New TMC logo drafts. Hit me!

by **zix** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 8:55 pm

With Phil´s blessing I moved this to its own thread. How about a TMC logo? It could be used on the website of course, and should work well in that context. But the original idea was for something to put on a coffee cup, and I think it should work everywhere. Coffee cup, T-shirt or other printed matter, and on screen.

Anyway, here is my contribution. I always try to dock conceptual symbols or ideas with a logo, and hopefully you can make out the coffee cup in perspective here.

I also tried some other typeface alternatives. Didn´t quite like that the thin hairlines disappear in the black coffee on smaller sizes. However, after trying with three other typefaces I still find the original Bodoni very compelling in the comparison, although all of the others are a bit more "legible" at this small size. (This would not be an issue on coffee cups or other printed matter though, as the resolution is much much higher in print for this kind of graphic. This is mainly a web problem.) Here is that comparison anyway:

See something that you like? Or would you like something entirely different? Nice or bad? Hit me!

by **Raf** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 7:22 am

I agree that a logo would be nice. This one is rather stern with the black and white, I think. Also, I have this thing with serif fonts (or is it sans serif, I'm not sure, but the ones with the wings)... I just don't like them. But I do like the idea of the coffee cup in perspective!

by **simonp** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 7:58 am

How about having the TMC letters sort of shimmering, like steam rising, this might make it look a bit more obviously a coffee cup.

by **phil** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 8:56 am

I'm not keen on serif fonts either - but if you're not careful sans serif fonts can look a little blocky and stern.

My immediate reaction to Mats' design was "hmmm, looks like the TMC rubber stamp"! No offence, but it just looks too "official".

Shame I'm too busy with the email project to have a go at this myself. Then again I have even less artistic talent than Simon! :roll:

by **simonp** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:24 am

Then again I have even less artistic talent than Simon!

Not possible :lol:

by **Joey** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 11:21 am

when I have the time tonight I'll try to make 3 pictures from the shot:
First 10 seconds only crema, second 10 seconds slowly espresso forming in the bottom of the glass, third 10 seconds the finished espresso...then I'll fill the letters with the cut pics.....would that be ok? Here is just a painted draft - looks very childish now, but with real pictures might work

blue should just show the background of TMC...

by **Raf** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 11:46 am

Hmm, I like that Joey. Do you think it will be clear enough?

by **Joey** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 11:56 am

I'll try to photoshop a bit....got a new camera, should work with close ups...
joey

by **zix** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 12:33 pm

Good idea, Joey!

Colour is always nice - I was thinking of something brownish for mine, but kept it deliberately as b/w at the first attempt. Will be having a go at it again tonight.
Thanks for your comments, guys! Perhaps it looks a bit too "official" (in a negative sence), phil. We´ll see if that feeling goes away in the next iteration. I like official if it has the handicrafted look, though.

by **Ian** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 1:34 pm

Following on from Zix's, this is what it looks like with the rest of the cup in - sorry about the freehand bit but it was quick!

by **phil** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 1:38 pm

Something like that but perhaps with the letters moved a bit was what was in my mind too.

by **zix** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 7:55 pm

Ian wrote:Following on from Zix's, this is what it looks like with the rest of the cup in - sorry about the freehand bit but it was quick!

Yep, I am trying out versions with the cup in too - but don´t forget that a logo should work in both big and small sizes. With the entire cup profile drawn, the letters will be a lot smaller at image heights around 80 pixels or so. Like in the top-"frame" of the website... Not saying that this won´t work though, just that one has to bear it in mind.

by **zix** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 7:56 pm

phil wrote:Something like that but perhaps with the letters moved a bit was what was in my mind too.

Letters moved - where, Phil?

by **phil** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 8:07 pm

Underneath like a saucer - maybe spelling Too Much Coffee in full?

I need to see it to see if it works - your comment about sizes is well taken. Then again it doesn't have to be legible at all sizes if it's visually identifiable as "The TMC Logo" in people's minds.

by **zix** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 10:24 pm

phil wrote:Underneath like a saucer - maybe spelling Too Much Coffee in full?

A-ha! I see. Well, that is quite possible. Such letters would not need to be immediately readable. Would be fun to try that out. May I?

Anyway, here is another go at the elliptical logo, with a more colourful and realistic cup background. Still scalable. The coffee part is not finished yet, the rim of the cup needs a bit of tweaking (too flat now) and maybe the text should have a different colour. Gives you an idea though (I hope).

At least, now it doesn´t look like a stamp anymore.