talkmagic.co.uk

Well, got a bit bored. About 25 minutes work.

Comments and Criticism appreciated.

Now, I dont know about the rest of the forum - but I really like that.
In fact - sorry Seige - I prefer it to our current one. 5 Stars that man!

why on earth did you use a printscreen rather than save for web and a jpg?

IAIN wrote:why on earth did you use a printscreen rather than save for web and a jpg?

He wants people to know how "leet" his desktop is. That's also why he has a 3 in his name instead of an E.

If I were to offer constructive criticism I'd say make it not blurred, and make the four pips actually look like the four pips.

[quote="queen of clubs]He wants people to know how "leet" his desktop is. That's also why he has a 3 in his name instead of an E.[/quote]

Its spelled "733+" - apparently.

I see what you mean about the pips. Make them slightly more defined and you may be onto a winner.

and that he's got cs3...how much did that cost you eh?

i dont like it to be honest with you...

too much drop shadow...
doesnt suggest "talking" in anyway...
bit too long...

oh and who/what is mary jayne on firefox?

I hate it, I like it but, why put pips on the logo, I know everyone associates that with magic, but not everyone does card magic. But than again I'm sure almost everyone does card magic... Never mind, it's good but I prefer our current one.

crozboz - Thanks, its still a work in progress though!

IAIN- I don't know really, check the updated versions, it was intended to mean that its still being worked on.

queen of clubs - Got it one, my '1337' desktop!

crozboz#2 - Yeah, the icon. recreated it from scratch, copyright bladyblah and also so it could make it how I wanted it. May just use any google image though now

IAIN#2 - I had CS2 free with my previous computer, and to upgrade to CS3 was only a small fee. And thanks for the criticism, I'll see what I can do. And Emma Jayne is a girl whose social network site I was on ha.

Ian - And yeah the pips, I'll be sure to find something else related to maybe talk, or general magic. At first I had a wand as an 'I' in Magic, but thought nah, keep it clean.

Version 1.1

Version 1.2

Version 1.3

Version 1.4

My only comment is... why are you working in photoshop on a PC? Blasphemy, sir! Blasphemy!

I like it - but not for this particular site. I'm not incredibly fond of the current logo - but it seems to work. I would save this design and work it for a personal site in the future.

I do agree that "magic" is a bit too hazy to be legible. I appreciate the effect you're making, but the same feel can be implied without sacrificing type legibility.

Are you a designer by profession, or is this just a hobby (if you're working in cs3, please don't say it's a hobby)?

And why in heaven's name are you posting such large images for such a small logo? Have you not found the crop tool, yet? It's right by the magic wand!

Oh a MacTard...Mac user are ya'?

I understand about the 'Magic' in the first version, but surely on the later versions its easy to read, right?

And more of a Hobby, I do...do some freelance design, but mainly just in my own time.

And I was working in default size, as it started as me just messing about with 'web 2.0'/glossy styles. Next ones I post will fit perfectly!

I was posting my response as you posted the new images - thus I was only going by the original.

Version 1.1 is better - but again, I don't think it fits with the site.

Version 1.2 - I don't like the pips as much - they get almost completely engulfed by the surrounding text. They're losing their prominence.

Version 1.3 - Nice work, but this style is incredibly overdone, these days. Also, it really has no place with the subject matter. It stands out ONLY because it has nothing to do with the rest, not because it is a powerful visual element.

Version 1.4 - With the exception of the pips (see above) this is my favorite. I like the little treatment over the i, but since that's a cap - it doesn't work (I'm sorry if I seem like a real stickler - but this is my profession, so I can't help it). I would advise against using a lowercase there, as it would look awful. Nice thinking - but I just don't see it working in that spot.

Unlike others, I have no problem using pips. The "not everyone does card magic" seems weak to me. I don't do large scale illusions or allegedly assault hapless victims on a private island - but I don't get offended when people think "Copperfield" when I say I perform magic.

and by the way - Mac is the industry standard. That's because we like working in a program without worrying about lags and crashes...

It's not generically magic... the pips suggest cards.

The typeface—especially the use of capitals—doesn't fit with the friendly tone of voice of the TM site.

The use of colours is recessive and dull in that context.

Also, the use of 'all the toys in the toolbox' i.e. reflections, shadows etc. are wildly over used.

Aside from that nice effort.

Again, just further evidence that downloading professional software to a machine doesn't turn the user into a professional designer.

Not a bad effort though.

Oh, and by the way: Macs ARE the standard platform for artwork. In our industry, PCs are spat at.

I certainly don't mean to be negative, but it's kind of like the irritating neighbour who visits you for the very first time, sits on your sofa and progressively adjusts the contrast on your TV because you just "don't have it tuned right..." (I have a relative who does this to people!!!)

I am not anti PC, although they did back the wrong horse with HDDVD instead of Blu-Ray but that's another story. I am involved in design, web design, logo design, sportswear design etc, and I dont know anyone who designs (professionally) on a PC. Literally... no one does it. so it's not a Mac Man ranting, it's just the way it is.

The new Window's Vista logo was even designed on a Mac... it's the only thing that works with VISTA LOL!

I am not saying I "love" or "hate" the current logo, in fact I quite like it. Simple, easy to read, I dont get a headache wondering what it's all about. Colors look good in conjunction with the rest of the site, most of all... it says "talk magic". I don't mean just "literally" although that's fine, I mean figuratively, and that's better.

Sometimes I think people are too keen for logos to be "clever"... lets have "words in the shape of something" etc. Sometimes that's OK, but often simple is good too, and the current logo is just that... it says "talk magic"... go figure.

They're a good try but I don't know, they look a little too, what's the word... gimmicky. You've used quite a few different techniques there and to me they just don't really go well togther. It doesn't really reflect TM to me, would suit a site like ellusionnist better I think.

Good try though, keep playing.

Oh just another thought, instead of using photoshop, why not give GIMP a try. It's a freebe that's very good for the average home designer.