Hi all

I am just about to open up shop within the next month or so, all being well

I am going to be selling your basic home made style cakes, such as Muffins, Chocolate brownies, carrot cakes, cookies, sandwhiches and a little retail farm shop side too.

Its all happening nbow finally after 6 monhs of planning permission, etc etc, so I am working with a logo designer at the moment and have him the specs of our proposed idea, but I wanted some professional and unbiased opinions and I often come to this site, just to browse but never signed up :)

Can I ask your opinion on this as a logo, be as harsh as you want (ignore the black backgorund thats just to make logo stand out, but will be cropped)

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/markfj/mid_zps54a4a424.jpg[/IMG]

Sorry but it is not showing up

is it like your avatar?? the link didn't work

if it is your avatar picture then i think the size of the sign should be larger than the gingerbread man

but it like it i think it's really cute and i wish the best of the best in all aspects

and less worry and concern that normally accompanies such endeavors

very cool!!!

Thankd gus for even having a look, sorry the link didnt work, it wouldnt allow me to enter a pic, Ill try here, but yes it its the logo in my avatar which I think you can click on to make larger :)

Thanks for that :)

I dont know why I think its my rubbish PC that wouldnt allow me to post it properly!

Thanks for the feedback, we were looking for something a little different but not unprofessional, hoping we hav found it, but just wanted more unbiased opinions :)

gingerbread typically is though of as a christmas cookie too

i think you could work around that by avoiding green & red--maybe go with raisin buttons

Just being honest here:

I, too, find the gingerbread man to be seasonal--and I just keep seeing Gingy from the "Puss 'n Boots" movies--cute, but not necessarily a great pairing.

I think it's a bit "juvenile", too, and not "upscale". Again, a personal preference, but I don't know anything about your target market.

Rae

Thanks for that

I should explain I guess:

Our premesis is located opposite a primary school, we wanted a logo that was also a character that would firsltly appear friendly and appeal to children and also something that could be used for merchandise in the future, such as shirts, mughs etc.. it is just and idea though

The red is part of the shops colours/unfirom which were red and black so we though perhaps the logo should incorporate red too?

I didnt actually put the connection between a gingerbread man and xmas either to be honest :) I am actually a chef, so making gingerbread men isnt normally on my to do list so must have missed it being seasonal :)

Thank you for your feedback

I can certainly see wanting to appeal to the kids ("Oh, Mommy, can we go in there and get a cookie?), as they may be the original motivators for a purchase. 

It might be worthwhile creating a proprietary/trademarked/copyrighted character logo--"FJ"--in your business colors that as it gets know, people would associate ONLY with your business.  The gingerbread man doesn't really do that, even if you name him "FJ" because it's such a time-worn image.

Simple thoughts might be a cookie with the chocolate chips spelling out "FJ", a cupcake with features wearing an "FJ" t-shirt, 2  F & J shaped cookies.....

Rae

ASince you said primary school, should we assume you are in the UK? For other posters, gingerbread men are not a seasonal item in the UK like they are in the US, just wanted to clarify that for everyone!

That's a good observation

Yes we are in the UK, perhaps I should have mentioned that. Im not sure, as im a chef, I was looking to have a shop that sells good almost restaurant quality desserts/cakes but without the price tag and to take away instead of sit down.

I guess my main concern, if it is a concern is nopt sure if a Gingerbread man will deflect people from our target audience, but then we are trying to show we are family based too and we are based in a smallish village so trying to have something for everyone, my idea of a gingerbread man was to hopefully show this, but i appreciated the advice given so far and anyone else that happens to comment

Thanks again

That's a good observation

Yes we are in the UK, perhaps I should have mentioned that. Im not sure, as im a chef, I was looking to have a shop that sells good almost restaurant quality desserts/cakes but without the price tag and to take away instead of sit down.

I guess my main concern, if it is a concern is nopt sure if a Gingerbread man will deflect people from our target audience, but then we are trying to show we are family based too and we are based in a smallish village so trying to have something for everyone, my idea of a gingerbread man was to hopefully show this, but i appreciated the advice given so far and anyone else that happens to comment

Thanks again

That's a good observation

Yes we are in the UK, perhaps I should have mentioned that. Im not sure, as im a chef, I was looking to have a shop that sells good almost restaurant quality desserts/cakes but without the price tag and to take away instead of sit down.

I guess my main concern, if it is a concern is nopt sure if a Gingerbread man will deflect people from our target audience, but then we are trying to show we are family based too and we are based in a smallish village so trying to have something for everyone, my idea of a gingerbread man was to hopefully show this, but i appreciated the advice given so far and anyone else that happens to comment

Thanks again

AI'm British but I live in the US, it's amazing how some little things can be so different!

I think your logo does hit the family market, but it doesn't scream elegant, restaurant quality indulgence. I don't know how the market is in your area to know whether there are people who would buy those treats, but who wouldn't normally have reason to stop in to a bakery targeted at families.

Thanks for your input :)

It's great to hear your opinion. I was a little worried about perhaps not being an Upmarket enough logo, but I do agree perhaps people will come in regardless if theres something nice to eat.

I beleive from what's been said, theres a variety of people in the village, from the elderly, to young children at the school and presumablymiddle aged parents, also being on the main road its a thoroughfare for alot of people including cyclists...

Thanks for your feedback

Mark

A

It's not entirely clear who your target market will be, from your product assortment you seem to be all over the map.

AThat's a fair comment, and I agree.

Well what we are trying to acheive is ofcourse value for money but a good product, I know things are different in US based on my recent holiday there. But over here, at least where I live there lots of places that call themselves "bakeries" or patisseries that buy their stock elsewhere and don't even cook on site

We are going to bake on site and hope to offer quality products aimed at almost anyone, there will be cheaper things for children/peole willing to spend less, but also big cakes priced higher

We will see when we get in the shop who comes in and what sells and we adjust accordingly, all being well

A

This. Personally, I don't like it. It just looks off and I can't put my finger on it.

AThe Gingerbread man is cute but I cant hep but think of christmas. You say that are in the UK so christmas isnt a problem but I still think the gingerbread man witb red white and green look seasonal . You say the red is in the uniform so have the gingerbread man red and white...maybe dark brown for the bottoms ....just a thought

A:-D

AMark I think the cultures are so different on this, that you can't really ask for advice from US based bakers who don't have any idea what a UK village bakery would look like, the fact that the gingerbread man keeps being raised as Christmas related just proves that in my mind.

I think that if you wanted to keep the gingerbread man, it could be refined to perhaps have broader appeal while still hitting your target market. And I'd use a plainer, more professional font.

A[quote name="kikiandkyle" url="/t/752545/logo-critique-please/15#post_7346369"]Mark I think the cultures are so different on this, that you can't really ask for advice from US based bakers who don't have any idea what a UK village bakery would look like, the fact that the gingerbread man keeps being raised as Christmas related just proves that in my mind. I think that if you wanted to keep the gingerbread man, it could be refined to perhaps have broader appeal while still hitting your target market.And I'd use a plainer, more professional font.[/quot I think that hes using that cute font on purpose to go with the cute gingerbread man

Hi :) I am UK based and I cant see what all the fuss is about lol it looks great.. ok maybe make him / her smile but the logo is stirght to the point. I hope your new company works well :) 

Ang

x

I love the logo as you are representig home style goods you will be selling as opposed to upscale bespoke cakes, correct?  I work at a bakery and also china paint ornaments... top seller is gingerbread men in both settings.  So if red and green don't work just go with the red /white / black colour theme.  ( as china painter taught to always work in odd numbers for colour choices)  Of course I have 2 large wooden gingerbread people with baker's hats and cupcakes hanging from their middles hanging in my house.  I find people do remember if you have gingerbread men displayed....however this is not usa.... canada.

:) Thanks for your feedback guy!

Its a controversial gingerbread man isn't it lol

I'm thinking perhaps as we are in the UK and its not neceressarily a seasonal thing here, is we keep character, but possible move the text underneath and change the font, so the font is a little more professional. We are aiming at a broad range of people,, but we also want to get a mobile van on the road in the future and dont want it purely to look like a kids birthday van lol

Well, after reading some comments I sort of went back to the drawing board, I sort of knew what I wanted but couldnt explain it to the designed so I had a little go myself, ignore the while box and the badly cropped image :) I will send it back to the designer soon, I think personally it looks more professional but always like second opinions :) Thanks

I like the layout of the lettering in the 2nd logo.  Looks more professional and upscale IMO.
 

AI love the second one!!! It looks friendly yet professional. Good job!!