One Small Thread

Sorry but this is not working at all.

It's anything but simple. It's not that it's difficult to read, it's difficult just to look at. So many things going on, the font treatment, the textures, all these random colors and that randomly wiggling and badly curved stroke. Add a generic drop shadow effect on top of that and you have one mess of logo.

First: never use filters on a font and drop shadow effects. These are the hallmarks of amateurism. This is ok when you just start in the business. Less so when you got a few years of experience.

Second: I may be wrong, but I sense you came up with this on Photoshop. If so, STAHP!!! Photoshop isn't made for logo design, as a logo should not be made out of pixels. Illustrator is the way to go, as it uses vectors so can you reduce or blow up your log without any resolution problems. It's the only way to have a clean, pixel free logo and not that horrible pile of goo you wound up with.

Third: that pink stroke. When you say you did it by hand, you mean you drew it with your mouse, right? These are two totally different things. If you want to draw directly on the computer, use a graphic tablet. It's the closest you can get to it. Forget about the mouse. But the best way to go, is simply to actually draw. And not just your flimsy pink thread. The whole logo! Ideas come way more freely when you make a few dozens sketches and only use your software to finalize your ideas.

Finally: the client being happy with result doesn't mean you did a good job. It only goes to show the client has no particular sense of aesthetics. In the end, you're the one who get screwed, because down the line, you'll find out that you just can't keep this mess in your portfolio. It's typically the type of thing you will look at in a few years and think "OMFG, how could I do that?!" =)

Sorry, I hope I wasn't too harsh but i think these few pointers I gave you can help. One last thing, check out these sites for inspiration : www.logopond.com and www.dribbble.com. There are a lot of these types of sites out there, don't hesitate to check them out. Also, get yourself a Pinterest account.

Good luck and don't hesitate to come back with more of your work!

Shawali got here first.... so.... ditto

Not to mention, that font is super gimmicky.

Another thing to consider, and this is true for all graphic designers, is how the logo may be fabricated in forms beyond print and web, and the requirements for the artwork to be compatible with various methods of production.

For example, this client in particular may want their logo stitched onto a hat or a polo shirt, in an obvious demonstration of their own products. Raster art (jpgs and photoshop files) are useless for that, and would have to be traced or recreated from scratch as vector art (geometric points and lines). Computer-controlled sewing machines need those vector lines to provide paths to follow when stitching physical material, and that's impossible with pixel art.

Those same vector lines are also used by router tables to cut sheets of acrylic or aluminum when making signs, and by plotters when cutting vinyl letters and logos for signs and vehicle graphics.

And of course even in the print world, vector art is strongly preferred, as it can be scaled in size infinitely without loss of resolution and grants absolute control over color.

Remember: FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION. Utility is more important than appearance. Just because something looks good does not make it useful.