Ministry logo

[PaladinPete]

Hi all. I'm working on a new logo for my wife's ministry, called Strength for the Journey. This is created in AI CS2, which I'm learning, among other things. Any tweaks, suggestions, criticisms, etc are welcome, as I am a newbie at all things creative.
Thanks.

[rev_65]

At first glance, I feel the arrowhead is a bit too big -- maybe even a straighter arrowhead versus the slightly concave edges -- and too far out to the right. I understand the attempt to balance the distances between the left side 4 and the right side ==> but think it would look better closer.

[Gene]

Besides rev's comments, I'd also significantly reduce or maybe even remove the drop shadow. It makes the whole thing too busy. I'd also reduce the size of the 'the' to completely tuck it in under the '4'.

[[Admin] skstarkiller]

Here is a quote from a graphic design forum I belong to...

people that madate drop shadows should not be allowed to see

[Don C.]

I think you have a great concept going, just push it a little more
I agree with what the others have said, i would also get rid of the strokes, the colors are strong enough to stand along.
You might look for a little stronger font.
Here's an idea, it is a little heavy but you'll be able to see what I mean about not needing the stroke around the letters and a possible placement for "the"

Keep up the good work.

[rev_65]

Originally Posted by Don C.

Here's an idea, it is a little heavy but you'll be able to see what I mean about not needing the stroke around the letters and a possible placement for "the"

Definitely a cleaner look! I think I do still like the "the" on the other side of the vertical of the "4".

[PaladinPete]

Wow, I didn't expect these replies so soon. Thanks all for the great comments. I'll try the suggestions as soon as I get home tonite (at the church now, trying to fix the office printer.) Don, did you extend the stroke of the 4 or do like I did, try to match up a line? Also, what would be a stronger font?

[Don C.]

Your font is growing on me
here are some changes I would suggest

[rev_65]

Originally Posted by Don C.

Your font is growing on me...here are some changes I would suggest

ditto

[kbob]

hmmm....

OK, generally I do use stoke outlines, and they're usually heavier than what you have. Lately, I've dropped the shadows (very bad pun...lol), and generally agree with what the others have said...

but

how is this going to be used? If it's always going to be over a bright white background, then I concur with losing the stroke around the outside of the letters. If it's going to be over pictures, live IMAG, and other graphics, or even textured backgrounds like fancy letterhead paper stock, though, I'd consider beefing up the stoke and doing a double outline in order to more cleanly set it off from whatever background it gets placed over...

But, that's just me!

thinking in Photoshop terms, not illustrator-maybe some specular highlights/creative lighting effects? Really though, that's it.

Well, maybe one other thing...make the "the" vertical, and place it just to the right of the large 4-squeeze it in between the 4 and the Capital "J" in journey...I think that might clear up any confusion vis-a-vis word order et al, without significantly affecting the size/look/feel of the graphic.

[Don C.]

Not trying to pick a fight, but I respectfully disagree about the stroke thing, stokes should be used sparingly. I do quite a bit of stationary work and it certainly isn't need on letterhead even textured background, in fact it tends to look more cartoonish, you lose definition in your font with the stroke.
You have a pretty elegant logo going, you will loose some of that if you keep the stroke.
In most cases strokes are a no-no in graphic design. Take a look at these logos, some great church logos out there right now.
If you are careful about you designing, you can use this on anything, photos, IMAG and other graphics.
Just trying to help you take this to the next level. You are certainly on the right road.

[PaladinPete]

Thanks to all for the suggestions and comments. Don, the 4 that I used is from the same font family as the rest of the text. Are ou suggesting using a different font for it?

Kbob, the logo will be used on letterhead, business card and the website.

I'll post the changes in a few.