New work: Henri Ehrhart
Operating for more than 50 years, Henri Ehrhart is a French wine producer in the Alsace region. The company focuses on standard and medium range wines distributed mainly in supermarkets, selling 4.5 million bottles in 2008.
View the portfolio entry here: Henri Ehrhart.
Related posts
112 appreciated comments on “New work: Henri Ehrhart”
Anything to add?
All comments are moderated so you may experience a short delay before yours appears. Comments should be respectful of other voices in the discussion, and I reserve the right to edit or delete comments at my discretion.
Please use your real name. Keywords will be removed.
I like the idea of the bottle and glass, really cool, but the handwriting one is the winner!
I think the chosen idea is the best of the three, and I can see vineyard is within the design. It reminds me a little of hieroglyphs.
very interesting process!
I saw the last ones but I can identify with this one most. especially the glass and bottle logo is one which would come to my mind and it´s more interesting that the first two ideas where rejected and how you came up with a new and totally different idea.
I´m glad that I subscribed to your feed!
Thanks so much for sharing your design process! A lot of people don’t do that and it is very much appreciated. I favor the chosen idea also but feel the others have merit and really like the clever glass/bottle idea. Thanks again David.
God these posts are really informative. I’m just a wee student so I learn tons from seeing your sketches and unused designs. (Its reassuring to know that even the pros make wacky sketches at the beginning!) And seeing the PDF is interesting to see how you display the logo to the client.
Thanks for another great post! And I really love the logo.
Obviously the third one is the best of the three.But still i liked the process behind idea #2.Ur logos are always so simple,neat and stands out.
Just wanted to know how much time did u spend on this?
David,
I enjoyed this post a lot. You went into a lot of depth in your research…love the steps in your sketches that got you to that final HE concept with the curves.
It is simple, elegant and modern. With a nice touch of tradition in there. I think the small caps serif contrasts perfectly with the curves of the HE. Nice work mate.
I’m a fan of the second ‘unused’ logo — i feel it communicates the feeling of ‘modernism’ that the client was looking for, the best (compared to the other two).
It’s simple, memorable and more importantly, likely to start a conversation — high probability to spark ‘word-of-mouth’ whenever consumers sees that logo.
I feel monogram/icon of the chosen logo — will definitely appear different, to different people. If I saw the icon without ever seeing the co. name — I would bet with my life that the monogram reads “LTE” as opposed to “HE”
hey david, i have been reading over your posts on your blog for quite sometime and i really enjoyed and fount knowledgeable. This post, for now, is one that helps logo designers in brainstorming ideas from an existing complex logo to making it a simpler is really a journey of art within. Thanks for the insight and for not having kept your work process a “secret” and being open-minded in sharing your skills with all of us. Keep up the great work.
David,
I think it is really brilliant how you showcase your design steps here so openly. I am by no means a graphic designer (a software designer actually), but I love seeing the creativity that goes into your thought processes. Many of us can learn much from you.
Thanks,
Devan
Thanks for the post, it is really informative! The steps in your sketches, reveal the depth of your research. I do believe that designing logo is often challenging. They need to memorable and describable. But, I like to keep them simple and elegant. It is actually striking the proper balance between text and graphics.
Waaawwwww!!! This is one of the finest logos I ever seen.
Absolutely stunning. The logo they chose was so classy :) Again, great to see the process… it’s good that people know you worked so hard refining it, and coming up with a concept… the simplest and most elegant designs definitely take a few gos.
Thanks for being so open in displaying your processes. I’ve always found the ideas generation part of a designers job to be very personal to the individual. So to be so forthright by letting everyone into it is really brave, in my opinion.
The biggest tip I’ve picked up from this post is the fact that you use squared paper to conceptualise. It’s never crossed my mind, but it’s such a good idea!
Using squared paper to guide your initial sketches, helping with form and composition at such an early stage must undoubtedly iron out any problems that could occur with an idea near the start instead of half way through.
Ian, just be sure not to show-off the wacky ideas. Sod’s law they’ll get picked.
Brian, I tried quite a few type variations, but I definitely think it’s the right choice. Thanks a lot for the tweet.
Mokokoma, it’s the one I was happy with, but what’s more important is how it reflected what my client wanted to show.
The design is awesome. I really love the curves, your own handwriting did a good job ;)
I am curious about a redesign of their website that matches the new identity.
You’re more than welcome, Ken. As for the squared paper, it’s very much a personal choice. I normally pick up what’s close to hand, and have sketches on plain paper that weren’t shown.
Hey David. Thank you very much! Really cool stuff! Thanks for all your posts!
Hi David,
In my point of view, the chosen design is going to be a timeless logo. good job!
Thanks for sharing your design process!
That’s really nice. Thanks for sharing: it’s a beautiful logo and lovely to see your design process in action.
Excellent Job David. Thank you for sharing the whole process.
I like the approved design the best, especially the reversed version. I’m curious why did the entire logo design process take six months? How long did it take you to do all the research before showing the client first concept and then the second one?
Is it a common timeframe for your logo designs, David, six months?
The final version of the logo is defenitely the winner. Nice one again David!
What really strikes me is that your sketches are really clean and uncluttered. Whenever we (Yummygum) are in the sketching fase of a logo design, we use about every piece of paper is within reach.
Do you have secretly have another piece of paper you draw the very first rough drafts on before you take these pictures? ;-)
The final idea for me is the best, so refined and adaptable. Thanks for sharing how you arrived there!
I’ll break down the project timeframe a little, but this example isn’t too common, Vivien, with my average “start to finish” around two or three months.
Initial contact from client
> 2 weeks
Questions asked, pricing agreed
> 1 week
Downpayment received
> 2 / 3 weeks
Supply ideas
> 2 weeks
Receive client feedback
> 1 week
Adapt and send revisions
> 2 weeks
Receive feedback
> 1 week
Send further revisions
> 2 weeks
Receive feedback
I had a two-week break in Menorca around this point, and when I returned, spent a few days creating the chosen “HE” monogram. Cyrille stated from the outset that he was in no hurry to finalise the project, which explains the few weeks between when I sent ideas and when feedback was received.
There were a number of revisions to the final design which aren’t included in the post, because at first the lines were much thinner than as shown, and it was agreed that a heavier option was preferable. We also worked through some typeface experiments before settling on the small caps. So it took perhaps another month following my return until the project was complete.
Leon, the first time I pick up a pen/pencil is to take notes (as in the first photo). You’ll just have to trust me that from there I use the same pad. There were some scamps on random pieces, but they could very well be in the bin.
Some lovely stuff there! I think the outcome really shows the value of doing proper research. And thank you for showing it to us. As an illustrator it’s fascinating to see how a graphic designer works. It’s sort of similar, but a bit tidier and more controlled. Or maybe that’s just me and my madness speaking!
This is awesome!
The first options were good and clever, and the glass/bottle is very much a David Airey logo, but the final logo is truly stunning. Well done!
It’s interesting that this design seemed to have more revisions than usual, but the end result was a monogram. It seems the simpler the logo is the longer it takes to hone it down to the most effective version.
Thanks for sharing the design process. As a graphic designer I can identify with your thought process, and appreciate you showing it to us. I always feel the thought process is the key to any successful output. The chosen option is very classy.
Nice work again David.
I like how strong the logo looks when set against a dark background. I’m not sure what it is that does that, but it just really comes through as dominate.
Hi David,
Love the logo design, really modern but still looks traditional for a wine manufacturer. How did you create the “HE” using your handwriting? With a graphics tablet, or paths over a scanned image in Illustrator?
Thanks for sharing your logo design process with us & excellent outcome.
David,
First of all, the logo is stunning. It suits the product.
Secondly, I just wanted to know if you could be of some help:
The ‘t’ in the Unused Design #2 looks similar to one i’ve seen somewhere else, and have been desperately looking for it for sometime now.
I’m not sure if you’ve used it as inspiration, but if you have i’d love a link to it – It’s just typography of the word ‘bottle’ but the ‘t’s’ are like the one in your second design.
Thanks a lot!
Love reading your concepts! – curious as to what type faces you used?
Thanks again, everyone.
Danny, I don’t have a tablet, so I used paths in Illustrator, tweaking them over and over until the lines were just right.
Stefanos, I’m not sure what you’re confusing it with, but the “T” in #2 is a character from the Cochin type family.
Why thank you, Jacqui. For the final design I used Requiem (small caps) for the company name, with Gotham for the tagline.
Hi David, What a lovely design. Love the subtle hint of a twining vine. And it’s so interesting to see the creative process. Thanks also for sharing your timeline for the project – really helps me a lot. I was reassured to see you ask for a down payment, since I had to insist on one today during negotiations with a prospective client.
He wanted me to pitch ideas / sketches [for free] and then he would compare it to other designers who have no doubt done the same and then depending on the vote I might get chosen + paid. I turned it down, though it was not easy, but I’m glad I did. I ask for a 50% down payment for any design project. over a certain amount. Is this unreasonable?
S+
Hi David,
I always like to give an honest opinion on your designs, as you know. In this case, I must say there’s something about this logo I don’t like. My eye is drawn straight away the the right of the “H”, which looks like a “spike”. Moreover, the placement of the monogram bothers me too. In my opinion, it should reside slightly more to the right to counteract a mass of negative space within the confines of the letter “E”.
However, I DO like the typography used, and overall, even though I personally don’t like the momogram part, I think it suits its purpose well. Many people here like it, so that’s a testament to the fact that once again the majority is correct, and it’s another great design from yourself.
Strangely though, I absolutely love “Unused design #1″, which grabbed my attention right away. I still feel though Cyrille made the right choice from your designs, as he knows his business well, and knows what will work in advertising and branding it.
David,
I’ve really appreciated this series. It’s always good to see the process you go through in developing a logo. It’s cool to watch the thought process in action.
Now, I have a few critiques.
First, I found the first logo the most visually compelling. However, for as much symbolism as you worked into it, it was essentially lost visually. The only thing about it that immediately speaks to me of a winery is the leaves. That said, the visual impact still made me happy.
The second logo was, I think, a decent concept, but the execution of the concept was in jarring contrast with the chosen typeface. I really didn’t feel like it played well with the “Henri Erhart” type at all, though with a different treatment of the concept, or a different type choice, it could be made to work quite successfully.
The accepted logo is a good concept, but again, I take issue with some of the execution. It seems to me that the line work could really use another round or two of refinement. Specifically, there are 3 kinks in the upper half of the E that make me a bit sad. There is also a kink in the left hand vertical of the H that wants to be smoothed out. Also, the thicks and thins don’t make a lot of sense. Old-school pen lettering, like the logo is aspiring to, had natural thicks and thins because of the mechanics of operating a metal nibbed or feather pen. The down strokes are by nature heavier, and in natural handwriting, or calligraphy, those thick portions of the letters are going to be basically parallel to each other. Up strokes will be thinner because less pressure must be used, and side strokes are thin because the nib is traveling sideways and can’t open up. Overall, I’m left with an unfinished impression. The general shape of the letters is fine, but I’d like to see further refinement.
Anyway, I feel like I’ve harshed your gig enough. You’re a fine designer, and put much more thought and effort into these projects than many designers I’ve known. Take the opinions of random internet strangers like me for what they’re worth.
David,
You show quite a few sketches throughout the process. Can you talk a bit about how many options the client initially wanted, how many sketches you did (or typically do) to get to the requested number of options, and how all the numerous sketches revisions are factored into the price you agreed upon from the outset of the project?
David, again, thank you for the enlighting post. Your designs are as usual simple& informative, which are essential in logo designing.
I luv the way you’re so organized in your design process, and i personally think it really helps you out once you get your foundations solid.
I liked all three logos, the first was actually very strong visually, and very well balanced, but i’m glad it wasnt chosen; it would not send the msg directly to the viewer.
Your attempts at simplicity are so perfect and well-studied, the glass and wine bottle fit perfectly with the idea and overall concept (i just thought it needed some tweeking on the ‘stroke’ side)
And again, the chosen logo is a success, very classy and elegant, just what perfect wine needs.
Thxx again for your post and for letting us share our ideas with you and for accepting them with a good heart.
Cheers.
SteHan, it’s perfectly reasonable to ask for a downpayment, and this series of blog posts should help set your mind at rest: How 20 designers charge their clients.
Andrew, as per usual it’s good to get your thoughts. Cheers for dropping by and offering your likes / dislikes.
Aaron, I appreciate the constructive criticism, so no worries there at all. You’re spot on about the typeface in #2. I’m sure that if the idea was accepted I’d have opted for either a more contemporary type, or adapted the mark to appear more traditional. Thanks very much for taking time to offer a critique. It’s comments such as yours (and Andrew’s before) that get me thinking more clinically about the work I produce.
Hal, the number of sketches I create can vary a lot from project to project, depending on how quickly I come up with ideas I feel are strong enough to take forward. Regarding a set amount of options, I find it more appropriate not to limit myself with a specific number, as if X amount will produce a solution, when X amount won’t.
Lara, it’s a pleasure sharing my work. Particularly when I receive feedback from readers (as is the case here). So thank you.
Thanks for your answers to my questions, David. Can I bother you with another one, please? ;)
I’ve always meant to ask you this one: how do you discuss typeface choices for the logos you work on for the clients? I notice you often use beautiful commercial fonts, do you have all those typefaces yourself, or do you run tests online with various typefaces and present them to the clients?
Happy to oblige, Vivien. It’s a bit of both, really. If I think there’s a typeface in my collection that suits the project, I’ll put it forward as an option. If not, I can lift some sample text and incorporate it beside a mark, letting my client know it needs purchasing. On the odd occasion I’ll have a specific typeface suggested to me.
Hi David-
I’ve been a reader of your blog for quite some time, but I’ve never posted before. I think design #2 is some of the finest work — from your early sketches to the final outcome — that I’ve seen on your site. I think your client may have missed an opportunity to employ a very memorable logo.
That’s not to say the final product wasn’t very well done, because it was. I imagine it must be difficult to relinquish a design that you feel is superior, but I suppose that’s probably a subject for a future — or past, if I’ve missed it — blog post.
Thanks for the great update, as always.
Allen
Would you say, then, that you a predetermined price range in mind for your logo design services?
Or would it be more accurate to say that you listen to what the client wants and what their budget is, and then decide if you can accommodate them at that price?
Addendum: I guess what I am getting at is how do you accurately estimate what to charge for any given logo design/redesign?
Very nice work.
I liked all three of the concepts, but I really like the one chosen by the client. Very nice hand-scripted monogram.
The highlight though, as always, the opportunity to see the sketches and process that led to your great design. Thanks for sharing.
Great work. Wished you had this back in January when I had to brand a fake winery for my branding class. You took things into account that I did not even think of in terms of brainstorming.
Number 3 definitely was the best choice. I agree with some of the other commenters that #2 is fantastic and also a worthy choice. But it does focus much on the end product. Sure they might make a wonderful wine but that only shows the end result and not the care and attention that the winery puts into the soil, vine, and grape that become that wine. I think #3 really gives them something that represents the care the winery puts in.
Out of curiosity, did you do any field research in stores? I found it very helpful to see wine bottles for sale both in the context of brand sorting and classification sorting.
On a side note, is it possible to see higher resolution images of your photos? Sometimes it is hard to see them at higher resolutions.
Very interesting.
The Wall Street Journal reviewed a couple of internet logo designers and wrote about the experience in today’s paper:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203739404574290021152171950.html
Great log design Henri, i like your prep style before actually publishing the final design!
Always good to hear from a first-time commenter, Allen. I talked with Cyrille about the benefits of #2, but ultimately, if the client isn’t convinced, and prefers another option, it’s up to the designer to create it. The logo can still be used in my portfolio, so that’s a plus.
Hal, you asked:
It’s a question I’m often asked, so I’ll save the answer for an upcoming blog post. That’ll save me time in future. Hope you don’t mind.
Jon, how did your project turn out? Don’t suppose you put the work online? I took some photos from local supermarkets, and you’re right, seeing what’s already on display was a useful exercise. I do have higher res sketches, but rather than edit the post I think I’ll save them for my book. :)
Calandra, that’s an interesting link to the Wall Street Journal. A bit of defending needed by the Logo Design Guru team in the comments.
Great job on the logo, David. I just recently watched a movie about wine called, Bottle Shock: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0914797/
It’s about the emergence of Napa Valley as a leader in wine making on the world stage. Not to put down your French wine or anything. ;-) LOL
Anyways, I do like logo #3 the best. I know someone commented up above about how the “H” and the “E” didn’t feature natural strokes and had hitched parts. I guess I don’t know what he’s talking about, because it looks fine to me! Understandably, there are certain types of drawing tools that create a certain look, but I don’t think you always have to follow the exact shape of a certain drawing instrument. Just my two cents. ;-)
One question, do you normally just add to the bill if the client wants a certain font that you have to purchase?
Great job as always!
Excellent Graphics. Being a lover of wine I thoroughly enjoyed.
The work’s not online yet. While the logo turned out good enough for class-level work, it still needs some refinement. I used Scriptina as a base font then used Illustrator 4′s Blob brush to change things I did not like (like the loops on l, d, etc.). I e-mailed you the eps of what I have though.
Putting the high rez stuff in the book works too. I already plan on buying it. I just had a thought though, you ought to sell autographed copies here. :)
Hello david, I really enjoyed you sharing the design process with us. I loved the final design, it’s no wonder the client testimonial was so good.
I’ll be looking out for it now on the bottles and telling everyone about it.
Best wishes
Graeme
I learn so much from your blog posts and the comments especially. Thank you for continuing to showcase your thought process for your various projects, they really help.
I love your work David!
David – Once again, I love the final design! It manages to be both modern and very elegant at the same time – quite appropriate for the product.
Though I appreciate the other iterations of the design, as illustrated by your sketches, I think the client nudged you in the right direction and the final logo is quite successful. Thanks again for sharing your work!
Awesome work David and good job of going through the process.
Once again, Mr. Airey raises the bar in all aspects of informative design and writing.
- Raja Sandhu
This describes how important is the client’s input even in the advanced stage of design. And sharp pointed shapes in a logo should be avoided.
I think it is really brilliant how you showcase your design steps and as it has been expressed. It also shows how important client’s input is early in the preliminary design process.
Don’t worry, Toby. It’s not my French wine. I actually don’t drink very much of it at all (give me a Guinness or a white Russian anyday — so uncouth). If a project needs additional font payments then yes, I’ll add it to the bill.
Thanks for the email, Jon.
To everyone else, thanks a lot for taking the time.
David:
A truly remarkable design. What font in the non handwritten one?
Cheers,
Chad
Beautiful design! You have definitely given this wine an upgrade. If I was just an everyday person at the shops buying food, and I saw the old wine logo and this new one sitting next to each other, I would definitely pick up the new one first. It has a very classy, sophisticated, and open look; exactly what a good wine needs :). Great work again!
Hi David, I have been watching your work from a far for a while now and just thought I would take this opportunity to congratulate you on an other fine logo design. I do like the chosen monogram mark, and believe it has the correct feel and substance that was required to fulfill the job spec. Unused option 2 intrigues me and I definitely would like to of seen this one pushed a little further, perhaps experimentation with line weight and a slight shift in form. Great work anyway, thanks for the post.
Thanks very much, Chad, Valerie, Andy.
Chad, you’ll find info on the typefaces in this comment.
Andy, I’d love to push #2 further, but my client was clear we needed a different route to follow.
They definitely needed a new look. Their old logo design looks too much like one of those free vector downloads you see all over the web.
They chose the right logo. However the bottle and glass design is pretty inventive.
the idea of the bottle and glass is brilliant (+ minimalist and modern) and reflects their business; standard and medium range wines! If Henri Ehrhart need a logo with a touch of modernism, I think they should choose that logo :)
Hi David,
I have been reading your blog quite a while. Mianly because I am new to this field of designing and I am learning every moment from every project. Honestly I dont have any degree / academic credential for this inclination.
My question is, what can I do, except drawing with a pencil n paper. I dont draw, I dunno if I can even…I sit with a pencil n paper for hours and nothing comes out. But it comes easy for me in PS. i do logo designs, I think of what elements I need to put in, select t font and everything on PS….but I have never hand drawn them, or even attempted. Should I learn the basics of drawing / go ahead with t process as usual?
Thanks, Derek, diding.
Omar, I definitely think you should sketch your ideas before using a computer. I find it to be a big time-saver. Everyone can draw. Just some better than others. Don’t worry about the quality. It’s the idea that counts.
Hi David, I love the final logo, it communicates the perfect tone and class that the brand itself gives off.
I was wondering though (as I’m sure you have lots of logo design requests) whether you allow yourself to cherry pick which ones you do?
I only ask this because it is much easier to design logos for some businesses/industries than others. For example I have to design a logo for a company with a horrible name (which is also an acronym) in an extremely boring industry which doesn’t allow for much artistic license at all!! If I had the choice I wouldn’t have done it! :)
Hello, once again, David.
I’m thankful you did this post as it was most informative. I especially appreciated the sketches and the symbolism you used. I am now beginning to really identify with the timeline, too.
As a nod to Andrew and Aaron, I hope that my work develops and matures into ‘kink-free’, ‘eye-catching’ designs!
All the best, David.
I’m very choosy over the jobs I accept, Louisa, and haven’t taken any new ones on since February (though that’s more down to the fact I’m writing a book). I can empathise with your current predicament, though. No doubt. I hope you get it sorted asap.
Cheers, Gerard. Happy to offer a few sketches every now and again.
I have been reading your blog posts occasionally and studying how you work with logo designs. I am a fan of your work. I love the #3 logo and it is really a great logo. I am looking forward to the re-designed website with new logo.
if someone is a first timer in designing logo, what would you advise in order to design better logo?
I noticed from your recent post that you have researched on the wine company and its competitors – how should we go about designing logo, if there is nothing about the new start-up company to research on, except some comments from the client about their new company and what symbolic they want to put without us coming up with some logo idea? Wouldn’t it be difficult to have any idea before sketching different logo variants?
Hey David – thanks for giving us the chance to see how your design process happens. You definitely take the time to cover all the details!
I’ve not read all the other comments (far too many :-) but I really like this identity solution David. It looks timeless and that’s a real achievement, one of my favourites of yours!
Wow, David, fantastic! The fonts fit the logo soooo well. Exceptional work and what a great attitude you had about all the requested changes and different directions! It definitely paid off in the end :)
David, I have to say, the colour PDF was really what sealed the quality deal. On pages 3 and 5, the colour combination just speaks in a normal, professional crisp tone, saying “here, approve me, and add class to your brand.”
Loving it :)
Josephine, I advise learning as much as possible about typography. It’s the cornerstone of effective identities.
Thanks very much, Gareth, Ash, Joseph, Lauren. At the time I was a little disappointed that the glass and bottle wasn’t favoured, but I think the final option is fitting, and I’m more than happy that Cyrille agrees.
Where do you recommend to study typography?
Here you’ll find some recommended typography books. They’re a great place to start.
many thanks for the website url where I can go and learn more about typography.
could you please give me an insight on what you will do to come up with logo ideas, if the company is new and has nothing to research on?
Thank you again for your time
You’re welcome, Josephine. Look at the business plan, the market they’re entering, the preferences of your client, the potential customers, what motivates them, the business location, the future plans…
Regardless of whether or not the company is a start-up, there’s always plenty to research. Good luck.
again, thank you :)
It’s always a pain in my heart when I see foreign people talking about french wines (I’m french guy living in the French Riviera, among vineyards) …
But your work is beautiful, so I’ have to forgive you.
Thank you for this post David.
Sorry to cause the heart-pain, Laurent, and thanks very much for the forgiveness. Truly a kind soul.
This is such a relief to see that freelancers also take some time and thought and pain to deliver a project. I’m in an industry (moved in Dec from London to Nigeria) where everybody isn’t just about now, they’re about RIGHT NOW and intellectual property is not half as appreciated as it was in London.
I appreciate that very small projects and not all projects require all the process but I don’t feel comfortable/right skipping the research/discovery (creative brief, brand workshop, my moodboars etc), then sketching, and finally touching illustrator. It normally takes me anywhere from a month, to I just finished one in three months. I’ve designed a bunch of “fake” logos, when I want to try out a new technique or idea just for fun in a matter of days – but it’s not the same with real people, real problems, real applications.
Recently I started to doubt this process, (and even lost a few jobs) because people wanted me to deliver a logo faster/cheaper (last pitch wanted logo/stationery in a week and didn’t understand the overtime/quick turnaround rates). Infact that is why I’m here now again looking through other freelancers processes to see again if there is someway I can change/improve/do without. Then I read this and see you spend around 2/3months with a very similar work flow to mine and my heart stops to race and I think – I’m certainly not alone. Thank you so much David. Not only for the inspiration but for the reassurance.
(This is why I never comment, they’re always Epic)
Hi Ebi, with comments like that, you should do it more often, and I’m very glad I can offer a little reassurance. I hope your move to Nigeria went well. I’ve just completed a project with a Nigerian client (my second from the African continent — but first successful one). I’ll be publishing info about it before too long.
Hi David,
First of all congratulations for a job well done! Your work has inspired me a lot.
Since there was a coat of arms in the original logo, I would like to know if it’s alright
to use one of the elements in the process of creating a new logo.
I have a client who intends to use the coat of arms of Germany. As a designer,
I am thinking of ways of incorporating some elements. Is it possible to extract some
details of coat of arms? This is the first time I will be dealing with coat of arms and
I want to know the guidelines and legal implications.
Thank you.
Carl
I’m not a reliable source on legal implications, Carl, but I believe you could use certain elements in isolation providing they were different enough from the original. I think the only way you can be certain is to talk with an IP attorney. Good luck with the project.
I really like the wine bottle and glass design, i also admire that all the logos submitted were all completely different and not just versions of themselves. Its interesting to see the design process from another designer.
Nice, informative designs. creative and inspirational.
Hey David,
I read your blog very long time. Decided to write a comment to this work. I write it because I have some problems with it. I really appreciate your works, I read that it took 6 month to complete the work. I’ve read some of comments, and I don’t understand isn’t there really who doesn’t like it?! Because I don’t! :) Really, i see that you have done a great work but the chosen version is not so great. But of course this is my thought. Maybe it is me, but the old gothic or heraldic logo was really great. I dont listen to those print problems, because it can be solved as well, I saw and worked tons of logos like the old one.
I like the first version from your designs. It was better.
Sorry if I was so hard.
I like the selected option but do not find the monogram component to be fully resolved. Both the left vertical of the H and the E lean toward the left which imbalances the form, while the right vertical of the H is painfully rigid when contrast with the sinuous curves of the other lines. I believe the logotype would look more complete were you to either, a) italicise the entire monogram to give it a stronger script feel, or b) skew the E to the right and descrease the size of the lower bowl to tighten it up. Also, with the left vertical of the H being isolated the form doesn not feel whole; it should be connected to the other lines. If you’re going to use a monogram, with the associations of wealth, class and success, it has to be very smooth in order to look *money*.
No worries at all, Vusal. If you think the old design was good enough, you’re very welcome to say. Thanks for reading.
Alan, likewise. I appreciate you making your suggestions. Cheers (no pun intended).
Very clean monogram, the bottle and wine glass could work but the “HE” really works if you remove and typography. I think because of that it works better.
Hi again David, did you see this? http://sameer.deviantart.com/art/logo-32167362
the first logo here, is very similar to yours, you must only remove the right line of H and make E closer and will be same :)
I love the chosen design, it’s stunning and timeless whilst feeling modern and fresh at the same time; some feat.
But, I’ve got to say, unused design #2 is really clever. I do think the client made the right choice in picking a timeless and stylish monogram instead though.
Thanks for looking out for me, Vusal. And Amanda, thanks very much for the compliment.
Normally I hate mongrams.
The best idea was the glass and bottle, but the monogram just feels right.
Nail. Head. Bang.
Good stuff David.
Cheers, Lee. Good of you, as always, to drop by and comment.
Hi david,
Incredible work, incredible design and very nice to see the creative process. I am impressed about the level of detail in which you share your design process.
The fact you are not holding back any information reaffirms your awareness of your impressive design skills. There are great designers and there are bad designers. The good ones will always be in a job, the bad ones just go and do something else bad and in the process of doing so, are not willing to share anything on how the go about their business.
I guess its a rather long way of saying; Keep it up, and let the grapes ripen and turn in to fine wine,
Cheers.
It’s my pleasure showing the process, Warner. Glad you found it of interest, and cheers to you, too.
Really like this design David, in fact I just preordered your book yesterday!
Could you be so kind as to tell me what font that is in the “Vins Fins” part of the logo?
I was thinking gotham at first but I wasn’t sure.
Hi Marty, thanks a lot for ordering my book. I hope you like it, and I’ll post another update here on the blog before it’s launched.
You’re right. Gotham’s the one. All the best.
Nice to know about the process involved in logo design. It’s interesting.
It’s my first time coming here, and it was so interesting to read about your initial concepts that i can’t wait to read more.. the new logo definitely looks much more expensive than the previous one they were using. It’s cool just how much the logo has changed since the very first sketches and the end result is just stunning! Congrats on a job well done!
Great finished product David. Much more clean, elegant and simple. I appreciate that you show your initial sketches, shows how much work and creativity go into the process.
As a graphic design student, I stumbled upon your website by accident and I can’t say anything else other than WOW. This brand identity is simply amazing, elegant and very beautiful. I love your concept designs but your final product is perfect for the company.
Out of curiosity, how long does it usually take for you to come up with all the different concept designs? :]
Sharon
Hello Sharon, no two projects are the same, but on average I’ll spend a few weeks developing ideas. Bye for now.
hi,
love your site lot’s of inspiration in here.
I see i am on the right track (doing a wine label soon with the letters BB) have notes and sketches like you (not like yours).
I really love the Henri Ehrhart letter mark.
Shame they don’t use it on their web page. Their labels look typically french and a bit boring. (on current web page)
looks like the web page hasn’t been updated since 2007.
regards
Angelika