Sunsets

experiments in Bryce- a great software for landscape generation.
click images for larger view

SYNERGY

the 3D elements were rendered in cinmea 4D and the main work done in Phtoshop CS. The idea was to integrate both the 3d and 2d elements together to give it an interesting look. The midline bisects the image to give a more 2D feel to the left, though at the bottom of the image the elements merge together.
The centered lighting give is more depth.
click here to get this in a higher resolution (1024 and 1280).

TIPS ON EFFECTIVE COMPANY LOGO DESIGN

After seeing the new logo of DHIRAAGU (the Maldives telecom company), I just had to write this article on logo design tips. The new identity certainly will disappoint people, especially since DHIRAAGU has had a good track record of keeping all outside appearances nice and appealing. Though their 17 year long monopoly over the telecom market in the Maldives begs a mention here, I will not do so.

So what were the guys at DHIRAAGU thinking, if at all, when they approved their new logo?

Look at the old and the new ones and you be the judge:

old new

Surely the transformation has gone terribly in the opposite (wrong) direction. While the 1st logo imparts what the company is about, it is hard to imagine what the new logo is trying to tell. Maybe there is something 'hidden' and 'poignant' there which unfortunately only the artist can see.

Hope this article will give some important points to be kept in mind when designing a logo:

To begin, why does a company need a logo?

Logos give any brand name recognition and add visual appeal. Because the logo is a unique graphic image, the customer's eyes will naturally be drawn to it. A logo serves as the visual stimulation to kick start the audience's memory, and leaves a stronger impact than words alone can do. Best of all, a great looking logo will give the impression that a company is bigger than it really is. Your job, as a designer, will be to figure out a way how best this can be achieved.

Types of logos:

There are basically 3 types of logos:

Type logos:

This logo consists of your company name only in an appropriate typeface (font). The choice of the font depends on the meaning to be conveyed. For example a bold font will convey strength and power.

Symbol logos:

This logo uses an abstract symbol to reflect the business. And since it is abstract it leaves itself open to a wider interpretation of what the business is about. Adding a bit of abstraction gives the logo a more sophisticated look

Graphic logos:

This logo uses a graphic which clearly illustrates what your business does. Though these are easy to make, there are chances of your logo being compared to that of another company in the same business. For example, most resorts will have a logo depicting a beach and a palm tree.

Get plenty of reference materials:

Ask the company if it has any vision or theme that they will like to stick to, any specific colors or fonts they would like you to keep in the logo. Though you are the designer, things will be much easier if you have a idea where to start from.

Work on existing logos- of course you cannot copy another logo, but there are great logos out there from which to get a cool idea.

Choosing your software:

Personally I prefer CORELDRAW, as there is nothing that matches it in terms of ease of use and functionality. And it also supports all of the commonly used file formats and more. Other software like Adobe Illustrator is also good.

THINK BEORE YOU START: get into the company's shoes and think what they will want from your logo design. Does it represent the company's image? Is the message visible? Will someone looking at it be able to recall the logo and associate it with the products?

What is the target audience? A too elegant logo might not fit well with a younger audience.

Start with sketches:

There is no software that beats the good old pen and paper. Always keep a handful and sheets and pencils at your work desk.

Sketch as many possible ideas and experiment with: length of company name, abbreviations, initials, size of letters, lettering style, images and figures, abstract shapes, shaded areas, different colored areas, upside down views, sideways views, and 3d-effects.

After you finish your sketches, get feedback from someone. It always helps to see your work from a different perspective.

Choose the best logos and refine them. You can always use the remaining sketches for another project.

Making your logo effective:

Since the logo is going to be at the frontline of the business's marketing, it should be effective in establishing recognition, be visually attractive, professional and distinguished.

Your logo should be unique and have its own personality it should convey what the company is about, should be of high standard, is clear to see and to read; should be able to be reproduced for various types of media-the type of product, printable media, packaging, websites, stationary, 3D animations etc.

As a designer, where the logo will be printed or what can be made out of it should always be kept in mind. Keep it as versatile as possible, or some aspect of the logo might have to be changed later on.

Setting specifications (keeping your logo consistent):

Because your logo will have to be reproduced in a variety of media, certain specifications should be given to the company after you design the logo.

These have to be set for:

logo configurations- size and aspect ratio so that it will not be distorted

color specifications

fonts

Choosing colors:

Choosing an appropriate color is essential as colors themselves can convey certain meanings.

A colorful and flashy logo may not go at all with a Law firm.

BLACK- strong, powerful, credible, precise, definite, professional

suggested uses: corporate, financial, fashion, construction, manufacturing, mining, oil, marketing

WHITE- clinical, clean, medicinal, clear, pure, spacious, simple

Suggested use: medical, dental, scientific

RED-hungry, exciting, urgent, dangerous, sexy, romantic, evocative, advertising, design, warming

Suggested use: food, clothing, fashion, cosmetics, real estate, entertainment, health care, emergency services, hospitality, marketing, PR, sport

GREEN- nurturing, natural, organic, calm, youthful, instructional, education, adventurous, ecological

Suggested uses: medical, scientific, governmental, recruitment, HR, tourism, eco-business

BLUE-credible, powerful, calming, clean, focused, medical, professional, judicial

Suggested use: medical, dental, scientific, utility services, governmental, health care, IT, technological, recruitment, trades, podiatry, law

ORANGE-fruitful, creative, dynamic, energetic, youthful, expressive, childlike, innocent, enthusiastic

Suggested use: childcare, food, entertainment, education, recruitment, sport

YELLOW-youthful, energetic, dynamic, encouraging, design, ideas, bright, invention

Suggested use: signs, childcare, food, entertainment, e-commerce, new technology, auto

PURPLE- spiritual, sensual, metaphysical, mysterious, magical, religious, evocative, senses, healing

Suggested use: body, mind and soul, podiatry, crystals, astrology, tarot, aromatherapy, massage, yoga

BROWN-nurturing, historical, retrospective, safe, financial, traditional, conservative, reliable

Suggested use: mining, construction, veterinary, financial, real estate,

Updating a corporate identity:

As a company's customers and wider public audience will be attached to their identity over time, a drastic change in the company's logo might alienate them. As in the case of the DHIRAAGU logo mentioned above, the new logo has no resemblance at all to the first, and for people who will be exposed to it for the first time will have no impression as to how big a company DHIRAAGU really is.

There are several reasons why a company's logo might need to be changed; if the existing identity looks outdated; if the logo no longer reflects the services provided, or if there is a significant change in business direction.

If the company is only requiring a face lift, it is better to work on the original logo rather than changing it completely.

Suggested logo for DHIRAAGU; :)

By keeping these things in mind, you can make a professional looking logo.

Read more!

fishkids

From an early age on, the children of the islands of Maldives take an interest and actively take part in fishing- be it fishing just for fun with freinds or helping out their parents with the cooking.
Most of them become small experts on types of fish and good fishing areas and learn to navigate the sea around the island.

|picture from the Maldivian Art series|

Today's Catch

Fishing is the main source of generating income in the Maldives though it is being largely overshadowed by tourism. But for the average islander fishing is still the means of income and sustenance. Even before sunup the fisherman are out in the seas, much like the way there forefathers have, and return at dusk with the days' catch.

On the beach

First in the series of images created to reflect the daily activities in the islands of the Maldives.
With the sandy beaches as a vast playground for the kids, there is nothing more enjoyable than playing on the beach with friends.