Capybara Marketing logo

[Rozib]

Hi everyone,
I have worn my heaviest sweater and decided to post my most recent logo attempts for the first time. It’s the first time I do so, and I’m here to learn how to improve.
I am not good at drawing but I did try to do my best.
A lil bit about the business:
My boyfriend and I created a small local marketing business and chose Capybara as our mascot since it’s considered to be one of the friendliest and the most social animals out there (plus we have a small personal connection to that animal). I do graphic designing and build websites while he does content writing, social media and etc.
We aren’t sure about the marketing addition (we actually preferred studio) but I wanted something that will balance the Capybara title.
We are up for any suggestions, including typography or colors. We are not strict about anything.

I actually like the idea of using two colors (Again, since we are two people) and I admit I got a bit lost with the front leg.
Bonus! this was the first time I tried to draw a Capybara and it turned out to be two sleepy bears.

The idea was that we “complete” each other, since my boyfriend provides content writing services and I do graphic designing (I don’t draw often don’t worry

).
Thank you so much!
Rozi

 

[Wardy]

Yes, the illustration needs a bit of work. I think the first one is the 'best'. It needs to be the orange colour though at least, and the
differences in line thickness don't work for me. Not sure why the leg is detached, it makes it look like it has a leg missing. If it were me,
I'd be doing lots of sketches first to get the pose right etc and then keep simplifying it. You could always go slightly cartoony with it maybe.

I think it's a bit big to go with the text, and I would make 'marketing' smaller and lose the dot on the i, there's no reason for it. Simple is best.

 

[Rozib]

Yes, the illustration needs a bit of work. I think the first one is the 'best'. It needs to be the orange colour though at least, and the
differences in line thickness don't work for me. Not sure why the leg is detached, it makes it look like it has a leg missing. If it were me,
I'd be doing lots of sketches first to get the pose right etc and then keep simplifying it. You could always go slightly cartoony with it maybe.

I think it's a bit big to go with the text, and I would make 'marketing' smaller and lose the dot on the i, there's no reason for it. Simple is best.

Hello!
First of all, thank you for the feedback. It was really helpful and I'll keep working on the sketches.
Would you pick a different font or place the text somewhere else (like below the capybara)?

 

[Wardy]

I would keep it there but have it not much bigger than the two lines of text. Try it standing or maybe even just the head.

I would try a friendlier font, maybe rounded, u/l case?

 

[Rozib]

I would keep it there but have it not much bigger than the two lines of text. Try it standing or maybe even just the head.

I would try a friendlier font, maybe rounded, u/l case?

So I tried to work around with your suggestions. Wondering which option would you prefer and if you have any more suggestions.
Thank you!

 

[Wardy]

I think I like the last one in the circle best, but it's looking a bit cow-like. Try it a bit more orange.

 

[Paul Murray]

This is the one I'd be working up.

It feels more like a design/creative agency, where as the others feel more 'artisan', like they're intended for a handmade cake company or something. I can't put my finger on it but I think it' the mis-aligned colours tht gives it that vibe.

I'd iterate on that one, working in black and white and refining/simplifying the shape until it reads well at small scales.

 

[Rozib]

This is the one I'd be working up.
View attachment 6821
It feels more like a design/creative agency, where as the others feel more 'artisan', like they're intended for a handmade cake company or something. I can't put my finger on it but I think it' the mis-aligned colours tht gives it that vibe.

I'd iterate on that one, working in black and white and refining/simplifying the shape until it reads well at small scales.

Hi Paul, thank you for your helpful feedback!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but do you suggest changing the color palette too?
Can you give me an example of things that need more simplifying in the shape itself?

Thank you!

 

[Paul Murray]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but do you suggest changing the color palette too?

Only whilst you're designing it. The aim is to get something that's recognisable without colour. As an example, would the logo work without the light stripe along the underside? Probably, but maybe you need to add in a hint of detail here so it's clearer without colour.

I always work in a single colour when I'm designing to ensure I'm not realying on colour to make a shape readable. If it works in a single colour then it will probably work in 99% of situations. You never know when a client will request their logo as a rubber stamp or something, so using a single colour logo as the basis for all colour variations covers your back in most situations. Go mad with colour and stuff later if you want, just be sure you have that raw, minimalist logomark as the basis.

In terms of refning the shape, look at the bumps on top of the head, are they needed? At a small size it's not entirely clear what's happening. Refining this will make the ear shape more legible at smaller scales.

 

[Wardy]

Apologies for showing how I would do it, but I did this quickly in Photoshop by tracing off a photo to get the shape right
and keeping it as simple and graphic as I could. Capybaras are usually brown, so I think it needs to be a bit of a darker colour, then your
name could be picked out in the same colour if required. Your mark is far too big compared to your name I think.

 

[Paul Murray]

…Photoshop…

 

[Paul Murray]

On a serious note, Wardy's example is what I was referring to when I talked about refinement.

 

[Wardy]

It's just a sketch!

 

[hankscorpio]

I'm struggling with the whole concept.

I don't get the relevance to Capybara - especially if it's only an internal meaning. It doesn't really have anything to do with marketing.

Nike - Goddess of Victory
Adidas - Adi Dassler is the founder
Accenture - Accent on the future
IBM - international business machines
Lacoste - uses a Crocodile former tennis player whose nickname is The Crocodile
Coca Cola - Cocaine and Cola Nut

I'm not saying you can't have a fun quirky element to a business name that makes people take notice.

But a rodent? And named after the rodent? A rat. And it's promoting marketing?

I just feel like it is weak. It would be different if it was Capybara Exterminators - as it basically is saying what it is on the tin.

There are a few companies that have the Capybara name - like Capybara Ventures - and another company called just Capybara that does web application testing.

I just don't think it's good. It's not clever. It's not marketing at it's best.