I was wondering if you all could help me out. I wanted something simple and something related to the word Hayashi. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

After looking at your website I saw how the graphic relates to your site. The font is what bothers me. The fonts you've selected have been used A LOT on the internet. I would be tempted to find something a little different.

Best of luck!
-bill

papyrus - played out

I agree, the font is not really working for me. If you are looking for something outside of your preprogrammed fonts on your computer, there are free fonts available at Font Garden under the archives. There are tons to dig through, but you may find a gem.

Thanks!

Here's another great resource for free fonts: Dafont.com

Thanks for the suggestion. I found a font package and will be playing with the font later this week. Thanks again!

One more time. I think I like this much more. Simple, clean.

I like it.

I like this version as well. This font is much more unique.

The problem with cool fonts is that many people won't have them loaded on their machines. There's plenty of cool ones around but not everyone is going to download and load them just because they are on your site. If people can't read the font in the first few seconds, most will consider your site broken and pass you up. So you're better off finding something more universal and having people be able to read it quickly than have the cool font that nobody else has...including potential clients....

But if it's for your logo, and you can turn it into an image, then go right ahead...just remember you want it to compliment everything else on your site.

Just my 2 yen

Ya, the font is just for my logo and any watermarkings I will have in jpeg format. I do agree that having unique fonts for regular text could be problematic. So I am sticking to normal text. As always, things change.

Hi Frances...

I do like this design better then your last, but I still think it needs an "extra something".

Have you thought about having someone else design your logo and maybe giving your design to a designer as a sample of the sort of style you are going for? I know a bunch that have used Design OutPost and are very happy, you can check out some of the projects going on over there HERE

Hi Allison *wave*

Ya, I had thought about hiring someone for branding, but I really cannot afford it right now. Actually even less so now that our vet bills came back. I think once I get up and running a bit more, bringing in income to invest more into the business, then I can get something done.

But for now, I can keep revising my logo. Are the colors not catchy? The design? If its the colors, I can play around with them so it pops more. Maybe use a bright red and black instead of pink?

I'll play with it more and maybe even design another logo. I appreciate the feedback!

Hi Hayashi. I'm a graphic design major; maybe I can help.

When designing a logo, it's important to make sure your logo works well on a large scale, as well as a small scale. When large, it's easy to identify the brown stems and two pink buds in your logo, but it's these kinds of details that are likely to get lost, or confuse the viewer when printed at much smaller scales. (business cards, letterheads, etc.) So just be careful when it comes to small details. Eliminating the brown stems and pink buds will simplify your logo to a more effective and versatile design. The thin lines coming out from the center are also questionable in regards to scale, but not as critical in my opinion. I understand details like this add interest to the overall design, but as a logo, you'll want to think less illustrative and more icon-like. Some of the most successful logos are nothing more than a shape or two (i.e. Target, Nike, Apple, etc.)

It sounds like your original version was using the font Papyrus. GOOD CALL getting rid of it. Many graphic designers avoid this font like the plague due to its over-excessive usage. Basically any font that came bundled with your computer should be approached apprehensively in logo design, especially if the goal in mind is to create something memorable, which should always be a priority when designing a logo. Free downloadable fonts from sites such as www.1001freefonts.com, www.dafont.com, and www.urbanfonts.com can definitely get the job done, but many typographers would agree that the best fonts (in terms of aesthetic quality, longevity [stands the test of time], and uniqueness) fonts are rarely free. Unless of course, you pirate them, but I won't go there.

The current font you're using in your logo is much better than Papyrus, but I would personally like to see the letters a little closer together. They seem too far apart right now. Since it's a script font, it implies a handwritten-quality, this would better come across if the letters were closer together like true cursive hand-writing. You can do this by adjusting the tracking in either Photoshop or Illustrator, as with most any other design software.

Wow!!! That was a lot, but I hope this helps! I like your logo, it has a lot of potential and gives off a gentle vibe, which I think matches your photography quite well. Definitely play with the colors more if you feel they're not catchy enough, and make sure it works in grayscale as well; you never know when you'll need your logo on something that will be printed in black and white. Best of luck!

*waves back atcha*

I can totally understand expenses.

I might definately try some other colors and maybe some other fonts also. Maybe its just me, but I think you should put something that relates to photography in your name like "Hayashi Photography" or "Photography by Hayashi" or "Hayashi Photographic"

One more question, do you like the logo? If you do then keep it
Your logo is what you are going to be known by, so YOU are going to be the one that needs to be most comfortable with it.

Just a couple pennies tossed around by me

Wow Chris! I love criticism like this. I am also doing 3D art (modeling and texture) and greatly appreciate constructive criticism. It really does help me grow and see where I can improve. I will definitely take a look at the logo with your suggestions tonight. Thanks again!

Hey no problem Hayashi! I'm happy I could help!
That's super cool you handle constructive criticism well. I'm glad.
You do 3D art too? Nice. I used to use Cinema 4D XL, but it's been aaages lol.

Anyhoo, good luck!

Haha. Well getting good feedback is the great way to learn and grow. At least for me it is.

Ya, I do 3D art using 3d Studio Max and Photoshop. I love it. And hope to make the career switch ASAP. I've gotten a lot of feedback on my 3d Art and have grown so quickly in such a short time.

After much thought about my name change, I decided to just go with my surname. That means another logo or two. Still can't afford anything too fancy but here it is. The one on the far left is my old logo from before, the one in the middle is for pet photography and the one on the right is for baby photography.

Any thoughts? Thank you in advance!!

I like it. I think I would like to see the same font in the pet and the baby logos though.

BTW, did you read the article in this month's Rangefinder about pet and children photography? I thought of you when I read it.

Aww you thought of me?

I don't get Rangefinder magazine. But maybe I should pick it up. How are you liking the magazine? Am I reading it correctly, that the magazine is free? I have a subscription to Shutterbug and am not finding it satisfying for my tastes.

I can put the font I use for the pet logo in the baby logo since it is more 'fun' and 'cutesy'. Thanks for your feedback!

i like them! simple and clean.