ZoomConcept Reviews
Summary:
Lack of focus has never been a great selling point. Better to do one thing well than may poorly. I understand the motivation, specially if sales are slow...so let get to the the design in question.
If this is not a concept drawing then it is a poor drawing, but I will assume it is just a rough concept.
In general this is a good concept, but it is a generic concept as a quick search of the internet shows, so executing it in a very novel and graphically strong way will be very important so that it stands apart from the many generic representations of "many hats" out there.
Aside from typography issues, the title "many Hats" in the middle of the figure is unnecessary if the graphic is strong and the "many hats" are obvious. I also assume your audience will understand the metaphor.
Also, I would avoid the "fools" hat (three points with balls) since it has negative connotation. You could make it work in a very "tongue-in cheek" way (motleyfool.com) but humor in logos is very, very difficult.
so DESIGN= 1 because it seems poorly executed and it is hard to make out the meaning without the words
USABILITY= 1 because a logo must be unique and this is very generic(right now)
STRATEGY = 2 because while I can see the motivation and I see some promise..you would really have to pull it off perfect to make it work.
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Lisa Tweedie commented:
BTW definitely a rough concept ... should have done it as a sketch. See my comments on Steve's review below to see the direction I am thinking of heading with this.
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Critical Problem Fancy dress company?
Many hats - this equates to "Jack of all Trades" in my opinion, making you a master of none. The image leaves me wondering if you sell fancy dress outfits, or hats. I never would have thought you did creative stuff - OK maybe circus creative. That aside, the font is not working for me, neither is the silhouette. Your a creative company, put some colour in. How about this for an idea - perhaps not for a logo but a poster. Four pictures of you with different facial expressions and different hats on. Then below each picture you could have the specific skill set each person (which is always you) has.Summary:
Jokers are hard to include in your designs with out making you look like a, well, a Joker. The position of the hands doesn't help. They say "who knows". When you should be saying "I know, I have the answers".
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Lisa Tweedie commented:
Cheers - good points
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Summary:
Lisa,
As all the reviewers except that blank one, have said this name comes off as a little confusing (wait makes you seem a little confused) which you are NOT…
In fact you are super organized and well sort after, so if you're going to change the name to something obscure with an inside meaning then, be bold and different…
If you want to portray the many hats, or the many balls that you juggle then incorporate into the branding somehow but in a classy way, not like the image that you have posted here… like Alex said it has been done before, and never very well, and I am afraid your iteration is possibly the worst so far.
You know me Lisa, I'm straight to the point… You need to go back way back, and get some mind map's happening and some sketches out…
Good Luck!
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Lisa Tweedie commented:
Thanks for the friendly brutal roast (; Will get back on this... has sent me in a new direction...
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Lisa Tweedie commented:
See my comments on Steve's review for my thoughts on a new direction...
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Summary:
Hi Lisa,
I agree with the other reviewers that the name and image are too complex, generic, and confusing. It also doesn't address the parental aspect.
If you want quirky, but want to keep the hat theme you could always go with a specific type of hat (e.g. Tuque, Fedora, Lungi, Coif, Top Hat, etc), and if you want to send the message that you focus on educational needs: "Square Cap", "Tassel", or "Tam" might work. (e.g. Square Cap Design). Most importantly, though, the name must represent your business mission in some way (whether it is a service, feeling, experience, and so on). If you wanted to focus on the relationship between the visual nature of UX and the user, something like "Aspect Interaction" could work (or something much better :)) You need to identify what ties your services together - how do you differentiate from other UX firms? what is the main mesage you are trying to accomplish? why do you love what you do? A slogan could be a big help here.
In terms of the image, it is currently too complex - there are many elements (a person, hands, hats, typography), which would make it difficult to identify on a small-scale (e.g. 16px by 16px). The logo should be able to work for both web and print, so scalability is important to keep in mind: the simpler, the better. I've attached some examples of logos that use hats. The current image is also looking choppy/pixelated - is it vector-based?
Lastly, the typography is pretty boring - spice it up! A good typeface will do wonders to your message's overall goal and feeling :)
Here are a few sites for inspirations, too:
I hate to say it, but I would suggest going back to the drawing board on this one. I hope this helped a bit and I look forward to seeing the next version!
Cheers, Serina
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Rebecca Perry commented:excellent review Serina!!
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Summary:
Hi Lisa
I see lots of issues with this iteration, but there are plusses too!
Firstly, the name works for me, so long as the theme is not overstated. By that I mean, having the figure in the symbol is superfluous. The whole idea of wearing 'many hats' is obvious to all who understand the phrase, so the person is not necessary.
Personally, I don't think the silhouette works. Too much emphasis is taken away from the shape of the hats. But I do like the quirky, fun nature of the name and the suggested meme. Just concentrate on the hats themselves.
If I may be so presumptuous as to suggest a design theme, I'd love to see a row of beautifully drawn (men's) hats of different shapes and types, in colour and all viewed from above, with an elegant typographic logotype treatment of letter-spaced all caps.*
I see the stationery layout with the row of hats (9 in total) across the top of the letterhead, each no bigger than 10mm diam. You could have all sorts of hats – 10-gallon, pirate, army helmet, fedora, trilby, top, bowler etc. and you could even include the jester!
Hope this helps.
*excuse the pun!
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Lisa Tweedie commented:
Thanks
I agree that the name ManyHats works ... but perhaps not for the company I described above. I am thinking of splitting it so that Tweedie Consulting is my corporate profile (one person show pretty much - UX mentoring ... this is my bread and butter consulting - seems a shame to lose 5 years reputation by losing the name and it does do what it says on the box!) and ManyHats is my brand name for my products (like my ipad educational apps - which will be a larger concern with many colleagues - many of whom will be parent returners - this is my hobby at the moment but also my passion - may end up being a social enterprise or non-profit). Thinking of a byline along the lines of "Many Hats - Many Talents"
Thanks for the design theme ... I am going to have a go at a whole load of things and see which flies with people on here (:
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Summary:
Hi Lisa,
I think you have a lot of work to do. A quick question the drawing is a rough concept or the final art?
The logo is too complicated and very vague also it will not show very well on small sizes. You have to focus on your real services and the market you are your business establish. The joker hat i think its not appropriate because it has negative connotation.
The name is very catchy "many Hats" but the typography is very basic, You can try out a more modern font maybe more "associate" with tech.
Also try to jocking the hats instead of wearing them, you could use one kind of hat rather than many different.
Finally my best advice it to go back to the drawing board and don't chose a easy fix but try another more suitable direction you must give the appropriate amount of time in order to have the right brand identity.
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Lisa Tweedie commented:
Defintely a very early draft .. think I should have used a sketch to show this ... much as you would use a wireframe for a UX design (makes people realise that it is still an idea in flux) ... everyones comments have really helped my thinking about this ... more to come very soon.
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Lisa Tweedie commented:
What do you mean by "jocking" the hats?
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Charalampos Manologlou commented:I am very soory its a typo. I meant juggling the hats
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Summary:
Hi Lisa - The body language of the character is giving off a message of insecurity and uncertainty to me. I think if the arms and hands were raised in a V position and the head wasn't tilted to the side, the overall message would convey "strength, professionalism and confidence". IMO, it looks like, "Many Hats?" rather than "Many Hats!". Also, I agree that the 'jester' hat is not helping the image.
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Lisa Tweedie commented:
Thanks Rebecca ... will think about a positive stance!
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Positive Feature I love that you are in early with the idea/logo
What about colour to the hats. The person in black and 1 or more hats in colour. Cheeky add on for the web site is to have the only one hat coloured depending on the page topic. About=jester hat.Other Why change names?
I know this is not design related, but what change names? And why go with cute and quirky?
When doing business cards and logos for the website a designer I worked with previously said frequently "Don't do what is cute, do what sells" Boring but it has made me a lot of money over the years.
There is a fundamental tension between the name an image you want and what the people seeing your name and image might think. When I get a business card or look at a website I like to know what they are about at least in part by the name and logo.
Yes when I see Many Hats I am curious what it might mean - I know the phrase - but not the context.
Lastly a quick Google search yields lots of similar results. (see attached) not a show stopper, but not a big plus either.-
Robert Hubbs commented:Ok braino - It is not why change names but why that name. I read your background again and I still think you have more focus then the Many Hats name suggests. It has a Jack-Of-All-Trades Master-Of-None feel. Maybe it is the shrug of the person in silhouette. Still...
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Lisa Tweedie commented:
... I think I am torn ... but I think I have a way forward...
Summary:
Kudos on stepping up early. Think about the name in context to your desired clients. Show them what you do while draw from a diverse background is more focused then it seems.
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Lisa Tweedie commented:
Thanks ... yes it is a really early concept ... never been scared of showing my workings ... Guess I should put up my sketches too.. Maybe I'll do that next.
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Summary:
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Lisa Tweedie commented:
What is this? Hope you are not aiming to post a concept based on this review because you will simply be flamed. Please take a minute to give me your first impressions of this logo... cheers...
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Thanks Alex - you have made me think... have had an idea about a way forward... will put it together and come back.