Which Logo is Better?

[Lunarmirage]

So I've been working on a visual novel and was creating some logos. These are the first logos I've ever made, so they're not very good. >.< I was having trouble choosing between two of them.

Which one do you prefer? And do you have any suggestions on improving them?

[Fox Lee]

The second one definitely has a nicer layout, to my eyes. Though, if it's all right for me to say, I think they could both use some smoothing around the font edges. They're good designs, but those edges are very jagged ^^;

[Lunarmirage]

Yeah, I was planning on smoothing out the edges after choosing one. >.< Thanks for your advice!

[DarkSin]

I also like the second one better. Everything is centred and overall more pleasing to look at. Although, other than the jaggedness, I don't think the text bevelling is working here (especially in the lower text). In my opinion, it'll look much better without it. Cheers!

[Laluune]

Did you make this in Photoshop? If so play around with your blending options some more, increase the stroke outline and maybe make the bevelling/embossing sharper as it's very soft at the moment and doesn't feel like metal if that is what you were going for. As for the logo layout I think it's pretty darn good for your first try I'm jealous because logos are not my strong point at all.

I'll vote for the second logo but the cards in the background are fighting with the text, you could remove them entirely and I think the logo would read stronger, or you could dial down the cards in the background, maybe remove their outlines? Or don't make the border the same colour as the font?

I look forward to seeing the next iteration

[Lunarmirage]

Thank you all for the advice! I was using pixlr, a free online editor, since I don't have photoshop. I might remove the beveling entirely since pixlr doesn't have the beveling options I want. And I'll definitely try removing the cards or making them lighter!

[Yangyang Mobile]

Thank you all for the advice! I was using pixlr, a free online editor, since I don't have photoshop. I might remove the beveling entirely since pixlr doesn't have the beveling options I want. And I'll definitely try removing the cards or making them lighter!

Photoshop CS2 is made free, in case you're interested Definitely packs more features than Pixlr.

[Lunarmirage]

Oh wow, I had no idea! :O I'll have to check it out, thanks!

[Atomic-Invasion]

Usually a VN is made for a horizontal screen so my choice is the second one, though first one is also good and promising and you can use it in square space content haha...

Other stuff that I notice for the second one...
• Smoothen the edges (I think this is more software related problems haha > < )
• Shadow is nice but I think it would be better if you lessen it. The Shadow effects must have followed the MAD KING font which is why it didn't match the smaller font "In Fear... " due to well, size haha. The bevel as well. If you could match the smaller font and its bevel/shadow intensity that will be awesome. Also you could try changing the color of the bevel/depth font to like dark yellow or anything dark except black / gray. Blending also helps.
• Try to move the cards a bit to the left to make it more centered to everything. I think someone noted about the card element fighting the text, that is true as it also fighting another element which is the crown but I think if you could try experiment the card placement a bit that will hinder the foreground of the logo it may improve. Smaller cards? Move it up? or seperate them? Revisions are a good way to see other options

Ahh hope this helps > <

[King-sama]

Thank you all for the advice! I was using pixlr, a free online editor, since I don't have photoshop. I might remove the beveling entirely since pixlr doesn't have the beveling options I want. And I'll definitely try removing the cards or making them lighter!

Photoshop CS2 is made free, in case you're interested Definitely packs more features than Pixlr.

Can you give a link? o3o I wanna download

[Miyuu]

I opt for the second logo. Very neatly centred. Good design for a first try, by the way.

Another Photoshop alternative would be GIMP, it's free. The functions are almost the same as PS. You can even open .psd files from GIMP.

[Kkoro]

Second one is more pleasing.

The first logo makes my eyes switch between the cards and the capital letters MK.