Love it !

Dylan,
Nice mark. I like the concept, but feel it’s a bit unbalanced. The D has much more visual weight than the M. I think lengthening the 3D M and sharpening the baseline angles might add some weight and balance.

I like the play on the physical/spiritual in the mark, but a part of me still wants to see the M take on a more organic shape. The D is so striking, that the M pales in comparison.
My two cents.

— tomás

I like. The tall end of the d could be a bit more slender at the top. Cheers.

Great mark! Great idea!

Doesn’t read as DM to me. Even after I knew it was supposed to.

Retorik:

Thanks for the honest reply. I hadn’t heard anyone say that up to this point. Anyone else agree that it’s a stretch to see a D and M immediately? Or at all? Even after I send you a box of warm Krispy Kremes to your house as a bribe?

I would have mentioned it if it had been a problem for me. I will say that I see the mark as a complete symbol first, then the individual letters. Because you explained the mark in the description there was no way to see it with fresh eyes so to speak.

If you need a negative to feel the critique is honest, I would say that the mark has a particular flavor that is strong. I would expect your work to have a similar style, and without knowing for sure, would anticipate that you have a working style of illustration as well. Now I’ll go check.

I don’t see the D, but no problem.
I like the ambiguity — the positive/negative thing between the drop and the flame, the flat/dimensional quality of the M/grate.
It could also be a superhero mask with crazy hair.
Wot, no colour?

Very perceptive of you, Jupiterboy. See the attache PDFs for samples of my work: aggressive line and hand-lettering mark much of what I do.

Well I get the prize. Nice work

Here’s what I was talking about.

I think you’re right...I could decrease that width. There’s a little too much visual tension where the two shapes almost touch. Thanks for taking the time to illustrate your point.

unfortunately i just saw the m. I could obviously read the d once i learned of what it is supposed to be but i still see the m.

REALLY like your work for black sheep, Dylan. Such energy!
— tomás

It’s very nice. I like the shapes and the concept of the water drop in the middle is very cool, but it doesn’t read a ’d.’ That’s not a bad thing, though, the ’M’ for your last name would suffice if people happen to miss the ’d.’ It is characteristic of your work, and if you want it to make it more like a ’d,’ just don’t overdo it!

“REALLY like your work for black sheep, Dylan. Such energy!
— tomás”:

Thanks, Tomás. They were a good client, to a point. Good client because they gave me total freedom. Jon and Jim Goslee are great guys that way...very laid back brothers. But I never made the time to outline to them the effective nature of a complete identity system. So they’re ’brand’ has been a mishmash of stuff since. But they’ve opened two more locations, which begs the question...Would any extra effort on my part been worth the effort? And that’s food for another thread, right? Again, thanks for the compliment about the work. I thoroughly enjoyed doing it for the Brothers Goslee. Someday I might reach down, grab a pair (my pair, to be clear) and get serious about doing that kind of work full time.

I love it. I’d like to see the M extend though, at the points. I’d think that’d rock.
— David

It’s official. And permanent:

Now that’s what i call branding!

That looks great dylan. Now what does it look like on your stationery?.... *excited*

_________________

Paul

You are what you wear :-)

ChrisL

great work!

—————
Paul Ducco
Graphic Design, Melbourne

Thanks, guys. My wife wasn’t too thrilled with me coming home wearing new ink, but...she’s very cool and, overall, respects the passion, concept and...the guy who’s bearing the mark. Website’s almost done. Biz cards and such to follow...

At least she has brand loyalty :-)

ChrisL