logo design
 

what say you? my design skills have gone up since the webscalpel years, this is my first take on my new venture.

http://cellar.org/2010/tokenlogo.gif

ere...

Actually the original looks pretty sweet.

ha!

Or combine the line and the text below?

http://cellar.org/2010/tokenlogo2a.gif

1st one is better, imo

looks good

Ditto.

It looks really nice and professional -not too fussy or too simple ...but it looks like a vacation company logo to me. -A little bit the colors and a little bit the casual font (very beachy, like waves lapping onto the sand......). What image are you trying to project?

Also, the name.
I'm assuming it's a done deal and that the "To" bit is from your name, but I still have to say the first two thoughts that came to my mind were
(a) insincere -as in a token gesture
(b) false and gambling -as in tokens to replace coins in slot machines.

I'm sorry, I know I'm probably coming across as a complete negative bitch, but please trust me, if I didn't care, I'd say nothing.

Following up on what monster said, I think if you were to keep Token, then the font and graphic stripe below aren't reinforcing anything token-ish, other than the very easily spoofed reefer allusion.

I think the graphic should direct or drive the meaning of TOKEN. What does "token" represent, and how can you depict that? So, if you want to steer people away from the negative read of the word, then the graphic has to put a different idea in their head before the cognition of the word takes place.

So, in other words, a symbol first, then the text. Is Token arbitrary?

The name is pretty much done. The word has about five actual meanings, and we find that everyone thinks of a different one when they think about it. It's actually just TOny and KEN doing this bi'ness, y'see. We hope to define the new meaning ourselves. The name is not all that critical, as sales will be driven on a more personal basis.

We are selling to small businesses, hopefully in high volume. The conveyed message is that the product is affordable, personalized, non-corporate, and will include tasteful design.

In that case I like the first one.

I totally guessed that! But why use a word with so many meanings? You say you hope to define your own meaning, so why not coin a new word? So much harder to scorch your own groove in a well-travelled road. What about Kenton? Sounds very business-like.. Or if you need to be first, Tonken, Toniken, Antken.....

Shepken?

So you want to present a professional, but friendly, real-people approach. I'd go for a businessy name and the casual logo or the casual name but a less beach-holiday logo.

I'll run it past the Ken part of the bi'ness. What about TOPAZ? My brain keeps going there.

I like it. Its accessible and 'token' conveys the one you always go to.

Well ... with Topaz you could stay with the yellow and blue color scheme ... but they might expect you to sell jewelry.

(I happen to like the subhead on the line version ... but I would pick a less swoop-ful font. You might consider the classic, Countdown.)

I kinda like Topaz, better than Token. But you know, it's going to be what you make it. Word of mouth and reputation are really going to be what makes your business, so as long as the logo doesn't have any typos and isn't too fussy and is easy to recognise, I think you'll be fine. Good luck. You deserve it. And of the two logos you have, I prefer the first.

It's going to be what we make it, is what I keep thinking Monster. The name and logo is something you can just work for ages, but the really important thing is to keep moving, even if something isn't perfect.

I read a piece recently on the iphone which pointed out that the first iphone was missing all sorts of features that are considered "required" today. But they didn't stop to add those features, they just released their product and then kept working. Demand came anyway. That's also how I feel about the first two websites out the door. I'm not satisfied with them as design works, but they're good enough to sell pizza and we move on.

And look at the success of the iPad, despite the unfortunate name.

I like Token better than Topaz. And the first logo is the one I prefer.

Token is 500% better than Topaz, and I love the first logo, where Token floats over and creates some dimension. Looks great.

I had initially thought Token was a purposeful representation of the type of web design it sounded like you were trying to do--a quick page that's just enough to give a small business a meaningful web presence. Like the pizza place just needed their "token" web page with a menu, pleasing but simple.

Partner has seen the thread now and says "It's just a name our customers write on the check". It's true; most of our marketing/sales will be in person.

It's a "token" name. :)

I liked the first one. I do like Topaz but like Token better.