Makeover for The Hip Chick Voice!

Caryn Clark

I've hired an agency to take my original logo concept and "polish" it up a bit. My main concern was that my chick is currently just a tad too... well... maybe amateurish-looking in the way of design. And I hate the font my name is in. You can see my current logo here: www.CarynClark.net

I've been told that the current one "sucks," to "it's cutesy, but unique..." to "it's great!" I've also been told that my current colors likely appeal to women, but not necessarily to men. In general, when I hand out business cards, etc. people really really like it. But, they're not ad execs or agents, etc.

So, here is the very first round of concepts. Please give me your thoughts. They are "rough concepts meant for direction" per the designer. Keep in mind, things can be mixed and matched, and while some are b&w, I'm sure there can be color added.

Personally, I'm not sold on any of them. I do like the font for #7... but really, I don't know. I think it all needs to be "hipper."

What do you think? THANKS!!!

Bob Bergen

Steve Royal · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008, 23:09 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Caryn,
I've had a look at the drafts and none of them really grab me, either.
Have you thought about just making over your current logo?
I like it...it's very expressive and descriptive.
But.....it is very pink! Smile

Maybe you could change the background and replace the font with one that you like?

Cheers!

Steve

Lee Gordon · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008, 00:17 (GMT) Post subject:

I have to agree with Bob. All the ones provided to you by your agency are pretty nice, but I don't think any of them represents an improvement over what you have now.

I also agree with Steve that perhaps all that's needed is to beef up the font for your name in your existing logo.

Caryn Clark · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008, 00:28 (GMT) Post subject:

What do you all think of something similar to this girl???

Bob Bair · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008, 01:02 (GMT) Post subject:

Caryn,
I'm going to chime in with the same feeling as others have said. They look to have used fairly stock images and applied your unique tradmark phrase to them. Your present logo has originality to it.

Obviously you want to play off "hip chick". Don't just limit the ideas to the stereotype of what "hip" is. Make it your own brand of hip, then it will truly be yours.

Cameron Thomas · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008, 13:32 (GMT) Post subject:

I like the Chick you already have--stay with that one, but I agree, the background could use a change. I liked a few of the fonts though on the new images though like the first two--they're bold, but perhaps make them a different color.

Cheers,
Cameron

Nisha Mody · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008, 16:12 (GMT) Post subject:

I feel like what they did it too 'corporate' if that makes sense. I'm not marketing expert, but I agree with the rest...they did a great job of being creative, but there's still a lot of good with what you have.

I like the 'hip chick voice' font in #7 as well. I think it you made the main color more 'hip' and less pink, it would be great. Maybe an aqua or teal color?

Andy Quiñones · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008, 17:10 (GMT) Post subject:

Caryn, I've always liked what you already have, pink and all--and I'm as macho set as can be--I like the 5-6-7-8th but if pressed to choose just one I'd have to say the 5th one strikes a very classy feel to it--but that's just one opinion.

Anxious

Nisha Mody · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008, 17:35 (GMT) Post subject:

I do like the 5th one's font for the 'Hip Chick Voice'. You can use that for your name maybe? I do like the cursive feel to your name on your site now, and I think this font would make it more 'hip'.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008, 21:46 (GMT) Post subject:

Just for fun, I took the name from one of the samples your agency gave you, colored it purple, and dropped it into your existing logo.

Deby Cedars · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008, 01:14 (GMT) Post subject:

I think they are trying to give you a more corporate image.....but a corporate image isn't going to change the sound of you voice.

Your image was nominated for an award....This seems like a case of someone trying to make you into something your not. If they want to put the more "mature" images on a CD cover that's one thing but, I don't think you should what you have on V123.

Doug Parks · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008, 04:18 (GMT) Post subject:

Lee has the right idea. Keep the chick, tweak the background and I also like the font pulled in from one of the creatives.

Andy Quiñones · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008, 08:10 (GMT) Post subject:

Yeah I like what Lee did there--the man is an artist in so many realms

Bettye Zoller

As a career consultant to my clients as well as a voice coach, I routinely help my clients/students with packaging ideas and help them find reasonable solutions to design needs, packaging options, label designs (we provide CD duplication and color labels etc. as part of our business operation) and the term "advertising agency" shocked me in your post here. Agency work is usually very costly unless it's a "cut rate friendship" price or the like. Why would you hire an agency? What you should do (and this is good for all of you out here in 123 land...) routinely have in your Rolodex the names and contact info of sources for all of your advertising and promotional needs. Primary to these is a good graphic designer who works FROM HOME and is a one-person shop. Thus, you've skipped the costly overheads, the big shiny offices etc. College students in art programs are also a wonderful resource. You also need many other vendors in your grasp to use when you need them. I suggest unhooking yourself from the "agency" and pay what you owe now and you can still save useless dollars spent when you could get design work so economically!