Makeover for The Hip Chick Voice!

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008, 21:04 (GMT) Post subject: Hmmmm

Well, I happen to be a "one man shop", but I'm also definitely an agency. Just in the same way a corporation can and often is a single person. I'm guessing Karyn has a relationship with these people and knows what she's doing. These days many agencies are virtual or one man/ woman, or outsource or work from home.

I'm going to disagree with most of you and say that I like the first creative concept that her "agency" presented. It is very clean and retro. It reminds me of the Partridge Family, Austin Powers and movie posters from the 60's, 70's. It's lack of a background makes it suitable for using as a reverse and it reduces well to gray scale and even a full black and white can be easily created from the same essential blueprint. It also works well when used on a CD label and I can see adapting it for CD cover and/or reverse,

I am not attracted to her original logo. This might be a guy thing. The new logo looks professionaly produced.

Depending upon your relationship with your agency, you might want to go a step further and ask them to concept you letterhead, business cards and CD cover. With internet companies charging $69 to print 1,000 color postcards, you might also want to look into some sort of postcard promotional program.

A few years ago, my mailbox was inundated with all sorts of promotional materials from voice actors, along with thank you cards and notes, etc. My guess is that although I actually do more production and work with more talent today than I did 4 years ago, the volume of snail mail has decreased to about 10% of what it was. The number of emails from voice actors sending out mass emailings is however staggering. While I have always enjoyed getting something in the regular mail and have appreciated the efforts of those who sent me things, even simple postcards, I have little consideration for receiving mass emails.

Just my two cents.

Good Luck,

j.s.

Caryn Clark · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008, 23:25 (GMT) Post subject:

Thank you JS.

Bettye, I didn't say "advertising agency" -- I said "agency." I appreciate your concern, however.

It's a creative agency, if you will. I've worked with many many of them in my former life. I went the economical route the first time, using logojeez.com. This time around (and hopefully final), I wanted something that looked a bit more professionally designed, as JS noticed, and I agree, that my current logo lacks that professional somethin' somethin'.

Kinda like voice over... if you want to pay less, you tend to get less. Same thing with graphic design, imo.

These are really just the rough initial concepts meant for direction.

That said, JS, thank you for your input. I really hadn't thought of using them "in reverse" or knocked out... but that's a clever idea.

And, to your point about mailings... as of January, my plan is to drop a postcard at least every 8 weeks with an update. I dropped the first one the beginning of Feb. And, with the new design, I intend to send a postcard out to say, "Hey, look out for my new design coming" and then one to say "Hey, here's my new design." Not in those exact words, of course, but you get my drift.

And JS, I'd be happy to add you to my postcard mailing list if you like, so you can get a little "regular" mail!!

Caryn Clark · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008, 23:27 (GMT) Post subject:

Oh, and LEE, THANK YOU for taking the time to modify my current concept. I see where you're going with that... THANKS so much!!!!!

Heather Cooper · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008, 15:43 (GMT) Post subject:

Caryn,

I am late to the party....but I will add my two cents.

I agree with the majority on your current logo. At first glance my reaction to the potential new logo's was not as positive as my reaction to your current logo. That is just my everyday person opinion.
I do really like the fonts used on the first design from the new group.

If you want a more current or updated look what about using the new fonts and layout with your current chick? She is a really hip chick, not generic, she's cooool!
Maybe making the background white or a light neutral color? Or, what is you just updated your chicks sunglasses? Maybe more Jackie O or whatever is deemed current and cool in fashion right now?

I can't wait to see what you decide!

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008, 15:48 (GMT) Post subject:

Too many cooks in the kitchen here, including ME! Decision by committee... ugh.

But since you asked; I'm with J.S. on this one and for what it's worth, I've designed a great number of logos over the years

http://spasticlizard.com/logos.html

I like most of the agency's concepts over what you have now. While retaining the flavor of your original 'hip chick' concept (which I LOVE), they've simplified it, which is exactly what a LOGO needs to be: SIMPLE, and bold and eye-catching. I won't go into details as to which one(s) I like best or why, but suffice it to say I think the agency is headed in a GREAT direction for you and for MY money, YOUR money is being well-spent. You're heading towards establishing a PROFESSIONAL LOOKING brand identity that still fits your image, as opposed to something 'cute' that doesn't really come close to looking professional.

Caryn Clark · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008, 16:46 (GMT) Post subject:

Thank you everyone!!!! Scott, I'm glad to chimed in on this one... I was waiting for you! Smile

I met with the designer today, and we spent time going through each option, and their reasoning behind the fonts, etc. Makes perfect sense - they really kept in mind reproduction of the logo using various mediums, and making sure all parts of it would still be legible. I'm very impressed with them.

I've asked them to go ahead and expand on Logo #1, using some of the elements of the other logos that I liked and things I'd like to see give it a little pop, and so they'll give me some choices from there.

I'll be sure to post them here when they're ready. Smile

THANKS!

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008, 20:12 (GMT) Post subject:

Look the designs without any significant text and see if they say you are a voice over and what you're signature sound is likely to be or at the very least plant the seed.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008, 20:18 (GMT) Post subject:

Sometimes the people who design logos get so wrapped up in their creations that they never think of the practicalities involved, such as how a logo with color will translate into a black & white situation. So it's good that your designers are thinking ahead. On the other hand, you need to think about how you will be using your logo. It may turn out that all of the things you will likely be doing with it -- on-line, direct mail, CD covers, etc. -- will be full color applications and you won't even need to worry about how it translates to monochrome. If that's the case, it isn't worth sacrificing a look you're happy with for a bit of versatility you many never need.

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008, 22:01 (GMT) Post subject: more clarification

I liked her agency's design concepts as they stand and liked them better than the original concept she was using. That said ANOTHER benefit I thought of was the versatility of the design in terms of future uses. Additionally, if Caryn were to get written up in a newspaper or industry publication, there is probably a 90% chance that if her logo were to be used, they would either want a greyscale or B & W version to use. Don't consdier that any editor will go to the trouble of converting a color logo to grayscale for you, especially if it's part and parcel of a press release.

I'd go so far as to post the winning designs on your site as links and make them available for friends to download and do reciprical links with.

There is no downside to good design or in thinking ahead.

As for whether it screams voice over without the text, I may be alone, but I'm really pretty sick of seeing nothing but microphones and mouths. Nike's checkmark doesn't cry out anything about what Nike does, nor do many great emblems, logos and design marks.

The point is to associate and identify the logo with the individual or the business. This is done by repitition and solid marketing.

Sometimes it isn't a logo but a thought or impression, such as

"Nobody ever got in trouble for hiring J.S. Gilbert"

I like the professional thinking and the use of a service provider that seems to know what they're doing.

Hey where's Mr. Branding Man, The Voice when you need him?

Bobbin Beam · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008, 20:40 (GMT) Post subject:

Caryn, you are indeed a brave soul to hang this out here and ask for feedback from the many voices abounding here. Best of luck in choosing your course of action. Whatever it will be, it will be right for you.

Caryn Clark · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008, 16:33 (GMT) Post subject: DING! Round 2....

Ok, here are the spiffied designs based on feedback I gave the designer. He was awesome... went through each design, explained why he used the font, color, etc. he did, etc. Based on feedback received, the majority liked the concept of the first design, and so we agreed to expand on that.

He also had another concept come to him while doing this, which he's also included. Clever!! Now I can't choose!

Also, feedback on fonts would be appreciated. He's given examples of fonts on the back page that he feels will replicate onto other mediums well - in other words, will be legible if the logo is smaller, etc.

THANKS for your thoughts!!! It is very helpful as I'm too close to my logo to truly be objective.

2295_HC_logoConcepts_3_5[1].pdf (97.3 KB bytes) => http://www.onlinefilefolder.com/index.php?action=getshare&type=0&user_num=35678&share_id=190907&hash=9e6bf3dd09ec48fe5c510e2843deee7a

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008, 17:15 (GMT) Post subject: my vote

My vote:

graphics from #1

font from #3

There are far too many industries and potential clients for whom the boot might not be a fit, ideologically speaking.

(Not my thinking - but then again we can be a somewhat uptight society)

Lee Gordon · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008, 20:45 (GMT) Post subject:

My opinion: of this batch, I like logo #2. It's clean and simple and also easy to translate to monochrome should the need arise.

From that collection of font samples at the end, I like 1, 2, 4 & 5 about equally well. I'm leaning toward the upper & lower case rather than all caps. Font #3 is awful (IMHO). The kerning is wrong (that upper case C will never fit well with the upper case L) and it smacks of the 1970s. To me, font #6 seems weak.

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008, 23:51 (GMT) Post subject: clarification

When I said I liked font 3, I meant the font that was used on logo number 3 (the one on page 3 of 5.)

I didn't vote on the font samples that were featured o nthe last page because I felt I needed to see their use in full context.

Yeah the Capital C and L thing, yuck.

Caryn Clark · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008, 15:32 (GMT) Post subject:

No worries, JS, I understood what you were saying.

Thanks Lee and JS. I agree, JS, that the leg concept is good, but a tad too risque'. I've asked them to try to tone it down a tad.

And Lee, #2 was good, but I didn't like the pearls. My husband said it looked like a Barbara Bush chick. LOL!!!!

We'll see what they come up with next, based on my comments. I appreciate your comments... I hadn't considered the leg being a tad too much until you said something JS.