To the left is my vector illustration and, to me, it represents the word "solace". This sock monkey was a gift from my boyfriend who lives in Virginia. Because we are in a long distance relationship, I use this stuffed animal to provide comfort when he is far away (which is most of the time). His name is Wenceslas, named after a famous square in Prague, Czech Republic (where I met my boyfriend).
I decided to keep the colors as accurate as possible because the object in the illustration, Wenceslas, is what holds the significance. I thought altering the colors drastically would detract from the identity of the object. The most difficult aspects of the illustration are: the red fringe on the hat; the blanket; the wrinkles of the pillow. With the tools I have learned on illustrator, I tried to be as detailed as I could be. My one regret was not being able to portray the specific texture of Wenceslas' body. However, I am proud of the shading on his torso and the wrinkles on the striped pillow. I don't think the illustration looks exactly like the picture, but I can surely see the similarities. I took the artistic liberty of dulling down some of the shading of the photograph. I also used slightly different shades of white to denote Wenceslas' hands and hat versus the pillow he is laying on. I found this to be an important distinction in order to give the illustration more of a 3-dimensional feel. All in all, I am proud of my illustration and, I feel that I illustrated as much detail as possible with the skills I have acquired.
Product: Magic Carpet
photo credit
My final logo illustration is featured above. It is based on one of my eight original sketches. After discussion with the class, I decided that this logo was the best for my product because it clearly communicates my product, a Magic Carpet, without needing to spell out both words.
I chose the colors blue, purple, and gold for three reasons. (1) I thought these colors would remind consumers of the magic carpet featured in Aladdin (where the idea of a magic carpet was first introduced to mainstream America). With the idea of the Disney movie in their minds, I would hope consumers would feel fond of the product as a result of their warm, nostalgic feelings concerning the movie. (2) Although purple can be seen as a feminine color, I tried to balance the purple with blue (a masculine color) and gold (a gender neutral color) so the product will be equally attractive to both males and females. Finally, (3) I thought the rich colors (as opposed to black and white, for example) would be more eye-grabbing to a younger audience, my target consumers. Nevertheless, the dark tones allow for the product to appeal to all ages instead of being distinctly child-like.
I wanted the font for the word "Magic" to be in a swirly, cursive type font. I think this type of font shows more wispy movement, like the movement of a carpet swirling through the air. Finally, simplicity of the logo allows for it to be enlarged or shrunken and still be very recognizable.
Logos:
1. Starbucks
Personally, I love Starbucks. The coffee is delicious and I've known it to be a socially responsible company. The mermaid princess featured on this logo makes buyers think about the sea, which I have always found odd since coffee doesn't really have anything to do with the ocean. However, I think the counter intuitive illustration makes Starbucks standout against the background of other coffee companies who display cups of coffee or coffee beans. The the use of the dark green color is sophisticated and attracts professional adult buyers - exactly the people who need strong coffee and can afford Starbucks prices. Furthermore, the combination of a mermaid princess with darker colors like black and forest green balances the logo's attraction to both sexes. What's more is that the green logo reminds buyers of 'going green' and implies that Starbucks is an environmentally friendly company.
2. Walmart
Walmart's logo uses bright colors but does not look particularly childish, as a result it is attractive to families. The colors they use are relatively gender neutral as well. The words "Save Money. Live Better" are short and to the point which means that buyers can read it even if they are passing the sign quickly. Walmart's main appeal is their cheap prices so I think the words of the logo really convey their message. Finally, the sun-like figure next to the word Walmart makes Walmart look like a sunny company with a bright future (part of its appeal to families).
3. Subway
I like the way the word "Subway" starts and ends with arrows because it reminds the customers that Subway is a place to get your food when you're on the go. However, the color yellow I find to be off-putting. There is nothing yellow that I want near or around my sandwich. It does not scream fresh or healthy but rather dirty or stained. The words "eat fresh" are well placed because they are short and easy to remember. Moreover, the green outline of the word 'Subway' and filling in the words 'eat fresh' helps to connect the buyers mind to the idea of vegetables and freshness. Overall, I think both genders are likely to be attracted to this and it is not childish. However, it could portray a stronger image of freshness and nutritional foods.
4. Virgin
I always found the Virgin logo to be very strange. First of all, the company's name is "Virgin" which is a powerful word. Additionally, the logo almost looks like the word "virgin" is written in blood. I think the company is trying to appeal to younger buyers because their logo is very dramatic looking, not reserved or family-friendly. Personally, I think the use of the bold color and dripping paint-like font probably turns off older buyers to the company. Who is more likely to be using a phone service, older people or teenagers?
Batman
Batman, although a hero, is a dark figure. Batman's logo shows a certain intensity to the audience because of the stark contrast between the bright yellow and the depth of the black. Knowing that Batman's biggest fans are probably males, the makers of this logo have used an animalistic illustration and a lot of black space to portray the manliness of this superhero. The image is aggressive. Although adults love Batman too, this logo is aimed more at children's imaginations. There is not too much to look at; it is basic, and thus it is not too much for a young child to take in or process.
6. Coca-Cola
It may be overdone, but I wanted to look at the Coca Cola logo because it has bombarded me throughout my life. Why has this company lasted so long? I think the font used for this logo is key. The cursive words give this logo a very classic feeling. It is gives it an aged feeling, like finding an old letter, but it is timeless. The bright red is not striking like the blood-red of Virgin Mobile, but rather it is an upbeat red. It reminds one of an old 50s diner and a simpler time. Red is a color that can be appealing to both males and females, and the brightness of the shade has children looking twice as well.
