Brief
I was approached by a family friend who required a logo for his sculpture business. He really know what it was that he wanted and had sketches for me, which makes the process faster, and so I quoted him the fair price of £60.
"Hopefully you can use some of my photos to create a logo for my
sculpting business. The image quality is probably the best I can achieve
at the moment. If you require larger pics please let me know as I would
eventually like the designs printed onto roller banners which would be
approx 800mm wide.
I have also sent you a (quite) rough design of how I'd like the logo to
appear"
Provided Material
Sculptures
Banner Example
Logo Example
Developments
After looking through the provided imagery, it was clear that the photographs needed editing. Photoshop was used to boost them to 300dpi in addition to adjusting the brightness and contrast.
A photographer I have worked with was also contacted to see whether a deal could be made for improved images. He was not available at this time. Although through putting these two professionals in touch with each other they have started to discuss some kind of collaboration and would like myself to put together a publication for them.
Logo Experiments
Although the client wanted something a little more square, as seen on his mock up, it was unprofessional and not at all aesthetically pleasing. The shapes and type did not reflect his work in the slightest.
The typeface used above is named Copperplate.
"...the typeface has small glyphic serifs that act to emphasize the blunt terminus of vertical and horizontal strokes. The typeface shows an unusual combination of influences; the glyphs are reminiscent of stone carving or lettering on copperplate engravings, the wide horizontal axis is typical of Victorian display types, yet the result is far cleaner and leaves a crisp impression in letterpress or offset printing."
Copperplate is very closely linked with carvings and handcrafts which is suitable and more than appropriate to use for this brief as the client too uses tools similar to that used in carving and lettering when creating his sculptures.
The type in this way reflects his methods, tools and work itself.
Final Design
Final Logo Design
The more simplistic type experiment, surprisingly, was chosen to be the clients final logo. This was more of, as mentioned, an experiment simply to show how else the type could work together. It was expected for the client to choose the other design as it was closer to his original sketch.
This was another learning experience in which I learnt to always provide something unexpected to the client, something that you like, not just what they want. They may be pleasantly surprised. It will usually look more aesthetically pleasing too!
Final Logo Design Variation
Above is a variation of the logo to show the how else the shapes of the logo can be used. Both pieces were sent to the client as a package so that they can be used for different works.
Pushing a brief further, like this, has gained me repeat clients in the past. It doesn't take up much time and is usually worth it. This client too has mentioned working with me again when he gets more work, to set up a website and publication to show his work.
Overall Experience
This brief has given me an insight into how willing and surprising a client can be. I was provided with sketches of which he seemed sure on, yet a completely different one was chosen.
This client has been one of the best I have had, so easy going and pleasant. I will be keeping in touch with him for these reasons.
