Project Overview:

I was contacted by a dog breeding company that was in need of a logo and a watermark. They wanted a simple logo, and a logotype, and a wordmark logo to set their company apart from other breeding companies. They also needed a watermark they could add to their photos to protect them from being stolen.

Company Research:

To begin I asked what they were looking for in a logo representation. Their company name and location nod to the mountains so they wanted to include that imagery somehow. They wanted to be clear that they are a dog related company though, so that was important to keep that imagery included as well. 

They sent me ideas of what they liked in simple marks. Something elegant and soft with a shape. They were also wanting something more hand-lettered looking. They had a color palette in mind including lots of earthy colors including a darker sage green, soft pinks, and a warmer brown red.

Digital Concepts:

I sketched many ideas for the owners and we landed on a few ideas we liked best. I then expounded upon those on the computer and created them digitally. I did some hand-lettering for them so they could have their own mark that was unique. We also liked the idea of a classy serif typeface, so we blended the two together.

I created the idea of the paw and mountain mark to draw together the dog and mountain imagery. They loved this idea and quickly picked a favorite.  

Top Concepts:

After working with the owners we decided on a logo mark and a wordmark that they liked best to represent their company and then created some stronger variations for them. Something we could make a watermark with and something they could use on mail and so forth for the company.

Color Study:

We originally decided on this color palette with strong earthy tones and a soft pink and cream to round it out. Then they decided they wanted something with a stronger punch  to accent the color palette. We tried a few things and decided the blue was a strong option that went well with the look they were trying for in their photos and literature for the company.

I also made sure I did a gray study to make sure we had enough variation in our color choices to create contrast.

Final Color Palette:

Final Logos:

Concepts on Using Watermarks and Logo:

Conclusion:

I really enjoyed this project. I learned a lot about the importance of working closely with the client and making sure the design reflects their desires for their company. This helps them feel both heard and supported through out the process. I also felt like we were able to work faster because I knew what they wanted. It wasn't a battle of guessing and then coming back with lots of designs that didn't work. It was clear communication from them that helped me create what they needed in the end. I think this also came from asking the right questions. To get the right information you have to ask the right questions.