Evolution of the Cocoa Bean

12-step evolution of the cocoa bean.



1. Just getting my idea down on paper.
2. Changing the angle by turning it on its side. First attempts at wanting the "C" to create the bean.
3. Creating a distinct shape.
4. Trying to darken the "C" to make it noticeable.
5. Way out in left field! "C" has officially disappeared and readability becomes a major issue.
6. Creating an outline of the "C" and bolding the letters. Trying to leave tips of the "C" off the end of the "N" to make it noticeable.
7. Trying to get the text to take up more space within the "C." The ends of the C no longer have tips and its starting to read as "Ocoa Bean Café"
8. Using the text without the "café" or the outline of the "C." I was trying to erase the outline, but I had darkened it in so much that it had permanently made its mark.
9. Getting somewhere. Trying another attempt at creating shape.
10. I think I've found it! Shape is very distinct and readability is no longer an issue.
11. Grayscale in the computer.
12. Black and White logo with "café"

Phase #1 - Cocoa Bean Cafe sketches

This client wasn't originally in my top three but after passing by it a few times throughout the week I figured it was time for a change and I thought I would have fun with creating a new logo for them. Cocoa Bean Cafe is a little coffee shop located in a Publix shopping area. It's a very calm, relaxing place with free Wifi (YES!) They also serve various pastries and drinks, pretty much your default coffee shop. I made some sketches trying to incorporate the text into the cocoa bean. I want the text to create the image instead of actually drawing it which is what the "C" is doing in the first bean sketch. I'm having a hard time deciding whether the C should be lighter then the other text or darker. I tried some other ideas as well and will continue to experiment with this client throughout the week.



Their current logo:

Phase #1 - Capers sketches

I narrowed my clients down to 2 and this is the first set of sketches for Capers. It's a family friendly restaurant with a Mediterranean atmosphere and wonderful, flavorful American food. Since its located in an area that is sort of a passing through "aka: short cut or on the go" area I wanted to incorporate some type of movement in the logo, which also led me to bring in the use of road signs. I've already eliminated a few of these since they look a little too "Nascarish."

Something I want to learn to do...

I've recently become obsessed with Dynamic Typography. I need to find the program for this stat so I can teach myself!

Good Logos (IMO)

A simple logo with a main image and text. The 3 warms colors give it a kind of retro feel. It was clever to make the flame and the text "light" the same color because the first thing the viewer sees is the light image which acts as a guide that leads the eyes down to the light text.

© Ryan Imel

This logo appeals to me due to its simplicity. Sticking to 2 colors and 2 readable fonts make it appealing to the eye and the linking of the GoGo creates a successful relationship with the text

© Jam Factory

This image serves as a monochromatic scheme starting from light green and dropping down to dark green and finally to black which serves to complete the composition and display the most important part of the logo, the company's name.

©Yours, Saawan's

What Makes a Good & Bad Logo

I found some tips on what makes a good logo from Voila Logo Design:

What Makes a Good Logo?

Tips and Tricks for good logo design

One of the most important marketing tools is a logo. Your logo should be eye catching. First impressions are paramount. An appealling and professional logo will help build confidence in a company and brand.

Product Conveyance

A logo can optionally include product meaning. For example, if you are an estate agent, incorporating an illustration of a house with your logo would help convey your business to customers. A potential customer searching for a property who happens to be browsing the web or a catalog will make an instand association with your logo. From a commercial and marketing perspective we can't recommend using this technique enough.

Beautiful Logo Design

Because of the high contrast and high impact nature of logo design it is essential that they are beautiful. The objective of good logo design is to wow your customers.

A logo Is For Life.

A logo is the foremost important aspect of company and product branding. The association between product and logo is what companies build reputations and a following on. Hence the reason 'a logo is for life'.

-Voila Logo Design © 2007

Found this article from Creative Herb:

What Makes a Bad Logo?

There are many ways to make your logo irritating, unmemorable or downright wrong. I’ll save the details for another time, but here’s everything summed up into one piece of advice. Don’t over-complicate things. That’s right, it’s that simple. Many people tend to add a billion little meanings into their logo or company name. Or they think they are smart by basing their company name on an inside joke that should be kept at the dinner table. And I’m using logo and company name interchangeably because they are similar enough in their function.

Many people don’t realize that there are other companies out there trying to dig into the same piece of pie. When your company logo or company name is on a big list of choices, you want something simple and direct. Because people do not have time to research every single one of the options available, so any logos that give a vague sense of purpose will be skipped entirely.

-© 2008 CreativeHerb.com