The Rhinestone Collar

So you start out thinking one way with a client’s identity, and usually you wind up somewhere else. It’s pretty rare when a designer can start with a logo design springing from one’s head like Athena, and then have the identity get approved as is by the client. Even before showing a client the final two or three logo options to choose from, I’ll work through several versions and then narrow those down to the best ones. It’s a good method of controlling the outcome, that way you have back up versions if the client doesn’t like what you have chosen, and you can keep what you view to be your best work in front of the client without giving the impression that you are indecisive. In my opinion, it’s better to not overwhelm the client with too many options or else you wind up doing more work than quoted originally for the job.

{Beginning logo idea for client.}

I almost had a first proof – approval happen with The Rhinestone Collar. TRC (as I like to call it) is a fantastic local pet grooming service. If you ever get a chance to use Jeff Campbell’s services, the first thing that you will notice is the orange painted house he works his magic out of. In our beginning discussions about his brand update, Jeff had mentioned he was in love with the colors: black, orange and pink. Bright fun colors that reflect such a fun and artistic man.

Only issue, is that as a designer, you have to have a little restraint with color. In previous posts I’ve mentioned how you should limit your colors for a logo to two at the most (more than two is do-able, but it gets complicated.) I need to add to that post that if the colors are orange and black, be careful how you position them or you might wind up with a Halloween themed brand rather than a brand that is reflective of the business’s personality and services. There is nothing wrong with using orange and black, plenty of brands in the consumer/business world use black and orange. TRC will be using an orange/black palette it’s ongoing brand identity development.

Originally I wanted to steer the client to a heather or charcoal gray (Pantone cool gray 10) but I had to be open to the requests of the client. Jeff likes orange and being the vibrant wonderful personality he is, he wanted orange. So after we discussed the pros and cons-the front cover of the business card displaying the logo went from cool gray 10 to Pantone orange 1665.

{Businesscard/logo setup in cool gray 10.}

Here’s where we ended up with. Not a bad compromise, and really I didn’t have to change the layout/design elements – only the color.

{Final business card and logo with diamond shape mock up in orange 1665.}