Research Project Logo - Please Critique :)

SisterRosetta

SisterRosetta

New Member
Hi,

I'd really appreciate some critique on the following logo please (my first logo, so I'd really like to get it right!):

Quill Project.png
Artboard 1.png

The brief - redesign the logo for an academic research project called 'The Quill Project'. The project focuses on the reexamination of historical negotiated texts (e.g. the American constitution) through a digital platform. I threw the old logo out of the window, but can post it if that helps. Should mention that the orange is one of their two key colours, grey just complementary.

Initial feedback from the client has been positive so far, with a few suggestions. What I'd really appreciate feedback on is:
  • Are there any key symbols you see within it?
  • Do you feel it fits the tone of the brief?
  • How would you make the bottom right half look more 'modern'? Tried gradient/metallic, looked dreadful.
  • Anything else you would change?
Thanks very much everyone!
Lucy
 
If this is helpful, here are the few suggestions I've had from the client (although you don't have to respond to this if you don't want to):
  • The magnifying glass symbolism could be more obvious
  • The negative space in the middle of the 'Q' is a little too distracting
  • The text feels a little untied to the main logo
The magnifying glass element is annoying me, as I like the symbolism and would like to perfect it, but how far to push it?
 
I didn't see the magnifying glass at first. Have you tried extending the handle/tail of the Q and maybe tapering it
at the end? I wonder if the quill itself might look better moving round clockwise a bit, and maybe not entirely circular -
I'm not keen on the quill curving so much?

Overall I think the Q is a bit too big in comparison to the text. This would also lessen the negative space aspect.
Generally I think it works but needs a few tweaks.
 
I like the 'idea' but I think it needs refining, the quill doesn't really look like a quill either, the image actually gives me a 'comb over' hair vibe

Does the Q need to be the 'modern' Q with the single line coming out, could you go more towards the historical like this Q where there is an area where you could use the curvy bit underneath to be the quill or work the design around that letter look.
 
Wardy said:
I didn't see the magnifying glass at first. Have you tried extending the handle/tail of the Q and maybe tapering it
at the end? I wonder if the quill itself might look better moving round clockwise a bit, and maybe not entirely circular -
I'm not keen on the quill curving so much?

Overall I think the Q is a bit too big in comparison to the text. This would also lessen the negative space aspect.
Generally I think it works but needs a few tweaks.
Click to expand...

Interesting points, thank you. I'll definitely make the text bigger. I'll try rotating the quill slightly, with a smaller curve.

Would you do anything to the texture of the grey part to bring out a more 'modern' edge?
 
Levi said:
I like the 'idea' but I think it needs refining, the quill doesn't really look like a quill either, the image actually gives me a 'comb over' hair vibe

Does the Q need to be the 'modern' Q with the single line coming out, could you go more towards the historical like this Q where there is an area where you could use the curvy bit underneath to be the quill or work the design around that letter look.
Click to expand...

Haha, now I can't unsee that combover. I might shorten the quill slightly to reduce the curve. I'm not too bothered if it doesn't look super obvious as a quill when very small, as long as the 'Q' is interesting enough.

The tail quill was my first instinct too, but as part of their brand research the client found five different ones like it and hated them all. I think as a software project they want to put their modern methods on par with their historical subject, hence trying to have a balance.

Thanks for the feedbackå
 
Drifter said:
What does that mean?
Click to expand...

Sorry, not very clear. I suppose I meant it was a more subdued choice to balance out the strength of the orange. Not essential to keep exactly that shade - but would like something that works with that particular orange shade.
 
Nice logo, like it. Magnifying glass (as others have said) is subtle. Has a hit of Hammer and Sickle.

Does the title need to be capitalised?
 
I immediately thought it was a Firefox clone. The brain does things like that, prefers to recall things it already knows rather than create new. Which means you have to really focus to establish it’s not Firefox.
 
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