Typophile

logotype kerning tips?

espen

Hi, I'm designing a logo for a industrial maintenance company and would be thankful for any tips on getting a clean balanced look for the type. The logo needs to look good on huge surfaces like cars and signage, as well as web use.

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mp-grid.gif20.29 KB
MP-nogrid.gif6.29 KB
MP-var.gif7.81 KB

HI there,

A nice simple logo that I think could work quite nicely.

A couple of little things, I dont know how you feel about it but I have never been a great fan of kerning letters to the extreme that they start to fall apart. I think the PARTNER on the MP-var version is a no go. The other two work a lot better, they work as one element.

Secondly, it may just be my eyes but I think that the MAINT part of the logo is maybe kerned a little too tightly. Because the MAI are kerned to the extent where they are attached to each other the uprights start to create some strange negative spacing and shapes, I can almost see a 'W' and a 'V' in there, I think that maybe you should open up the kerning a little, and then see how the letters react to each other.

If you are as you say going to be using this on vehicles and signage, the logo does need to be a little clearer. It may blur into a shape rather than read as a word as you have it now.

Matt

1) Loosen the "IN".
2) Loosen the "NE".
3) Maybe ligate the "NT".
4) Remove the trapping - the slight bends in the "crotches" of the "N"s, the top-inside of the "A", etc.

hhp

To my eyes the biggest issue is the the spacing in partner. The PA & AR are too loose compared to the rest of the text. I would loosen the rest of the text Instead of tightening the others however untill the they match the A & it's sidebearings. You could overcome some of the odd shapes in Maint by making a dot on the i.

This will sound a bit heavy I am affraid but do you have anything else? Why these types anyway? It looks okay to me but only okay. Do you have time to consider other options?

Thanks for the input, I've loosened the kerning a bit, and cleaned the letter shapes (trappings etc). I'm going with the larger 'partner' text, as it does make the logo look more like a whole. I'll post a pic when I get the chance.

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