Thursday, 23 February 2012

LOGOs ANALYSIS

Researching logos of similar businesses/artists will help me to gain better understanding of the industry as well as competition around. 

What I have noticed is that there is no wood carving artists (if any) that have any logos as such. They use their names only with variety of fonts. Apart from that the magazines, shops, groups are the only one that do have some kind of identity established. I am not sure why is that happening? Do these artists believe that ether is no need for it?
 

1. Analysis:
www.dunelandwoodcarvers.com

Duneland Woodcarvers Club provides forum to exchange information, ideas techniques concerning wood carving. What is their purpose? to create greater understanding of woodcarving and to preserve and promote the art of wood carving.

Simple design. I like the colours, which represent nature, woodlands and wood itself. Typography appropriate as fits with the skill of carving. Perhaps I would limit the use of imagery - and create one object, as the word speaks for itself.
2. Analysis:

This is a logo for WILDFOWL CARVING magazine. I like the design because of the layout, highlighting perhaps the way the wood can be shaved - archway. The only remark I would make is that the black colour does not represent what it stands for. Orange and black although matches well, it does not - in my opinion - fit the purpose.
I like the sketches on the side....of course that is not the part of the logo

3. Analysis:
 


Corporate Logo for a fast food company - it is a good example of logo being interchangeable; variety of medium used. It is interesting how the feel of both logos differ. The carved one in a bamboo plywood looks very sophisticated, while the one on the left - coordination with colour seem to clash...very unappetising! :) with a first glance I can see the carved logo working well on good quality alcohol like whiskey or similar or on the barrels or even on furniture - of course  with different title.


4. Analysis:
 

Simplicity here really works. Letter B formed in a shape of a bird works aesthetically well. Italic -ird insinuates the movement of  a flying bird. Clever and creative design. Love it. 

5. Analysis:
This is logo for Uchenna, a bath and body product line. Nice graphics with fluent motion, but it does not says much or portrays about the body and bath product line, and in my opinion the black does not work with such product. Blue, green peach-body colour would work much effectively. Also the lines perhaps should be leaner.

6. Analysis:

One of my liked ones. Publishing companies logos do look smart when done in black ink - also as most text is black it coordinates with the company itself. The font and overall look gives the impression of long-lasting publishing company. The only thing I am not sure about are the diamonds and "o"-s??? what is the purpose? Perhaps it would look much better if the diamonds were by the opposite sides to the word "publishing".


Fun designed logo, nicely coordinated and it does the job! just even looking at the logo the viewer immediately will associate it with clothing. Brilliant idea! The font is quite bold...i wonder how it would look if it was slightly thinner??


 


One of my favourites. Strong, bold logo, well designed. It looks carved - which is inspiring towards my own project. I like the colours also: Brown works well with the cream colour. 

9. Analysis:

Woodcraft, the industry leader in providing a wide variety of top quality woodworking products, educational opportunities and one-on-one guidance to woodworkers of all skill levels. I like the rough look to it. Of course brown will always work with wood - cleverly cut in words inside ROUGH CUT - works really well. Also font is strong and bold - which delivers hard work -and that is what the company is about.

10. Analysis:

Quite artistic approach towards this design. Wood transformation within the letter W is happening which insinuates what you can expect to buy from that place. But on the other hand it might create confusion and make the viewer assume that it sells woodcraft tools rather than doors and windows. The font is far too small with proportion to the image. - in my opinion. Also I think that the image is too fair.

11. Analysis:


Dovici Custom Woodcraft instills the time-cherished tradition of Yankee Quality Craftsmanship through four generations of wood-crafters the tradition lives on. Dovici Custom Woodcraft uses domestic and exotic woods from around the world to create custom, timeless furnishings that will endure for many generations. Now I know that the bird must have something to do with the Yankees, bringing long lasting culture into the logo creates sense of belonging. I my opinion there is no need for the oval shape outside the  logo - it closes it and separates the CUSTOM WOODCRAFT wording. Perhaps a splash of colour - will add liveliness. 

12. Analysis:
http://www.woodcarvers.org/
 

This logo is overpowered by the use of brown stitched lines around the person carving, making it illegible.


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Monday, 20 February 2012

DISCUSSING COLOUR

Following the proposal I have met up with my client so to get some idea on her choice of colours..
as I did not have any pantone colour palette I have used "Homebase" paint colours collection just to get some of the idea on the colours that Kathryn might like and ones to consider:



Moodboard 1

 










She likes shade of green, and this is the direction she would love to go: paler teal, blue-green tone, sea green, mint..this kind of line she would love to proceed.
Also lighter brown:

Moodboard 2
 
I have advised Kathryn not to go too light with the colour brown, as the 3D effect of the curve will be diminished.

Saturday, 18 February 2012

RESEARCH - LOGO: HISTORY, INDUSTRY, ARTISTS



WOODWORK HISTORY AND INDUSTRY RESEARCH:

1.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Articles/Articles.aspx?ArticleId=239

History of Woodcraft

"Woodturning goes back a few years: in the good old days, there was much art and much less speed than we get today. Old spindle and bowl lathes used various sources of power, but often had low end speeds of 75 RPM--and high end speed of 75 RPM! There were treadle models and pedal models--with pedals designed to work as they did on the velocipedes of the time (late 1870s in the cases mentioned…recent research indicates that woodturning may be about 3000 years old, originating, presumably simultaneously, in Great Britain [Celts], Italy [Etruscans] and by inhabitants of the Crimea). 

Today, we have to look hard to find low speeds that slow, and higher speeds can range up to those that will toss even the smallest work right off the chuck if it is not securely fastened. Part of the art, and skill, of woodturning is learning the techniques that keep you safe.Woodturning is being discovered by many more people each year, and quickly shows itself deserving of a reputation as an art, though sometimes a simple one, in addition to being known as a complex and satisfying craft.Given enough skill from the woodworker, turned wood objects do not have to be simple, in any way. Art is at least partly in the eye of the beholder, so whether or not your work is art is up to you and its other viewers. One of the greatest features of turning is the chance to gain enough knowledge in short order to make finished projects in just a few hours--lathes give us the possibility of completing, including finish, many worthwhile projects inside a single evening. We can turn out good looking, useful projects after work on almost any day. Short of driving nails in a plank and then nailing the plank to the wall to hold coats and sweaters, there's nothing much else out there that allows shorter times from start to finish in woodworking projects. And the best part is, the projects are both attractive and useful--or can be! (...)



Woodturning is a great recreation, even if you don't aspire to artistry. And you might well be surprised how your aspirations change as your skills increase.



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2.

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/wood-paper-printing/wood/index_en.htm

Woodworking industries NOW
The EU wood product manufacturing industries or woodworking industries include the 
production of sawnwood, wood-based panels and other wooden products, such as joinery 
and carpentry materials, containers and other wooden packaging and other wooden articles. 
Although most wood in the EU is used in construction and is not always immediately apparent 
in our daily lives, wooden products do play an important role in everyday living.
In 2006 the woodworking industries had a turnover of €134 billion and an added value of 
€37.2 billion, employing 1.27 million people in 197,000 firms. Most companies are small or 
medium-sized. The only exceptions to this are the wood-based panel sub-sector and a handful of 
sawmills having large enterprises. There are also many more full-time and part-time jobs in 
micro-enterprises, which are not counted in the official statistics.
Around 90% of the woodworking industries' wood raw material comes from sustainable EU forests
the rest is imported. As society's concern about global deforestation and forest degradation 
(see section on sustainable forests), emerging EU legislation should ensure that all sources of wood 
and wood products come from verifiably legal sources. Wood products offer one of the most 
sustainable arrays of construction and consumer products. In terms of lifestyle and design, 
wood has many advantages over other materials.
The Confederation of European Woodworking Industries has produced "Road Map 2010", 
identifying actions to promote the wider use of wood."
















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3.
ARTISTS WHO WORK WITH WOOD:


STEPHEN HENDERSON

He is a sculptor/carver living and working within the Walton Backwaters on the Essex coast. The formative years of his childhood were spent pursuing migrating wildfowl in winter, and fishing during the summer in the creeks and marshes around the quay. He is passionate about wading birds, with his kitchen and workshop windows looking out over the mudflats. His work is inspired by the native shorebirds and fish species of his locality, together with wildlife observed on holidays and travels from around the world. Carving out of found pieces of wood and Canadian pine, he mounts his work on driftwood and natural weathered timber. He works with themes such as motherhood, courtship and predation, trying to reflect the mannerisms of individual creatures and their personalities.







JIM MAAS
 
Jim uses his practiced surgeon’s capability for fine hand-eye coordination to expertly capture the realism that is so vital in the field of competitive bird carving. Of equal or greater importance to this genre, however, is a sensibility for discovering meaningful, artistic statements within these realistic depictions of avian life. It is this awareness for the beauty of the natural world of birds that has helped Jim to create many award-winning carvings. The study of anatomy in carving, as in surgery, is also important. In competition, misplaced feathers are cause for failure.

Jim favors tupelo, a soft wood native to Tupelo, Mississippi for his birds. His bases are made from basswood, walnut, or cherry. Competition pieces are required to be entirely handmade, except for the eyes. This includes the habitat the bird might be in. Therefore, all branches, leaves, flowers, rocks and other elements of setting are completely handcrafted, as well. Jim follows this procedure for all of his pieces. 
He uses a variety of painting techniques and tools to bring life to his carefully fashioned carvings.







BOB SMITH


Bob Smith was born in Newcastle, Northumberland in 1951. Educated in local schools until 15 years of age, Bob spent his early working years in heavy industry as a Millwright, later moving into the construction business. At the age of forty Bob founded his own business slating and tiling the roofs of Northumberland.
Bob was introduced to rock climbing in his early twenties and quickly became one of the leading UK figures, and dominated the sport in his own area for many years, producing more than 300 new rock climbs and throwing down a gauntlet for young aspirants which has only recently been taken up.
Bobs artistic ability, the practical skills acquired during his working life and the deep appreciation of nature learnt during endless days climbing in the Northumbrian coutryside have combined to create the beautiful sculptures.







BRAD WILEY


He says: " As a young man, Thoreau's philosophy of a simple life greatly influenced me. That's why I work out of the home I designed and built myself deep in the woodlands of western Pennsylvania.

Since 1987, it is here in my home studio that I carve, paint and mount my birds. I bring a keen sense of observation and an appreciation of detail to every piece that I create. I select and sculpt the driftwood to reflect the attitude and likeness of each bird.

I love what I do. I'm blessed that my livelihood is to carve and paint birds as a full time artist."





KATHY CRUMREI
http://cathykrumrei.com/?page_id=57

An artist from Minnesota. Carving has been part of her life.





NORA HALL
http://www.carvinginnyc.com/sowc%20chapter%207.htm

One of the most accomplished female woodcarvers and top carving instructors in USA, Nora Hall is a well respected international female artist.  Nora Hall is a third generation Master woodcarver, born in Holland in 1922.  She apprenticed under her father, the renowned Dutch master woodcarver Johannes Leereveld. 
Nora Hall immigrated to the United States in 1956 and began teaching efficient skills to American woodcarvers.
Nora believes that one of the greatest faults of American woodcarvers is that most are self taught and have never been shown the full range of work that a chisel is capable of performing.  She believes that you need to start with the basics and learn proper techniques, allowing the speed to come in time after many repetitions of the same techniques.  She emphasizes the importance of using hold down devices on your wood so that two hands may be used on the tools at all times.  This will give the carver much better control and accuracy in their carvings.