Typophile

Logo for myself

nvhladek

I'm trying to design a logo for myself because I'm beginning to get some leads for some web design and tech support jobs for some local businesses and I want to develop an identity and deploy my own web page (I know ... trying to start a design/tech support business on the side and I don't even have my own website. Let's just chalk it up to living a contradiction and leave it at that, OK?)

Please be as honest as possible with your critiques, keeping these things in mind:

  • Currently, I have $0 to hire a professional (maybe in the future when I bring in some more cash).
  • This is a learning process for me, however; an exercise in becoming self-taught.
  • I know enough to know what's REALLY bad, but not enough to know what's really good, much less for a mark for my own business (I've seen more talented/professional designers than myself struggle with this kind of project—if you'll grant me the title of designer).
  • The design is preliminary, but the one I liked the best based on a couple of pages of brainstorming with pencil and paper.
  • I haven't kerned the type or payed a terrible amount of attention to the space between the type and logo.
  • I've fiddled with the stroke width on the logo, but realize that it could use some more refinement/tweaking.

The idea I'm going with here is modern/tech-oriented monogram. I've attached large and small examples so you can see how it scales, as well as two different ideas for orientation between the type and logo.




Thanks in advance for your input, feedback, advice, cheers, jeers, etc.

Best,
Nick Hladek

Christopher Tim...

I recommend scanning and posting the pages of sketches to show the progression &c.

Addicted2Type

When I look at your personal logo I think of two things, Nike and Gatorade. Perhaps remove the giant N?

nina

I'd have said New Balance rather than Nike.

Justin_Ch

To me that big N is a bit clunky and industrial, not hi-tech. Also, something looks a bit wrong with the D in your surname. Is it from a font you've manipulated slightly?

I'd like to see your original sketches too.

Christopher Tim...

(sketches still = pencil and paper)

Christopher Tim...

[Double pose. Please remove]

haloguy3

Nik, before you get stuck in the typography, think about the message. You have one good thing going for you, a unique name. If you are starting out wearing more than one hat, build a generic brand that you can change or attach a generic tagline to e.g. webhead. You can explain on your business card or website more about what you do, the key here is to make your presence known and define the industry you work in - as you are obviously a jack of all trades.

When starting out you want to get attention or at least be memorable. I agree with the others the big N is a waste of time and takes the focus off your name.

Ed Aranda

Among the other things mentioned above, the condensed gothic style typeface doesn't really speak to me on behalf of someone who works in technology. It could probably work if you had an overall retro thing going on, like a modernized revival of an old 1940's radio repair company. But in this case I would try to go with a more refined looking typeface.

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