Any Graphic Designers around? Want a new logo/watermark.

zmcgovern45

zmcgovern45

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So I've made this rough outline of a lamborghini in photoshop a while ago when I decided I was going to start posting my work online and wanted to have a watermark to attempt to detour any theft & to serve as a subtle type of advertising.

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I'll be the first to admit that this watermark/logo is very amateur and not so eye catching.

With that being said, is there anyone out there who is skilled in graphic design that might want to attempt to whip me up a new logo/watermark? Not looking for anything crazy, just something clean and professional looking.

My only requirement is that it has my website on it. I'd prefer a .PNG file with a transparent background so that I can simply overlay it on my images as seen above.

Thanks in advance!

-Zach
 
Zach, a logo is a nice thing to have, but if someone wants your photo, they just need to crop out the logo.

What I found to be the best, and what I always recommend is, your website/name across the middle of the image, with a very low opacity. This way, it can't be cropped off, and its just barely visible so it doesn't detract from your content.
 
:iagree: I've dabbled in graphic design for about 8-9 years, but I'm self-taught. And I actually like your logo a lot, keep it! Maybe using a different font might add some character; sans serif fonts are easier to read at all sizes.
 
7 minutes to clone-out your logo and put mine in.

I think you took my photo ;)



An even better "watermark."

 
Kevin, that's exactly what I was describing, I'd drop the opacity more tho, still pretty distracting.
 
I'm not saying I want a watermark for bulletproofing the photos... Where there is a will, there is a way. Anyone can clone or heal a watermark away with enough motivation.

I'm just looking for something a bit more developed and professional looking to use. That's all.

While I can work a camera and process files, I simply don't possess the knowledge or skill to create an appealing logo.

Thanks!

Zach
 
I disagree with the "watermark" ideas through the center of the photoghraph. Maybe for a stock photo you are selling online, but not for a photo with essentially no value used for showing off your work. If someone decides to steal your photo, so what? No loss, no gain. Obtrusive watermarks are highly distracting and very unprofessional.

I agree with your decision to upgrade the logo. Keep doing what you're doing.

ALWAYS have a non-distracting logo at a bottom corner of your photograph. One of the few things i learned in my marketing major is one of California Pizza Kitchens marketing ideas, "no go with no logo". Whether it's a photograph, letter head, invoice, flyers, t-shirt bags for holding knick-knacks you find in customers cars, spray bottles used for your products, paper floor mats, EVERYTHING.
 
I've looked at a few of your photographs, and you've got a very nice eye for composure.

I actually like your lambo outline. However, I don't think the font matches the lambo. You have a serif font and with the clean lines of your lambo, I think a sans serif font would work better. I think you should fill in your lambo a little bit, however. I also think you should increase the transparency as well.



A little bit harder to see your url, but that can be fixed. I kind of like the lambo facing to the right. It's like the US flag on the sleeves of soldiers: always facing the wind and moving forward.
 
Zach try playing with the same logo you have but try matching the vehicle outline thickness to the font. And play with opacity to make it a little less in your face.
 
There is a detailer on another forum who very subtly puts his last name in every photo as a watermark... Trying to find it is like reading a "where's Waldo" book, but if his photos are hijacked, he'll know it.
 
anonymoususer said:
I disagree with the "watermark" ideas through the center of the photoghraph. ..... Obtrusive watermarks are highly distracting and very unprofessional.

I agree with your decision to upgrade the logo. Keep doing what you're doing.
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^Thanks... I agree.

kevincwelch said:
I've looked at a few of your photographs, and you've got a very nice eye for composure.

I actually like your lambo outline. However, I don't think the font matches the lambo. You have a serif font and with the clean lines of your lambo, I think a sans serif font would work better. I think you should fill in your lambo a little bit, however. I also think you should increase the transparency as well.



A little bit harder to see your url, but that can be fixed. I kind of like the lambo facing to the right. It's like the US flag on the sleeves of soldiers: always facing the wind and moving forward.
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^Thanks! When I first created that particular outline, I made a copy facing left and facing right... I always tend to use the one facing to the left because I have just grown used to placing my watermark (for non-business photos with just my name) in that location. I do like it on the other side now that I have seen your idea.

I am by no means a font expert, but I can see what you are saying about having a different style font. To match the lines of the outline..... In all honesty, I just want to get rid of that lambo outline and go with something different. I appreciate the work to make up a new idea for me though! Thank you!

anonymoususer said:
Zach try playing with the same logo you have but try matching the vehicle outline thickness to the font. And play with opacity to make it a little less in your face.
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^Noted... thanks!

erichaley said:
I can help you out, GD was my major in college.
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^I'm intrigued... I can shoot you a PM.

DaGonz said:
There is a detailer on another forum who very subtly puts his last name in every photo as a watermark... Trying to find it is like reading a "where's Waldo" book, but if his photos are hijacked, he'll know it.
Click to expand...
^I do this with some of my personal photos that I post online (ie non-business related photos)... it can be fun, but it is much easier just to export the images with the logo stamped in the same place rather than opening each file in PS individually and placing the watermark in a unique place.

Plus, this entirely defeats the purpose of branding the images with my business name/URL if people cannot find it.

ayankeeman1968 said:
[email protected]

He is a pro I want to use but CANT just to expensive for me, I mean a PRO.
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^Yeah, I was hoping for more of a pro bono offer from a really nice guy (or girl) who has some free time rather than spending a bunch of money. I do this detailing gig on a very part time basis and don't have any room in the budget for hiring a designer.
 
Hey Zach, seriously, if I had some free time, I would definitely give you a hand PRO BONO. As you pointed out, any motivated person could remove your watermark regardless of how intricate it is. I figure, one solution you may have is to embed a couple of security features that only you know about. You could have your Copyright watermark but then you could add a couple of hidden Zach McGovern in tiny areas all over the car, something that would not detract from the picture and something you would need to zoom in pretty good to see.

If your idea is less of producing a watermark and more about a Logo redesign then.....
 
Dr_Pain said:
Hey Zach, seriously, if I had some free time, I would definitely give you a hand PRO BONO. As you pointed out, any motivated person could remove your watermark regardless of how intricate it is. I figure, one solution you may have is to embed a couple of security features that only you know about. You could have your Copyright watermark but then you could add a couple of hidden Zach McGovern in tiny areas all over the car, something that would not detract from the picture and something you would need to zoom in pretty good to see.

If your idea is less of producing a watermark and more about a Logo redesign then.....
Click to expand...

^Yup, mostly just a revamped logo to put on the pics. If someone want to steal... orrr borrow? them without my permission then there just isn't too much I can do. I'm just a bit tired of that logo/watermark that I have been using and I feel someone could whip up a much more professional looking emblem/logo/whatever you want to call it pretty easily if they are skilled with Illustrator of Photoshop. I simply don't posses those skills so I would spend far too much time and most likely product subpar results so I figured I would see if anyone did this sort of thing as a hobby and wanted to play along and help me out.

Thanks!
 
I don't know how practical this suggestion would be, but how about a small A-frame sign with your logo and website info, that you setup somewhere in the field of view for your photos (or a license plate size logo you temporarily attach with magnets, or in the windows)?
 
Alright, unless someone else throws their hat in over the weekend, I will throw mine (early next week). What I would like to know from you is:

1) Do you want photo-realistic or a simple outlined logo
2) Do you have color preferences, or black and white (to save on the multicolor cost when advertising)
3) Do you have any car preferences (if you look at my logo you may be able to pick out 3 cars)
4) Do you have a certain message you want to convey with your logo? 5) Want a fun young logo, timeless classic, ultra high end etc...
6) Do you want a play on your business name or your initials

etc.......

Sorry man, I have to run.... I got 7 cars coming in this weekend (one may end up a Show and Shine (if I get the permission). Add anything else you can think of. I may read the thread at odd times just to get some creative juices flowing but won't get to it till Tuesday at the earliest (again, unless someone throws their hat in the mix). If you want to PM or email.... be my guess. It may be easier to do with email so not to litter the forum with all the proofs
 
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