Website Logo Opinions Please

Rick Marchand

Rick Marchand

Donkey on the Edge
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I am in the process of completely revamping my website and need some opinions on the logo. I need it to include my mark, name, company name and a descriptive title. This is what has been kicking around the boardroom(aka, kitchen table).

Name: Rick Marchand
Company: Wildertools
Mark: Japanese-type characters of "W"(wildertools) and "M"(marchand).
Descriptive Title: Artisan Outfitter. Though, blades are a large part of my product line, they are not the only thing I do(leather bags, pouches, packs, wool clothing, period acoutrements, etc). I felt "Outfitter" encompassed the breadth of what I do and "Artisan" put some flavor on it.

Keep in mind, that this is not designed for a maker's mark, it's for a website. I have a few concerns about the design but want to get some feedback from my peers, friends and complete strangers.

wildertools_logo_forumsV1_zps180cabfe.jpg

wildertools_logo_forumsV2_zps58c2c949.jpg

wildertools_logo_forumsV3_zps35e9da01.jpg

wildertools_logo_forumsV4_zps59829319.jpg
 
I like number 4 Rich. The others seem way too busy for me and despite the artisan flair they're unclear.
 
I like #3 the best, with #1 a distant second. Both would look good as a website header, or an a t-shirt or business card. The others are too busy for my taste, and don't tie in the mark with your name visually.

Nice work... your mark is incorporated well with your actual name, and "Artisan Outfitter" makes sense. :thumbup:
 
I like the last one.

"Artisan Outfitter" .... Is that a person who outfits artisans or an artisan who outfits? I do not think the "by" is really warranted before your name.

Looking good though
 
I like number three the best. It seems to flow the smoothest when read. I think regardless you should keep the "W"ildertools and "M"archand ("W" and "M" stand for your characters).

Four looks good as well, but don't ghost out your maker's mark as much, give it a little more substance to make it easier to see. Also put the "Artisan Outfitter" under your name since that is more a title for you not Wildertools.

Just my two cents.
 
I like 4 best also, but do you think people who don't know you or your business will understand the "artisian outfitter" term?
 
I like #3 and #4. #3 probably ties into your blade mark better.
 
I really like #3 the best but I think it would look even better with the M in your name in plain font. Imho.
 
I would add a "/" between Artisan and Outfitter. I like #1, since it makes your company name stand out, which is important in branding.
 
I pick #3 but:

The " Artisan Outfitter" is too faint.

Make it a different colour if you want to but don't let it get lost the way it looks on my screen right now.
Forget ghosted text altogether.
Make it full colour text make it easy to read

I'm looking at your web text here
http://wildertools.net/?page_id=44

The oldest folks with the worst eyesight have the most $ to spend
(do some research on colour blindness and colour combinations that are the best used - there are whole websites for that)

Make it full colour text make it easy to read

When I read text on On-line I highlight it as I read it; like keeping my finger under the words.
Your website text gives almost zero contrast when I do that.


I recognize your name by now, but those check-marks are hard to read if I didn't know your name.
fiddle with the tighter spacing on the checkmarks so they come together and make a recognizable letter.



The tag line is tricky
You have to ID your niche, keep it flexible enough to change your product mix and make it interesting enough to get ladies in the door to shop.

Consider making "Artisan Outfitter" "Artisan Outdoors Outfitter" or something more clear.
I don't know if people know what an outfitter is now-days.

Can you make that tag line more specific to your period / touristy niche ?
How are you different from LL bean and others ?

Artisan may be hard for some people to read or understand, I like the "Handmade" tag
"Handmade Outdoor Artifacts"
IDK keep playing with that lots of variations

Careful shaping of that tagline will save hundreds of bad phone calls for folks looking for the latest goretex, artist supplies, hunting guides, or pillow cases at Home Outfitters.



Consider adding a very subtle half space between wilder and tools.
It helps folks read it the way you intend
Like the difference between kidsexchange
kids-exchange and kid-sex-change


make sure you have Wildertools in plain text on the website so that search engines catch it


Once you have all the design aspects see some pro geeks and "search engine optimize it"
 
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I like #3, however i would also remove the By word as i think it may not really be needed. Artisan outfitter is cool, but IMO it should be separated as it seems confusing somewhat. Is it an artisan who outfits or outfitter for artisans
 
I think three is best visually; change the Artisan Outfitter to Cool Tools. I think hikers think of themselves as cool instead of trendy.

Did all your furniture arrive? Fred
 
I scrolled 1. thru 4. and all were distracting 'till I hit 4. " Wildertools" clear and to the point then your name even better. Upon closer look the stylized "W" added interest to previous information and more info- outfitters.

The previous 3 the "W" was the first thing I saw and it was more of a ? and distraction.

Mark
 
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