think it was red and taupe

http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14952&page=1

[tini1]

thanks, she didn't choose it, would you like to see this design, incorporating your name?
Thanks

[michelleh]

sure! I'd like a different m though....long and linear without as much of a curl at the end (slight curl...if that makes sense...) Thanks Tini! Please show in the same colors....they are neat and I might consider a change.

[OffbeatDesign]

v25

[OffbeatDesign]

v26

[giant]

Here's from me again... :)

[giant]

one more... :)
Thank You.

[tini1]

:)

[michelleh]

thanks for the submissions again!

Offbeat I'm still not fond of the first one you've posted. And I think I'm pretty much wanting to stay away from my name being in script. I like the M or H in script and the name in all lowercase or all caps.

Giant....same feedback....prefer only the initials in script and the name in regular serif or sans serif type.

Tini....that's the one! Thank you. I like this style a lot. The other one you did had a line for the b/w version separating the letter from the text...and the line looked thinner at each end. Is there a way to make it work using a shade of blue with taupe? I think it would lose impact - but I'm not ready to redesign everything to incorporate the red.

Would love to see some of the scrolls/fleurons I mentioned in my last feedback... I know you've seen this requested before but Anthropologie has the nice scroll work I'm thinking of..

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp?cm_mmc=Google-_-Brand_General-_-anthropologie-_-Broad+Ad_444906773%7C-%7C100000000000000023901


as well as maybe a fleur-de-lis like in 17, 18, 19 of this thread: - possibly with an M in the center of the design?
http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15010

[Taldo]

:)

[michelleh]

Thanks, Carol! I love the M! Is this one versatile enough to incorporate a vertical format as well? I have materials where I would need both horizontal and vertical.

[OffbeatDesign]

v27

[OffbeatDesign]

v28

[OffbeatDesign]

v29

[giant]

Here's from me again... :)
Thank You.

[tini1]

color variation...:)

[OffbeatDesign]

v30

[Taldo]

here it is in a more vertical format..

[michelleh]

thank you for the submissions.

Offbeat...not crazy about the font on the M for this one.

Dewa, I appreciate your work....I don't care for my name in script or fancy fonts and the MH is a little too harsh/pointed for my liking.

Tini I like that design..the clean, simple look appeals to me. I don't think it works nearly as well in my colors and I played around with the red on my site and I don't think it will go with my style. Your style and Carol's seem to be the closest to what I'm looking for.

Carol....thank you...I like the vertical format better. This is a contender. Would love to see your thoughts on the request below.

Thanks for all your hard work. This has been a fun process!


And just to reiterate my last couple of requests, since today is the deadline.....l would still like to see a couple of this style:

Would love to see some of the scrolls/fleurons I mentioned in my last feedback... I know you've seen this requested before but Anthropologie has the nice scroll work I'm thinking of..

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro...000000000023901


as well as maybe a fleur-de-lis like in 17, 18, 19 of this thread: - possibly with an M in the center of the design?
http://www.designoutpost.com/forums...ead.php?t=15010

[shnickerdoodle studios]

Last minute one from me... a fleur-de-lis in an m shape...
Thanks,
Deanna

[michelleh]

thank you! Any others? I work all weekend so will check in Monday with my decision.

I truly appreciate everyone's hard work!

[Taldo]

last one :)

[michelleh]

Good morning everyone!

Just want to take a minute to thank all of you for submitting these designs. It's absolutely amazing to me that there is such quality work available in this forum - I will be recommending this service to other photogs (I think a couple have already jumped in).

You all made the decision making very difficult with the amount of strong contenders. I've decided to go with Carol Taldo's version 5/6.

Please let me know how to proceeed.

Thanks again!
Michelle

[Taldo]

Thanks! Let me know if you need any revisions.
:)

[michelleh]

Thanks, Carol.

I would like to see the horizontal version (v.5) with smaller lettering...it just seems a tad too thick. Maybe have it the same size as your v. 7?

I like the v. 6 as it is. On both versions I would need the option with the solid color without the gradient to be the same blue as the darkest part of the one with the gradient....it seems to be a brighter blue?

Lastly, would love to have a file with the m box by itself on a transparent background to use as a watermark.

Thanks for your hard work!
Michelle

[BlueCherryGraphics]

Congratulations Carol.

This thread has been moved to Revisions.

Michelle, please post a note in the thread once you receive the final files.

Thanks!

[Taldo]

how is this?

[michelleh]

perfect Carol! Should the vertical format have a change to the "photography" kerning to make it match the horizontal? I'm fine with the difference but want to make sure it's consistent.

Could you show the solid colored version using the dark blue from the gradient version?

Thanks again!

[Taldo]

just saw your request for the solid version - will post that after you look at this. Here is the word "photography" both ways so you can compare. Since these really aren't totally horizontal - would you rather go with the bottom one pictured here as the horizontal version?

[michelleh]

Hi Carol,

Any way I can get the first and second version here? That way I can see how it looks with my materials and use the one that works best.

thanks so much,
Michelle

[Taldo]

Here are the solid versions

[michelleh]

lovely! These are perfect. Are you able to do a version of the M in the block on a transparent background? That with a b/w version and we're set.

[Taldo]

please check your private messages

[Taldo]

files sent

[michelleh]

files received. Carol is fabulous to work with! Thank you!

[BlueCherryGraphics]

PROJECT UPDATE: moved to Logo Project Archives.