Unofficial Alternate Logo, round2
Okay, so it's time to unveil my first revision. I've heard all of the commentary about the initial design, all of the crack feedback from all of you, my de facto target market. This is nothing new in the logo design process-- you show it once, you fix it, you hear the reactions and build from it, you show it again, etc etc. I've learned over the years how to separate constructive criticism from personal commentary, so don't worry-- many of you said "no offense, but I don't like the teeth, etc."-- Won't be the last time someone doesn't like what I've created, and honesty is always what I'm after in the first place-- so once again, THANK YOU to everyone who posted their opinion on the first design.
What I've tried to do is fix up the perspective, and ensure that it looks MORE like a 3/4 view of the wolverine and not a side angle. I've also fixed the helmet stripes-- couldn't believe I did it in the first place, but sometimes you get so caught up in the fine details that you miss something obvious. Another thing I really tried to do is incorporate more study of anatomy-- I even toyed with a more almond-shaped eye that many wolverine shots seem to have, but it just didn't have any character.
Of course, the most GLARING change is the character-- almost unanimously people wanted to see something MAD AS HELL, and I've tried to accommodate them. I've opened up the mouth to show some glaring teeth-- very happy with them, esp. how the top incisors work despite one being white and one being blue (the only way to incorporate it into the silhouette). I also changed the angle of the bottom of the helmet wing to make it appear more 'furrowed' or grimacing. Hard to incorporate the bottom of the helmet into the brow, but that was probably the best result.
I played around with adding a block M into the bottom left corner of his neck, but it was a little too clunky/gimmicky... Some of you may argue that the maize fur/jawline detail is unnecessary, but I beg to differ. With all that contrast in the head and face, it simply needs some yellow down there to balance the design out.
All in all, I like it more than the first. Seems more like the true animal, and more pissed off. If anything I'm less pleased with the overall exterior shape of the mark, but it's probably just because the jaw changes the whole angle. Either way, I'm satisfied enough, and had some time today to throw it up on a new page. Looking forward to hearing what you all think, and who knows-- maybe one day this will show up on the pale arm of another caucasian offensive skill player!
GO BLUE-- SHUT DOWN JUICE!
October 1st, 2008 at 3:32 PM ^
October 1st, 2008 at 3:43 PM ^
I just put this link http://mgoblog.com/diaries/alternate-logo-unofficial into a second tab and clicked between the two.
Six Zero, well done sir, well done.
October 1st, 2008 at 3:46 PM ^
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I like the teeth MUCH better...
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My son has a UM shirt with a graphic somewhat similar to this. I always liked it -
http://72.240.46.142/shirt.jpg
-Randy
October 2nd, 2008 at 10:26 AM ^
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October 2nd, 2008 at 9:13 PM ^
Many of you have talked about incorporating the block M into the design-- I did in fact try this, down in the bottom left corner of the neck... unfortunately, it just looked way too 'gimmicky' and not quite classy enough. I considered incorporating the M into a collar and tag, such as the St. Cloud State Husky logo (GREAT logo, btw-- check it out if you've never seen it), but the whole idea of depicting a wild, mean wolverine with a collar just seemed LAME.
Some of you suggested doing the block M as a light imprint in the blue of the fur, but even a lighter blue becomes another color, and I've tried to exclusively limit the design to navy blue, maize, and white. Speaking of the blue thing, colin suggested a darker blue, perhaps a more 'midnight blue?' I agree, I've always loved how dark the jerseys look with the bright maize pants and numbers-- typically though, in print and branding going TOO dark will just make it look plain old black. But there's a happy medium there, so I'll toy with making the blue darker.
Of course we have more discussion about the mark being 'mean enough,' and talk about how the nose change has made him look more feline. I'll play with it a bit-- the nose is tricky because from what I've noticed, the typical wolverine head is very triangular. That foam fanhead thing is more anatomically correct than you'd suspect. So doing this triangular thing at the 3/4 view has been a bit difficult-- my nose might even be a bit too long. This triangle thing is also why it's so important to have that maize detail in the bottom left, to define the jawline to some degree. I might change it to make it look more furry or feral.
As for the open vs. closed mouth, some of you have discussed how it actually looks MEANER by showing less emotion-- that was my original intent with the closed mouth design in the first attempt-- sometimes an animal looks FAR MORE PISSED just by giving that cold glare. BUT, the open mouth seemed like a valid idea, and I must say I'm VERY happy with the simple white shapes that compose the teeth, esp. the bottom set. So I'm a bit torn as well. I agree with someone's input about the nose details as well-- they're not stylized enough and attract more attention than they should. Something to look into.
Like I said, I'm a designer by trade and this is literally WHAT I DO, so certainly this has been fun-- combining the job I love with the team I love, etc. I haven't been a very active member of the community here very long but I've really gotten a feel of some of the personalities, so I really do appreciate your comments because I know you share my devotion to the Big Blue. That being said-- GSimmons, you let me know and I'll rebrand your team on the house, from one MgoBlog guy to another!
So I'm not sure what will come of this, but I've had other legit work that began as simple tinkering before, so who knows?
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:36 PM ^
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October 3rd, 2008 at 11:31 AM ^
For my .02, trying to get a block M anywhere in the logo will look forced. It already has a distinct Michigan design in the Winged Helmet, so it's not like you have brand it to say which school it is for.
If you can fit it in and make it look natural, then you're really good. But if you can't, then just forget about it.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:59 PM ^
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