Dave Seneca logo
Brief from client
Design a personal logo for New Zealand author David Seneca. Must include tag line 'author'. Logo to be used for web and print applications. Author writes in a variety of genres including thriller, romance, fiction, history, magazines and poetry so design must accommodate range of genres. Client wanted to incorporate the kiwi fern, calligraphy pen and i-pad, but is open to exploration. Design to show author works in both traditional and digital formats. Should be 'modern' 'professional' yet 'personalised' and 'eco-friendly' with green colours.
The authors name is displayed in a handwritten font to show the idea that the authors work is authentic and personalised. The image of the fern + pen combined has been included as requested by client. It dots the 'i' in David to show that the author is professional and honours his craft. Styling of the image is hand-drawn to emphasise the use of traditional media. The bounding green box which frames the overall logo, is an abstraction of the ipad/tablet and hints towards the digital nature of the work as well. (Digital and traditional combined). The tagline uses a serif font to contrast with the hand-written text and give it more 'professionalism'.
7 Comments
This really doesn't work for me. First off, when I saw the thumbnail, I didn't read David, I saw dand. I like the fern, but the whole thing reminds me of a spine logo for an orthopedics clinic. Perhaps make it more of a quill pen but instead of feathers, use the fern.
Thanks for your feedback, I really appreciate it.
I actually quite like the fern and the name font- it's the font for "author" that doesn't work. And the box. Everything else is very organic, handdrawn- then there is this perfect box and serif font. I'd try losing the box all together, and maybe a tracked out, san serif for author. Or at least make the box thinner and maybe not quite so perfect so it fits with the rest.
Thanks for your feedback. Yeah, I agree the box is quite jarring. I'll look into more font options and explore these ideas further thanks for your time!
you don't need the word author (accomplish this with the pen) nor the box. I also agree with the first comment- looks to much like a spine.
its a good start, just needs refining.
The main problem with this logo is that I see two very different graphic styles that really don't match each other. The fern + the frame. I would definitely ditch the latter.
That fern kinda looks like a clip art as it looks graphically unrelated to everything else in the logo. Did you do it yourself?
The "handwritten" font is not a good idea. First, correct me if I'm wrong, it's not the actual author's handwriting. So for me, it says the opposite of "authentic" and "personalized". Second, as it's been pointed out, it's simply not really readable.
This logo is high need of simplification. Try to be conservative in the number of fonts, elements and colors you're using. The basic idea of the fern/pen is potent, although I'm suspecting it's been done before.
Keep it up!
Good point regarding the font and the idea of 'authenticity'. Will definitely take this into consideration.
Yes I drew the fern myself, but I agree it needs to be simplified a lot more - and less spine like. Thanks so much for your feedback it has been very helpful.