Try exploring other analogies for "climbing." If you reduce this logo to 1 x 1 square inch (2.5 square cm) it will be hard to recognize and reproduce. As for the typography below the initials, a simple san serif such as a Helvetica might work.

Good luck

:tony

Please change the text below to something that does not resemble comic sans. Right now this looks like something for a daycare center . . . not post-graduate study.

penn

I think the ladder concept is hard to decipher. And yea, that type below...gotta go.

Ok, I'm going to be brutally honest. Brace yourself. I don't mean to offend.

I quite literally winced and pulled away from the screen. I suspect this is not the response you're going for ... man, the font just could NOT be worse. Choose something that is the most opposite that font.

A quick google search shows the university colors are a much darker navy blue and burnt orange. Why not use those actual color values rather than these neon versions?

The ladder metaphor is cliche, but in this example it's too fragile to even execute the metaphor properly.

Bottom line? I don't think you need a logo mark -- I'd just focus on a logotype alone. It's a lot of words; and with the right type treatment, it can be more than enough by itself.

AK

Four words could nicely be set each in new line right aligned and offset so they represent stairs. Font should be something like Helvetica/Frutiger/Myriad. But in Black weight. Very clean, easy and representing what it should.

This does look more like ... Give this job to someone at the University that knows anyone with arts education. Could still be a student. It will probably still be light years better than this.

No offence.
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Robert Koritnik

Sorry... double post... had to remove text...
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Robert Koritnik

Litera .... I was going to suggest the same thing but I caught myself. The profile of this OP shows he's in a master's program for Graphic Design. His portfolio shows mostly fine art: www.dominicpalmer.co.uk

Thanks guys. Typography is by far my weakest element so I appreciate the guidance on that front! I'll get working on some redesigns and post them back up on here.

Your sculptures are gorgeous, Dominic. Letters are sculptural. Think of each letter as a sculpture, and maybe typography will click instantly. Take a look at this type designer's work: Sudtipos. Each letter is a work of art!

Thanks Alaskan, loving the sculpture analogy! I'll get researching...

It might be of value to draw from inspiration gathered from campus architecture as well. Letter forms to me are more architechtural than sculptural (depending on the typeface I suppose). Anyway, the Huddersfield University logo itself is based on a building, so it would be a good place to start.

My thoughts on the logo as it stands 1) lose the box/stroke around the graphic and tie the required colors into the illustration 2) As stated above, you need a different typeface preferably the standard for Huddersfield or a clean sans 3) Use the light blue/orange as accent colors and the darker blue for the type and better part of the image. Orange is my favorite color, but don't kill it.

Thanks for your advice Nachos. Alongside the original I have started to look into the architectural link so will pop some ideas up here as a result. I know the original flopped but i've posted a couple of other versions (held under the original post just to be difficult!) of the original based on the responses so would be great to see what you think now.. Do you think the fragmented ladder idea still sucks? Do I go back to the drawing board altogether? I think I may know the answer to that one but let me know if its looking better than it was!

Cheers

I actually like the visuals, but it feels like a toy, not something that I'd associate with postgraduate studies.

I agree with aluminum. It simply doesn't feel collegiate. Imagine showing just the "ladder letters" to total stranger and having them guess what it's for. What do you think they'd say? A child's building toy? A day care?

Start from scratch. Actually, start from scratch with at least five new concept ideas. Edit down from there. Getting stuck on one concept can hold you back from the necessary creative process.

Oh; and if you eliminate the apostrophe and the spaces from your file names, the pictures will display inline, like this:

The graphic looks like a toy design or something for a modular closet system. It does not represent a postgraduate society in a flattering manner. And I agree with all of the other people who recommended using a different font. Comic Sans is inappropriate for this project and in general looks amateurish. Don't be discouraged. You've gotten very good advice from the postings, go back to the drawing board - we're looking forward to the next round of designs.

Thanks again guys, point taken! and cheers Alaskan for showing how to drop into the text box :) I'll start from the ground up on the next designs and post them back on, think I did just get too attached with the first idea I decided to go with.

Until next time...

I'm still puzzled... I wonder who this Dominic really is... Because I wonder what are all these outlines doing in the logo and I don't think we've made enough progress regarding type...
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Robert Koritnik

I know what you mean, litera. I think he's studied fine art until now and this is his first stab at graphic design? I don't know, honestly, but it explains these popsicle stick and toothpick letter forms!

i would recommend starting over with a completely different idea.

it's just not working and looks very amateur

EXACTLY! Couldn't agree more with gerald.
I would try to elaborate on some ideas we've made previously and see which one works better. Maybe this ladder "thing" isn't really working. Or at least try to produce something more professional in the line of ladders...

Based on your web portfolio I think you can produce something REALLY nice, beautiful and professional.
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Robert Koritnik

Many thanks guys, I totally see where your coming from and will start afresh on some better ideas.

Cheers