Critique Logo/Business Card for Toy Dealer

[Ronald]

Here is a business card and logo with variations I'm working on, designed in trading card size (2.5"x3.5"). It's not finalized, and I'd appreciate some constructive criticism. The design is themed toward vintage action figures (think He-Man, G.I. Joe, and Super Powers). The front simulates a figure package while the back has a cut-out "file card" like a G.I. Joe would have. I'm pretty happy with all of it. My main concern is if I should abandon the stars in the logo. Also, I still have to increase the black border for the bleed, which will slightly affect the layouts.

[Steve Rindsberg]

Abandon the stars??? BAM! POW! NEVER!!!!!

But I'd give a little attention to the crotch area of the front view of Adam. It looks a bit like he's ... um ... had a transplant from a very well endowed member of the Cyan Man Group.

[terrie]

These are great fun! I like the stars myself and...I agree with Steve's observation with respect to the crotch area...'-}}


While I like the color blue/green color schemes, the orange just POPS!!! I don't care for the greyscales but if you need a greyscale, the 2nd from the left (light grey background) is, I think, the most workable...

[sky4forums]

I think I see why people are concerned with his crotch area. Trying to make him look like a bendable action figure is causing trouble in a figure that most people are not seeing that way.

Keep the stars.

[Ronald]

Originally Posted by sky4forums

I think I see why people are concerned with his crotch area. Trying to make him look like a bendable action figure is causing trouble in a figure that most people are not seeing that way.

Keep the stars.

Hey, I don't think I've seen you on the forum. I appreciate the feedback!

Thanks, everyone. Respectfully, I think if you were more familiar with action figures, you'd not see the crotch as being so odd. This business is, of course, aimed at toy/figure enthusiasts, which my brother and I both are. He loved the design and didn't cite any oddities. My illustrations and design are based on Kenner's Super Powers Collection. The hips are articulated, with both being slightly more narrow in width to the crotch. Perhaps I could square off the upper inner edge of the hip/crotch articulation? I think it's okay as-is. Attached is an example of a real figure for reference.

[Steve Rindsberg]

Just to be clear, it's not how the crotch itself is drawn; it's the way it frames the background behind it that makes the background turn into, how shall I put it delicately, a large, blue ... um ... positive space. ;-)

Good on ya for choosing Kenner as a model to base this on. They were one of my clients back around the time the first Star Wars movie came out and they had the license to make all the toys.

[Ronald]

Originally Posted by Steve Rindsberg

Just to be clear, it's not how the crotch itself is drawn; it's the way it frames the background behind it that makes the background turn into, how shall I put it delicately, a large, blue ... um ... positive space. ;-)

So it has nothing to do with the hip articulation, just the blue shape between the legs? I guess I get what you mean, but I strain to see it that way. I suppose the easiest way to alleviate this would be to just lower/thicken the blue shape down to his knees.

Originally Posted by Steve Rindsberg

Good on ya for choosing Kenner as a model to base this on. They were one of my clients back around the time the first Star Wars movie came out and they had the license to make all the toys.

Really? That's incredible. What did you do for them? And do you have any of your original work (physical, photos, or otherwise) to show? I'm very interested in the production of toys.

[Steve Rindsberg]

>> I suppose the easiest way to alleviate this would be to just lower/thicken the blue shape down to his knees.

Then he'd TRULY be a Marvel. [sorry, I couldn't resist]. I'd think that'd help.

>> And do you have any of your original work (physical, photos, or otherwise) to show?

Some of the work was routine copy/repro stuff ... photograph art boards for proposals, make bazillions of color prints to be bound into presentation books. But I also did a good bit of product photography for multi-image slide shows, none of which, alas, is still extant. I never had a chance to do any work in their factories, unfortunately; that'd have been interesting.

[terrie]

ronald: Attached is an example of a real figure for reference.

Ahhhh!!!! However--as Steve noted--the fold in the middle of the crotch cloth--codpiece?--of your image, appears to be a penis which! while certainly anatomically correct, is not perhaps what you intended...'-}}


Terrie

[Kayza]

Originally Posted by Ronald

Hey, I don't think I've seen you on the forum. I appreciate the feedback!

Thanks, everyone. Respectfully, I think if you were more familiar with action figures, you'd not see the crotch as being so odd. This business is, of course, aimed at toy/figure enthusiasts, which my brother and I both are. He loved the design and didn't cite any oddities. My illustrations and design are based on Kenner's Super Powers Collection.

If the only people who are ever going to look at this and have an opinion on this are enthusiasts that are used to this, that's helpful. But not so much if anyone else ever looks at it. Whether it's the parent of a young enthusiast, or a spouse / so / close friend of an adult, it really doesn't come off well.

I'd say either mute the effect or make the whole figure more doll-like and the legs more articulated. Right now your at a midpoint that looks pretty bad even to people who recognize what you are doing.