Replies

1. 
   JMadson | Dec 14, 2007 07:08am | #1

   Good idea, is it possible to make the "ERR" part a little bigger? Or maybe possibly tapered to make it look a bit more like a saw?

    

1. 
   JMadson | Dec 14, 2007 07:18am | #4

   Like this... 

2. 
   user-51823 | Dec 14, 2007 07:12am | #2

   while i really like the concept, you have an unfortunate name to use this way. "ERR" hits the eye with a bang, but it means a mistake and that would stick with me.

3. 
   user-51823 | Dec 14, 2007 07:17am | #3

   if you want to keep the design, i would lose the way the blade is an extension of the D. possibly run a jagged sawtooth line under the 'err' in a scaled-back grey. not ideal, but i really am against the err separation.

1. 
   Biff_Loman | Dec 14, 2007 07:22am | #5

   Yeah. Good idea, but neither your name nor the saw symbol jump out. It took me a second to grasp your name, and another two seconds to get the saw bit.

   That's too long if your van is driving by.

   The 'D' must the be same colour, and I'd add teeth or taper the image. Or both.

4. 
   andyfew322 | Dec 14, 2007 07:30am | #6

   yeah When I see that at a glance, I think hummm, I'll call ERR remodeling not derr

1. 
   andyfew322 | Dec 14, 2007 07:33am | #7

   by the way I need a logo too. something simple for a 14yo kid. I am a handyman. to fid out about my job just check http://free.elixhosting.com/ahs and remember the site's still under construction. 

1. 
   DonCanDo | Dec 14, 2007 01:59pm | #10

   I got my logo by running a competition on a graphic artists online forum (I don't remember which one).  I offered $20 to the winner who best captured what I had in mind.  I just described what I envisioned without biasing anyone with any pictures.  There were about 10 submissions and 8 of them were very good.  I'm very happy with the results.

   Since you're still in school, do you have any classmates that are into graphic arts?  I've seen some awesome stuff by high schoolers.

   View Image

1. 
   andyfew322 | Dec 15, 2007 12:41am | #24

   yeah I not going to do the first thing, but I have a peer that is an amazing artist.

1. 
   andyfew322 | Dec 15, 2007 12:43am | #25

   so any other ideas?

   http://free.elixhosting.com/ahs <--- that's my website to see what i do

2. 
   Huck | Dec 16, 2007 01:21am | #31

   hey handy Andy - check this site out.  It appears this guy's paying his way through college with his handyman business.  Some nice features to his website, anyway.  http://iceryder.net/theduff/

   View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com

   Edited 12/15/2007 5:24 pm by Huck

3. 
   davidhawks | Dec 16, 2007 01:44am | #32

   Yes, the web-site is nice, but don't you see some very questionable construction methods there?

   Not trying to be critical, just want to set good examples for the young Master Fewsmith.

   PeaceLive in the solution, not the problem.

4. 
   Huck | Dec 16, 2007 05:26am | #33

   Young Andy's question, and this thread, was dealing with the logo, and I mentioned the website as interesting advertising.  I don't think I mentioned anything about the construction methods - didn't even look at them, to tell you the truth. View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com

5. 
   davidhawks | Dec 16, 2007 05:33am | #34

   Sorry Huck, didn't mean to infer that you did.  Curiosity got the best of me and I took the bait.

   I know from your posts that you would not advocate sub-par work.

   My apologies sir.Live in the solution, not the problem.

6. 
   Huck | Dec 16, 2007 05:44am | #35

   None needed.  Its always amazing to me how much stuff gets noticed when something is published on internet.  Everyone comes here with different sklllsets and backgrounds, and I'm always amazed at how much I learn here from the observations of others, and how little I really know.  I'm just a student of good construction, not a master by a long shot!View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com

2. 
   ZEEYA | Dec 16, 2007 06:03am | #36

   Andy take a look at this if you like it I'll put in all the other info you need

   The full image is 3.5 x 2.25

    

                                               View Image

   Edited 12/15/2007 10:04 pm ET by ZEEYA

1. 
   andyfew322 | Dec 16, 2007 07:16am | #37

   *blink, blink* it's perfect!!! wow!! yeah any other info that should be in a buiss card can be found on http://free.elixhosting.com/ahs/

    

   P.S. would you mnd putting in an apostrophy (')

   Edited 12/15/2007 11:18 pm ET by andyfew322

1. 
   ZEEYA | Dec 16, 2007 03:58pm | #38

   Hey Andy

   Glad you like it as to what will be on the card that has to come from you . I've found that too much makes the card too busy it is just a small advertising tool that is left with a potential customer. I've looked at your web site and . I will e mail you off line with some other thoughts I have.

   Happy shoveling

   Zeeya

5. 
   Dave45 | Dec 14, 2007 07:40am | #8

   It took me a while to "see" the saw thing - and that's way too long.  A logo has to be immediately evident or it doesn't work.

   The "err" part is really pushing it. Err means mistake, right? - lol

   If you really have to use this I would recommend:

   • tapering the saw blade
   • give it some teeth somehow
   • italicize the "D" so it looks more like a real saw handle

      D instead of D

6. 
   DonCanDo | Dec 14, 2007 01:51pm | #9

   I like it.  And I got the saw blade and the "D" right away (or course, it wasn't on a truck driving by at 50 mph).  I like the top one, without the black background a little better.  It's easier to pick up on the whole name.

   Two suggestions: taper the saw blade to look more like a saw as already suggested and add "Derr" where you have "interior remodeling LLC" like this: "Derr Interior Remodeling LLC".

7. 
   VTNorm | Dec 14, 2007 02:49pm | #11

   I'm going thru the logo design process now with these guys logobee.com (no affiliation).

   Reasonably priced and they've been good to work with, I'll end up with a logo, business cards, letterhead & envelope designs and all the files to do as I please. IMO it's short money for a professionally designed business brand.

   -Norm

1. 
   Derr82 | Dec 14, 2007 05:12pm | #12

   Thanks everyone for their thoughts.  You guys brought up the things that I had some issues with.  The ERR standing out too much. The D hard to see at first.  My neighbor, who has a graphics background, is the one who made it up and we have a few different versions.  He originally wanted the saw look to be subtle by leaving the D without the handle look. 

   This is giving me such a headache.  It's something I'll be looking at everyday so its got to be as close to perfect as I can get it.

   Here's the original. 

1. 
   BillHartmann | Dec 14, 2007 05:18pm | #13

   I would like to see one with ERR fully inside the blade. I think that the fact that it is part of a name would be clearer.Also more space between the blade and the "interior remodeling".Also you are going to need to do some field testing to see how many people get the name without prompting..
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

2. 
   Huck | Dec 14, 2007 05:42pm | #14

   It's something I'll be looking at everyday so its got to be as close to perfect as I can get it.

   Here's a professional tip - When I used to design logos for a living, this was my standard practice on pretty much every logo I did: Design the best logo I could come up with based on the name, business, etc.   Really iron out the little glitches, and work with it until I felt it was finished.

   Then throw it away, and design three that are all equally superior to the one you threw out.  This is because the first one will always be the most obvious, and most "cutesy", but you gotta get it out of your system. 

   Set the three aside for awhile, and come back later and pick the best of the three (in my case, this was the client's job).  Then work with that one, until you get it right.  A hundred variations (ten pages of ten each) is probably the minimum (a suggestion - make copies, then alter them in different ways.  Even easier if you're using a computer graphic design program).

   Big corporations spend huge dollars on developing a corporate symbol/logo.  They hire experts.  Look at, and clip out, corporate logos you like.  Let it simmer in your subconscious until you find a way to incorporate the things you like in professional logos into your own logo.

    View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com

3. 
   Huck | Dec 14, 2007 06:24pm | #15

   For what its worth, the blue one is better by far than the others.  If you're married to that idea, its the one I'd stick with.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com

4. 
   CloudHidden | Dec 14, 2007 09:36pm | #18

   Just quick and dirty, but if you fill in the D similar to the attached, no one will read "err" and you'll still have the imagery.Edit: I can understand staying away from cliches, but some imagery does quickly communicate the business you are in, and faster than words will. If it's understated, it can work without becoming the cliche you want to avoid.

   Edited 12/14/2007 1:39 pm ET by CloudHidden

1. 
   Huck | Dec 14, 2007 10:24pm | #19

   Wow, that's a great improvement!  I would beef up the outline, or give it a gray background, or something to make the saw-shape pop a little more, but you really took it to the next level.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com

1. 
   CloudHidden | Dec 14, 2007 10:44pm | #20

   Thanks. It still needs the work of a graphic artist and improvement on kerning, etc, but the "err" thing was overcome-able, which was my only real goal.I look forward to seeing what he ends up with.

8. 
   renosteinke | Dec 14, 2007 08:35pm | #16

   Anyone considering a logo, or advertising, really needs to read "My Life in Advertising," by Claude Hopkins. First printed in 1930, it's still as timely as ever.

   I think you lost your idea in your cleverness.

   How about a better depiction of the saw - so a saw is immediately recognizable - and simply have "Derr" inside the blade? An alternative would be a saw with a prominent "D" as the handle, with "Derr Construction" written in normal type under the saw.

1. 
   Hazlett | Dec 14, 2007 08:47pm | #17

    I agree with huck---the blue version is the best to my eye-----

   but

   the whole "D" handle---with ERR in the blade--just isn't working for me.

    I look and I look and I look-----and I am just not visually putting the D together with the ERR

    use that logo---and like it or not you are gonna be ERR construction---forever.

   It was a fun idea----that just isn't quite working--it's trying to force some things together that don't quite mesh

   just my idea,

   Stephen

9. 
   MikeSmith | Dec 14, 2007 11:29pm | #21

   derr...... the D being background & the  err being a different color is definitely throwing me off... the only word that registers is 

   ERR...

   View Image

   this was also true on your Blue version

   since the d is supposed to be a saw handle ( which i like  BTW )

   SEPARATE the handle from the saw blade even with a black line.... that will help to bring it to the foreground

   then perhaps the ERR could be white letters with black outlines

   somehow.. you have to reconnect the  D.......ERR

   but hey, whadda i no ?

    

   Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
1. 
   Derr82 | Dec 14, 2007 11:53pm | #22

   Your point is well taken.  A few others have said the same.  Back to the drawing board.

1. 
   renosteinke | Dec 15, 2007 12:00am | #23

   Don't get discouraged. Even in it's worst form, your logo is at least as good as 90% of the logos I see.

10. 
    northeastvt | Dec 15, 2007 03:56am | #26

    Derr,

      You may end up with your logo designed here before everyone's done :)

    Northeastvt

1. 
   Biff_Loman | Dec 15, 2007 04:03am | #27

   Now, that works!I like Huck's suggestions, but really. . . I'd say that's fine. This is construction. The competition is running around with "KBZ Homes" in big letters. Oh, wow.Edit: Coolest logo I saw was a sparky who had an image of an outlet with a roof on it, to mimic a house profile. Instant appeal.

   Edited 12/14/2007 8:04 pm ET by Biff_Loman

1. 
   Huck | Dec 16, 2007 01:15am | #30

   This is construction. The competition is running around with "KBZ Homes" in big letters. Oh, wow.

   look again

   View Image

   View Image

   View Image

   View Image

   View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product” – Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com

2. 
   user-51823 | Dec 15, 2007 07:42am | #28

   that looks best of all to me; it's what i was thinking back in the begining but did not have time to rough out. i am an artist and was in the graphic dept of a tv station for 8 yrs; i don't claim to be an expert but i know a bit about logos and i think this one works very well.All your version needs is the cap D in the same font as the rest of the word- like a normal word-- inside the clean saw shapeblack on white or reversed, or in a different color, this combines the best features. clean, clever, to the point, strong and memorable. i really like it.

11. 
    edlee | Dec 15, 2007 03:03pm | #29

    I think you have a very workable idea, if you take the suggestion from posts #20 and #28 .

     

    Ed